Wash. Dept. of Wildlife Discourages Winter Feeding of Wildlife

When the temperature drops and snow falls, many people want to feed deer and other wildlife. While the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) conducts winter feeding under certain conditions, the department generally discourages individual citizens from feeding deer, elk and other wildlife species.

The best way to help wild animals survive a severe winter is to maintain high-quality habitat plantings year-round. If animals go into the winter in good condition, most are able to survive persistent deep snow, ice and cold temperatures. Even in well-functioning natural ecosystems, however, some animals succumb during winter months. The winter season has always kept wildlife populations in balance with available habitat.

To read more about WDFW's recommendations on the winter feeding of animals, visit their website.