February 5, 2009 in Outdoors

Feeding wild animals could be prohibited

Associated Press
 
Tags:elkfeedingouWashington Legislaturewildlife

OLYMPIA — The Washington House is considering a bill that would prohibit private citizens from feeding many wild animals — elk, deer, bears, raccoons, opossums, cougars, wolves, coyotes, wild turkeys and skunks.

Rep. Brian Blake of Aberdeen told The Olympian the goal is to prevent animals from becoming troublesome because they depend on people. He knows of one person who feeds 100 pounds of dog food a week to a large black bear.

An owner of the Eco Park Resort near Mount St. Helens, Mark Smith, feeds hay each day to as many as 100 elk. If the bill passes as written some of those elk would starve.

The state Fish and Wildlife Department feeds elk at nine stations that were created to help animals that lost their range to farms and ranches.

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Three comments on this story so far. Add yours!

  • woodbanner on February 05 at 9:57 a.m.

    I cannot stand to see any animal go hungry. If I still lived in rural area, I would want to feed them . Thats better than letting them starve to death. In Switzerland, farmers always put hay out for the wildlife. It was ecpected from each farmer to care for the hungry deer, etc.

  • frankotn on February 05 at 1:53 p.m.

    So let us all quit feeding the legislatures and maybe they will all perish instead. Can’t seem to vote them out.

  • ecfoley01 on September 28 at 5:08 a.m.

    Maybe our legislators should spend more time worrying about the economy rather than people feeding animals.

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