SPOKANE, Wash. — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has issued a feeding ban in parts of Spokane County to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD).
According to a press release from the department, this emergency rule prohibits the feeding of deer, elk, and moose in specific areas of Eastern Region 1. The ban is intended to address the spread of CWD, a fatal disease affecting cervids—deer, elk and moose—caused by mutated proteins known as prions. These prions can contaminate the environment and spread between animals through bodily fluids such as feces, saliva and urine.
The press release notes that feeding wildlife, though often well-intentioned, can contribute to the spread of CWD by causing animals to congregate, which increases the risk of disease transmission. Additionally, feeding can habituate animals to human presence, lead to aggressive behavior and increase the risk of wildlife-car collisions.
Under the new rule, it is now an infraction to place, distribute, or scatter feed—including grain, hay, minerals, salt and fruit—in Game Management Units 124 (Mount Spokane), 127 (Micah Peak) and 130 (Cheney). The department said these areas were chosen due to their proximity to where a deer in north .
WDFW has clarified that the rule excludes routine agricultural practices such as crop cultivation and animal husbandry for domestic livestock. The full text of the emergency rule can be found here.
WDFW said that residents can assist by reporting sick or dead deer, elk or moose to WDFW. More information on chronic wasting disease, including related rules and testing procedures for harvested cervids, can be found on the WDFW website.
