It is illegal to intentionally feed wild deer or moose in New York.
Feeding of white-tailed deer causes unnatural concentrations near the food source, which can lead to ecological damage, damage to property, and an increased risk of transmission of disease between deer.
Exceptions to the feeding prohibition include:
- DEC issued research license, management permit, or 4-Poster TickicideTM license;
- planting, cultivating, or harvesting of vegetation associated with normal agricultural or horticultural practices;
- planting, cultivating, or harvesting plants to enhance wildlife habitat conditions;
- distribution of food material for livestock directly associated with livestock husbandry;
- distribution of food material for legally possessed captive animals of the family Cervidae where measures are in place to eliminate the availability of food material to deer or moose; and
- cutting of trees or brush.