As of today 114 wild deer have been found to be infected with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the state of Minnesota, 2 of which were found in Dakota County. CWD is a fatal prion disease that also affects other cervids like elk and moose.
To prevent the spread of CWD in the state, the MN Department of Natural Resources has ordered a deer feeding ban in the following counties: Carlton, Chisago, Douglas, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Pope and Stearns. Plus, a deer feeding and attractant ban in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Olmsted, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington, and Winona.
The fine for violating the ban is $300.
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Chronic Wasting Disease is spread between animals by contact with feces, urine, saliva, and blood. Since feeding and attractants can cause deer to congregate in large numbers the DNR requires that anyone who feeds birds or other small mammals do so in a way that prevents deer from gaining access. To start, since deer can reach feeders within 5 feet, place food at least 6 feet above ground level.
Other helpful steps that can be taken include:
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1. Use tube feeders, hopper style, or cage-style suet feeders for birds.
2. Try thistle seed, hummingbird nectar, and suet which deer generally dislike and avoid using cracked corn, black oil sunflower seeds, and bird seed mixes.
3. Only put out the amount of food birds in your area will consume in one day.
4. Keeping feeders within 3 feet of your home can be a deer deterrent.
5. Keep the area around feeders clean. Any food that drops to the ground will become a potential attractant. Place a platform 5 feet off the ground under the feeder to catch all spilled food and clean it out daily.
6. Installing a woven wire 4 foot or taller fence around the feeder is also an option. This prevents the deer from reaching over or through to get to the food. If you prefer to keep deer completely off of your property you'll need to install a woven wire fence that is at least 10 feet tall. Keep in mind that building permits are required for fences over seven feet in height. Fences under seven feet in height do not require a building permit but must meet the location and City ordinance requirements.
Chronic Wasting Disease isn't only a threat to cervids, it's also a potentially fatal public health threat that needs to be taken seriously so to keep CWD numbers low Minnesotans must do their part to prevent the spread of the disease.
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