Can You Really Be Fined for Feeding Birds in Michigan?

When someone tells you that you can be fined for feeding birds in Michigan, it definitely makes you do a double-take. It sounds ridiculous, right? Stores literally sell bird seed and feeders, so what gives?

I know this whole thing sounds a little crazy, especially if this is the first time you're hearing about it. But believe it or not, there are actually situations where feeding birds in Michigan could land you with a fine.

Why Feeding Birds Can Lead to Fines

It’s not that feeding birds is straight-up illegal in Michigan, but it can become a problem depending on how you do it. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), there are rules against feeding wildlife in ways that attract deer or elk, especially in the Lower Peninsula, where baiting and feeding are banned to help stop the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD).

So if your bird feeder is low enough or spills in a way that deer can get to it, you could actually end up with a fine.

Seeing how confusing this whole thing can be, State Representative Ken Borton introduced House Bill 4350. The bill would make it okay to feed wildlife and birds under certain conditions. It would let you put up to two gallons of feed within 300 feet of your home to either watch animals or stop them from starving. But for now, the bill hasn’t passed, so the current rules are still in effect.

Best Practices for Feeding Birds in Michigan

The best thing to do is to use deer-resistant feeders, place them up high, and keep them close to your home. It's also recommended that you clean up any seed that falls to the ground. Seriously, who is actually going to do that?

50 Birds Around Michigan You Know But Don't Know

Michigan is known for its wildlife, especially its many unique birds. However, you might know the name of the bird you're looking at. List of birds from Animal Spot and Where's Wildlife.

Gallery Credit: Tommy McNeill