Pocatello considers wildlife feeding ordinance

The Pocatello City Council will hold a public hearing Thursday to consider an ordinance aimed at regulating the feeding of wildlife within city limits.

The city has seen a number of recent incidents involving not-always welcome wildlife encounters involving mountain lions, deer, two varieties of turkeys, moose, bears and other animals.

The ordinance would prohibit citizens living in identified urban wildlife interface zones “from intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly feeding or attracting wildlife within city limits.” Those zones are defined as areas where wildlands and its wildlife meet and overlap in an urban setting.

Idaho Fish and Game and city officials said roaming wildlife are not only a danger to citizens but to the animals themselves.

The ordinance came about as the result of a task force study session last April reviewing various concerns and how to address them.

There are some exceptions are included in the proposal. You can still feed most birds and squirrels, but it would be illegal to intentionally or recklessly feed or attract larger wildlife.

The rules would be enforced by Idaho Fish and Game or city animal control officers and violations could result in a misdemeanor citation.

The public hearing is set as part of the Pocatello City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday. The hearing will allow the public to comment, but a city council vote will come at a later date.

You can see the full proposed ordinance here.