If you live in Arkansas and enjoy watching white-tailed deer on your property, you have probably wondered whether tossing out some corn or setting up a feeder is legal. The answer is not a simple yes or no — it depends heavily on where in the state you are located and what you intend to do with the feed.
Arkansas has a split regulatory landscape: feeding deer on private land is broadly permitted in most of the state, but a large swath of northwestern and north-central Arkansas falls under a strict CWD Management Zone where general wildlife feeding is prohibited year-round. Knowing which side of that line you are on can mean the difference between a legal hobby and a wildlife violation.
This guide walks through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) regulations that govern deer feeding, covers the specific counties affected, explains the CWD connection, and outlines what happens if you break the rules.
Is It Illegal to Feed Deer in Arkansas?
For most Arkansans, feeding deer on private land is legal. Hunters may bait and feed deer on private land outside of the CWD Management Zone year-round. That means if you live in a county not designated as part of the CWD Management Zone, you can set up corn feeders, put out mineral blocks, or scatter grain on your own property without violating state law…