As per Helena City Ordinance 5-2-11, it is illegal to feed the deer.
This law is in place for several reasons. First is the problems and conflicts of attracting deer to an area and establishing those common areas they return to. A large problem with feeding deer is it greatly increases the chance the deer can die due to digestive problems. Feeding them can cause more harm than help. A deer's stomach simply can’t handle enriched foods or excessive amounts of food. When they ingest enriched foods such as bird seed and corn, this can cause life threatening issues such as acidosis. In some cases, we have located people feeding them foods enriched with sugar and yeast which can ferment in their stomach and cause alcohol poisoning.
Please hang bird feeders high off the ground. A suggested height would be 6 feet or higher to prevent deer and bears from reaching them. Do not leave food out for them and pick up fallen fruits as soon as possible. If large herds are located bedding in your yard, please call in and we would be happy to assist in hazing them out of the area. This prevents them from becoming comfortable in one area for too long.
If you have any questions, please contact our Urban Wildlife Officer, Sean McCarthy at (406)457-8866 or email at smccarthy@helenamt.gov.