Think twice before you feed old pumpkins and gourds to wildlife

 

SPRINGFIELD – If your old pumpkins and gourds from Halloween and Thanksgiving have overstayed their welcome and you’re thinking of feeding the wildlife, think again. While posts on social media have been recommending feeding wild animals, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources does not recommend it. Wildlife Division Chief Mike Wefer says it’s illegal to feed deer in Illinois, and it can do more harm than good.

Feeding pumpkins to animals can also spread diseases like Chronic Wasting Disease in deer, attract predators, and can cause wildlife to become dependent.