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STATE OF <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />1-HONENO. ( 612 ) 296-5200 <br />May 1, 1987 <br />Mel Kelbo <br />Chief of Police <br />Police & Fire Administration <br />445 Willow Drive. <br />Long Lake, MN 55356 <br />Dear Mr. Kelbo, <br />FILE NO <br />Mike Grupa, Operation Officer for the Minnesota Departmert of Natural Resources <br />Divison of Enforcement has asked me to write you concerning the Department's <br />feelings on the feeding of waterfowl. <br />Except urier extreme circumstances, the Department discourages the feeding <br />of waterfowl. During the summer months there is generally plenty of natural <br />occuring foods and supplemental feeding only serves to concentrate ducks <br />and geese in a small area; often causing nuisance problems. Feeding waterfowl <br />during winter months is a greater problemas it tends .o concentrate large <br />numbers of waterfowl in very small areas and diseases brought on by harsh <br />weather are easily passed from bird to bird. Also, waterfowl fed during <br />winter months become totally dependant on daily handouts as most naturally <br />occuring foods are not available. <br />We know that many citizens enjoy feeding waterfowl, hcwever, it should be <br />recognized the benefits derived from feeding are only to the citizen and <br />not to ducks and geese. In situations where feeding will continue we recommend <br />that it cease the first of September so that the bird will migrate to southern <br />climates for the winter months. <br />Sinc ely, <br />Roger N. Johnson <br />Regional Wildlife Supervisor <br />Carlos Avery Game Farm <br />5463 W. Broadway <br />Forest Lake, MN 55025 <br />RNJ:jaa <br />cc: Mlle Grupa <br />Jon Parker <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EPAPLOYEP <br />