After searching for myself, I could not find a list anywhere of which states allowed hunters to plant food plots for whitetail as an intended attractant. So during September of 2023, I compiled this list. Each entry has a hyperlink to that state’s Department of Natural Resources hunting regulations so you can read them for yourself.
If I answered “Yes” then it would be a good idea to check out the resource I provided AND call the Department of Natural Resources of that state. Food plot laws could easily change if there is a CWD flair up in a particular area. To avoid breaking the rules, I suggest thoroughly checking the regulations and making 100% sure you are doing things legally by calling the state’s Department of Natural Resources that you intend to hunt in.
| State | Are Food Plots Legal? | DNR Resource |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Link |
| Alaska | Yes – Private Property GMU specific regs | Link |
| Arizona | No / Gray Area | Link |
| Arkansas | Yes | Link |
| California | Yes | Link |
| Colorado | No / Gray Area | Link |
| Connecticut | Yes | Link |
| Delaware | Yes | Link |
| Florida | Yes – except corn | Link |
| Georgia | Yes | Link |
| Hawaii | Yes | Link |
| Idaho | Possibly – does not specifically address food plots | Link |
| Illinois | Yes | Link |
| Indiana | Yes | Link |
| Iowa | Yes | Link |
| Kansas | Yes | Link |
| Kentucky | Yes | Link |
| Louisiana | Yes | Link |
| Maine | Yes | Link |
| Maryland | Yes | Link |
| Massachusetts | No – bait is defined as anything a deer can ingest | Link |
| Michigan | Yes | Link |
| Minnesota | Yes | Link |
| Mississippi | Yes | Link |
| Missouri | Yes | Link |
| Montana | No | Link |
| Nebraska | Yes | Link |
| Nevada | Yes | Link |
| New Hampshire | Possibly – does not directly address food plots | Link |
| New Jersey | Yes | Link |
| New Mexico | Yes | Link |
| New York | Yes | Link |
| North Carolina | Yes | Link |
| North Dakota | Yes | Link |
| Ohio | Yes | Link |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Link |
| Oregon | Yes | Link |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Link |
| Rhode Island | No / Gray Area | Link |
| South Carolina | Yes | Link |
| South Dakota | Yes | Link |
| Tennessee | Yes | Link |
| Texas | Yes | Link |
| Utah | Yes | Link |
| Vermont | Yes | Link |
| Virginia | Yes | Link |
| Washington | Yes – Locally normal forage crops only | Link |
| West Virginia | Yes – forage left standing | Link |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Link |
| Wyoming | Yes | Link |
Omega Outdoors and associated persons are not responsible for misinterpretation of this information or hunters failure to abide by state laws