I'm willing to bet plenty of Michigan residents have been feeding deer in their backyards for years without ever realizing it was actually illegal. According to Fox2 Detroit, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a new law that allows people to feed deer and elk for recreational viewing or to help keep animals from starving. What Are the New Rules for Feeding Deer in Michigan? My neighbors have been feeding deer for years. Gallery Credit: Scott Clow2025 Michigan Deer Season All Seasons Harvest Report Using the Michigan Department of Natural Resources ( DNR Harvest Report Summary , here's an early look at self-reported whitetail deer harvest totals from all 2025 seasons through February 1, 2026.