OKALOOSA COUNTY WILDLIFE FEEDING ORDINANCE

The Okaloosa County Commission has approved an ordinance that prohibits people from feeding birds at public beaches and waterfront parks within the county’s jurisdiction south of Choctawhatchee Bay. Bird feeding is now illegal at Gulf-front beaches, Veterans Park and Marler Park on Okaloosa Island and James Lee Park in Destin. Hungry and aggressive birds around some restaurants have become a problem. A first violation of the ordinance would result in a warning, a second violation a $100 fine and a third offense would bring a $250 fine along with a misdemeanor charge. Sheriff’s Office deputies will be asked to enforce the feeding ban.

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