(1) The department may enter into agreements with individuals, organizations, or other agencies to provide supplemental feeding for upland birds during extreme weather events. Supplemental feeding will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The threat posed to the upland game bird population will be evaluated on a county-wide basis. The department will use the following guidelines to determine when supplemental feeding should occur:

(a) a severe winter storm where 90% or more of the naturally occurring food sources are covered with snow and ice, and conditions are such that the upland birds are unable to obtain food for a period of five or more days; or

(b) the affected area is large enough that it presents a serious threat to the viability of the population within the county.

(2) Supplemental feeding will be done only within areas 1/4 miles or closer to winter cover. Winter cover includes but is not limited to the following examples:

(a) minimum three row uncultivated shelterbelt comprised of trees five years or older;

(b) minimum four row uncultivated shelterbelt comprised of shrubs and trees;

(c) woody drainages;

(d) river or stream courses ungrazed by livestock for at least the previous 12 months; and

(e) cattail sloughs ungrazed by livestock for at least the previous 12 months.

(3) The department shall not enter into agreements for supplemental feeding on lands leased or closed for hunting, on shooting preserves, or during open pheasant season.

(4) Feeding will stop when conditions moderate.

(5) No feeding operation may begin after March 30.