hmmm....good question! imo - here in ohio, with all the farm fields, i don't see where it would hurt because of all the corn,beans,wheat,etc... that doesn't get picked up,harvested. they have all that to eat if they need to. with their excellent sense of smell they can smell food that's under snow. when they graze or eat they always consume the best(freshest,most nutrient part,quality) of whatever they happen to eating/grazing on before any older less quality food, but they will still eat no matter what is available to them. feeders make it easier for them to find food, yes, but they will still roam and eat whatever they come across. as far as cwd, no one knows much anything about it and i don't think it has anything to do with winter feeding (they're just speculating/guessing it may) but i could be wrong. no one knows yet. look at bird feeders in the winter. does it harm the birds? i don't think so. just giving my opinion!