The Boise River Wildlife Management Area will close from Feb. 1 to April 14 to aid wildlife recovery after the 2024 Valley Fire.

BOISE, Idaho — A portion of the Boise River Wildlife Management Area will close to support wildlife rehabilitation beginning Feb. 1, Idaho Fish and Game announced. 

Just west of Highway 21, the land is part of the nearly 10,000 acres burned by the Valley Fire in 2024. This is the second year that the area will close to human traffic for the winter. 

The closure is meant to support the mule deer and elk population, according to Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG). The agency said the area is home to roughly 2,400 mule deer and 650 elk. Those animals will migrate out of the “critical winter range” in early April. 

The space will re-open to outdoor recreation and hunting on April 14. 


Burn scars throughout the region mean that foraging conditions for animals is not optimal. It is more difficult for elk and deer to maintain “good body condition” when exposed to outside factors that could add to stress, according to IDFG. Encounters with hikers, skiers and mountain bikers could make it more difficult for the animals to survive. 

In particular, IDFG said animals in the burn area are more vulnerable to stress from interacting with people, as visibility expands due to a lack of foliage and “escape cover” is less available. 

Officials acknowledged the popularity of foothill trails within the section of land, but ask that people find alternate spaces for their outdoor recreation this winter

“We understand that people love using this part of the Boise River WMA during the winter for a variety of purposes, and we appreciate that we have broad community support for the WMA,” Regional Supervisor Josh Royse said. “We certainly want that to continue, but closing the burn area to human entry again this winter is the best thing for the landscape and the animals.”

A map provided by IDFG displaying the area’s closures is included below.Â