Turkey Hunting in Idaho

Idaho Fish and Game

Turkey Hunting Outlook

Panhandle Region
Clearwater Region
Southwest Region
Magic Valley Region
Southeast Region
Upper Snake Region
Salmon Region

Panhandle Region

Unit	Comments
1	Good populations of turkeys can be found along the Kootenai River, with fair populations in most low-lying elevations. Some hunting is available on public lands but the bulk is on private land.
2	Birds in this unit are primarily located in the Blanchard, Hoodoo Valley and Twin Lakes areas. Recent transplants have expanded turkey distribution and small populations may be found throughout the lower elevation portions of the unit. Most hunting is on private land.
3	Most birds are located around the Chain Lakes, Hayden Lake, and the east shore of Coeur d'Alene Lake. Most hunting is on private land.
4	Birds are located along the lower Coeur d'Alene and in that portion of the unit NW of St. Maries. Most hunting is on private land.
5	New populations are scattered along the west shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene. Most hunting is on private land.
6	Small populations of turkeys are located along the lower St. Joe and St. Maries River Valleys.

Clearwater Region

Unit	Comments
8	Widespread throughout the unit wherever ponderosa pine forests and cattle feedlots coexist. They are most common in southern and eastern portions of the unit with largest concentrations along the Clearwater River Breaks. Most hunting is on private land.
8A	Birds are now widespread throughout the heavily managed timber lands, as well as the agricultural and timberland interface. Good concentrations of birds are in the southern portion of the unit along Dworshak Reservoir and the Clearwater River. Good public access around Dworshak and the rest of the unit is about 1/2 private land and 1/2 public land, including large tracts belonging to the US Forest Service, Idaho State Department of Lands (IDL), as well as the Potlatch Timber Corporation (Recreation Permit Required). A few Eastern variety and Eastern/Merriam hybrid turkeys still exist along the lower portions of Dworshak Reservoir.
10	A few birds can be found downstream of Aquarius on the North Fork of the Clearwater.
10A	Birds are widespread in drainages of the Clearwater River and Lolo Creek, as well as benchlands above the river in the southern half. Good numbers also exist along Dworshak Reservoir below Dent Bridge. Extensive areas of both public (IDL) and private timberland. Potlatch Timber Company land is open to hunting (Recreation Permit Required).
11	Most birds associated with Craig Mountain WMA (mostly public) and the private land west of Cottonwood. Populations building in drainages along the eastern border of the unit.
11A	Almost entirely private land. Good populations along the Clearwater Breaks between Orofino and Kamiah and the South Fork of the Clearwater River from Kooskia to Grangeville.
12	Small populations in the western part of the unit. There are also a few birds scattered along the Lochsa upstream to Powell.
13	Scattered populations on the Joseph Plains. Mostly private land with some IDL land.
14	Low-density populations along the western edge of the unit. Fair amounts of public land.
15	Low density populations exist along the South Fork of the Clearwater River.
16	Low-density populations along the the Middle Fork and South Fork of the Clearwater River that are mostly on private land. There are also a few birds along the lower Selway River on public land.
16A	A few birds exist along the lower Selway River.
17	A few birds exist along the lower Selway River.
18	Low-density populations on the east side of the unit. Mostly public land.
19	A few birds exist along the Salmon River.
20	A few birds exist along the Salmon River.

Southwest Region

Unit	Comments
22	Birds scattered throughout the unit. Both private and public land. Hornet Creek and other drainages near Council have good numbers of birds but are one of the most congested hunting areas in the state.
23	Birds occur in pockets of small numbers between Mud Creek and Round Valley Creek on the west side of the unit. They also occur in the Indian Creek and Denny Creek drainages along the Little Salmon River. A few birds are also known to occupy the Red Ridge area in the southeast portion of the unit. The property is mostly private timber company lands.
24	A few birds exist in the Cascade area, predominantly on private land.
31	Good populations in several drainages that are mostly on public land.
32	Growing populations in the eastern portion of the unit that are mostly on public land.
32A	Low-density populations along the western slope of West Mountain from Fruitvale to Indian Valley. Good access to public land hunting.
33	Populations exist in the western portions of this unit and birds are being sighted as far east as Lowman.
38	Most turkey hunting is on private land by controlled hunt only. Turkeys can be found along the Boise River below Eagle, on the Payette River below Emmett, and on Snake River islands between the Boise and Payette Rivers.
39	Good populations in the Mores Creek drainage between Robie Creek and Idaho City. Also a few birds scattered along the Middle and South Fork of the Boise River. Porter and Harris Creeks also have some birds but they are mostly on private land.

Magic Valley Region

Unit	Comments
54	A small population of Rio Grande turkeys exist on the Big Cottonwood Wildlife Management Area 6 miles northeast of Oakley. Some dispersal has occured throughout the South Hills.

Upper Snake Region

Unit	Comments
50	A small population of Merriam turkeys exist south of Mackay along the Big Lost River. Landownership is both private and public. Access to hunt on private land may be limited.
51	There are no turkeys reported in this Unit.
58	There are no turkeys reported in this Unit.
59	There are no turkeys reported in this Unit.
59A	There are no turkeys reported in this Unit.
60	Turkeys were released on the Henrys Fork River downstream of St. Anthony over the past couple years. A few reports have been received of Turkeys around Ashton Reservoir.
60A	Turkeys were released on the Henrys Fork River over the past couple years. The best turkey habitat occurs along the River and most of the land along the River is private. Access to hunt on private land may have limited. There are access restrictions around bald eagle nesting territories in this Unit. Contact the Idaho Falls Office BLM (208-524-7500) for additional information about the restrictions.
61	No turkeys have been reported in this Unit.
62	Turkeys were released on the Henrys Fork River downstream of St Anthony over the past couple years. No turkeys have been reported in this Unit.
62A	There are no turkeys in this Unit.
63	There are no turkeys in this Unit.
63A	Turkeys were released at several places along the Snake River over the past couple years. The best turkey habitat is along the River and most of this land is private. Access to hunt on private land may be limited. There are access restrictions around bald eagle nesting territories in this Unit. Contact the Idaho Falls Office BLM (208-524-7500) for additional information about the restrictions.
64	Turkeys were released along the Snake River in Unit 63A over the past couple years. A few reports of turkeys in Moody Creek and the Windy Ridge areas have been received. Most of the land is private.
65	No turkeys have been reported in this Unit.
66	Turkeys have been released along the Snake River below Swan Valley over the past couple years. A few reports of turkeys in Indian Creek, Fall Creek and the lower foothills above the River. There are access restrictions around bald eagle nesting territories in this Unit. Contact the Idaho Falls Office BLM (208-524-7500) for additional information about the restrictions.
67	Turkeys were released along the Snake River over the past couple years. Reports of turkeys along the River, the lower parts of several drainages and the lower foothills above the River as far southeast as Blowout Canyon. Land ownership is both private and public. Access to hunt on private land may be limited. There are access restrictions around bald eagle nesting territories in this Unit. Contact the Idaho Falls Office BLM (208-524-7500) for additional information about the restrictions.
69	Turkeys have been released along the Snake River and the Blackfoot River over the past couple years. There are reports that turkeys have moved into the Antelope Creek, Meadow Creek and Wolverine Creek drainages. Most of the land is private and access to hunt on private land may be limited. There are access restrictions around bald eagle nesting territories in this Unit. Contact the Idaho Falls Office BLM (208-524-7500) for additional information about the restrictions.

Southeast Region

Unit(s)	Comments
68A	Turkeys in this unit are found in the riparian (riverbottom) and island habitats of the Snake River from approximately the town of Firth downriver to the head of American Falls Reservoir.
71	Turkeys are located in the foothills from Inkom south and east to Lava Hot Springs. Lower slopes are largely private property.
73, 74, 75, 77, 78	Largest populations of turkeys are located in the Bear River drainage and tributaries, mainly on private property. Scattered populations of turkeys are also found on Oxford Mountain, the Treasureton-Swan Lake area, Thatcher, and on the west side of Bear Lake.

Salmon Region

Unit(s)	Comments
36B, 37	Turkey distribution is restricted almost entirely to private lands in the Salmon River corridor and associated large tributaries (e.g., Challis Creek) in Round Valley (Challis area). Permission to hunt on private land will be needed.