White Spring is one of several wildlife/livestock "watering holes" on Boise River WMA. A pipeline delivers spring water to the catch basin.

Public Use of Boise River WMA

Public use of the Boise River WMA has increased dramatically over the past several years, along with the concurrent increase in the human population of the Treasure Valley. An increasingly difficult challenge for managers is to accommodate visitor desire for access to the WMA and still provide conditions that will ensure the long term health of southwest Idaho’s largest migratory mule deer herd. Each year, herds of mule deer, elkand pronghorn antelope wintering on the Boise River WMA attract wildlife enthusiasts, an attraction that can prove fatal to these big game species. Winter is a difficult time for them. Forage is often at a premium, and winter temperatures, wind and snowfall tax their already limited energy reserves. Human disturbance can be extremely harmful to big game animals during this period, in some cases causing death or loss of fetuses. For this reason, some areas within Boise River WMA are closed to the public during winter. Reducing human disturbance allows more animals to survive the winter.

Despite these restrictions, large herds of wintering mule deer can still be seen relatively easily, with some of the best viewing opportunities offered directly from State Highway 21. Several pullouts along the highway allow wildlife watchers to scan the hillsides of the Boise Front segment in search of mule deer. It is not uncommon to see several hundred deer in a single outing. Small, scattered herds of elk can also be seen from the highway. For your safety and that of others, please use the pullouts when watching for deer and elk; do not stop on or just off of the highway.

Just above mile marker 11, Lucky Peak Viewpoint provides a panoramic view of Lucky Peak Lake and the lower portion of Boise River WMA’s Charcoal Creek segment which lies across the reservoir. Adjacent to the overlook, the reservoir backs into Sheep Creek; look for two raptor perch poles, and perhaps their occupants, along the lava rock rim above the creek.

A drive along Highland Valley Road, open to motorized vehicles from May 1 through November 15, takes the visitor through upland shrub and grassland communities, along several riparian corridors and eventually reaches the Douglas-fir covered slopes of Lucky Peak itself. Along the way, visitors are treated to spectacular views of the Boise River Valley and, far to the west, the Owyhee Mountains. The turnoff to Highland Valley Road is between highway mile markers 13 and 14. Though the gravel road starts out gently, steep grades and a rough surface restrict this road to high clearance four-wheel drive vehicles.

Near highway mile marker 17, the More’s Creek turnout may provide views of mule deer and eagles during winter months and glimpses of other wildlife throughout the year. Just across the More’s Creek Bridge, visitors may choose to leave Highway 21 to drive Forest Service Road 268. This route follows the contours of Lucky Peak Lake, eventually passing Lucky Peak State Park and the Spring Shores Area. The road continues to Arrowrock Dam and Reservoir and beyond.

In addition to the numerous wildlife viewing opportunities, big game, upland bird and small game hunting are all available on Boise River WMA lands.