Boise River Wildlife and Fish

Wildlife
While it sometimes seems as if mule deer magically appear almost overnight on the WMA each fall, in reality, many of these animals migrate here long distances from their summer ranges. Although relatively small, the Boise River WMA provides critical winter habitat for deer that spend their lives inhabiting a huge landscape. Some come from as far away as the Sawtooth Mountains while others descend to the foothills around Boise from mountains to the north. Because the deer from a vast area descend to lower elevations to seek places with less snow, milder temperatures, and available forage to survive the winter, the importance of management on the WMA is magnified. The migratory aspect of the Boise River drainage mule deer population brings a landscape scale importance to what occurs on the WMA and other areas in the foothills near Boise. Over 7,000 mule deer and nearly 500 elk spend the winter months here, browsing, resting and waiting out the long, cold winter season. During other seasons, both species are much less numerous, though quality range encourages some deer and elk to remain throughout the year.

Much less numerous than their upland cousins, white-tailed deer inhabit creek and river bottom riparian areas of Boise River WMA. Black bear inhabit the WMA until hibernation time and mountain lions may be around wherever there are deer. Moose are occasional visitors and the WMA supports a resident population of pronghorn antelope. Other mammals living here include red squirrel, badger, skunk, red fox, coyote and numerous smaller rodents.

The habitat diversity at Boise River WMA entices a variety of raptor species to the region. Bald and golden eagles are seen throughout the year, though their concentrations tend to increase during winter months. Goshawks, Cooper’s hawks and sharp-shinned hawks frequent the Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine forests. Red-tailed hawks, northern harriers and American kestrels are common spring, summer and fall residents of open country. A spectacular number and an incredible variety of raptors concentrate in a portion of Boise River WMA for a brief time each year. During autumn, Lucky Peak serves as a “migratory funnel” for many raptor species migrating south from the mountains of central Idaho and beyond. The birds move through the Boise Mountains, merging along Boise Ridge before spilling down the slopes of Lucky Peak. This raptor concentration occurs each fall, with thousands of birds moving through.

Upland game species are varied and locally abundant, with no less than six species (chukar partridge, gray partridge, California quail, blue grouse, ruffed grouse and wild turkey) roaming the varied habitats of Boise River WMA. Mountain quail and sage grouse were once abundant in the area but have not been observed in recent years.

Songbirds are as varied as raptor species at Boise River WMA. Western meadowlarks, chipping sparrows, canyon and rock wrens, vesper sparrows and sage thrashers inhabit upland areas. Western wood-peewees, willow flycatchers and song sparrows, together with yellow-breasted chats and a host of warblers utilize riparian areas. Forest communities are home to downy woodpeckers, black-capped chickadees, ruby-crowned kinglets and pine siskins.

Hot, dry summers provide ideal conditions for resident reptiles. Gopher snakes, western rattlesnakes, rubber boas and sagebrush lizards are found throughout the area. Amphibians, including bullfrogs, northern leopard frogs and western toads find sanctuary in and near riparian areas.