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Despite many decades of grazing, farming, and occasional logging, the WMA continues to support significant wildlife resources. These include big game, upland game, waterfowl, furbearers and nongame species. The gray wolf and Kootenai River white sturgeon are listed as endangered species and occur on the WMA or in close proximity. The bald eagle, grizzly bear, bull trout and Canada lynx are listed as threatened species and occur on the WMA or in close proximity.
The WMA lies at the foot of the Selkirk Mountains adjacent to the Kootenai River floodplain. Consequently, wildlife species with large home ranges can seasonally capitalize on the food and cover resources the WMA provides. The WMA and the large undeveloped landscape surrounding it seasonally support all species of big game animals found in northern Idaho with the exception of mountain goats.
Most wildlife use is associated with the relatively undeveloped forested habitat located on the western edge of the WMA and between the dikes that contain Boundary Creek. The interior portions of the former croplands are sparsely used by wildlife, but the edges near forested cover are used heavily.
Elk are frequently observed on the WMA from early spring to winter. Steep terrain, dense cover and forage shrubs in the mixed conifer forest on the western edge of the WMA are the most important existing elk habitat. In late spring and summer small groups of elk with calves are often observed using green wheat fields throughout the day. By winter, elk use of the property declines.
Moose appear to make year-round use of a portion of the WMA associated with the alluvial fan where Boundary Creek meets the bottomlands. Moose have also been observed feeding on aquatic plants in the former Smith Creek channel and on shrubs in the mixed conifer forest on the western edge of the WMA.
White-tailed deer are the most abundant big game species present and make year-round use of the WMA. Heaviest white-tailed use occurs during the winter and early spring. Winter habitat is restricted to the conifer forest and the floodplain forest in the Boundary Creek alluvial fan while all parts of the WMA are used the rest of the year.
There is a considerable amount of black bear use on the WMA in the spring, summer and fall. This use is generally confined to the forested areas on the western edge of the WMA, the riparian area along Boundary Creek and wetland habitat of the former Smith Creek channel. Old apple orchards on adjacent ownerships are especially attractive to black bears in the fall.
Due to the abundance of white-tailed deer, especially during winter and early spring and the occasional mule deer, the presence of mountain lions in the WMA is assumed.
Ruffed grouse are common in both the coniferous forest and the floodplain forest along Boundary Creek. Snowshoe hares inhabit these areas as well. Small numbers of wild turkeys occur throughout the year near the forested habitat on the western portion of the WMA. Morning doves nest on the WMA and occur along the Boundary Creek riparian zone in late summer, fall and winter.
The WMA provides seasonal waterfowl habitat throughout the year. During April, surface water accumulations support thousands of migrating waterfowl, primarily tundra swans, Canada geese, white-fronted geese, pintails and mallards. Waterfowl use of the WMA declines as the spring migration ends and field surface waters drain off. By late May, only small numbers of ducks and geese use the limited remaining field surface water. However, at this time Boundary Creek flows peak, filling the floodplain wetlands and water levels remain high in the old Smith Creek channels providing area for use by wood duck and mallard broods.
Beaver, muskrat, otter and mink are common in the riparian forest along Boundary Creek. Other forbearing mammals observed include weasels, coyotes, raccoons and striped skunks. Bobcat tracks have been observed during winter.
Non-game species frequently observed include red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, rough-legged hawks, great horned owls and great blue herons. Painted turtles are common in the old Smith Creek channels and spotted frogs have been documented. Agricultural fields provide poor habitat for most non-game species but the coniferous forest on the western edge of the WMA and the riparian areas support numerous non-game wildlife species.
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