Craig Mountain Wildlife

Petroglyphs at Big Eddy

The WMA’s flora and fauna are as diverse as its habitat and terrain. The steep canyon’s, coniferous forests, grassy slopes, and wetland meadows provide habitat for at least 133 birds, 47 mammals, 10 reptiles, and 7 amphibian species. Of these 13 species are considered either rare or sensitive by either a federal or state wildlife or land management agency.

The CMWMA hosts large herds of mule deer and whitetail deer, as well as rocky mountain elk. Many of these animals winter in the lower elevation habitats along the Snake and Salmon rivers and thrive throughout the CMWMA during the summer months. In addition, Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area hosts healthy populations of black bear, mountain lion and a variety of small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep were reintroduced to the WMA in 1983. Seventeen bighorns were captured near Dubois, Wyoming and released in the Snake River segment. They have since flourished into a healthy population providing opportunities for trophy quality hunting and wildlife photography.

Many species of game birds exist on the mountain and within the mosaic landscape of the Salmon River and Hell’s Canyon ecosystems. These include plentiful populations of wild turkeys, blue grouse, ruffed grouse, chukar partridge, gray partridge, mourning doves, and valley quail. These areas also host small populations of the sensitive mountain quail species and numerous songbirds that are seldom seen elsewhere in Idaho. Dedicated bird watchers can enjoy sighting many bird species including yellow warbler, blacked-capped chickadee and pileated woodpecker, pigmy nuthatch, flammulated owl, and white-headed woodpecker all of which are listed as Species of Special Concern.