Panhandle hunters: Nearly 30,000 acres removed from Large Tracts Program after sale between Stimson Lumber and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe

Since December 2024, close to 30,000 acres of private land enrolled in the Large Tracts Program have been sold by Stimson Lumber to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. The land is located on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation and has always been an important part of the Tribe’s homeland. 

The sale of the lands has resulted in their removal from the Large Tracts Program, making them no longer accessible by the general public under the program. Entering any private land while access is closed or restricted is trespassing. 

For more information about hunting on lands owned by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, hunters are encouraged to contact the Tribe directly.

All of the 30,000 acres sold are located in the Panhandle Region’s Game Management Unit 5, south of Coeur d’Alene. Please review the map below or visit the Idaho Hunt Planner to view all changes to parcel accessibility in the Large Tracts Program.

These sales are a reminder that all Large Tracts parcels are private lands and can change ownership at any time. Hunters, anglers and recreationists should never assume last season’s access is still valid this season. Always confirm land status before your trip by checking the Idaho Hunt Planner.

For more on the topic, please review the recent, “Know before you go” story on the Idaho Fish and Game website.

Reminders

• All Large Tracts lands are privately owned and only accessible to the public due to partnerships between Fish and Game and private landowners.
• Private landowners set rules for their lands, not Fish and Game.
• Contact the Coeur d’Alene Tribe with questions about access and compliance on tribally-owned lands.
• In order to keep Large Tracts lands open to the public, Fish and Game pays for access and enforces rules designated by the private landowners.
• Fish and Game has no control over the sale, transfer or development of any private land, including those enrolled in Large Tracts.

Helpful resources

Program information and rules

• Large Tracts Program information
• PotlatchDeltic land rules
• North Idaho Timber Group rules
• Coeur d’Alene Tribe Hunting Regulations

Motorized use

• Motorized restriction Facts sheet
• Motorized restriction information
• Motorized restriction maps
• Motorized Vehicle Maps (MVUM) from the U.S. Forest Service

Planning tools

• Idaho Hunt Planner

Licenses and tags

• Online
• Regional office
• Vendor

Stay updated

Follow Panhandle Region Facebook page for timely updates and other news.