BLM to again close South Fork of Snake River public lands for wildlife protection

IDAHO FALLS - The Bureau of Land Management Upper Snake Field Office, in partnership with the Idaho Department of Fish & Game, is again closing public lands to human entry near Stinking Springs and Wolf Flat, two popular areas near the South Fork of the Snake River, to protect fragile wintering mule deer populations. The closure is expected to remain in effect through April 30, 2007. IDFG requested the emergency closure late last spring when they noticed a significant increase in deer mortality due to cold temperatures and increasing human disturbances. IDFG conservation officers also discovered the remains of four mule deer, including one radio-collared fawn, that were all shot with a .22-caliber rifle and left on site. The proposed emergency closure area is on the BLM public lands near Stinking Springs and Wolf Flat, on the north side of the Heise River Road upstream of Kelly Island Campground. A "no human entry" closure prohibits any activities including hunting, horseback riding, hiking, cross-country skiing, and other similar activities. The area is already closed to Off-Highway Vehicle use, including snowmobiles, in the wintertime. Public lands between the river road and the South Fork of the Snake River will remain open to anglers for fishing. For more information, please contact IDFG in Idaho Falls at 525-7290 or the BLM Upper Snake Field Office at 524-7500.