Craig Mountain Gates Will Open

With snow accumulating, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) will begin opening access gates on the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area south of Lewiston. The gates will remain open until March 15, 2008 or until snow depths recede below 16 inches. The area opens annually to snowmobiles November 26. This date was selected in cooperation with local snowmobile groups and hunters to allow snowmobile use of the area after hunting seasons have closed and big game animals have moved to lower elevations. The gates are designed to enhance wildlife security not to restrict snowmobile use. Snowmobilers are urged to use caution. Because of the Chimney Complex wildfire, many trees are expected to fall the next few years and several new fences were constructed under powerlines and several other areas to restrict illegal off-road use. Salvage logging will also take place during the winter months so users are urged to be cautious of the increased traffic. The Lewis and Clark Snowdrifters annually groom and remove obstacles on almost 200 miles of trails on Craig Mountain and surrounding area to enhance access and improve safety.