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Idaho Fish and Game

Deer Parks WMA
Wildlife Management Area
Deer Parks Wildlife Mitigation Units
Before you go

The Deer Parks Wildlife Mitigation Units are three separate parcels of land located along and near the South Fork, Henrys Fork and mainstem Snake rivers – Menan, Beaver Dick and Deer Parks. The name ‘deer parks’ comes from early settlers descriptions of the thick willows and cottonwoods that supported large numbers of deer.  

County roads provide access to the mitigation units and parking lots are provided on all of the Deer Parks unit. Public use of Deer Parks WMU is limited to non-motorized travel on uplands and interior water bodies.

Numerous trails are mowed after July 15 throughout Deer Parks and are popular for horseback riding, hiking, dog walking and mountain biking. Dogs must be leashed or under direct control and cannot run at large.

PLEASE NOTE: Antler gathering is currently prohibited at Deer Parks from Jan. 1, 2024 through April 14, 2024 by Commission Proclamation. The antler gathering closure applies to public land only, and includes both the Upper Snake and Southeast Regions. While activities other than antler hunting are not affected by the closure, all recreationist are encouraged to reduce stress on our wintering big game herds by giving them space, which will help them recover from the harsh winter of 2022-23. 

Deer Parks WMA
Related Location
Overview

The Deer Parks Wildlife Mitigation Units were acquired as partial mitigation for wildlife habitat lost by the construction of the Palisades dam and reservoir, especially mule deer habitat.  The name ‘deer parks’ comes from early settlers descriptions of the thick willows and cottonwoods that supported large numbers of deer.  The mitigation units are also important stop-over and open-water winter habitat for migrating waterfowl, waterbirds and shorebirds.

Deer Parks has documented more than 3,000 trumpeter swans wintering on the property. This is up to ten percent of the entire Rocky Mountain population.

Some mule deer use the wildlife mitigation units for spring fawning and rearing.  Most mule deer in the area move to one of the two nearby Menan Buttes for the winter and use the units for forage. White-tailed deer occupy all segments of the WMA year-round.

The Deer Parks Complex includes three separate properties – Menan, Beaver Dick and Deer Parks - that run along and near the South Fork, Henrys Fork and mainstem Snake rivers

  • The Deer Parks Unit, also known as the Menan and Boyle segment, is located on the mainstem Snake River in Jefferson County. The property includes two miles of riverfront, wetlands, uplands, pasture and cropland.  A paved county road is adjacent to the property.  The North Menan Butte is partially within the Deer Parks unit and rises 800 feet above the surrounding landscape.
  • The Twin Bridges Unit is located along the  South Fork Snake River in Madison County near Ririe, Idaho.  This property includes riverfront, wetlands, former pasture and cropland. A paved county road is adjacent to the property.
  • The Beaver Dick Unit is located along the Henrys Fork Snake River in Madison County.  The property includes one mile of riverfront, wetland and former pasture. State Highway 33 is adjacent to the property.

The properties are owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and managed cooperatively with Idaho Fish and Game, the BLM and Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. 

Tribal treaty rights are maintained and cultural resources are protected through the NEPA process on all segments of the Deer Creek Wildlife Mitigation Units.

Location Facts

Primary Purpose:  High quality habitat for white-tailed and mule deer, as well as migratory habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and waterbirds.

Habitat:  River riparian wetlands, sagebrush-steppe 

  • 3,101 acres
  • Jefferson and Madison Counties
  • Established in 1997
Location Things to Know

Deer Parks WMUs includes three properties:

  • Deer Parks Unit, also known as the Boyle segment
  • Menan Unit, also known as Twin Bridges.
  • Beaver Dick Unit, also known as the Beaver Swamp on early maps of the area.

The Menan trailhead and boat ramp parking areas have handicapped restrooms.

The Menan and Beaver Dick Park boat ramps offer boat-in access to the Deer Parks WMU.

Camping and campfires are prohibited on the Deer Parks WMUs.

Travel on Deer Parks WMU is limited to non-motorized use.

Access Information

Deer Parks WMUs includes three properties: Deer Parks Unit, also known as the Boyle segment Menan Unit, also known as Twin Bridges. Beaver Dick Unit, also known as the Beaver Swamp on early maps of the area. The Menan trailhead and boat ramp parking areas have handicapped restrooms. The Menan and Beaver Dick Park boat ramps offer boat-in access to the Deer Parks WMU. Camping and campfires are prohibited on the Deer Parks WMUs. Travel on Deer Parks WMU is limited to non-motorized use.

Resources

Information:

Forms:

Hunting

Most of the Deer Park WMUs fall within Game Management Unit (GMU) 63A. A small portion is north of Highway 33 and is in GMU 60A. Hunters often hunt for mule deer, white-tailed deer, moose and waterfowl.

Mule deer hunting season is controlled hunt permit only. White-tailed deer permits are general season opportunity.

In recent years, a number of hunting permits for moose were reduced because of a decline in moose populations.

Elk have used the WMUs in the past but have rarely been seen in recent years.

The WMUs are one of the few areas with wild pheasants.  Turkeys have increased along the Snake River corridor and a small population is nesting on all Deer Parks Units.

In the fall, secret coves and backwaters of the Snake River provide nice places for waterfowl hunting.

Short-range weapons only are permitted.

Note on blinds: Anyone can construct or erect a blind on the WMA. Blinds must be constructed of natural materials. No artificial fasteners, such as nails, wires or rope are allowed. Soils cannot be disturbed and trees cannot be cut or altered. These blinds shall be available to the public on a 'first come, first served' basis. Portable blinds are welcome, but must be removed each day. 

Trapping

Furbearer trapping is allowed on the WMUs. Trappers must register with the Upper Snake Regional Office or WMA staff. 

Wildlife Watching

Almost any species of waterfowl found in southern and eastern Idaho can be found here, including red-breasted mergansers and trumpeter swans. Deer Parks has documented more than 3,000 trumpeter swans wintering on the property. This is up to ten percent of the entire Rocky Mountain population.

In the spring, migrating songbirds and raptors fill the cottonwood forests, making Deer Parks WMUs hot spots for birding.

Note on blinds: Anyone can construct or erect a blind on the WMA. Blinds must be constructed of natural materials. No artificial fasteners, such as nails, wires or rope are allowed. Soils cannot be disturbed and trees cannot be cut or altered. These blinds shall be available to the public on a 'first come, first served' basis. Portable blinds are welcome, but must be removed each day. 

Hiking

Numerous trails are mowed after July 15 throughout Deer Parks and are popular for hiking, dog walking, horseback riding and mountain biking.

Designated parking can be found at most trailheads.  Most of these are off paved county roads.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is allowed on the Deer Parks WMU, though no special facilities are provided.   Numerous trails are mowed after July 15 throughout the WMU, which are popular for hiking, dog walking, horseback riding and mountain biking.

Hiking

Numerous trails are mowed after July 15 throughout Deer Parks and are popular for dog walking. Dogs must be leashed or under direct control and cannot run at large.

Any dog field trial or dog training using artificially propagated game birds between August 1 and September 30 must have Department authorization under IDAPA 13.01.15.300.  It is prohibited to conduct a dog field trial of any type from October 1 through July 31.

Biking

Numerous trails are mowed after July 15 throughout Deer Parks and are popular for hiking, dog walking, horseback riding and mountain biking.

Bikes of all kind must be non-motorized. Electric bikes are prohibited.