The Idaho Department of Fish and Game with input from the Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee (WFAC) initiated the feeding of deer and elk at several locations in the Southeast Region beginning in early February.
Approximately 30 tons of deer feed is currently being distributed to 23 authorized feed sites per week in Caribou, Bear Lake, and Franklin Counties. In addition, several authorized feed sites for elk are currently on-going in those same counties. Between 1 and 2 tons of hay is being distributed at each elk feed site each day.
Using winter-feeding criteria and input from WFAC members, Fish and Game has been focusing efforts on the highest-priority locations where feeding could address concerns with struggling animals, conflicts with animals in haystacks and feedlines, and public safety concerns with animals on highways and roads. Other factors considered when selecting feeding sites have included number of animals reached, accessibility, sufficient distance from roads and highways, and seclusion from public disturbance. All current feed sites are located on private property except where noted below.
Idaho Fish and Game sincerely thanks those local, state, federal, and county agencies as well as private landowners and volunteers that have provided assistance with these authorized feeding operations so far.
Summary of current feeding sites authorized by Idaho Fish and Game:
Deer:
- Bear Lake Plateau (3 sites, including 2 sites at Bear Lake State Park on east side of Bear Lake)
- Worm Creek on west side of Bear Lake (2 sites)
- Indian Creek/Dry Canyon
- Montpelier Canyon
- Montpelier Wildlife Management Area (2 sites)
- Bloomington Canyon
- St. Charles (lands managed by United States Forest Service and Idaho Department of Lands)
- Green Canyon
- Paris Canyon
- Fish Haven
- Cub River (2 sites)
- Mink Creek (Franklin County, 3 sites)
- Little Mountain
- Soda Hills (3 sites, including previous site at Swenson Canyon)
Elk:
- Banks Valley
- Liberty area
- Stockton Canyon
- Dayton area
- City of Montpelier (on the Montpelier Wildlife Management Area)
- Several additional feed sites have been authorized in areas throughout the region to specifically address localized conflicts with elk in feedlines.
Idaho Fish and Game will continue to regularly meet with the Winter Feeding Advisory Committee to monitor winter conditions and address winter-feeding actions. The next and likely final meeting of this winter season is scheduled for April 25.
Please check Idaho Fish and Game’s website at idfg.idaho.gov and the Southeast Region Idaho Fish and Game Facebook page @idfg.southeast for winter feeding updates every Friday.