Big Cottonwood Wildlife Management Area: hunting, access and rules
Big Cottonwood Wildlife Management Area is 1,454 acres in Cassia County, in Idaho Fish and Game's Magic Valley Region, inside game management unit 54, established in 1993. A desert canyon where a cottonwood-lined creek runs through sagebrush and juniper.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: IDFG's page for Big Cottonwood WMA, read October 18, 2026. Outline: PAD-US. Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics, 2025.
| Size | 1,454 acres (IDFG) |
|---|---|
| County | Cassia County |
| Established | 1993 |
| IDFG region | Magic Valley |
| Game management unit | 54 |
| Elk zone | South Hills |
| Primary purpose (IDFG) | Big game, upland game, and fishing opportunities |
| Habitat (IDFG) | Sagebrush-steppe canyonland with juniper woodlands |
| Camping | No camping on the WMA itself; the BLM campground at the Big Cottonwood Creek trailhead sits right next to it. |
What is Big Cottonwood WMA?
A desert canyon where a cottonwood-lined creek runs through sagebrush and juniper. IDFG bought the old cattle ranch in 1993 for reintroduced California bighorn sheep, transplanted Rio Grande turkeys and a remnant population of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, and the purchase also secured public access to thousands of acres of federal land around it.
What can you hunt on Big Cottonwood WMA?
Mule deer rifle hunting here is by controlled hunt only, and there is an unlimited archery controlled hunt. IDFG also lists pheasants, gray partridge and smaller numbers of quail and chukar. Idaho's first youth turkey hunt was held here, and it is the only WMA in the Magic Valley Region with Rio Grande turkeys.
IDFG lists these uses for the area: hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife watching, hiking, camping and horseback riding.
How do you get onto Big Cottonwood WMA, and when is it closed?
The WMA is closed to motor vehicles and has no restrooms. Walk, ride a horse or bike in.
Can you camp on Big Cottonwood WMA?
No camping on the WMA itself; the BLM campground at the Big Cottonwood Creek trailhead sits right next to it.
How many elk and deer are taken in the surrounding units?
IDFG counts harvest by unit, not by WMA. These are the whole units Big Cottonwood WMA lies in, for 2025:
| Unit | Elk harvested | Elk success | Deer harvested | Deer success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 1 | 9% | 10 | 18% |
General seasons, all weapons. Source: IDFG harvest statistics.
IDFG's maps and rules for Big Cottonwood WMA
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Big Cottonwood WMA?
Mule deer rifle hunting here is by controlled hunt only, and there is an unlimited archery controlled hunt. IDFG also lists pheasants, gray partridge and smaller numbers of quail and chukar. Seasons and tags follow the regulations for Unit 54.
Can you camp on Big Cottonwood WMA?
No camping on the WMA itself; the BLM campground at the Big Cottonwood Creek trailhead sits right next to it.
How do you get onto Big Cottonwood WMA?
The WMA is closed to motor vehicles and has no restrooms. Walk, ride a horse or bike in.
Which hunting unit is Big Cottonwood WMA in?
Unit 54, in the South Hills elk zone.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, access, camping and uses: IDFG, Big Cottonwood WMA, written up by FilledTag in its own words.
- Outline: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), land managed by Idaho Fish and Game. Units: IDFG's unit boundaries.
- Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics.
FilledTag is not part of Idaho Fish and Game. WMA rules change: check IDFG's page and its posted rules before you go.