Boundary-Smith Creek Wildlife Management Area: hunting, access and rules
Boundary-Smith Creek Wildlife Management Area is 2,072 acres in Boundary County, in Idaho Fish and Game's Panhandle Region, inside game management unit 1, established in 1999. Restored wetlands, floodplain, grassland and forest against the Canadian border.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: IDFG's page for Boundary-Smith Creek WMA, read October 18, 2026. Outline: PAD-US. Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics, 2025.
| Size | 2,072 acres (IDFG) |
|---|---|
| County | Boundary County |
| Established | 1999 |
| IDFG region | Panhandle |
| Game management unit | 1 |
| Elk zone | Panhandle |
| Primary purpose (IDFG) | Waterfowl production, wildlife viewing and other recreation. |
| Camping | No camping on the WMA; camping is allowed on nearby federal land. |
What is Boundary-Smith Creek WMA?
Restored wetlands, floodplain, grassland and forest against the Canadian border. The land was farmed from the early 1920s until 1999, when landowners, conservation groups and agencies bought it back for wildlife. Up to 6,000 migrating waterfowl stop here each spring and fall, and deer, elk, moose, black bears and grizzly bears are regular visitors.
What can you hunt on Boundary-Smith Creek WMA?
Most visitors come in the fall to hunt, mostly waterfowl. Grizzly bears can be anywhere on the WMA, day or night, so IDFG asks hunters to carry bear spray.
IDFG lists these uses for the area: hunting, trapping, wildlife watching and hiking.
How do you get onto Boundary-Smith Creek WMA, and when is it closed?
Foot travel and non-motorized boats only. There is no vehicle access from Porthill: cross the Kootenai River by boat at Porthill, or drive the Copeland bridge 12 miles south (from Bonners Ferry: US 95 north, Highway 1, Copeland Road, then Westside Road).
Can you camp on Boundary-Smith Creek WMA?
No camping on the WMA; camping is allowed on nearby federal land. Day-use picnic areas are in the south and northeast corners.
How many elk and deer are taken in the surrounding units?
IDFG counts harvest by unit, not by WMA. These are the whole units Boundary-Smith Creek WMA lies in, for 2025:
| Unit | Elk harvested | Elk success | Deer harvested | Deer success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 398 | 9% | 2,838 | 34% |
General seasons, all weapons. Source: IDFG harvest statistics.
IDFG's maps and rules for Boundary-Smith Creek WMA
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Boundary-Smith Creek WMA?
Most visitors come in the fall to hunt, mostly waterfowl. Grizzly bears can be anywhere on the WMA, day or night, so IDFG asks hunters to carry bear spray. Seasons and tags follow the regulations for Unit 1.
Can you camp on Boundary-Smith Creek WMA?
No camping on the WMA; camping is allowed on nearby federal land. Day-use picnic areas are in the south and northeast corners.
How do you get onto Boundary-Smith Creek WMA?
Foot travel and non-motorized boats only. There is no vehicle access from Porthill: cross the Kootenai River by boat at Porthill, or drive the Copeland bridge 12 miles south (from Bonners Ferry: US 95 north, Highway 1, Copeland Road, then Westside Road).
Which hunting unit is Boundary-Smith Creek WMA in?
Unit 1, in the Panhandle elk zone.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, access, camping and uses: IDFG, Boundary-Smith Creek 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.