Cartier Slough Wildlife Management Area: hunting, access and rules
Cartier Slough Wildlife Management Area is 1,028 acres in Madison County, in Idaho Fish and Game's Upper Snake Region, inside game management unit 63A, established in 1976. Wetland, sagebrush and sloughs on the west side of the Henrys Fork, five miles west of Rexburg.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: IDFG's page for Cartier Slough WMA, read October 18, 2026. Outline: PAD-US. Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics, 2025.
| Size | 1,028 acres (IDFG) |
|---|---|
| County | Madison County |
| Established | 1976 |
| IDFG region | Upper Snake |
| Game management unit | 63A |
| Elk zone | Snake River |
| Primary purpose (IDFG) | Provide habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and waterbirds. |
| Habitat (IDFG) | Wetland, riparian, sloughs, sagebrush, grassland |
| Camping | No camping or fires on the WMA. Camping is allowed at Beaver Dick Park. |
What is Cartier Slough WMA?
Wetland, sagebrush and sloughs on the west side of the Henrys Fork, five miles west of Rexburg. It was Idaho's first waterfowl mitigation project, for wetland lost to Ririe and Teton dams. Water levels follow the river: in high-water years about 90% of it floods for weeks in spring.
What can you hunt on Cartier Slough WMA?
Fall hunters come for moose, white-tailed deer, waterfowl and pheasants, which IDFG stocks. The whole WMA is in Unit 63A, and only short-range weapons may be used. Blinds may be built from natural materials only, are first come, first served, and portable blinds must come out each day.
IDFG lists these uses for the area: hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife watching, boating, camping, hiking and horseback riding.
How do you get onto Cartier Slough WMA, and when is it closed?
Most people walk in on the trail from Madison County's Beaver Dick Park, which has a boat launch and toilets. Three parking areas and fence stiles are on the perimeter road; interior trails and service roads are foot traffic only. Dogs must be leashed April 1 to July 31.
Can you camp on Cartier Slough WMA?
No camping or fires on the WMA. Camping is allowed at Beaver Dick Park.
How many elk and deer are taken in the surrounding units?
IDFG counts harvest by unit, not by WMA. These are the whole units Cartier Slough WMA lies in, for 2025:
| Unit | Elk harvested | Elk success | Deer harvested | Deer success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63A | 3 | 5% | 197 | 22% |
General seasons, all weapons. Source: IDFG harvest statistics.
IDFG's maps and rules for Cartier Slough WMA
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Cartier Slough WMA?
Fall hunters come for moose, white-tailed deer, waterfowl and pheasants, which IDFG stocks. The whole WMA is in Unit 63A, and only short-range weapons may be used. Seasons and tags follow the regulations for Unit 63A.
Can you camp on Cartier Slough WMA?
No camping or fires on the WMA. Camping is allowed at Beaver Dick Park.
How do you get onto Cartier Slough WMA?
Most people walk in on the trail from Madison County's Beaver Dick Park, which has a boat launch and toilets. Three parking areas and fence stiles are on the perimeter road; interior trails and service roads are foot traffic only. Dogs must be leashed April 1 to July 31.
Which hunting unit is Cartier Slough WMA in?
Unit 63A, in the Snake River elk zone.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, access, camping and uses: IDFG, Cartier Slough 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.