Cecil D. Andrus Wildlife Management Area: hunting, access and rules
Cecil D. Andrus Wildlife Management Area is 23,928 acres in Washington and Adams counties, in Idaho Fish and Game's Southwest Region, inside game management units 31 and 22, established in 1993. Land rising 5,000 feet from Brownlee Reservoir into the ridges of Hells Canyon.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: IDFG's page for Cecil D. Andrus WMA, read October 18, 2026. Outline: PAD-US. Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics, 2025.
| Size | 23,928 acres (IDFG) |
|---|---|
| County | Washington and Adams counties |
| Established | 1993 |
| IDFG region | Southwest |
| Game management units | 31, 22 |
| Elk zones | Brownlee, Weiser River |
| Primary purpose (IDFG) | Year-round and winter range for elk and mule deer. |
| Habitat (IDFG) | Grasslands, sagebrush steppe, shrublands, riparian and conifer forest |
| Camping | No camping or overnight parking behind the gates. |
What is Cecil D. Andrus WMA?
Land rising 5,000 feet from Brownlee Reservoir into the ridges of Hells Canyon. It is prime winter range for mule deer and elk and also holds chukar, forest grouse, turkeys, black bears and bighorn sheep. The core was ranch and mine land donated for wildlife by the Richard King Mellon Foundation in 1993; IDFG manages it with state, federal and private partners, and grazing continues on it.
What can you hunt on Cecil D. Andrus WMA?
Most visits are in the fall for elk, mule deer, turkey and upland birds. There is a no-shooting safety zone around the headquarters and buildings all year.
IDFG lists these uses for the area: hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife watching, camping and horseback riding.
How do you get onto Cecil D. Andrus WMA, and when is it closed?
Open to foot and non-motorized travel all year. WMA roads are gated and open to vehicles May 1 to December 31 with a key from the office at milepost 9 on Highway 71 west of Cambridge (208-257-3363). Keys are limited; from September 1 at 7 a.m. they can be reserved, up to 7 days per group, and hunting-season dates fill fast. No off-road driving, even to recover game; when wet, roads are ATV and UTV only.
Can you camp on Cecil D. Andrus WMA?
No camping or overnight parking behind the gates. Camping is allowed at pull-outs on Forest Road 085 and the Brownlee fish access area; McCormick, Woodhead and Brownlee campgrounds are nearby.
How many elk and deer are taken in the surrounding units?
IDFG counts harvest by unit, not by WMA. These are the whole units Cecil D. Andrus WMA lies in, for 2025:
General seasons, all weapons. Source: IDFG harvest statistics.
IDFG's maps and rules for Cecil D. Andrus WMA
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Cecil D. Andrus WMA?
Most visits are in the fall for elk, mule deer, turkey and upland birds. There is a no-shooting safety zone around the headquarters and buildings all year. Seasons and tags follow the regulations for Units 31 and 22.
Can you camp on Cecil D. Andrus WMA?
No camping or overnight parking behind the gates. Camping is allowed at pull-outs on Forest Road 085 and the Brownlee fish access area; McCormick, Woodhead and Brownlee campgrounds are nearby.
How do you get onto Cecil D. Andrus WMA?
Open to foot and non-motorized travel all year. WMA roads are gated and open to vehicles May 1 to December 31 with a key from the office at milepost 9 on Highway 71 west of Cambridge (208-257-3363). Keys are limited; from September 1 at 7 a.m. they can be reserved, up to 7 days per group, and hunting-season dates fill fast. No off-road driving, even to recover game; when wet, roads are ATV and UTV only.
Which hunting unit is Cecil D. Andrus WMA in?
Units 31 and 22 (Brownlee elk zone, Weiser River elk zone), measured from IDFG's unit boundaries.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, access, camping and uses: IDFG, Cecil D. Andrus 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.
All Idaho WMAs Unit 31 Unit 22 Brownlee Zone Weiser River Zone