C.J. Strike Wildlife Management Area: hunting, access and rules
C.J. Strike Wildlife Management Area is 11,008 acres in Elmore and Owyhee counties, in Idaho Fish and Game's Southwest Region, inside game management units 38, 41, 45 and 46, established in 1953. Land of mixed ownership around C.J. Strike Reservoir, managed by IDFG since Idaho Power granted it in 1953.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: IDFG's page for C.J. Strike WMA, read October 18, 2026. Outline: PAD-US. Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics, 2025.
| Size | 11,008 acres (IDFG) |
|---|---|
| County | Elmore and Owyhee counties |
| Established | 1953 |
| IDFG region | Southwest |
| Game management units | 38, 41, 45, 46 |
| Elk zones | Boise River, Owyhee, Smoky-Bennett, South Hills |
| Primary purpose (IDFG) | Provide hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife viewing opportunities and waterfowl production |
| Habitat (IDFG) | Lakes, riparian, wetland, low sagebrush, irrigated fields |
| Camping | At improved sites only: Cottonwood, Jacks Creek, Crane Falls, the dam, BLM's Cove Recreation Site and the private Black Sands Resort. |
What is C.J. Strike WMA?
Land of mixed ownership around C.J. Strike Reservoir, managed by IDFG since Idaho Power granted it in 1953. It is split into seven segments (Trueblood, Borden Lake, Bruneau, Crane Falls, Hot Springs, Indian Cove and Loveridge), each with its own habitat and rules, and the reservoir is one of southwest Idaho's most popular fisheries.
What can you hunt on C.J. Strike WMA?
Mainly waterfowl: jump shooting potholes, decoys on ponds and the reservoir, and field hunting for Canada geese. Pheasants, including pen-reared birds, gray partridge, quail, chukar in the canyons and doves are also hunted. Upland hunting starts after 10 a.m. during pheasant season, and only a small safety zone at headquarters is closed to hunting.
IDFG lists these uses for the area: hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife watching, camping and hiking.
How do you get onto C.J. Strike WMA, and when is it closed?
Few internal roads; those open lead to set parking areas, and driving past them is not allowed. Some segments are closed February 1 to July 31 for nesting birds. Bird-dog trials and training at Loveridge Bridge (August 1 to September 30) need a permit from the Nampa office.
Can you camp on C.J. Strike WMA?
At improved sites only: Cottonwood, Jacks Creek, Crane Falls, the dam, BLM's Cove Recreation Site and the private Black Sands Resort. No cutting trees or gathering wood.
How many elk and deer are taken in the surrounding units?
IDFG counts harvest by unit, not by WMA. These are the whole units C.J. Strike WMA lies in, for 2025:
| Unit | Elk harvested | Elk success | Deer harvested | Deer success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 51 | 16% | 246 | 28% |
| 41 | 148 | 31% | ||
| 45 | 34 | 10% | 9 | 29% |
| 46 | 1 | 17% | 406 | 22% |
General seasons, all weapons. Source: IDFG harvest statistics.
IDFG's maps and rules for C.J. Strike WMA
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on C.J. Strike WMA?
Mainly waterfowl: jump shooting potholes, decoys on ponds and the reservoir, and field hunting for Canada geese. Pheasants, including pen-reared birds, gray partridge, quail, chukar in the canyons and doves are also hunted. Seasons and tags follow the regulations for Units 38, 41, 45 and 46.
Can you camp on C.J. Strike WMA?
At improved sites only: Cottonwood, Jacks Creek, Crane Falls, the dam, BLM's Cove Recreation Site and the private Black Sands Resort. No cutting trees or gathering wood.
How do you get onto C.J. Strike WMA?
Few internal roads; those open lead to set parking areas, and driving past them is not allowed. Some segments are closed February 1 to July 31 for nesting birds. Bird-dog trials and training at Loveridge Bridge (August 1 to September 30) need a permit from the Nampa office.
Which hunting unit is C.J. Strike WMA in?
Units 38, 41, 45 and 46 (Boise River elk zone, Owyhee elk zone, Smoky-Bennett elk zone, South Hills 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, C.J. Strike 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 38 Unit 41 Unit 45 Unit 46 Boise River Zone Owyhee Zone Smoky-Bennett Zone South Hills Zone