Deer Parks Wildlife Mitigation Units: hunting, access and rules
The Deer Parks Wildlife Mitigation Units cover 3,101 acres in Jefferson and Madison Counties, in Idaho Fish and Game's Upper Snake Region, inside game management units 63A and 60A, established in 1997. Three Bureau of Land Management parcels (Menan, Twin Bridges and Beaver Dick) along the South Fork, Henrys Fork and main Snake rivers, managed by IDFG, the BLM and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes as mitigation for Palisades Dam.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: IDFG's page for Deer Parks WMU, read October 18, 2026. Outline: PAD-US. Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics, 2025.
| Size | 3,101 acres (IDFG) |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson and Madison Counties |
| Established | 1997 |
| IDFG region | Upper Snake |
| Game management units | 63A, 60A |
| Elk zones | Snake River, Island Park |
| Primary purpose (IDFG) | High quality habitat for white-tailed and mule deer, as well as migratory habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and waterbirds. |
| Habitat (IDFG) | River riparian wetlands, sagebrush-steppe |
| Camping | No camping or campfires. |
What is Deer Parks WMU?
Three Bureau of Land Management parcels (Menan, Twin Bridges and Beaver Dick) along the South Fork, Henrys Fork and main Snake rivers, managed by IDFG, the BLM and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes as mitigation for Palisades Dam. Early settlers named the thick willow and cottonwood bottoms for their deer. More than 3,000 trumpeter swans have been counted wintering here, up to a tenth of the Rocky Mountain population.
What can you hunt on Deer Parks WMU?
Most of it is in Unit 63A, a small part north of Highway 33 in Unit 60A, and only short-range weapons are allowed. Mule deer and moose are by controlled hunt; white-tailed deer are general season. Turkeys and waterfowl are hunted too. Blinds of natural materials only, and tree stands must come down after the season.
IDFG lists these uses for the area: hunting, trapping, wildlife watching, horseback riding, hiking and biking.
How do you get onto Deer Parks WMU, and when is it closed?
County roads reach the units; travel inside is non-motorized only. Entry is restricted February 1 to March 15 in mapped areas, and dogs must be leashed April 1 to July 31. Boat ramps at Menan and Beaver Dick Park give boat-in access.
Can you camp on Deer Parks WMU?
No camping or campfires.
How many elk and deer are taken in the surrounding units?
IDFG counts harvest by unit, not by WMA. These are the whole units Deer Parks WMU lies in, for 2025:
| Unit | Elk harvested | Elk success | Deer harvested | Deer success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63A | 3 | 5% | 197 | 22% |
| 60A | 25 | 11% | 489 | 32% |
General seasons, all weapons. Source: IDFG harvest statistics.
IDFG's maps and rules for Deer Parks WMU
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Deer Parks WMU?
Most of it is in Unit 63A, a small part north of Highway 33 in Unit 60A, and only short-range weapons are allowed. Mule deer and moose are by controlled hunt; white-tailed deer are general season. Seasons and tags follow the regulations for Units 63A and 60A.
Can you camp on Deer Parks WMU?
No camping or campfires.
How do you get onto Deer Parks WMU?
County roads reach the units; travel inside is non-motorized only. Entry is restricted February 1 to March 15 in mapped areas, and dogs must be leashed April 1 to July 31. Boat ramps at Menan and Beaver Dick Park give boat-in access.
Which hunting unit is Deer Parks WMU in?
Units 63A and 60A (Snake River elk zone, Island Park 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, Deer Parks WMU, 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.