Fort Boise Wildlife Management Area: hunting, access and rules
Fort Boise Wildlife Management Area is 1,548 acres in Canyon County, in Idaho Fish and Game's Southwest Region, inside game management unit 38. Wetland, river bottom and upland at the meeting of the Boise and Snake rivers.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: IDFG's page for Fort Boise WMA, read October 18, 2026. Outline: PAD-US. Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics, 2025.
| Size | 1,548 acres (IDFG) |
|---|---|
| County | Canyon County |
| IDFG region | Southwest |
| Game management unit | 38 |
| Elk zone | Boise River |
| Primary purpose (IDFG) | Waterfowl and upland bird nesting habitat; public recreation |
| Habitat (IDFG) | Mix of wetland, riparian, and upland habitats |
| Camping | Only at Canyon County's campground on the Martin's Landing segment, south of the Boise River: 3 days in any 30, no garbage service. |
What is Fort Boise WMA?
Wetland, river bottom and upland at the meeting of the Boise and Snake rivers. It started in 1959 when Idaho Power deeded the 330-acre Gold Island to IDFG, and the nearby Roswell Marsh Wildlife Habitat Area adds a 135-acre wetland. Thousands of snow geese and other waterfowl stop here in migration, and Canada geese, mallards, gadwall, teal and wood ducks nest here.
What can you hunt on Fort Boise WMA?
Waterfowl in the wetlands, drains and sloughs, and pheasants released twice a week, with special youth waterfowl and pheasant dates. Roswell Marsh is a popular waterfowl spot too.
IDFG lists these uses for the area: hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife watching, hiking and camping.
How do you get onto Fort Boise WMA, and when is it closed?
Day use only, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (boaters launching from the WMA ramp are exempt). Interior roads are trails, closed to vehicles, and parts are closed February 1 to July 31 for nesting. Headquarters: 30845 Old Fort Boise Road, Parma, (208) 722-5888.
Can you camp on Fort Boise WMA?
Only at Canyon County's campground on the Martin's Landing segment, south of the Boise River: 3 days in any 30, no garbage service.
How many elk and deer are taken in the surrounding units?
IDFG counts harvest by unit, not by WMA. These are the whole units Fort Boise WMA lies in, for 2025:
| Unit | Elk harvested | Elk success | Deer harvested | Deer success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 51 | 16% | 246 | 28% |
General seasons, all weapons. Source: IDFG harvest statistics.
IDFG's maps and rules for Fort Boise WMA
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Fort Boise WMA?
Waterfowl in the wetlands, drains and sloughs, and pheasants released twice a week, with special youth waterfowl and pheasant dates. Roswell Marsh is a popular waterfowl spot too. Seasons and tags follow the regulations for Unit 38.
Can you camp on Fort Boise WMA?
Only at Canyon County's campground on the Martin's Landing segment, south of the Boise River: 3 days in any 30, no garbage service.
How do you get onto Fort Boise WMA?
Day use only, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (boaters launching from the WMA ramp are exempt). Interior roads are trails, closed to vehicles, and parts are closed February 1 to July 31 for nesting. Headquarters: 30845 Old Fort Boise Road, Parma, (208) 722-5888.
Which hunting unit is Fort Boise WMA in?
Unit 38, in the Boise River elk zone.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, access, camping and uses: IDFG, Fort Boise 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.