Sterling Wildlife Management Area: hunting, access and rules
Sterling Wildlife Management Area is 4,106 acres in Bingham County, in Idaho Fish and Game's Southeast Region, inside game management unit 68A, established in 1968. Wetland, wet meadow and farm fields on the west side of American Falls Reservoir, the most used WMA in IDFG's Southeast Region.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: IDFG's page for Sterling WMA, read October 18, 2026. Outline: PAD-US. Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics, 2025.
| Size | 4,106 acres (IDFG) |
|---|---|
| County | Bingham County |
| Established | 1968 |
| IDFG region | Southeast |
| Game management unit | 68A |
| Elk zone | Big Desert |
| Primary purpose (IDFG) | Waterfowl and ring-necked pheasant production |
| Habitat (IDFG) | Open water, wetlands, wet meadows, Russian olive woodlands, agriculture |
| Camping | No overnight camping. |
What is Sterling WMA?
Wetland, wet meadow and farm fields on the west side of American Falls Reservoir, the most used WMA in IDFG's Southeast Region. It began as a 121-acre gift and grew with sportsman dollars and Reclamation leases; cooperative farming leaves food plots and nesting cover. It offers the greatest variety of shorebirds in Idaho.
What can you hunt on Sterling WMA?
Pheasants (stocked weekly; a WMA Upland Game Bird Permit is required) and waterfowl are the main hunts. In Unit 68A there is an archery-only, either-sex season for mule and white-tailed deer. A youth and ADA blind is at Johnson Pond, and two private inholdings allow public hunting under WMA rules.
IDFG lists these uses for the area: hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife watching, hiking and camping.
How do you get onto Sterling WMA, and when is it closed?
Open to vehicles on established roads, with 15 parking areas. Portable toilets during pheasant season only.
Can you camp on Sterling WMA?
No overnight camping. Bingham County's Sportsman's Park next door, east of Aberdeen, has camping and a boat launch.
How many elk and deer are taken in the surrounding units?
IDFG counts harvest by unit, not by WMA. These are the whole units Sterling WMA lies in, for 2025:
| Unit | Elk harvested | Elk success | Deer harvested | Deer success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68A | 24 | 26% | 0 | 0% |
General seasons, all weapons. Source: IDFG harvest statistics.
IDFG's maps and rules for Sterling WMA
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Sterling WMA?
Pheasants (stocked weekly; a WMA Upland Game Bird Permit is required) and waterfowl are the main hunts. In Unit 68A there is an archery-only, either-sex season for mule and white-tailed deer. Seasons and tags follow the regulations for Unit 68A.
Can you camp on Sterling WMA?
No overnight camping. Bingham County's Sportsman's Park next door, east of Aberdeen, has camping and a boat launch.
How do you get onto Sterling WMA?
Open to vehicles on established roads, with 15 parking areas. Portable toilets during pheasant season only.
Which hunting unit is Sterling WMA in?
Unit 68A, in the Big Desert elk zone.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, access, camping and uses: IDFG, Sterling 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.