Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area: hunting, access and rules
Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area is 35,218 acres in Bonneville County, in Idaho Fish and Game's Upper Snake Region, inside game management unit 69, established in 1976. Land about 15 miles east of Idaho Falls, owned in roughly equal thirds by IDFG, the Bureau of Reclamation and the BLM and managed by IDFG as mitigation for Ririe Reservoir and Teton Dam.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: IDFG's page for Tex Creek WMA, read October 18, 2026. Outline: PAD-US. Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics, 2025.
| Size | 35,218 acres (IDFG) |
|---|---|
| County | Bonneville County |
| Established | 1976 |
| IDFG region | Upper Snake |
| Game management unit | 69 |
| Elk zone | Tex Creek |
| Primary purpose (IDFG) | Terminal winter range for migratory mule deer and elk, and year-round habitat for Columbian sharp-tailed grouse. |
| Habitat (IDFG) | Sagebrush steppe, aspen forest, woodland, grassland and cultivated cropland. |
| Camping | Six developed campsites with steel fire rings. |
What is Tex Creek WMA?
Land about 15 miles east of Idaho Falls, owned in roughly equal thirds by IDFG, the Bureau of Reclamation and the BLM and managed by IDFG as mitigation for Ririe Reservoir and Teton Dam. It is the end of the line for migrating deer, elk and moose from up to 70 miles away: upwards of 4,000 elk and 3,000 mule deer may winter here. The 2016 Henry's Creek fire burned almost two-thirds of it.
What can you hunt on Tex Creek WMA?
Most visits are in October and November for big game and upland birds. Most deer and elk arrive when snow pushes them down; moose can be here all season. Ruffed and dusky grouse open August 30, and sharp-tailed grouse run about October 1 to 31.
IDFG lists these uses for the area: hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife watching, hiking, horseback riding and camping.
How do you get onto Tex Creek WMA, and when is it closed?
About 31 miles of road open to vehicles (24 county, 5 IDFG); four-wheel drive is recommended in spring and fall. No off-road driving at any time. Bonneville County closes about 18 miles of road December 1 to April 15 for wintering animals.
Can you camp on Tex Creek WMA?
Six developed campsites with steel fire rings.
How many elk and deer are taken in the surrounding units?
IDFG counts harvest by unit, not by WMA. These are the whole units Tex Creek WMA lies in, for 2025:
| Unit | Elk harvested | Elk success | Deer harvested | Deer success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | 419 | 23% | 427 | 20% |
General seasons, all weapons. Source: IDFG harvest statistics.
IDFG's maps and rules for Tex Creek WMA
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Tex Creek WMA?
Most visits are in October and November for big game and upland birds. Most deer and elk arrive when snow pushes them down; moose can be here all season. Seasons and tags follow the regulations for Unit 69.
Can you camp on Tex Creek WMA?
Six developed campsites with steel fire rings.
How do you get onto Tex Creek WMA?
About 31 miles of road open to vehicles (24 county, 5 IDFG); four-wheel drive is recommended in spring and fall. No off-road driving at any time. Bonneville County closes about 18 miles of road December 1 to April 15 for wintering animals.
Which hunting unit is Tex Creek WMA in?
Unit 69, in the Tex Creek elk zone.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, access, camping and uses: IDFG, Tex Creek 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.