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CHALLIS, Idaho—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Challis Field Office is implementing seasonal motor vehicle closures in central Idaho, from Dec. 15, 2022, until May 1, 2023, to protect wintering wildlife, important elk calving areas and bighorn sheep lambing grounds. 

Each year, the seasonal closures include:

• Second Spring Basin, Carlson Hills and Fuller Gulch—for the protection of wildlife and habitat
• Willow Creek—elk winter range
• Donkey Hills Area of Critical Environmental Concern—elk winter range and crucial calving area
• Birch Creek Area of Critical Environmental Concern—bighorn sheep crucial winter range and lambing habitat.

“These annual closures are necessary to protect elk, mule deer and bighorn sheep from disruptive human activities during the difficult winter months,” said BLM Challis Field Manager Josh Travers. “These closures occur during the most stressful time of year when animals’ energy reserves are low, and allow wildlife to conserve energy and survive the winter. When animals flee due to disturbances caused by people, they use calories that are needed to survive the rest of winter.” 

These seasonal closures apply to motorized vehicles—including snowmobiles, ATVs/UTVs, pickups and motorcycles—in the closed areas, but do not apply to other recreation uses like hiking and cross-country skiing. Remember at other times of the year that using motorized vehicles is always limited to designated routes in the areas. The public can obtain a free travel map here or from the office to view specific seasonal closures. The BLM appreciates the public’s help in respecting wintering wildlife.

-BLM-