Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA opening delayed Until June 1

The Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area will open at noon Friday, June 1 this year, instead of the regularly scheduled opening of May 15.

Persistent snow, a slow spring thaw and extremely wet roads have prompted the extended closure, as well as the need to allow habitat bordering the WMA to thaw and green up to receive migratory wildlife that wintered on the WMA.

The extended closure to all public entry pertains to that portion of the WMA bounded by Clearwater Junction on its southwest corner, generally lying north of Highway 200, east of Highway 83, and south and west of Woodworth Road. The portion of the WMA within these bounds will be closed to all public entry, whether by foot or other means, until noon on June 1.

Also included in the extended closure is that portion of the WMA lying west of Highway 83 along the west shore of the Clearwater River. That portion of the WMA will be closed to vehicles until noon on June 1, due to wet roads, but is open for the public to travel on foot without the use of bikes or other vehicles.