Wildlife feeding continues at Tex Creek WMA

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is feeding approximately 3,500 to 4,000 big game animals in the Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area. An emergency winter feeding order was implemented December 8th on the area because big game animals lost suitable forage during the Henry’s Creek fire last summer. All roads into the Tex Creek WMA have been closed due to the feeding operations and to prevent additional stress to the animals. With the exception of Tex Creek, winter feeding has not been implemented in the upper Snake River region. Regional Fish and Game staff are consulting with the regional winter feeding advisory committee and are closely monitoring snow depth and the condition of animals. Recent storms and colder temperatures have resulted in an increase in haystack depredations throughout the region over the past two weeks. Reports of depredation have been heavy throughout the region. If possible, landowners are encouraged to move haystacks out of areas with a high possibility of depredation. Idaho Fish and Game officials said animals entered the winter in good to excellent condition. Because of weather conditions, elk, deer, and antelope are in large groups but are moving freely on winter ranges throughout the region.