Montour Wildlife Management Area
Montour Wildlife Management Area offers Birding and Recreation
In the 1800's, Montour was a thriving little town with shops, businesses and a robust economy. In the early 1860's the Marsh-Ireton Ranch was established as a stage and mail stop along the freight road to the Boise Basin.
After the railroad cam through the Valley in 1911, Montour's business district and town were platted. They vied for the Boise County seat, but in 1915, the town was incorporated into Gem County with Emmett as the County seat.
In 1941, the new highway bypasses Montour and all hopes for genuine prosperity faded. Shortly thereafter, a reorganization forced the school to close.
The last business closed down in 1968. In 1970, ice jams caused the Valley to flood. The Bureau of Reclamation brought out the landowners and turned the area in to a wildlife refuge and camping area.
Known as the Montour Wildlife Management Area (WMA), today the Montour WMA is on the official Idaho Birding Trail (IBT). The IBT is a network of 175 sites and 2,000 miles of trails in Idaho. These side-trips are bird watching hot spots recognized by the State of Idaho by a state House resolution in 2006. Montour WMA is one of only 40 in the entire Southwest Region.
Encompassing over 1,100 acres of wetlands, bird enthusiats will find Raptors, Shorebirds, Songbirds, Upland Birds, Waterbirds and Waterfowl.
According to Idaho Fish & Game, "This area’s flooded fields in the Payette River Canyon make excellent habitat for waterbirds especially in spring and early summer.
Ring-necked Pheasant, Gray Partridge, and California Quail are the most common upland gamebirds observed while Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Wood Duck, and Cinnamon, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal are frequently observed waterfowl species.
Wetland habitats also provide ideal conditions for a host of other birds such as Great Blue Heron, Wilson’s Snipe, American Coot, Killdeer, and Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds.
Raptors often seen include Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Barn Owl, and American Kestrel. Bald Eagle and Snow Goose winter along the Payette River."
Further Fish & Game facts state that the Montour WMA habitat is:
- 10% agriculture
- 50% grasslands
- 20% marshes/lakes/ponds
- 20% riverine riparian
Important information & quick facts about Montour Wildlife Management Area
- Access: Year-round
- Cost: Free
- Restrooms
- Camping
- Limited hunting
- Handicap services
- Boat ramp
- Directions: from Emmett, go north on Washington Ave/Hwy 52 turning east (right) at Black Canyon Hwy/Hwy 52. At the Sweet/Ola Hwy junction, turn right (south) onto Montour Road and drive 1 mile to the entrance.
Other helpful links:
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