Go see the snow geese at Ft. Boise WMA - 50,000-60,000 are there now!

Snow geese at Boise WMA (courtesy Glenn Oakley/IDFG)

Hi all, 

It's that time of year when snow geese gather by the tens of thousands at Fort Boise Wildlife Management Area near Parma or Roswell Marsh near Roswell and Adrian, Ore. 

It's just a 45-minute drive west of Boise to see the birds. And they may not be there too much longer! 

Sunny weather with highs in the mid-50s are forecast Friday-Sunday in valley locations, perfect conditions for doing some wildlife watching. 

Snow geese feeding in a farmer's field near Ft. Boise WMA

Snow geese congregate at Ft. Boise WMA each spring between early February and mid- to late March. I went out to see them this morning, and they were feeding in farm fields in large numbers about 9 a.m.

I also saw big groups flying overhead in a huge V-formation, sounding off loudly.

Ft. Boise WMA viewing platform

According to IDFG, snow geese leave the Ft. Boise WMA ponds at daybreak, feed in the farm fields and then return to the ponds from 10:30 a.m. to noon. That's the best time to see them. There's a viewing platform at the WMA where you can see the birds easily in ponds nearby. Be sure to bring your binoculars! And be respectful of private property and keep your distance from the birds if you stop to photograph them next a farm field. 

Big migration: The snow geese are stopping at Ft. Boise WMA on their way north toward Canada, Northwest Territories, Alaska or even Siberia. They winter in Central Valley in California. 

Courtesy IDFG

This is cool activity that'd be great for kids, families and anyone who enjoys nature. 

Getting there: Take I-84 to Caldwell. Take the U.S. 20-26 exit and follow signs to Parma. Drive through Parma and the turnoff to Ft. Boise WMA is 2+ miles ahead on the left on Old Ft. Boise Road. Take that road a couple miles and you'll come to the viewing platform by some ponds. 

On the way home, maybe stop for lunch in Parma or stop by a Canyon County winery. 

Enjoy! 
- SS   

Snow geese feeding in a farmer's field (photo by SS)

Go see thousands of snow geese at Ft. Boise WMA, pond-skimming at Brundage or biking

(Courtesy Idaho Department of Fish and Game)

Hi all,

It appears that we have a rainy weekend ahead, at least that's the forecast for Friday and Sunday. There's only a 20 percent chance of rain on Saturday, so there may be a few breaks in between storms or squalls where you can get out and do something fun outdoors!

I'm recommending three things for my outdoor tip of the week -- go to Fort Boise Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Parma to see thousands of snow geese, go pond-skimming at Brundage Mountain or dash out on your bike between rain storms.

What a thrill to see the snow geese flying around in this giant wetland preserve and cottonwood forest where the Boise River meets the Snake River near the Idaho-Oregon border.

This is the same area where trappers stopped in to trade wares at Fort Boise. After 1835, they could stop and visit with post master Francois Payette, who was a very successful trapper (see historical chapter in my Paddling the Payette book) who arrived in Idaho and the Northwest in 1818 at the dawn of the trapping era. He also had a hand in mapping the region, hence, all of the rivers and lakes bearing his name.

But think of the rich fish and wildlife resource that existed there at the time -- salmon and steelhead, sturgeon, trout, all kinds of ducks, deer, moose and maybe even elk. Payette traded with many different Native American tribes, stole horses from them and vice-verse, and he took a few Native American women as his wives. Several Indian children emerged with the last name of Payette.

Here's a link to the Fort Boise WMA web page, which has directions to the refuge and an excellent list of birds you may see there.

Here's a brave lad giving it a go! (Courtesy Brundage Mountain)

McCall Realtor Lolo Nelson has won the
contest in the past wearing a prom dress.  

2. Go pond-skimming at Brundage Mountain. Brundage is poised to receive a batch of new snow on Saturday-Sunday (up to 9 inches are expected), and you could participate in the Crazy Daze pond-skimming competition on Saturday, starting at 1:15 p.m. There's also a beer relay, poker run, photo scavenger hunt and a costume contest.

Temperatures are forecast to freeze Friday night, with a low of 27 degrees, and there's new snow forecast Saturday, Saturday night and Sunday. Watch my Opensnow.com forecasts for the last details. 

Look for lodging deals in McCall by checking with the McCall Chamber or InIdaho.com. Maybe even Shore Lodge or the Holiday Inn Express?

3. Go for a bike ride in between the rain storms. I'm talking road biking because the Boise foothills trails will be wet after the rain we get this weekend.

• Take a long ride on the Greenbelt and plan a stop at a favorite spot for coffee, lunch or a beer.  
• Do the Cartwright 3 Summits Loop. 
• Ride out to Eagle and back on Hill Road and Floating Feather. 
• Ride to Hilltop Summit above Lucky Peak. Wendy and I did that last Saturday. We started at Municipal Park and rode to Hilltop and back, enjoying the new pavement that Ada County Parks and Waterways put in between IDPR headquarters and Diversion Dam. That ride is 27 miles round-trip, with 1,214 feet of elevation gain. 
• Ride a loop somewhere close to your house so you don't get wet! Ha! 
• Pick up a Boise Road Cycling Guide, a full-color waterproof map of the best road bike rides in the Treasure Valley.

All downhill from here! A bearded Steve at Hilltop Summit. 

Have fun! 

- SS