Beginning this fall, Idaho hunters will have access to hunt waterfowl on property recently purchased by Ducks Unlimited in the Market Lake area. Ducks Unlimited purchased 649 acres in the historic Market Lake Basin in 2016 as part of its ongoing Snake River Plain conservation program and for the first time will provide access to the entire property for gamebird hunting.

Since its inception, DU has been strongly supported by waterfowl hunters who have played an important role in the conservation of North Americas waterfowl, said Chris Bonsignore, Ducks Unlimiteds manager of conservation programs for Idaho. We are proud to offer access to DU land in the Market Lake area for hunters to continue this valuable tradition and to see firsthand the results of DUs work on the landscape.

The newly-acquired lands should offer hunters excellent field hunting opportunities in agricultural fields, which are currently managed for wheat, barley, alfalfa and pasture. Another 342 acres of land also owned by DU, located to the south, is open for hunting as well.

Access will begin with the general waterfowl season opener on Oct. 7th and will remain open until the close of bird hunting as determined by Idaho Department of Fish and Game regulations for the 2017-18 season. Hunters should review and be familiar with all applicable state and federal regulations for hunting gamebirds in Idaho.

The Market Lake property is walk-in only, so hunters should be prepared to haul decoys and other gear to the fields from designated parking areas. Hunters will be required to sign in and out at a registration station located at a designated parking area on the east side of N 2600 E at the intersection with E 1000 N, approximately three miles northwest of the town of Roberts. A map of all DU-owned properties and applicable hunting rules will be posted at the registration station and will also be available on DUs website at www.ducks.org/idaho.

Quality waterfowl hunting opportunities can also be found within managed marsh units on the adjacent Market Lake Wildlife Management Area east of DUs Market Lake properties. For more information on hunting the Market Lake WMA, contact the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at 208-525-7290 or visit the departments website at https://idfg.idaho.gov/visit/wildlife-management-areas.