Jarbidge Field Office

Wildlife Watching

Bighorn SheepExploration of this scenic area will allow patient, observant visitors to view the diversity of nature in the Owyhee Plateau and Canyonlands. Pronghorn antelope, mule deer and elk are abundant throughout the area. Several species of upland game birds live throughout the region as well, including dusky (formerly blue) grouse, sage-grouse, California quail, chukar, gray partridge, chukar, ring-necked pheasant, and mourning dove. The Snake River, Salmon Falls Creek and Salmon Falls Reservoir provide important nesting and brood-rearing habitat, migratory resting areas and winter habitat for Canada geese, mallards, ring-necked ducks, lesser scaup, redheads, and common goldeneye. Mountain lions also live in the area, although they are extremely secretive and thus rarely seen. Because mountain lions usually know you are in the area well before you know they are there, sightings of them are rare.

Recreation Sites & Activities
The area is also composed of unique and diverse landforms and vegetation types, ranging from sagebrush-covered plateaus cut by rugged canyons to the high-desert scenic foothills of the Jarbidge mountains. The diversity of plant communities is a result of a variety of natural factors, such as soil type, elevation, annual precipitation and fire history.

 

Bighorn Sheep

 

The steep, rugged Bruneau-Jarbidge River area contains over 100 miles of canyon lands for a population of California bighorn sheep, a BLM Sensitive species. About 120 sheep make their homes in the canyon lands, which comprises 20 percent of the bighorn sheep population in Idaho. Bighorn sheep prefer the protective habitat of the vertical canyon lands, where they can forage for food, water is abundant and they can safely raise their young. The Foundation for North American Wild Sheep and Idaho Fish and Game were instrumental in reintroducing California bighorn into the Bruneau and Jarbidge River canyons in the 1980s and early 1990s. Viewers are welcome to see the bighorn from afar, but please, keep a good distance and do not approach them.  It is unsafe for both the animals and visitors to attempt to get close to these magnificent animals.     

Jarbidge Field Office  |  2536 Kimberly Road  |  Twin Falls, ID 83301
208-736-2350  |  Fax: 208-736-2375  |  Office hours: 7:45am - 4:30pm, M-F