Bird hunting is Idaho’s marathon season, and you have until January to do your hunting.

There is lots of public land in Idaho, but finding spots to bird hunt can be a little tricky. Upland birds and waterfowl often hang out near private agriculture lands rather than the vast tracts of Forest Service and BLM land that’s available for big game hunters.

If you’re willing to do a little computer homework and exploring, you will find plenty of public lands to hunt, and even some private lands open to public hunting.

Here’s a sampling of areas to check out, but don’t stop with these, consider them first stops on your hunt for places to hunt.

FORT BOISE WMA

What: This is a favorite for upland bird and waterfowl hunters, which means it gets crowded. But it’s a large area with numerous ponds and large swaths of grass and brush patches. Pheasants are stocked there, and there’s a variety of other game. The WMA also includes Gold Island in the Snake River.

Where: Northwest of Parma. There are several access points to the WMA. For a map go to fishandgame.idaho.gov click on “Hunting” and “Hunting Access/Maps.”

Notes: Upland bird hunters must wear orange, and pheasant hunting does not start until 10 a.m.

LAKE LOWELL

What: Lake Lowell is part of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge and a popular duck hunting area. It also has some upland bird and big game hunting.

There are numerous access points around the lake, and the terrain varies from rural/agriculture lands to thick forest and riparian areas.

Where: The lake is south of Nampa and Caldwell, and the refuge includes numerous islands in the Snake River.

Notes: Goose hunting is not allowed on Lake Lowell, and motorized boats are restricted during hunting season. For details, go to fws.gov/deerflat.

C.J. STRIKE WMA

What: This huge area around C.J. Strike Reservoir has waterfowl, upland game and some big game hunting. Several areas along the south shoreline have stocked pheasants, parking areas and kiosks with maps.

The area around Loveridge Bridge area off Idaho 51 is popular for waterfowl hunting, and there are numerous islands and ponds in the area that are good waterfowl habitat.

Where: South of Mountain Home. You can access the upper end from Idaho 51, or the dam area from Idaho 67. The WMA includes the Bruneau and Snake River arms of C.J. Strike.

Notes: If you’re hunting where pheasants are stocked, you must wear orange, and pheasant hunting does not start until 10 a.m.

PAYETTE RIVER WMA

What: Stocked pheasant hunting and some quail and waterfowl hunting along the Payette River and birding islands. This is one of the smaller WMAs in the area, so it tends to get fewer pheasants stocked than the others.

Where: North of New Plymouth. There are several access points, but they can be tricky to find. Check the maps at fishandgame.idaho.gov click on “Hunting” and “Hunting Access/Maps.”

Notes: If you’re hunting where pheasants are stocked, you must wear orange, and pheasant hunting does not start until 10 a.m.

MONTOUR WMA

What: This popular hunting spot for stocked pheasants is located along the Payette River near its namesake of Montour between Horseshoe Bend and Emmett. It’s about 45 minutes from Boise. It’s a mix of natural cover and agriculture fields with lots of ditches running through the area.

It has several access points, and there’s also some waterfowl hunting nearby on the Payette River.

Where: Located off Idaho 52 between Emmett and Horseshoe Bend.

Notes: If you’re hunting where pheasants are stocked, you must wear orange, and pheasant hunting does not start until 10 a.m.

SNAKE RIVER

What: Idaho’s largest river is also one of its most popular waterfowl hunting spots. You can hunt ducks and geese, and its islands also harbor quail and some pheasants.

Where: There are lots of access points in Southwest Idaho. The best map for launch and access points is at snakeriverwatertrail.org.

Notes: Islands in the Snake River are a mix of public and private ownership, so not all are open for hunting.

LAKE CASCADE

What: This large reservoir is a waterfowl magnet in the fall and has lots of public access, especially when the reservoir is low and vast mudflats are exposed.

Where: Prime hunting areas are at the north end of the reservoir in the Payette and Lake Fork arms and near Sugarloaf Campground.

Notes: It’s wide open and exposed so portable blinds are your best bet, or a boat blind.

TURNER RANCH

What: This 270-acre ranch along the Bruneau River is owned and operated by Idaho Power and managed as a youth hunting area. Adults can accompany youth, but they cannot hunt there.

The ranch has fields, natural cover, ditches, river frontage and fields. There’s upland birds and waterfowl, but pheasants are not stocked there.

Where: From Bruneau, take Idaho 51 west for 1.9 miles and turn left (south) onto Hot Creek Road. Go about 3.5 miles to the Sportsman’s Access Point at Turner Ranch. A fenced gravel parking area will be on your left.

Notes: For detail and maps go to idahopower.com/OurEnvironment, then click on “Wildlife Habitat,” and “Turner Ranch.”

ACCESS YES PROPERTIES

What: These are private lands that Idaho Fish and Game leases for hunting access. Properties host a variety of hunting opportunites, but access is managed from unlimited access to access by advanced notification.

These properties change from year to year, so make sure you check before going.

Where: Located throughout Southwest Idaho.

Notes: For full details and maps go to fishandgame.idaho.gov, scroll the bottom of the home page and click on the Access Yes logo.

Roger Phillips: 377-6215, Twitter: @rogeroutdoors