Fall and winter—and with it hunting season—are upon us. The Idaho Panhandle National Forests would like to remind all forest road users to consult motor vehicle road maps before heading out, as many annual and seasonal road closures will soon go into effect.

According to a press release from the U.S. Forest Service, seasonal closures help reduce stress on wildlife during colder months. By keeping motorized vehicles out of these areas, disturbances are minimized during critical winter periods, allowing wildlife to conserve energy that would otherwise be spent escaping motorized areas.

The closures in Bonners Ferry, Priest Lake and Sandpoint counties are necessary to protect the habitat needs of grizzly bears, the press release said. The closures in Coeur d’Alene River and St. Joe counties are to protect the habitat of moose.

“We understand that road and trail closures can be an inconvenience for all forest users,” says Matt Slifko, wildlife biologist for the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District. “But these closures are for the benefit of both large game species like elk and the people who hunt them, as well as other large species like grizzly bears that require wide, non-motorized landscapes.”

Gates will be locked to protect seasonally closed forest trails, but non-motorized access will remain open to the public. Current motor vehicle use maps are available online to learn about closures in advance, and are also available free of charge at ranger stations.