Nearly 30,000 acres of timber land was recently returned to Coeur d’Alene Tribal ownership following the sale of property by Stimson Lumber Company. The sale restores land lost to the Tribe during the late 1800s within the boundaries of the Coeur d’Alene Reservation. 

“This land is part of who we are,” said Chairman Chief Allan of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. “When the Reservation was created, it was meant to be a homeland for our people but much of it was lost to us. Every acre we’re able to bring back is meaningful — not only as a step toward restoring what was lost, but because it allows us to take care of the land for future generations.” 

All of the 30,000 acres sold are located in the Panhandle Region’s Game Management Unit 5, south of Coeur d’Alene. 

Previously, the land was open to the public for hunting purposes under a lease agreement with Idaho Department of Fish and Game. That is no longer the case.

The sale of the lands has resulted in their removal from the Large Tracts Program, making them no longer accessible by the general public under the program, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Entering any private land while access is closed or restricted is trespassing, Fish and Game said.

"As the Tribe evaluates management strategies for the timberlands, including inventorying timber resources and access, it will be closed to public access for the time being," a press release said.

Fish and game said the sale is a reminder that all Large Tracts parcels are private lands and can change ownership at any time. 

"Hunters, anglers and recreationists should never assume last season’s access is still valid this season," a Fish and Game release said.

For the Tribe, the purchase represents far more than a land transaction, according to a press release. 

"When the Reservation was established in 1873, the entire area was promised to the Coeur d’Alene people. Over the last decades of the 19th century the federal government sold off large portions of the Reservation without the Tribe’s consent, leaving the Tribe with only a fraction of its homeland," the press release said.

The reacquisition of these lands is part of an ongoing effort to reclaim what was lost and restore stewardship to the Tribe, Allan said.

Land acquisition has long been a strategic priority for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. The Tribe has consistently pursued opportunities to buy back pieces of its homeland at market value from willing sellers, strengthening its land base while honoring fair and legal transactions, the release said.

The Tribe has made clear that its responsibility is not only to hold title to the land, but to ensure its protection, health, and cultural significance for generations to come. 

"The return of these acres underscores the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s commitment to strengthening its homeland and safeguarding it under Tribal management," the release said.

Sportsmen are encouraged to review the Coeur d’Alene Tribal hunting regulations for current rules and areas open to the public.