EMIDA, ID – Thousands of acres of private forest west of Emida in Southern Benewah County are now closed to public access due to persistent violations and property damage.

Idaho Fish and Game has announced that Manulife Investment Management has closed nearly 9,000 acres of their forest in Game Management Unit 5.

The closure is in response to unauthorized trails, events, illegal wood cutting, dumping, vandalism and theft that’s been occurring on the parcel. Manulife has moved to a lease program to provide exclusive access to the property.