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REGION 5 WILDLIFE AREAS
Mt. St.
Helens Wildlife Area:
Maintenance Activities: Wildlife Area Manager Calkins and Volunteer Dave Remmen repaired or maintained
tree protectors on conifers (cedar and noble fir) planted near the edge of the
mudflow last spring that have survived to date. As reported previously, some
of the planted trees were lost to erosion shortly after planting but those that
have remained are doing reasonably well. Maintaining the tree protectors has
been a challenge and we will probably be moving toward using rebar for stakes,
as many of the wooden stakes were found cracked or broken. Alder that survived
the high water shortly after planting are doing extremely well.
We are also posting ‘No
Entry’ signs along the eastern boundary of the Wildlife Area with the
National Volcanic Monument, which is closed to public access. We felt this is
necessary with the expanded hunting effort that will occur this fall and some
evidence had been noted in the past that some hunters might have entered the
monument. We have also recently learned that WDFW's surveyors will be resurveying
this boundary. We had made this request because most of the old USFS markers
have been lost or buried by the meandering river channel.
Calkins also dismantled
one stretch brace on one elk trap wing in preparation to pull the posts at a
later date. Some of the wood posts that had been removed previously were hauled
to Vancouver for other uses.
Klickitat Wildlife Area:
Western
Pond Turtle: Wildlife Area
Manager VanLeuven responded to a report from the Sondino Unit of theft of turtle
eggs and temperature sensors. A total of 2 nests were raided. The screens that
were placed over the nests when the nests were new were put back after the eggs
were taken, so this was not a predation incident by an animal. It is unknown
yet if additional nests may have been stolen as well. This is unfortunate and,
as the hatching date for the nests draws near, the nests will be checked by
WDFW.
GAME DIVISION
Deer Productivity
Surveys: With the help of various volunteers, Biologist Holman conducted
deer spotlighting surveys in Game Management Units 568 (Washougal), 564 (Battle
Ground) and 550 (Coweeman). Productivity surveys are conducted annually between
August 15th and September 30th. To date, the surveys appear to be indicating
better fawn production than during 2006.
Mud Flow Hunt: Mailings
have gone out for the first hunts to take place on the Mount St. Helens Wildlife
Area Mud Flow Hunt Elk area. The hunt is designed to reduce elk numbers on the
wildlife area and allow more forage to be available for the wintering elk. A
secondary objective is to contribute to the overall herd goal of reducing the
elk population in the St Helens elk herd area. Biologists will be collecting
internal organs to sample for fat composition of the elk, which is an indicator
of herd health.
DIVERSITY DIVISION
Sandhill
Cranes: Biologist Anderson completed banding efforts for Sandhill crane
colts this week with the USFWS at Conboy National Wildlife Refuge. A total of
six colts were captured this season, each marked with color leg bands for future
identification. The first capture was Jully 2nd and the last colt was captured
August 27th. Three of the banded birds have fledged, two are still pre -fledging,
and it is uncertain what the status is of the remaining colt. This brings the
total number of banded colts over the past six years at Conboy National Wildlife
Refuge to 36. Color banding is one of the best methods for assisting with determining
juvenile survival, distribution changes of adult birds at nesting sites, and
adult mortality rates.
REGION 5 WILDLIFE AREAS
Klickitat
Wildlife Area:
The Washington Conservation Corps continues to work with
the Klickitat Wildlife Area manager on several projects such as posting signs
at the Sondino Unit and painting gates. They also continue to assist with cutting
downed trees and stacking the limbs and log sections.
GAME DIVISION
Elk Pre-Season
Herd Composition Surveys: Biologist Holman completed pre-season elk herd
composition surveys in GMUs 554 (Yale) and 556 (Toutle). Foggy weather made
morning flights impossible but the afternoons of September 4 and 5 were suitable
for surveys. Twenty-one elk were observed and classified in the Yale GMU with
a resulting population structure of 42 bulls per 100 cows, 33 calves per 100
cows and a yearling bull percentage (a surrogate measure of bull mortality)
of 40%. In the elk-rich Toutle GMU, 361 elk were surveyed with 341 classified.
The resulting population structure in the Toutle GMU was 31 bulls per 100 cows,
48 calves per 100 cows and a yearling bull percentage of 20%. Thanks to Regional
Habitat Program Manager Rymer and volunteer Renan for their sharp eyes and strong
stomachs during the surveys. Thanks also to Regional Wildlife Program Manager
Jonker, Enforcement Officer Myers, and Fisheries Biologist Weinheimer all of
whom waited patiently while foggy conditions eliminated their chance to help
out on the survey flights.
Land Access Effort: The
first of 6 scheduled volunteer orientations for the St. Helens Tree Farm Land
Access cooperative effort between WDFW, Weyerhaeuser, and volunteer organizations
was held Friday night in Longview. District Wildlife Biologist Miller, Fish
and Wildlife Technician Pyzik, and Wildlife Program Manager Jonker signed up
57 volunteers for the effort. Program Manager Jonker provided a presentation
on the purpose of the effort, WDFW policies, and safety guidelines, and Weyerhaeuser
guidelines were presented by Weyerhaeuser Forester Sheldahl. Volunteers represented
several organizations and several questions and discussions about the effort
were held. We would like to thank all the volunteers for their effort and time
and we look forward to implementing a successful program through the ethical
stewardship of the volunteers.
REGION 5 WILDLIFE AREAS
Klickitat
Wildlife Area:
Wildlife Area Manger VanLeuven
continued work on fire abatement as well as various repair items on the Wildlife
Area. VanLeuven spent time with bow hunters discussing a variety of topics including
the upcoming road closures, which they were mostly supportive of. In addition,
hunters were pleased with the presence of WDFW on the Wildlife Area.
GAME DIVISION
Hunting
Season: Region 5 district and assistant district biologists and wildlife
area managers are fielding a heavy load of questions from the public regarding
this fall’s hunting seasons. Questions range from regulations, where to
go, and general information.
Land Access Effort: The second of 6 scheduled volunteer orientations for the St. Helens Tree Farm
Land Access cooperative effort between WDFW, Weyerhaeuser, and volunteer organizations
was held Monday night in Olympia. Fish and Wildlife Technician Pyzik and Wildlife
Program Manager Jonker signed up an additional 13 volunteers for the effort.
A similar format of presentations and discussions was followed. Once again,
we would like to thank all the volunteers for their effort and time and we look
forward to implementing a successful program through the ethical stewardship
of the volunteers.
OTHER
Workshop: Program Manager Jonker attended a workshop on integrating Geographic Information
Systems and human dimensions with researchers and managers from Colorado State
University, Arizona, and South Dakota.
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| Wildlife
Area staff sprayed, plowed, disked and are currently reseeding approximately
40 acres of pasture on the Davis Lake unit. |
REGION 5 WILDLIFE AREAS
Cowlitz
Wildlife Area:
Davis
Lake Unit Ditch and Pasture Project: Wildlife area staff, as part of our
approved 5-year HPA to clean out and restore the drainage on the Davis Lake
Unit, cleaned out approximately 2700 linear feet of agricultural ditches. Last
year’s high water events had re-silted much of the ditch that had been
cleaned out in 2006. Manager Grabski met with Habitat Biologist Steve Bell to
evaluate whether the work planned for this year was regulated by the HPA secured
in 2006. The purpose of the project is to restore the pastures to a condition
where reed canarygrass is not favored. Reed canarygrass does not provide ideal
wintering habitat for migrating waterfowl or a preferred graze for local elk.
The project is intended to fulfill the habitat improvement objective for this
unit as outlined in the Wildlife Area management plan.
In addition to the aforementioned
activity, Wildlife Area staff sprayed, plowed, disked, and are currently reseeding
approximately 40 acres of pasture on this unit. The fall planting is timed to
allow the seed to germinate and get an early start to both suppress annual weeds
as well as to provide a forage cover for wintering wildlife.
Kiona Culvert Beaver
Control: Wildlife Area staff placed a grated barrier in front of one of
the culverts on the Kiona Unit. A beaver have decided to repeatedly block the
culvert. Last year Kiona creek left its banks and the resulting high water compromised
this approach due to this beaver activity. The grate will prevent the beaver
from being able to stuff the culvert making it easier to remove the debris periodically.
Davis Lake Weed Control: Wildlife Area staff mowed approximately 3 acres of blackberry that had overgrown
the ~3-acre timber clearing on the Davis Lake Unit. If weather permits, a chemical
application will be made before winter weather sets in. This area appears to
receive a large amount of big game use. This is probably due to the area being
relatively isolated. Though blackberry provides browse for wildlife species
such as deer this area is invaded with it.
Recreation Information: Lewis County is currently under a burn ban and campfires are only allowed in
approved fire rings in established campgrounds - open fires are not permitted
anywhere on the wildlife area.
Tacoma Power updates lake
levels and other recreation information on its toll-free Fishing and Recreation
Line every weekday at 1-888-502-8690.
Klickitat Wildlife Area:
Wildlife Area Manger VanLeuven
finalized work for the season on the Wildlife Area with the Washington Conservation
Corps. Evening temperatures are down to freezing at night already on the Wildlife
Area and during field work several flocks of turkeys have been observed on the
Wildlife Area. Cattle escaped onto WDFW property east of the Glenwood Highway,
then came down Canyon Creek and crossed the highway through a hole in the fence
into the Wildlife Area office compound. Cows were on the lawn in the compound
Tuesday evening. Some of the cows (which were mostly black) were on the highway
(which is black) that night (overcast, no moon) and there was at least one minor
vehicle crash. The owner of the cattle was contacted and the animals were all
moved by Wednesday morning.
GAME DIVISION
Private
Lands Access: Biologist Holman conducted visits to dozens of private forestland
access points in Klickitat County. Appropriate signs were replaced at access
points as needed. Collectively the lands owned by Hancock, Western Pacific,
Longview Fibre, and SDS offer free access to tens of thousands of acres for
hunting and other recreation. Access is primarily located in the northern and
western portions of Klickitat County, in Game Management Units 578 (West Klickitat)
and 388 (Grayback). These landowners generally allow walk-in (No Motorized Access)
to their lands. These areas are especially popular areas for deer and turkey
hunting. Hunters enjoying these lands during the upcoming seasons are reminded
to respect private property, be aware of fire danger, and obey all relevant
signs and other rules. Note that the private forestlands in that portion of
Klickitat County that lies east of Highway 97 (Game Management Unit 382) remain
closed to all public entry.
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