Wildlife Program report: Oct. 16-31, 2024

Forest Grouse: Biologist Lowe checked the grouse wing barrels at the regional office and at Thompson Creek; one wing sample was collected from the regional office barrel this week.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Natural Resource Technician Tritt worked CWD check stations opening weekend of general rifle deer season. They collected CWD samples from deer at the Last Resort during the week. Wildlife Area Manager Dingman collected samples from a roadkill deer at the Delaney Department of Transportation (DOT) pit and from deer at Touchet Valley Taxidermy and Tanning in Dayton. Natural Resource Technician Jensen moved our dump trailer to the Last Resort for carcass disposal because Basin Disposal did not deliver the dumpster. Natural Resource Technician Tritt worked CWD check stations the last weekend of general rifle deer season. 

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Operations: The regional private lands team provided significant assistance to the CWD sampling efforts this week. Natural Resource Technician Moberg collected 34 CWD samples from deer in District 3. Twenty-three samples from deer brought to taxidermists, nine from harvested deer brought to the Walla Walla check station, one confiscated buck, and one brought to her house. Moberg worked CWD Hunter Check Stations both weekends of modern firearm season and trained volunteers on sample collection and data entry. Moberg coordinated with Scientific Technician Appel to transfer the samples from Walla Walla to Spokane.   

Hunter Check Station: Biologist Brinkman ran a hunter check station at the Deer Park Weigh Station on Highway 395 in Spokane County for the second weekend of modern firearm deer season. With assistance from Natural Resource Technician Brant and three volunteer members, 22 lymph node samples (21 deer and one moose) were collected for Chronic Wasting Disease testing. Biologist Brinkman also completed a cougar inspection, a bobcat pelt seal, and collected four grouse wing samples. In addition to hunters, many members of the public stopped by to ask questions about the disease and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) surveillance program.  

Bats: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman visited the Weaver Bat Condo this week to empty the guano that has been accumulating on the floor of the structure for the past two seasons. The guano piles up quickly when more than 8,000 bats are roosting in the condo during the spring and summer months. This cleanout is scheduled to occur every other fall to ensure the roost can continue to be used as a maternity site for this colony of bats.  

Sharp-tailed Sighting: This week Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos spotted a covey of seven Sharp-tailed Grouse on Seven Springs Dairy Rd. Sharp-tailed Grouse have been spotted in this exact location in the past. Almost two weeks ago a former WDFW employee and hunter reported flushing a group of 13 Sharp-tailed Grouse in a completely different area miles away.  

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Operations: Natural Resource Technician Moberg collected CWD samples from deer and elk in District 3. Twelve samples from deer and elk brought to taxidermists, four from road killed deer at DOT pits, and two house-calls to sample harvested deer. Moberg worked the CWD Hunter Check Station the last weekend of modern firearm season in District 3 and trained volunteer members on sample collection and data entry. Moberg transferred samples from Walla Walla to Clarkston, where they will be shuttled to Spokane next. Moberg also spoke on the phone with several hunters regarding questions about the new transport regulations.  

Acting Private Lands Biologist Heitstuman finished out the general deer season and closed down the check station in conjunction with Natural Resource Technician Tritt. Materials were collected to return to the Regional Office. Samples were collected from random camps, Department of Transportation pits and opportunistic road kills. Several samples were also collected from private landowners.   

Tucannon Bighorn Sheep: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman located the Tucannon bighorn sheep herd, and all six lambs are still alive. The herd has split into two groups. One group is hanging out near some domestic sheep and goats near the Last Resort Campground, but it is unknown if contact has been made between them. 

Natural Resource Technicians Edmondson and Keeling drove the Albian Hill Road to check on hunter camps to potentially collect CWD samples. 

Acting Private Lands Biologist Heitstuman spent most of the week either operating the check station or collecting samples from random checks, Department of Transportation calls/pits, and opportunistic roadkills. The random camp checks collected nearly as many samples as the closing weekend at the check station.  

Pelt seals/harvest inspections: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman met with a hunter to inspect and pin a bighorn ram harvested in the Lincoln Cliffs unit. They also met with three moose hunters that were successful in the first few days of the season to obtain CWD samples that were taken by the hunters. Biologist Brinkman assisted three deer hunters with collection and submission of lymph nodes.  

Hunting Access: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley was contacted by hunters through calls, texts, and emails regarding access for hunting. All staff members on the regional private lands team spent a significant amount of time responding to a wide variety of hunting questions, from access to regulations to CWD cooperation and compliance. 

Access Contracts: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley and Natural Resource Technician Moberg worked continued to work with Contracts Specialist Cole in submitting obtained signatures for amended Voluntary Public Access Program contracts. Hadley contacted and met with a landowner to renew both a Hunting by Written Permission and a Feel Free to Hunt access properties for five years. 

Pheasant Release: Regional private lands staff members participated in pheasant release around the region. The quality of the roosters was some of the best we’ve seen in recent years. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. White and the contract vendors in providing this opportunity. 

Trail and Road Maintenance: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer spent much of the week clearing popular Sherman Creek Wildlife Area roads and trails of downed trees and limbs, using chainsaw and mini excavator.  

Recreation and Water Access Site Maintenance: Maintenance Mechanic Heimgartner and Natural Resource Technician Nielsen cleaned access sites on the Snake and Grand Ronde Rivers, Asotin Creek, the shooting range, and the Wooten Lakes and campgrounds. Stan Wilson from the Asotin County Sportsmen Association donated a bench to be placed at Rainbow Lake.   

Hunting Access Program: The regional private lands team responded to dozens of hunter calls and emails this week, ranging from waterfowl hunting to moose, elk and deer hunting opportunities, to upland bird and pheasant release questions. Most hunters contacted were pleased with their experiences and asked lots of questions in addition to their original reason for contacting staff members. The private lands team also posted signs on private lands enrolled in hunting access and worked with contract staff members on renewals and updates to agreements. Supervisor Baarstad worked with District Biologist Prince and Officer Erickson on the details of the Parker Lake Hunt by Reservation opportunity in GMU 117.

Lincoln Park Coyotes: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris received two secondhand reports regarding coyote depredations around Lincoln Park. Harris coordinated with the communications program on targeted social media outreach to notify the surrounding communities of the coyote activity. District staff members also notified City of Spokane employees of the activity and provided them with resources for landowners. Harris visited Lincoln Park and did not observe any coyote activity but did encounter multiple people walking dogs off leash. 

Mallard relocation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris responded to a report of a mallard drake stuck in a playground at a Spokane Grade School. The duck was able to walk and fly but would not leave the playground. Harris was able to capture the duck with help from one of the teachers. After a quick physical exam, Harris relocated the duck to a nearby park.  

Black bear: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson accompanied Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill to a landowner’s property that had a black bear that broke into and dragged one of their trash cans over a bank, along with attempting to get into a container that contained bird seed. An electric netting kit was placed around the garbage cans and container with bird seed and a cell camera was set up to monitor the bear’s movements on the property. 

Hammock Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris coordinated with district staff members and Pullman Police Department regarding a buck in Pullman that has remnants of a hammock hanging from its antlers. Staff members are not concerned about the health of the buck at this time since it is still mobile and able to eat and drink. Harris will continue to monitor the situation.

4O Ranch Restoration: Natural Resource Technicians Hammons and Peters spent a couple days working on fence rebuild at the 4O Ranch, installing t-posts, and wood stays on the wire. Biologist Woodall posted some caution signage where there are hot spots and fire is burning underground on a coal-seam. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was out there as well applying water to the ground.   

Noxious Weed Control: Natural Resource Technician Jensen sprayed noxious weeds in various areas on the wildlife area. He also entered spray records in the database. Natural Resource Technicians Jensen and Tritt cleaned the weed seeds off the ATVs after spraying the Walla Walla sites last week. Wildlife Area Manage Dingman registered Jensen and Tritt for the 2024 WA State Noxious Weed Conference in November. Jensen will be attending in person this year, while Tritt will be attending virtually.

Revere Wildlife Area Preconstruction Meeting: This week Ducks Unlimited (DU) Biologist Heck, Wildlife Area Manager Finch, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner, and Natural Resource Technician Duclos met at the Revere Wildlife Area with prospective contractors who were there to go over the wetland restoration Phase 3 portion of the project. There were approximately 15 prospective bidders that came from all over to look at the project site and plans. Heck described in detail the process and timelines to acquire the bid. The bid packets will be due back by October 15 with the actual work estimated to start soon after and the project completion date estimated at November 30. After the contractors meeting, Heck flew his new drone to map the entire wetland area pre-construction. Heck will again map the entire wetland post construction sometime in December before it snows.  

Prescribed Burning: Due to recent rains, prescribed burn staff members returned to Sherman Creek Wildlife Area after burning only a small acreage of open ground near the headquarters. This week, the team completed burning the forested remainder of the Headquarters Unit and started burning the Power Unit. They expect to complete the burn at the larger Power Unit the week of October 27. Upon completion of the entire “Sherman Corridor Prescribed Burn, Fall 2024,” approximately 126 acres of mostly forested land will have been treated. Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer assisted the firefighters, as he has a current DNR firefighter’s Red Card.  

Native Grassland Restoration: This week, Wildlife Area Manager Finch received the grass seed mix from Wildlife Biologist Jennings. This grass/forb mix is for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 70-acres restoration field on the BLM Sandygin parcel North Telford area. The field will be ready for seeding after a few more days of rain to help with the moisture and firmness of the field.

Science Night: Biologist Lowe participated in Mullan Road Elementary School’s Science Night to teach students and their families about local wildlife and careers in the wildlife field.

Palouse Conservation Education Grant: Private Lands Biologist Nizer was contacted by Palouse Conservation District to assist and contribute to an educational grant application. Nizer wrote the portion for WDFW Private Lands Biologist to contribute time and expertise for educating students in the Whitman County area about natural resource conservation.

New Fence Damage: Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos found a newly installed gate post that was placed in concrete backed into and bent severely. Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area staff members will have to look on straightening it if possible.  

Chainsaw Training: Private Lands Biologist Nizer and Natural Resource Technician Nance completed the two-day chainsaw training in Spokane.

District 4 Pheasant Release: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand released pheasants at Hope Valley. All the birds were in good condition and excellent flyers.

District 4 Cougar Seal: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand sealed a cougar for a hunter who harvested the cat in the Blue Mountains. Biological and harvest information was collected and submitted in Survey 123.

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Elk Fence: The L.T. Murray Wildlife Area crew repaired elk fence near Joe Watt Canyon. Elk had recently jumped the fence which resulted in wire and post needing to be replaced.

District 8 Oak Creek Wildlife Area – Elk Fence Repair: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Worker Floyd continues to repair elk fence that was damaged during the Retreat fire. The elk fence in these areas is critical to managing the elk herd and limit conflict between agriculture and elk. 

Pasco Burrowing Owl Mitigation Project Review: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra finalized a summary assessment of the 2024 mitigation actions taken for Burrowing Owls at a Pasco project site. The project displaced two occupied burrowing owl sites and mitigated through on-site installation of 21 artificial burrows at the start of 2024. Four pairs utilized the burrows this season with three pair fledging young successfully. Some key takeaways from the project were the importance of pre-construction surveys in the non-breeding season where burrowing owls may be present; highlighting the benefit of on-site versus off site mitigation in some scenarios; and the value of considering species-specific mitigation actions. The document was shared with Habitat Program staff members and the Department of Ecology in hopes of guiding future mitigation actions.

Wenas Wildlife Area – Elk Fence Repair: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technicians Stoltenow and Janes repaired a section of fence along Buffalo Road where a vehicle drove through the fence, snapping wooden fence posts and damaging wire. New metal fence posts were put in place and the wire was replaced with a section of new wire. A smaller hole was also patched further down along Buffalo Road.

Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Waterfowl Hunting: Wetlands in several units across the Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area are now reflooded. As colder weather approaches, larger numbers of waterfowl will be moving through the area providing increased opportunities for waterfowl hunting in the Columbia Basin. 

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Recreation: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Specialist Nass worked with Environmental Recreation Planner English and other involved parties in assessing the original Shoestring Trail in the LT Murray for short term maintenance needs until a complete re-route away from the riparian area can be funded.

District 4 Rattlesnake Hills Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued to monitor elk activity on private lands and the Hanford Reach National Monument. Large groups of more than 300 were observed leaving the federal reserve to forage on new seeding wheat. Hunting pressure during opening week of elk season was slightly above normal and good success was observed or reported.

District 4 Kahlotus Deer Damage Permits: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand prepared and delivered damage permits to multiple landowners in Franklin County to address deer damage impacts to winter wheat crops along the Snake River. In addition, two youth hunters from the Region 3 Hunt Roster were deployed to a landowner near Kahlotus. Both were successful in filling their tags.

District 4 Plymouth Deer Damage: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand assisted with hunt coordination at a large row crop farm in southern Benton County. Several youths and disabled hunters from the Horse Heaven Hills special permit list were contacted and offered a guided hunting opportunity on the farm. 

Sunnyside Wildlife Area Wetland Management: Following seasonal reflooding of the Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area wetlands, staff members are observing an influx of migratory waterfowl to the area. 

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Shrub Planting: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart, Natural Resource Specialist Nass, and Natural Resource Technician Blore planted sagebrush and rabbitbrush plugs in an area that burned during the Vantage Hwy Fire of 2022. The crew established a few monitoring points to help show survival rates. A t-post was used as a starting point and five plants were placed at 5’ spacing in at least two cardinal directions.  

Wenas Wildlife Area – Stock Fence Install: Wenas Wildlife Area staff members continued working on the stock fence along the Ellensburg pass road. Braces were installed and new wire put up to complete the fence. The last thing to be installed will be the gate. In addition, the wire and posts from the old fence were removed. This fence will serve to keep livestock in the area out of the wildlife area.

Wenas Wildlife Area – Shrub Planting: Wenas Wildlife Area staff began plug planting in the Black Canyon burn area along the Ridge Road. Using an Auger, staff have planted plugs of native species in portion of the burn area that was heavily impacted by the fire. Sagebrush and Bitterbrush have been the focus of this first wave of planting. 

District 8 Oak Creek Wildlife Area – Chainsaw Safety Training: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Worker Floyd attended the 2-day chainsaw safety training hosted on the Oak Creek Wildlife Area. This chainsaw level 1 safety training was designed for staff members that use a chainsaw as part of their work duties to limb and buck down trees. 

Pigeon Pond Beaver Deceiver: Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber and Assistant Manager Jahns removed a damaged beaver deceiver and cleared debris that was impeding flow in the Pigeon Ponds area of the Mesa Lake Unit. A new deceiver was constructed using new and salvaged materials and reinstalled at the outflow of the north Pigeon Pond to facilitate flooding of the south Pigeon Pond and prevent flooding onto the nearby county road. 

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Training: The entire L.T. Murray crew attended Personal Safety training at the Wild Horse Wind Farm visitors center.