Wildlife Program report: Feb. 16-28, 2025

Managing Wildlife Populations

Rustlers Gulch Wildlife Area: Acting Wildlife Area Manager Palmer and Natural Resource Technician Graves spent time at Rustlers Gulch Wildlife Area this week, getting Graves acquainted with the property and ongoing forest restoration work. In the process, Palmer and Graves were regularly encountering wolf tracks but were having difficulty determining how many wolves, until coming upon the site in the photo below. Six wolves had bedded here during that last snow event, with one other wolf bed under another single tree just uphill from this location.

Moose: Biologist Lowe was the flight follower for two days of aerial moose capture effort in District 1. Biologist Brinkman and Lowe were on the schedule to assist with capture efforts later in the week, but due to a shortage of drugs used to sedate moose, the capture effort was cut short after expending the supply of drugs during the first three days of the capture window. A total of 11 cow moose were captured and collared during those three days.

Bald Eagle: Natural Resource Technicians Edmondson and Keeling assisted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill with the capture of a bald eagle that was injured on Highway 25. The eagle was captured, put in a kennel, and left overnight at the District 1 office to warm up before being transferred to the Spokane Audubon Society for rehabilitation. 

Moose: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman, with assistance from Wildlife Health Tech Appel, conducted a mortality investigation on a cow moose that was collared in 2024 as part of an ongoing moose study in the region. The collar began sending a mortality signal on February 9 and was investigated on February 10. Based on tracks and sign visible in the snow, it was determined that the moose was killed by wolves (likely the Mount Spokane pack), and had subsequently been scavenged on by eagles, ravens, and magpies. Although the exact age of the moose is not currently known, it appears to have been an older individual based on gum recession and tooth wear. Two incisor teeth were removed during the mortality investigation and will be sent to a lab for aging. There was a large abscess on one of the hind legs, indicating an injury that had become infected. This injury may have resulted in limited mobility and thus increased the susceptibility of this moose to predation. 

Fairchild Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP): Biologist Lowe and Habitat Biologist Westerman met with staff members from Fairchild Air Force Base to discuss resource management activities completed in 2024 and goals for 2025, as identified in their Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan. 

Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Enforcement Patrol: Acting Wildlife Area Manager Palmer and Natural Resource Technician Graves joined Enforcement Sargent Bahrenburg and Officer Thoma on patrol at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area, on the Bisbee Mountain Road, to check for illegal motor vehicle access into the ungulate winter range. No illegal motor vehicle access was detected this year. Wildlife area staff members also use the opportunity for wildlife observations, noting trends in tracks and animal numbers. The snow was quite deep at higher elevations, which likely played a role in decreased wildlife observations. 

Tucannon Bighorn Sheep: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman located all 19 of the sheep this week. Biologist Vekasy, Conflict Specialist Kolb, and Dingman darted and collared two lambs: one male and one female. 

Tucannon Spring Chinook Meeting: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman attended a meeting with Fish Program and Habitat Program to discuss the future of the Tucannon spring chinook and an agreed upon path forward to try to keep them from extinction.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Deer: Natural Resource Technicians Edmondson and Keeling responded to a call about a deer that had been found dead at the Colville Junior High School. The technicians arrived on scene, removed the deer, and disposed of it at the Roitz Rd Department of Transportation pit. 

Coyote Predations: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris received multiple reports of deer being killed in Spokane resident’s yards. Harris investigated one of the dead fawns and confirmed that it had died during a coyote predation event. Carcass remains were removed from the scene to prevent attracting predators to the area. 

Injured Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris followed up on a report of two injured deer at a Spokane college campus. Harris identified both deer as fawns from last year with leg injuries. Both deer were still mobile, and Harris advised campus staff members to leave the deer alone and contact us if their condition declines.

Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris met with a producer in Spokane County to assess elk haystack damage. The producer is working to setup cattle panels around the haystack to keep elk out.

Turkey Trapping: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb and other conflict staff members from District 3 spent a portion of the week addressing turkey complaints from city of Walla Walla homeowners. Weather conditions fluctuated throughout the week and created challenges to ensure the capture equipment would function correctly. The team was successful in trapping and transporting a group of large toms out of the problem area. All turkeys trapped were uninjured and released without issue.  

Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris met with a group of landowners and producers in Spokane County to discuss Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreements (DPCA) and mitigating elk damage. Landowners have been heavily impacted by damage to wheat and garb crops and are interested in enrolling into a DPCA to receive future damage permits.

Moose Conflict: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris responded to a report of a moose in distress at a Spokane residence. Harris advised the homeowner that the moose, a yearling bull, appeared to be in good shape and to give it time to leave on its own. The moose received an ear tag in the summer of 2024 when it was immobilized by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) enforcement staff members to remove a roof jack that was stuck on its foot. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Brush Piles: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley discussed brush pile construction with Private Lands Biologist Manderbach and emailed job sheets with construction diagrams along with photographs of brush piles being constructed on WDFW contracted access properties in Walla Walla County. 

Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley met with the Habitat Chairman of the Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever Chapter to give him several pallets to use for the foundation of two brush piles that the Chapter is planning on constructing this spring. 

Solar and Wind Energy: Biologist Lowe attended a meeting with the Solar and Wind Guidelines focus group to receive updates on the progress of the draft “Guidelines for Utility-scale Solar and Onshore Wind Energy Development in Washington State” document. The group will have a couple of weeks to provide comments during the second review period.

Chapman Lake Access: This week Wildlife Area Manager Finch and Natural Resource Technician Duclos went to Chapman Lake to check the access from the public for trash and target shooting. Finch and Duclos also placed a game camera at the access point where recent damage was caused to the fence, gate, and bracket. Approximately one month ago, someone took down the fence next to the access gate to drive an ATV within the property.

Forest Restoration Grant Revision Approved: Acting Wildlife Area Manager Palmer was notified that the Recreation and Conservation Office approved a revision to the current grant providing for forest restoration prescribed burning at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area. The revision replaces treatment units identified for this grant with other units that were treated before this grant project. The original project units cannot be treated before the grant end date due to partner delays and logistical reasons. The replacement units are due for re-entry with prescribed fire based on natural fire cycles in the ponderosa pine forest habitat type. This revision provides the opportunity to continue meeting prescribed burning treatment objectives and fully expend the grant before the end date on June 30, 2025. 

Revere Wildlife Area Inspection: This weekend with the heavy rains in Whitman County the snow melted off so quickly reports of major flooding occurred. Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos went to the Revere Wildlife Area to inspect for any flood damage. While inspecting the wildlife area, driving from the west entrance through the interior, everything looked normal until they approached the county wooden bridge leaving the north side of the property. Once Wagner and Duclos reached the wooden bridge that crosses Imbler Creek, the entire county road on the westside of the bridge had been washed out. There was debris that washed up against the wooden bridge and restricted the flow of Imbler Creek, forcing the channel to divert to the west side of the bridge and down the county road a distance. Now the only road entrance onto the wildlife area is from the westside along Jordan Knot Rd. Wagner contacted the Whitman County Road Supervisor and reported the washout, but was told Whitman County declared a state of emergency therefore it would be at least three weeks to one month before that section of roadway can be repaired.

Providing Education and Outreach

University of Idaho Career Fair: Private Lands Biologist Nizer attended the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources career fair. Nizer spoke to future graduates about how to get involved and what steps to start a career as a Private Lands Biologist. 

Selkirk Middle School Career Fair: Biologist Brinkman attended a career fair at the Selkirk Middle School in Liberty Lake. Students from sixth to eighth grade visited booths set up from many local businesses and each grade had different questions that the students asked to professionals from different career paths. Enforcement Officer Copenhaver was also at the WDFW booth to answer questions related to enforcement. 

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb coordinated facility and live-fire locations for four hunter education courses in the Walla Walla Valley this spring. 

4-O Ranch Wildlife Area Buck and Pole Fence: Natural Resource Technicians Peters and Meisner made a template for constructing uprights to hold up buck and pole fence. The plan is to build about 1,000 feet of fence around a pond near the Reynolds place to protect quaking aspen from grazing livestock, deer, and elk. The project is partially funded with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) money, and we are planning on having RMEF volunteer members construct the fence this spring.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Seasonal Access Area Closures: Natural Resource Specialist Dziekan visited access areas in District 2 to shut them down for the season. These included Spokane County Lakes; Badger, Williams, and Clear Lake. The gates are routinely shut and locked after waterfowl season is over. Dziekan will reopen the gates once regular fishing season opens at the end of April.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Natural Resource Technician Edmondson picked up three elk heads that had been harvested using damage permits to collect CWD samples.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Greater sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse: Biologists are prepping for grouse survey season! Back in January, Biologist Eilers mailed out letters to 109 private landowners in Douglas County asking for land access permission to survey grouse on private property. Biologists will be monitoring known leks across Douglas County to get population estimates of both greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, both of which are classified as endangered by the state of Washington. Douglas County has by far the highest abundance of greater sage-grouse in the state of Washington; however, the population is small and has experienced a steep decline over the past several decades. 

Biologist Jeffreys attempted to complete the first lek count of the year in late February; however, roads were impassable due to too much snow. Biologists Jeffreys and Eilers will try again in early March. 

Additionally, biologists and other Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members and agency partners will be conducting an intensive search for previously unknown leks by driving county roads and stopping every half mile to get out and listen for the vocalizations grouse often make while displaying. With this year’s increase in survey effort, biologists hope to find more lek sites for both species and locate leks that were displaced by the Pearl Hill Fire. 

Wolves: Biologist Emily Jeffreys and a volunteer member set out five trail cameras in the known winter range of the Napeequa pack in early January and retrieved them at the end of February. The cameras were placed on side canyons off Chumstick Highway in the hopes of learning how many wolves are in the pack, which was unknown after the collared female’s collar malfunctioned and went offline in summer 2024. Other wildlife captured on camera included snowshoe hares and coyotes. For more information on wolves in Washington and links to annual wolf population monitoring reports, visit: Gray Wolf Conservation and Management. The 2024 Washington Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Annual Report featuring the latest update on Washington’s wolf packs will be finalized and available to the public in April 2025.

Bobcats: Biologists Eilers and Jeffreys have been busy sealing bobcats, a process that includes placing a locking band printed with a unique numeric identifier on each bobcat or pelt brought in by hunters and trappers for examination. This is required under CITES, an international treaty that regulates the trade of plants and animals to prevent over-exploitation and extinction of species. This season marks the start of a new statewide requirement for bobcat hunters and trappers to remove the lower jaws of all harvested bobcats and submit them to WDFW. The canine teeth in the jaw will provide WDFW with data on the age of the bobcat, which will then be used to track harvest trends in age classes over time. Age can be determined by examining the tooth with a microscope and counting layers of cementum, the tissue that covers the tooth root and forms annually, like counting growth rings on a tree trunk. 

Northern Leopard Frogs: The Region 2 diversity team and Northern Leopard Frog Biologist Force have been intensively monitoring the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge to look for leopard frogs emerging from winter brumation. Leopard frogs were reintroduced to the refuge last summer in an effort to establish a second population of leopard frogs in Washington, and detecting overwinter survival would be a big step for this recovery program. Two leopard frogs were detected at the reintroduction pond within the last month; however, persistent surface ice made thorough surveys impossible until the water temperature warmed up over the last week. Since the pond has thawed, two additional leopard frogs have been recorded, bringing the total number of winter survivors to four. 

Biologist Turner has begun drone surveys to locate pygmy rabbit tracks and burrows in Beezley Hills and Sagebrush Flats. Drone imagery is currently being reviewed to study the efficiency of this new method. On-the-ground rabbit burrow surveys from this winter have shown a large increase in the number of active burrows at many of the recovery sites which may lead to a great number of kits being born over the next few months. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Wolf Coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife: Specialist Heilhecker received a call from U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff member. The staff member was checking in for an update on any recent wolf activity or concerns for the upcoming grazing season. 

Presentation to Students: Private Lands Biologist Cook and Assistant District Biologist Clements presented to six groups of students for McFarland Middle School Career Day. Cook and Clements spoke about the required education, variety of jobs, and mission of the Department.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Bobcat Sealing: Specialist Heilhecker spoke with a hunter who needed a bobcat sealed. She coordinated the sealing with Assistant District Biologist Heinlen to learn the new process. She will take over bobcat sealing in the spring when Assistant District Biologist Heinlen is unavailable.

Wolf Advisory Group Communication: Specialist Heilhecker called two wolf advisory group members to see if they would like to continue representing the public on the advisory group. Most members’ terms have expired so the Department needs to know who would like to continue to determine how many vacancies need to be filled.

Bighorn Sheep Survey: Specialist Heilhecker assisted Assistant District Biologist Heinlen with a bighorn sheep survey. They were trying to locate packs and get a count on the sheep prior to the helicopter capture. 

National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Local Working Group Meetings: Biologist Cook attended and participated in two local working group annual meetings that cover his work area, the West Palouse and Big Bend Teams. Cook advocated for wildlife habitat practices being included in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contracts with the NRCS would increase the likelihood of funding. Both groups, which included Conservation Districts and local producers, were receptive to the idea, but only one group explicitly included it in their priorities. However, both groups gave greater ranking to practices that included native species used to increase plant productivity and health.

Safety Standup Meeting: Private Land staff members and supervisors all attended the morning Coffee Chats. Staff members also met and dedicated time to discussing all things safety related. The Private Lands team met to discuss safety equipment needs, emergency contact lists (updated as appropriate), job hazards, and the check-in/check-out procedure. Attestations, safety forms, inspections and training were also part of the conversations.

Other

Diversity Advisory Committee: Technician Hara attended the quarterly Diversity Advisory Committee meeting in Olympia.

Non-lethal Deterrence Discussion: Specialist Heilhecker participated in a meeting with staff members from the lands division. They discussed nonlethal deterrence measures for grazing permittees on WDFW lands.

Managing Wildlife Populations

District 8 Elk Surveys: District 8 Wildlife Biologist Wampole and Scientific Technician Ogburn completed Yakima Elk surveys and assisted Statewide Ungulate Specialist Moore with bighorn sheep captures. Staff members have begun retrieving trail cameras designed to monitor wolf activity in the region.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Elk Feeding: Oak Creek staff members continued feeding elk at the Oak Creek and Cowiche feed sites. Peak numbers at Oak Creek this period slightly exceeded 700 animals, and they remain in seasonably fair condition. Peak numbers at Cowiche this period exceeded 2,200 animals and they also remain in seasonably fair condition, although we are seeing slightly more calf mortality this season (in excess of ten), mostly due to previous disturbance by domestic dogs in the area. 

LT Murray Wildlife Area Elk Feeding: The L.T. Murray Wildlife Area crew and a few volunteer members continued feeding elk. The numbers held consistent at just over 1,000 animals between the Robinson and Joe Watt feed sites.

District 4 Pronghorn Survey: District 4 Biologist Fidorra completed the draft of the 2025 south-central pronghorn survey report. After reviewing flight data, plus sightings compiled by ground crews of Safari Club International, the final tally of the survey was 337 animals. This in an increase over the prior high count of 250 animals found in the 2021 survey. The final report will be available next month through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Kittitas County Conflict - Poison Spring Elk: Elk have been seen at Poison Springs and in the upper county crop areas. Little or no damage has been observed.

Kittitas County Conflict – Haystack Tarps: Tarps were requested to protect haystacks in the Nile, Ellensburg, and the Wenas. Tarps were delivered to those landowners that have requested tarps.

Yakima County Conflict – Cowiche Elk: Elk in the Cowiche area have been breaking elk fence and getting into areas east of the fence. Elk have been harboring in the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy and several hundred have been nocturnally visiting adjacent orchards causing significant damage.

Yakima County Conflict – Tampico Elk: Elk have been persistent in the Tampico area coming from the west and south. In addition to the Tampico resident elk, migratory elk have been coming north from the Yakama Reservation into the orchard further east. The WDFW elk fence gate has been persistently left open, allowing elk into damage areas where they have been removed. Staff members closes the gate, but it is opened again after several days. 

Yakima County Conflict – Cleman Mountain Elk: Several large groups of elk broke out of the south side fence on Cleman Mountain. Over 300 elk have been damaging a cherry orchard in Naches. The hole in the elk fence has been fixed and the elk have crossed through a return gate back to Cleman Mountain.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Franklin County Habitat: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach continued the work of Natural Resource Technician Pizzini at the Neff Jones private lands access property. Three unfarmed draws have already been planted with native shrubs over the past two years, and work has begun on a fourth draw. Weed eating in the fourth draw is nearly done, which will be followed up by herbicide treatment of invasive annual grasses and eventually a planting of native shrubs.

Private Lands Cultural Resources: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach submitted cultural resources paperwork for 14 potential habitat projects. The private lands program is able to utilize the cultural resource work of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) using the Voluntary Public Access grant. Planning and prep work will continue while these projects are pending review from NRCS and hopefully in the next couple weeks the green flag will be given to begin work on some or all of them. These projects will begin anytime between this spring and spring of 2026.

Ringold Springs Habitat Plot: Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber, Assistant Manager Jahns, Natural Resource Technician Pizzini, and Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach have been working on planting a native shrub habitat plot near the Ringold Springs Hatchery. The plot will provide valuable cover for native wildlife and help reduce erosion while also serving as a windbreak. 

Oak Creek Tieton River Stream Restoration by Yakama Nation Fisheries: Work commenced within the Oak Creek Wildlife Area boundaries on a Tieton River Stream Restoration Project this period led by Yakama Nation Fisheries. The intent of this project is to seasonably re-water an old channel within the Tieton River floodplain to provide additional opportunity for the development of quality spawning habitat and increase water retention within the system.

Providing Education and Outreach

Master Hunter Advisory Group: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach met with a member of the Master Hunter Advisory Group (MHAG) on the subcommittee of retaining hunting access. This was an initial introduction meeting for each party and will be followed up with future meetings, as well as a statewide meeting with the MHAG and the private lands section manager. There will be potential for future collaboration and volunteer opportunities between the Region 3 private lands program and the MHAG.

Wenas Wildlife Area - 10 Year Management Plan: The first internal scoping meeting occurred for the Wenas Wildlife Area to provide an outline of the timeline, purpose, and overview of the planning process. Participation from all programs is an important aspect of the plan. Programs including real estate, fish, wildlife, enforcement, habitat, and more will provide input and expertise throughout the entire planning process. A meeting also occurred with the Yakama Nation Wildlife Program staff members to let them know about the planning process, to discuss future coordination, and to receive initial feedback on topics to focus on.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Visitor’s Center and elk viewing area: Friends of Oak Creek volunteer members continue to staff the Visitor’s Center seven days per week and provide elk tours on the feed site. Below are the most recent visitor statistics. 

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Wenas Wildlife Area- Prepping of Fence Material: Wenas Wildlife Area Technician Janes and Habitat Specialist Miller began prepping fence posts by cutting them to length and stacking them in organized piles to ensure peak efficiency for fence building. Fences on the wildlife area are essential to conflict management to prevent elk damage on adjacent private properties.

Wenas Wildlife Area- Annual BPA Grant Renewal: Habitat Specialist Miller began the renewal process for the Wenas Wildlife Area Operations and Maintenance grant through Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). BPA funds make up a significant portion of Wenas Wildlife Area funding and is essential to daily operations and maintenance on facilities.

Other

Local Working Group Meetings: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach attended the Snake River Local Working Group meeting in Dayton and the South-Central Local Working Group meeting in Goldendale. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), local Conservation Districts, WDFW, the Department of Natural Resources, and various landowners attended these meetings. Local Work Group priorities were discussed for NRCS EQIP projects and current and ongoing projects were discussed.

Pesticide Recertification Training: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach, District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand, and Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber attended the Washington State University’s pesticide recertification training in Kennewick. Credits were received to maintain pesticide licenses and many pesticide topics were covered over the two-day course.

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Inventory: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart completed a picture inventory for items assigned to employees on the wildlife area.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Great Blue Heron Outreach and Survey: Biologist Anderson gave a presentation to Rainier Audubon Society regarding how WDFW manages great blue heron colonies. The discussion involved how the Rainier Audubon Society can play a role in assisting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) via reporting and engaging with local communities. Anderson also spent some time in the field examining a few areas great blue heron colonies.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Conflict Biologist O’Connor recently completed a BearWise Community Hazard Assessment to identify areas of improvement to assist North Bend municipalities and residence in becoming a bear-prepared community. The City of North Bend, Republic Services, Recology, and other community partners have identified educational materials, bear resistant containers, and staffing needs as important infrastructure for reducing human-bear conflict in this area. To find out more about coexisting with these charismatic animals and how to reduce human-bear conflict, please visit Bearwise.org and WDFW Living with Wildlife – Black bear.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Dusky Canada Goose Surveys Continue: In February, Biologists Wickhem, Ott, Stephens, and Holman continued with their bi-monthly dusky Canada goose surveys in Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties. Dusky geese are a sub-species of Canada goose that spend summers in Alaska and migrate through and/or overwinter in the lower Columbia River. Duskies are closed to recreational harvest due to low population levels. The purpose of the surveys is to count dusky geese observed and read alphanumeric codes on any red neck bands on the geese, also called collars. Wildlife managers survey the geese multiple times across their primary wintering grounds and use the data to generate survival estimates. On the first survey of the month, Biologist Wickhem was joined by Conflict Specialist O’Conner and a volunteer local high school student who is interested in becoming a biologist. The team recorded 65 duskies and zero collars for the day. Biologist Ott recorded 96 duskies on the second Clark County survey and observed two collars that were not possible to read thanks to uncooperative weather and geese. Other species observed include cackling and western subspecies of Canada geese, trumpeter and tundra swans, bald eagles (including two perching near their nest), northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, kestrels, numerous species of ducks, several hundred sandhill cranes, and a few released pheasants who have survived the hunting season.

In Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, Biologists Stephens and Holman located flocks of dusky, western, Taverner’s, Lesser, and cackling Canada geese along with trumpeter and tundra swans. However, no collared duskies were found. Other wildlife species encountered during the effort included many species of ducks, shorebirds, raptors, gulls, Columbian white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, elk, coyotes, otters, and marine mammals. 

Deer Fawn Mortalities: Since late December there have been an abnormally large number of reports of dead fawns in Klickitat County. Seventeen separate reports of a dead fawn or fawns were made over two months, with about half of the reports around Goldendale. Many of the reports involved fawns dying in a covered area (barn, carport) or in/near hay. Samples of various internal organs were sent to the WADDL lab at the Washington State University in Pullman from four of these reports, but none of the lab results pointed to a disease outbreak. A disease like AHD may be going undetected, but it is unlikely after testing four animals. These mortalities are a good reminder to not feed deer, especially during the winter. Many people think that they are helping deer by providing artificial feed during the winter, but unfortunately the opposite is true. The best way to help wildlife on your property is to provide quality habitat. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members are happy to help with that and more information about living with wildlife is available on our website. To report sick, injured, or dead wildlife please use our online reporting tool or call your regional office.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Martin’s Bar Access Area: Access area staff members have been giving special attention to the Martin’s Aar Access Area along the Columbia in Woodland in the last few weeks. There have been recent changes in the shared management agreements with the Port of Woodland and WDFW. The Port had a recent survey that prompted a change in the boundary line between the Port and WDFW property. This change shifted the property boundary owned by WDFW to now include the road. The Port has decided to remove all the trash cans and portable restrooms provided by the Port at the site. This prompted access area staff members to post signage along the entrance of the site, re-grade the entrance and parking area via the Capitol and Asset Management Program (CAMP), and to rent a portable restroom. In addition to CAMP, access area staff members had a delivery of rock for the road and parking lot to help keep the site in good shape for the extensive traffic the moves through day in and day out. 

Cowlitz Wildlife Area Spears Mill Pond Maintenance and Enhancements: Cowlitz Wildlife Area staff members conducted maintenance activities on the access road to the Spears Mill Pond parking area. Staff members used a box scraper to “dig out” the potholes and redistribute existing rock. Staff members then regraded the road using a back blade adding new rock where needed. Wildlife area staff members also finished the installation of the scopes on the Pond’s viewing platform. Currently, visitors to the area might have the opportunity to see lots of waterfowl such as Canada geese, ring-necked ducks, and tundra swans.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Marbled Murrelet Captures: Biologist Murphie assisted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) marine bird research team with their at-sea murrelet capture efforts. Samples collected at capture will provide information on the diet of these small sea birds. To catch these birds, capture teams drive small, rigid-hull, inflatable boats around at night using spotlights to find marbled or ancient murrelets. Once found, the boat maneuvers close enough to catch them with a salmon-landing net. Working west of Port Angeles, Biologist Murphie reports the team caught two ancient murrelets on the night he participated. Additional efforts continue. 

Harlequin Duck Survey: Annually, WDFW staff members conduct boat-based harlequin duck composition counts in several areas of the inland marine waters of Washington. Biologist Murphie participated in this effort, surveying west of Port Angeles out to Cape Flattery.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Fence Repairs - Misery Point, Kitsap County: The access team made good use of the dry and cold weather by making fence repairs at several water access sites in the region. At Misery Point Access, the crew replaced a 45-foot section of chain link with wooden privacy slats, repaired several smaller sections, replaced top rail, and straightened fence posts.

Abandoned Vessel Removal and Recycling - Lacey, Thurston County: It has been a long road, but access staff members, with assistance from Lacey Shop staff members and equipment, have finally completed the disposal process of an abandoned 24-foot Cabin Cruiser. After assuming custody, all fluids and contaminants were removed and the vessel was meticulously deconstructed, allowing materials to be separated, sorted, and recycled accordingly. The remaining debris was loaded into a dumpster destined for the refuse station and smashed into smithereens. The resources and cumulative hours spent will be submitted to Department of Natural Resources vessel recovery program for reimbursement. 

Malicious Tree Damage - Clarks Creek Loop Trail, Pierce County: Clarks Creek Loop Trail property is part of the Puyallup Hatchery grounds and shares boundaries with the Puyallup Parks Department who primarily maintains the trails by agreement with WDFW. Access staff members helped coordinate efforts between WDFW, the City of Puyallup Parks Department, and a contracted arborist to safely fall standing danger trees. Several trees had been maliciously damaged beyond survival, many were cut halfway through or more and needed felling to eliminate risk to the public. This is the second time in 11 months trees were damaged or killed at this location. The previous incident included the loss of an old growth Douglas Fir estimated at around 200 years old. Additionally, vandalism to signs and illegal dumping has been documented during the same period. WDFW Communications issued news releases describing these events and has gained quite a bit of attention within the local news outlets.

Beaver Damage – American Lake, Pierce County: Access staff members consulted with an arborist about the condition of trees damaged by ongoing work of beavers at the American Lake access. Beavers have been chewing their way through several cottonwoods on the north side of the parking area, some trees may need to be removed in the weeks to come.

Twin Rivers Gate: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman met with Cultural Resources and Capital and Asset Management Program (CAMP) staff members at the new Twin Rivers Unit to help plan for the installation of a new gate at the parking area of the unit. CAMP staff members installed the gate, and new signs will be on site soon.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Lake Koeneman: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman, Assistant Regional Program Manager Blankenship, and Forester Nequette visited the Lake Koeneman Unit of the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area to assess the unit for potential future thinning work. 

Lakewood Weed Management: Technician Morgan removed scotch broom, blackberry, and spurge laurel at the South Puget Sound Unit in Lakewood. Wildlife Area Manager Laushman treated poison hemlock throughout the unit.

Providing Education and Outreach

Tree Planting Volunteer Event at the Elk River Unit: Technicians Magliaro and Martinez coordinated and led a volunteer tree planting event on Saturday, Feb. 1 in Westport at the Elk River Unit of the Olympic-Willapa Hills Wildlife Area. Volunteer members planted shore pines and Sitka spruce. The wildlife area staff members have been working to control an extensive scotch broom outbreak at this site through mowing, brush cutting, and spraying. The goal of this planting event is to establish more native plants to hopefully outcompete the scotch broom. 

Biologist Murphie responded to inquiries received by phone or email related to bobcats, river otters, osprey nest removal requests, and ravens.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

McNeil Island Visit: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman visited McNeil Island with the Cultural Resources Team and Habitat Biologist Erkel to look at upcoming projects that will involve help from the Cultural Resources staff members. 

Safety Stand-up Week: Biologist Murphie participated in several activities associated with the agency-wide safety stand-up effort.

Work-planning: Biologist Murphie participated in work-planning activities with other Regional and Headquarters staff members.

Olympic Peninsula Technical Team Meeting: Biologist Murphie participated in the annual meeting of this group.

DFW Aviation Instruction: Biologist Murphie held an aviation training class in Port Townsend, which covers fundamental aspects of working with and around aircraft, and aspects of helicopter capture work.

Other

Access Manager Reeves worked with the Department of Enterprise Systems and contracted dealerships to begin the replacement process of water access service trucks.

Access Manager Reeves prepared the final PowerPoint presentation for a grant application to Recreation Conservation Office in the Boating Facilities Program category Redevelopment Spencer Lake water access.

Access Manager Reeves is coordinating efforts with volunteer members in the Adopt an Access program to install life jacket loaner sheds at WDFW access sites. 

Access Manager Reeves developed a tentative plan and schedule with Washington Conservation Corps forage fish crew to expand the monofilament recycling bins to additional access areas throughout Region 6.