Wildlife Program report: Jan. 1-15, 2025

Managing Wildlife Populations

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Private Lands Biologist Nizer drove to a roadkill elk alongside Highway 195 driving north to Spokane. The elk was hit by a car right before Spangle. Nizer took the CWD sample from the elk and took the other CWD samples he had with him to the Spokane regional office.

Cummings Creek Winter Closure: Natural Resource Technician Tritt closed the Cummings Creek gate for the annual January 1st to April 1st winter closure to protect wintering wildlife. 

Prairie Grouse: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended the annual Washington Sage and Sharp-tailed Grouse Workshop held at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members and state, federal, and tribal partners gave updates on grouse populations, habitat restorations and improvements, and discussed conservation actions to benefit sage and sharp-tailed grouse. 

Chronic Wasting Disease Sampling: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill sampled and coordinated the sampling of several elk harvested during the week with damage permits and in the Fruitland elk area.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

WT Wooten Wildlife Area Campgrounds, Parking Areas, and Shooting Range: Natural Resource Technician Tritt checked the campgrounds and parking areas and cleaned up trash. He cleaned up a tree that a camper chopped down with an axe in Campground 1. He also burned pine needles in Campground 1. 

Recreation Access Management and Maintenance: Natural Resource Technician Nielsen cleaned restrooms and picked up litter at Heller Bar, Shumaker, and Boggan’s. Natural Resource Technician Nielsen and Natural Resource Specialist 3 Whittaker applied and spread three dump truck loads of gravel at Heller Bar to level out low spots. 

Access Program: Private Lands Biologist Nizer received the signed contract for a new Hunt by Written Permission property in Spokane County from the landowner. Nizer plans to post the property in the next week. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Great Horned Owl: On Thursday, Natural Resource Technician Edmondson and Natural Resource Technician Keeling responded to a call regarding a great horned owl that had flown into a person’s home after colliding with the side of their house in pursuit of one of their chickens. Upon arriving on scene, the owl seemed to be calm and was easy to capture and place in a crate. The owl was then delivered to the Kettle River Raptor Center for further evaluation for possible injuries. 

Moose Complaints: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris and Enforcement Intern Swiger responded to a call regarding a bull moose frequenting a Whitman County landowner’s yard. The landowner had been unsuccessful in deterring the moose and asked for assistance with hazing the moose away from their house. Staff members successfully hazed the moose away from the residence using paintball guns. 

Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris also responded to a report of two bull moose fighting in a Spokane resident’s back yard. One of the bulls got a rope swing twisted around its antlers but was able to free itself from the swing prior to Harris arriving on scene. The moose did not appear to have sustained any injuries during the incident. 

Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris was contacted by a producer that was sustaining elk damage to a haystack in Spokane. Harris loaned the producer a paintball gun to assist with hazing the elk away from the haystack. 

Wolf non-lethal deterrent work: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb followed up with a Columbia County producer after a confirmed wolf depredation to assist with carcass sanitation. Natural Resource Technician Moberg and Wildlife Control Specialist Kolb also helped the producer install fladry and fox lights around a corral area where the depredation occurred. 

Elk: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson received a call from a landowner near Fruitland that has been having problems with elk near their hay stackyard. Edmondson brought a propane cannon down to the landowner to assist with keeping the elk away. 

Turkey: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson issued depredation permits to a landowner who had called to report a large number of turkeys in their field with the cattle.

Cougar: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson assisted Sergeant Bahrenburg with a cougar call involving a cougar that had attacked a landowner’s dog. Hounds were brought in to attempt to locate the cougar, but the cougar could not be found.

Wolf: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson checked three trail cameras that Natural Resource Technician Keeling had set out on a property where a possible wolf incident occurred.

Injured Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris responded to a report of an injured deer on a Spokane college campus that was described as having what appeared to be intestines coming out of an abdominal wound. Harris determined that the mule deer buck had a papilloma on its hind leg and appeared to be in good health. Harris provided campus staff members with information on papillomas and assured them that the buck was going to be fine. 

Deer: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson and Keeling responded to a call about three deer carcasses that members of the public found in Northport. Upon arriving on scene, it was noted that the three deer were an adult doe and two yearlings. Edmondson and Keeling did a field necropsy to find any signs of the cause of death. Corn was found in the stomach of the adult doe.

Elk: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson and Keeling set up livestock panels in front of a landowner’s hay barn that elk had gotten into the night before. The next morning the landowner called to say that the elk had been back but were unable to get to the hay in the barn due to the panels.

Turkey Trap: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb and Natural Resource Technician Moberg installed a turkey trap in Walla Walla County to address on-going damage complaints caused by nearly 100 turkeys.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Habitat: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley contacted a landowner that was making some repairs to their wildlife watering facility as well as inquiring about suggestions on how to enhance surrounding area. The landowner was very excited and very appreciative.

Cleaning Access Road: Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos worked on removing an elderberry bush that had fallen across one of the access roads at the Revere Wildlife Area. Duclos ran the chainsaw while Wagner followed behind, removing the branches and tree. 

Habitat Project Planning: Private Lands Biologist Nizer met with Private Lands Section Manager McCanna to discuss a future private lands workshop for spring 2025.

Hartsock Unit: Regional Habitat Program Assistant Manager Schirm met with a Columbia County engineer to look at an illegal construction project on the Hartsock Unit. The county purchased grass seed and straw to seed and cover the disturbed area. The habitat biologists will be meeting with the co-managers to discuss what mitigation will be required by the county next summer during the work window. Natural Resource Technician Tritt cleared the blackberries and brush from around more of the irrigation risers on the Hartsock Unit to allow more parts of the field to be irrigated next summer.

Revere Wetland Project: With the Ducks Unlimited Wetland project completed at the Revere Wildlife Area, Wildlife Area Manager Finch contacted Ducks Unlimited engineer Heck about the possibility of installing the wood slats back in the dam. Brian Heck gave Finch the go ahead, so Natural Resource Technician Duclos installed the wood slats back into the dam. 

West Medical Access Site: This week Wildlife Area Manager Finch, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner, Natural Resource Technician Duclos, Region 1 Access Manager Dziekan meet with Vasquez, a salesman from Pacific Fence and Wire to go over the fence replacement at West Medical Lake from the 2023 Gray Fire. All present walked over the area where the existing fence was to inspect the line and details of the fence project. This fence should be completed before April 15, 2025. 

Revere Wildlife Area Wetland Project: This week Wildlife Area Manager Finch, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos made a trip from West Medical Lake to Chapman Lake and then down to the Revere Wildlife Area to inspect the wetland project since its completion and after the boards were installed back in the structure. Finch filmed a video that can be showcased at the next District 2 Team meeting in February. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Winter Camp: Biologist Lowe provided a program and activities for 50 Girl Scouts ages six to 14 who were attending the Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho winter break day camp. The theme of the presentation was winter adaptation, and the girls examined tracks, scat, skulls and hides and tried to determine species based on identified features. 

Job Shadow: Biologist Lowe met with a high school student on a job shadow day to answer questions about wildlife biologist duties and role in the agency.

Presentation: During the Columbia County Conservation District’s annual meeting held in Dayton, Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley presented information about the WDFW’s Private Lands Access Program, along with information from Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb and Wildlife Area Manager Dingman. Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley will coordinate with two landowners the following week to meet at their properties to discuss habitat projects after talking to them at the meeting. 

Wildlife Experts at Kettle Falls Elementary School: Every year the Kettle Falls Elementary School fourth grade teachers invite local WDFW staff members to serve as wildlife experts to answer student questions about gray wolves, cougars, bald eagles, and white-tailed deer. This year Wildlife Area Manager Palmer was joined again by Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hultberg, as well as Wildlife Biologist Johnson and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill. PowerPoint presentations and animal mounts are used to add to the experience for the students. Some ask, “Are these real?” while petting the cougar rug or deer mount. 

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Facility/Equipment Security: Wildlife Area Manager (Acting) Palmer worked with District 1 Fish Biologists Baker and Walker to complete a cross-program project. The Fish Program needed a secure location to store their airboat, so the program purchased four gates to enclose an open shed at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area headquarters. The custom gates were picked up from the supplier a couple of weeks ago. This week Palmer, Baker and Walker worked together to install the gates. The Fish Program’s airboat in now securely stored, as seen in the photo below. 

Signs: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman submitted “Closed Waters” and “Wildlife Area” signs to be updated with the new WDFW branding so she can order new signs to replace faded or missing ones on the WT Wooten Wildlife Area.

KREM 2 News Interview: Private Lands Biologist Nizer was interviewed by KREM 2 about the first ADA duck blind that was installed in Region 1 on a Hunt by Reservation parcel. The blind was put in by WDFW and the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, who donated the blind.

Other

Volunteer Opportunity: Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated with a volunteer member to work on a trailer lights and trouble shoot the issues, along with installing a metal sheet for blocking wind when transporting pheasants. Nizer also took the volunteer member on a drive and showed him how to take CWD samples. Unfortunately, no samples were found along the road. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Hunter Access: Biologist Morris maintained and continued monitoring corn stubble fields enrolled in the Hunt by Reservation system for upland bird and waterfowl hunting seasons. Most bird seasons end in January, and these hunt by reservation sites will close January 26.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Elk Issues: Conflict Specialist Heilhecker responded to several reports of elk damage in GMU 204. Elk are damaging livestock fences and compromising haystacks. She visited with landowners who signed damage prevention cooperative agreements and issued landowner kill permits. 

Depredation Permits to Address Deer Damage: Conflict Specialist Heilhecker responded to a deer damage report for an orchard in GMU 209. The owner signed a renewed damage prevention cooperative agreement. Specialist Heilhecker issued permits to the landowner who traditionally gives the permits to youth hunters. 

Deer and Elk Concerns: Conflict Specialist Bridges has been working with 30 different landowners in Chelan County to address deer and elk depredation concerns and has issued numerous permits for both species.

Cost Share Fencing Agreements: Conflict Specialist Bridges has been working with 15 landowners over the last several months to finalize the design and layout for cost share fencing agreements. Bridges has been coordinating to getting fencing materials to landowners who are willing to sign a 30-year cooperative fencing agreement with the State of Washington. These agreements will allow for the construction of fences to prevent deer and elk from entering orchards and reduce or eliminate conflict. 

Releasing Stuck Deer: Conflict Specialist Bridges and Supervisor Rickel responded to a call of a deer stuck in a fence. Bridges and Rickel responded to find a large four-point buck with its antlers hopelessly tangled in a rope and fencing material. Bridges was able to dart the buck with tranquilizers. Once it was down, the antlers were removed, and the reversal drug was given.

Providing Education and Outreach

Wolf Advisory Group Meeting: Specialist Heilhecker participated in the Wolf Advisory Group meeting where the wolf-livestock interaction protocol was reviewed.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Training: Specialist Heilhecker completed mandatory IT security and CJIS trainings.

Other

Seeking Options to Address Elk Issues: Specialist Heilhecker spoke with staff members in the hunter education program regarding the possibility of using master hunters to haze elk. She wanted to offer the opportunity to willing landowners who continue to experience damage after harvesting an elk. Master hunters can haze elk to count towards their volunteer hours.

Managing Wildlife Populations

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Elk Feeding: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Blore and Natural Resource Specialist Nass have been busy plowing the Joe Watt and Robinson Canyon feedlots. Despite early season road clearing at Robinson, it has been too icy to get up the road and the snow too deep to access it. Many hours have also been spent clearing snow, ice, and tarps to get to the hay.

There have been several sightings of a (likely resident) golden eagle at the Robinson site where the elk have been bedding down along the lower road. 

There was one cow mortality on Jan. 15 on the lower Robinson Rd in the path of the feed truck. A lethargic cow of poor health and body condition was sighted the previous day near that location. District Wildlife Biologist Wampole sampled the mortality for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). 

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area – Winter Closure Signs: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Manager Morrison and Assistant Manager Winegeart used snowmobiles to check signs on the south side to the wildlife area’s winter elk closure area. There is currently not much snow at the feed site but up the hill there were 2.5 feet.

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area – Elk Fence Repair: Natural Resource Technician Blore found and repaired two holes in the elk fence. Blore baited a couple of the one-way elk gates with good hay to lure more than 100 elk that were on the wrong side of the elk fence back to other side. It’s suspected that a few elk came through the two holes but that most walked around the end of the elk fence in Manastash Canyon.

Region 3 Pronghorn Aerial Surveys: District 4 Biologist Fidorra and Assistant Biologist Hoffman conducted aerial counts for pronghorn across portions of Benton, Yakima, and Klickitat counties. These bi-annual surveys combine aerial and ground data collected by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Yakama Nation, and Safari Club International volunteer members to better understand pronghorn population trends in southcentral Washington. Information is still being collected, however, counts near the Horse Heaven Hills in District 4 were on par with previous years.

Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Wetland Maintenance: Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Ferguson and Natural Resource Technician Cardenas have been busy maintaining pumps, water control structures, and ditches to keep wetlands filled for wintering waterfowl.

Region 3 Bighorn Sheep Test and Remove Monitoring: District 8 Biologist Wampole and Scientific Technician Ogburn investigated four collared sheep mortalities in the Yakima Canyon test populations. Samples have been submitted to the wildlife disease and diagnostic lab and will investigate presence of Movi.

District 8 Wolf Monitoring: District 8 Biologist Wampole and Scientific Technician Ogburn continue to monitor wolf activity in the district deploying trail cameras. 

Region 3 CWD Passive Monitoring: District 8 Biologist Wampole and Scientific Technician Ogburn began passive monitoring of elk and deer for CWD in the district with focus at designated feed site areas. Elk that are found dead or removed for conflict or fatal injuries/illness are being sampled as a new step towards proactive monitoring in the region.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Access Site Maintenance: To allow for positive experiences for hunters, Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Ferguson and Natural Resource Technician Cardenas have been maintaining the parking at wildlife area access sites by adding gravel, picking up trash, etc. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Kittitas County Conflict - Elk: Elk have been seen on Hayward Hill and Swauk Creek after the recent snow. Elk also moved onto Springwood and Kittias Reclamtion District, Yakama Nation, and permit hunters have been engaged in moving elk out of the area.

Some elk were observed on the wrong side of the elk fence in and around Robinson Canyon. Technician Leuck and L. T. Murray Wildlife Area staff moved the elk back through return gates by herding and baiting. Wildlife area staff also repaired some fence breaks that elk had made and the area appears to be secure at this time.

Cle Elum Cougar Relocation: A cougar was relocated out of a barn in Cle Elum and released into suitable habitat on a wildlife area.

Yakima County Conflict - Deer: Several deer were struck by vehicles and euthanized. They were donated to the Union Gospel Mission.

Yakima County Conflict – Domestic Dogs Conflict: Elk in the Cowiche area have been breaking elk fences and getting into areas east of the fence. A pack of domestic dogs have been killing elk at the feed site and it is suspected that fence breaks may also be attributed to dog packs chasing elk.

Picture of “Wetzel_1” photo here

Elk killed by domestic dogs.

Picture of “Wetzel_2” photo here

Domestic dogs loose near WDFW elk feeding site.

Yakima County Conflict - 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 Evans’ orchard further east.

Several large groups of elk broke out of the Wenas fence on eastern Cleman Mountain. Wenas Wildlife Area staff members and the landowner herded elk back to the correct side of the fence and repaired the escape holes. A few elk remain on the wrong side, but the majority were herded back onto the Wenas Wildlife Area.

Rattlesnake Mt Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued to monitor elk activity on Rattlesnake Mountain and coordinated with landowners on possible damage permit opportunities. Almost all elk activity is occurring on the Hanford National Monument.

Kahlotus Deer Damage Hazing and Hunts: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand conducted deer hazing patrols in several winter wheat fields in the Kahlotus area near Lower Monumental Dam on the Snake River. In addition, several youth hunters from the Region 3 damage roster hunts were deployed to landowners to assist them with hazing and removing problem deer.

Silver Dollar Coyote Control: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand met with cattle producers in the Silver Dollar area to discuss coyote control measures being implemented to reduce possible depredations during calving operations. Several coyotes have been harvested by hunters utilizing calling techniques and night hunts utilizing thermal imaging equipment.

Illegal Meat Transport: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand assisted Enforcement’s Detachment 19 with disposing of elk parts illegally transported into District 4 under CWD rules. The parts were buried at the approved Richland Landfill.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Neff Jones Road Shrub Planting and Maintenance: Natural Resource Technician Pizzini and Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach planted sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and bitterbrush at the Neff Jones Hunt by Reservation property. Previous plantings were monitored while out on the landscape, with some of the sagebrush doing well and going to seed this year. Plans are in place to continue planting and increasing monitoring and maintenance. Pizzini went out later to clean up around existing shrubs, weed eating a swath around each one. 

Region 3 Ringold Hatchery Habitat Project: Ringold staff members, along with Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area staff members, and Private Lands Biologist Manderbach began work on a habitat project at the Ringold Springs hatchery. A new fabric mulch layer implement was used to lay fabric strips in preparation of shrubs being planted soon. The project will provide habitat for deer, upland birds, and other wildlife while also providing a windbreak and helping prevent wind erosion of the soil. 

Wenas Wildlife Area Acquisition Meetings: Wenas Wildlife Area Manager Gray, Property Acquisition Supervisor Woodruff, Water Rights Specialist Malon, and Region 3 Lands Agent Carbary met with three separate landowners regarding the status of acquisitions that WDFW is currently working on. Each project is at different stages. The Cleman Mountain (Hoover) acquisition has been acquired by WDFW. Final agreements regarding the split of water rights are currently being worked on. The Black Canyon Acquisition and Exchange is set to be finalized by late spring/early summer 2025. The last project is the Miracle Mile Conservation Easement and Life Estate. Gray and Wenas Wildlife Area Habitat Specialist Miller applied for a Washington Recreation and Conservation Office grant to fund this project and will hear back before the end of June as to whether the grant will be awarded or not. All of these on-going projects were created to protect critical habitat throughout the Wenas Valley.

Providing Education and Outreach

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Outreach: The Kittitas County Field and Stream Club held Hunter Education Course field firearms training at the Green Gate site on the Quilomene Unit for a second year. The site’s location and ease of access has helped with getting new hunters trained and ready for the field.

Other

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Safety: The L.T. Murray Wildlife Area purchased an OSHA approved safety basket for assisting with removing tarps from outside haystacks at the Joe Watt barn. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Pronghorn antelope abundance survey: Biologist Ott assisted biologists from Region 3 this week to conduct the 2025 biennial pronghorn antelope survey across Klickitat, Yakima, and Benton counties. Pronghorn antelope were extirpated from Washington by the early 20th century. However, between 2011 and 2019, the Yakama Nation reintroduced 198 pronghorns to the Yakama Reservation. Since their reintroduction, the pronghorns have dispersed from the release sites and have shown a small population growth. The surveys are conducted using fixed-wing aircraft, allowing biologists from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Yakama Nation to gather a minimum population count of pronghorn in south-central Washington. The results of the 2025 survey are anticipated this spring.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Beginning of 2025: The first two weeks of 2025 have been busy and productive for access area staff members. Staff members have addressed several issues, including anglers trespassing on private property in Wahkiakum County. Staff members talked to the property owner and added several new signs in hopes that the anglers using the Beaver Creek Access Area will follow the proper route to get to the river. Staff members have been working on removing a large blackberry briar patch up at the Mineral Access Area. Staff members are hopeful that removing the blackberries will not only look better but also deter theft and vandalism to the public restrooms and WDFW property. In anticipation of working on a rock project in Wahkiakum County next week, staff members trained on how to safely load and unload a tractor, as well as practice backing up and parking a tractor trailer in tight spaces. This training was very helpful and boosted confidence working with the tractor/trailer. Along their route, access area staff members spotted three juvenile deer in Wahkiakum County, soaking up the sunshine and munching on some grass. Staff members have also been working with the WDFW Enforcement officers in Lewis and Cowlitz counties to ensure there is a unified presence at the access areas.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Sea duck, marine bird surveys: Biologist Murphie participated in the annual Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program (PSEMP) winter marine bird and mammal survey effort, as a primary observer. These surveys have been conducted since 1992 and sample the inland marine waters of Washington. Biologist Murphie has participated in this effort since 1995. Observers identify and count all birds and marine mammals seen within a fifty-meter strip on either side of the survey aircraft. The current survey track line extends more than 4,000 miles. So far, the crew has completed more than 80% of the effort. The figure below shows the track lines covered so far (blue lines) and the track lines remaining (red lines), as of January 9. Not shown is effort conducted on January 12, which covered areas west of Port Angeles. 

Dusky Canada Goose: Biologists Cent and Novack continued the bi-monthly surveys of Dusky Canada Geese. 

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI): Washington had its first confirmed case of HPAI in snowy plovers in November. Since the discovery, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists have begun regularly patrolling Midway Beach in search of sick or dead plovers. Biologist Cent continued these efforts and has yet to find any, though she did count 30 healthy plovers along the stretch of Midway Beach, 11 of which were banded. She also spotted a banded streaked horned lark. The lark was banded over the summer at Midway beach by Ecostudies Institute and was equipped with a GPS unit.

Swans: Every January, District 17 biologists survey the Chehalis Basin to count trumpeter and tundra swans. This survey is done from the road using binoculars and spotting scopes. Biologist Cent and Novack have attempted the survey three times, but the swans have so far been proving elusive. The largest flock of swans is frequently found in a wetland near the Chehalis Wildlife Area. Unfortunately, they are very difficult to count when they are foraging in the wetland, as tall wetland vegetation blocks visibility. Biologists will make another attempt to count the swans later this month.

Brant: Biologist’s Novack and Cent conducted a ground survey for Brant geese in Willapa Bay. This survey is attempted every January. Almost 2,500 brant were seen during this survey which is close to the average seen across the 64 years since the first survey was initiated.

Western pond turtle. Biologists Butler and Tirhi represented District 11 at the annual western pond turtle working group meeting. The working group is comprised of state, federal, and local jurisdictions; Woodland Park Zoo and Oregon Zoo, and other partners focused on recovery of the state listed and federally under-review pond turtle. 

Oregon spotted frog. Biologists Butler and Tirhi represented District 11 at the annual Oregon spotted frog working group meeting. The working group is comprised of state, federal, and local jurisdictions; Woodland Park Zoo and Oregon Zoo, and other partners focused on recovery of the state and federally listed spotted frog.

Pocket gopher mitigation ratios. Biologist Tirhi arranged a meeting with headquarters staff members to discuss the creation of scientifically supported habitat mitigation ratios for impacts to listed Mazama pocket gopher. WDFW would provide these mitigation ratios to applicants seeking federal Habitat Conservation Plans for listed species.

Streaked horned lark. Biologist Tirhi and Mazama pocket gopher species lead LeGrande met several times with the Port of Olympia/Olympia Airport to discuss continuing with abundance surveys on the airport in 2025 and beginning a new survey approach. WDFW greatly appreciates the collaboration with the Port of Olympia and the Olympia Airport staff members. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Sealing game species. Biologist Tirhi processed and sealed two bobcats for local District 11 hunters.

Duckabush Cleanup: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman and Technician Norris assisted Officer Barabasz and Officer Hillman with cleanup at the Duckabush Unit.

Providing Education and Outreach

General Wildlife Inquiries: Biologist Murphie responded to inquiries received by phone or email related to elk, deer, bald eagles, duck hunting, an osprey nest removal request, and AI related sampling.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

New biologist position. Biologist Tirhi spent significant time working with WDFW’s Human Resources (HR) section on posting a new assistant district biologist position for District 11. A skills and species scorecard for ranking candidates was crafted, along with creating two interview panels, phoning candidates for interviews, and scheduling nine candidates for interviews. WDFW received 165 applications which HR narrowed down to 29 who qualified, of which nine will be granted first round interviews.

Aquatic Species Restoration Plan reporting. Biologist Tirhi spent significant time balancing budgets for funds received in 2024 for Oregon spotted frog recovery work through the Chehalis Basin Strategy, Aquatic Species Restoration Plan (ASRP). Tirhi worked with WDFW billing section to correct and balance budgets and submitted the mandatory quarterly ASRP progress reports for two grants.