Wildlife Program report: Jan. 16-31, 2025

Managing Wildlife Populations

Moose: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended a meeting to discuss logistics and review capture protocols for the upcoming aerial moose capture in Districts 1 and 2. 

Biologist Lowe coordinated with a vendor regarding moose calf flights that will be conducted in late February or March. These surveys will be used to estimate recruitment rates from cows that were pregnant during the 2024 aerial capture effort. 

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Wildlife Area Manager Dingman sampled a roadkill whitetail doe for chronic wasting disease. 

Wolf: Biologists received email updates from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife that a female wolf, collared in Oregon, passed north into Washington through District 3 and into District 2 before heading east into Idaho. 

CWD: Regional private lands staff members participated in the CWD listening session with Acting Wildlife Program Manager Prince, Research Scientist DeVivo and CWD coordinator Westacott. 

Tucannon Bighorn Sheep: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman located 15 of the Tucannon bighorn sheep herd west of Merengo. Biologist Vekasy and Wooten staff members attempted to dart a bighorn lamb to put a collar on it but were unsuccessful. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Hunting Access Program: Private Lands Biologist Nizer drove out to a new Hunt by Written Permission property to post the property with signs. While posting the property, a hunter drove by interested in obtaining permission. This new property in Spokane County will provide a great hunting opportunity for the area. Nizer coordinated with the landowner to let him know he will start to get phone calls for the upcoming hunting seasons.

Recreation Access Management and Maintenance: Fish Hatchery Specialist Nielsen cleaned restrooms and picked up litter at Heller Bar, Shumaker and Boggan’s. Nielsen and Natural Resource Specialist Whittaker worked together to replace a strip of rubber mat that acts as erosion prevention measure in the access road.  

Fruitland Elk: Private Lands Supervisor Baarstad coordinated with Fruitland Valley landowners and a permitted elk hunter from western Washington over the weekend. The landowners were very helpful, and the hunter was able to get an elk.

WT Wooten Wildlife Area Campgrounds, Parking Areas, and Shooting Range: Natural Resource Specialist Tritt checked the campgrounds and parking areas and cleaned up trash.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill responded to several reports of elk causing damage to haystacks and crops throughout the week. In one instance, Samsill coordinated the deployment of livestock panels and electric netting to exclude elk from a haybarn. In another, Samsill deployed a propane cannon to deter the elk.

Turkey Damage: Samsill responded to the report of nuisance turkeys in Springdale believed to have killed two dogs that consumed turkey feces and reportedly contracted Coccidiosis. Samsill issued the reporting party ten turkey kill permits and loaned the reporting party a paintball gun and bird banger pistol to deter/haze the turkeys. 

Wolf non-lethal deterrent work: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb installed additional non-lethal deterrents (i.e., a zon cannon and additional fox lights) following reports of cattle busting through multiple fences in the vicinity of a recent wolf depredation. 

Cougar Sightings: Samsill responded to two cougar sightings throughout the week. Both calls were reported directly to Samsill. 

One call involved a cougar reportedly seen with a dead cat in its mouth. The report was secondhand and could not be confirmed. 

The second call involved several close encounters with a cougar near a barn where several cats were being fed. The landowner also has several small livestock nearby. Based on the landowner’s description of the cougar and the behavior observed, this was believed to be the same cougar for which a pursuit permit was issued nearby. After coordinating with Sgt. Bahrenburg, a second pursuit permit was issued for this property. Samsill met the landowner to sign the pursuit permit and deployed two cellular cameras. Cougar, bobcat, and wolf tracks were all observed behind the landowner’s barn. 

Deer: Natural Resource Technicians Edmondson and Keeling responded to another report of a deer that had died in Northport, marking the fourth one in a little over a week. Upon retrieving the carcass and doing a brief field necropsy, the Technicians discovered corn in the rumen which was also found in the previous deer that were removed from there. 

Asotin County Sheriff (ACS) Meeting: Supervisor Earl lead a meeting with ACS staff members to discuss wolf activities and procedural actions for both parties. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) had local Wildlife Conflict staff members as well as Statewide Wolf Biologist Spence give various presentations on the subjects.

Turkey: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson issued landowner kill permits for turkeys as well as giving a paintball gun to the landowner to haze turkeys off their property.

Deer: Natural Resource Technicians Edmondson and Keeling picked up a deer that a landowner had euthanized due to it getting impaled on a picket fence and appeared to be sick. The carcass was removed and a CWD sample was taken. 

Orphaned Moose: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris received a call regarding a sick moose in Whitman County. Harris was able to identify the sick moose as an orphaned calf from last year. The calf had some minor hair loss from winter ticks and appeared to be thin but was able to get up and run away when approached. Harris advised the landowner to continue to monitor the calf and call back if its health continues to decline. 

Nuisance Turkeys: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris received two complaints regarding nuisance turkeys in Spokane and Lincoln County. Harris provided both landowners with advice on mitigating conflict and issued kill permits to one of the landowners to keep the turkeys out of their livestock feed. 

Supervisor Earl monitored flocks of turkeys in the Asotin Creek drainage. Earl also assisted Conflict Specialist Kolb, Conflict Specialist Wade and Natural Resource Specialist Moberg with trapping efforts in Walla Walla. A walk-in trap was set up as well as a rocket net. Unfortunately, there was an abnormal amount of activity around the traps and the turkeys were very leery and were on high alert. Efforts will resume next week to try and remove some of the more than 100 birds in the area.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Asotin Creek Wildlife Area Winter Gate Vandalism: Wildlife Area staff members were notified Tuesday morning by a concerned citizen that the winter gate on Lick Creek Road had been vandalized and left standing open. The citizen discovered the damaged gate on Sunday. All wildlife area staff members spent the better part of two days repairing the gate. Someone used either a grinder and cut-off wheel or a reciprocal saw to cut the hinges at the posts. The dropped gate was then pulled open which of course damaged the hinges on the other post. Staff members had to use a cutting torch to remove the damaged hinges. New hinges were fabricated in the Clarkston shop and installed on Wednesday. A mini excavator was used to support the gates while it was installed on the new hinges. Once installed, Nathan Whittaker welded caps on the pins to secure them. Enforcement is investigating the incident but as this time.

Z-Lake Aeration System- This week Wildlife Area Manager Finch flew the drone over the frozen Z-Lake at the correct time when the aeration system was running to verify it being operational.

Providing Education and Outreach

Habitat: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley met with two landowners in Columbia County to deliver them some black cottonwood and quacking aspen tree plugs. They were very excited about them and appreciative. 

Biological Control: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley contacted Noxious Weed Coordinator Heimer regarding obtaining biological control in assisting a gentleman that inquired about how to attain some. Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley received an answer and passed along to fellow Private Lands Biologists as well.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Natural Resource Technician Position: Private Lands Biologist Nizer filtered through the applicant pool for the Saint John Natural Resource Technician position. Nizer worked with other private lands staff members to narrow it down to five applicants for the interview. Nizer asked Heitstuman, Baarstad, and Westacott to be on the interview panel. Interviews are expected to take place Thursday, February 6th, 2025.  

Grants: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman reached out to Ducks Unlimited with an idea for a wetland project on the Swegle Unit of the WT Wooten Wildlife Area using Duck Stamp grant funds. 

Bear Outreach: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris, Sergeant Leonetti, and enforcement intern Swiger visited with a first and second grade class at a Spokane Middle School to teach students about black bears and grizzly bears. Students learned about bear biology, species identification, and bear conflict. 

Teamwork: Regional Private Lands staff members attended the statewide monthly private lands update hosted by section manager McCanna. Private Lands supervisor Baarstad met with McCanna to discuss regional private lands priorities for 2025.

Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Shop Organization: Natural Resource Technician Graves and Wildlife Area Manager Palmer went to the Region 1 Shop to deliver a shelving unit to Natural Resource Specialist Daniel Dziekan and pick up a work bench and cabinetry that Dziekan had removed from the Region 1 shop. Graves and Palmer installed the work bench and cabinetry in the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area shop and continued with reorganization and storage improvement efforts. The reorganization is improving storage space and expanding workspace to accommodate increased equipment maintenance and repair needs. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area - Elk Feeding: The L.T. Murray Wildlife Area crew members continue to feed elk at the Joe Watt and Robinson Canyon sites. Elk numbers are lower than usual for the time of year but are remaining fairly steady and appropriate considering the bare south facing slopes in the area. Natural Resource Technician Blore and Natural Resource Specialist Nass accompanied District 8 Wildlife Biologist Wampole while collecting sampling for CWD testing. 

Oak Creek Wildlife Area - Elk Feeding: Feeding operations continue at both the Cowiche and Oak Creek Wildlife Area feed sites. Numbers are averaging just over 600 animals at Oak Creek and mid 1600’s at Cowiche. These numbers are down due to late January’s milder weather. Previous peaks earlier in the month were 650 animals at Oak Creek and 2,000 animals at Cowiche.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area – Off Leash Dogs: Recently, management of dogs on the Cowiche feed site was a challenge. Four local dogs were frequenting the site almost daily creating immense stress on the elk there. Enforcement did a wonderful job in resolving the issue by tracking down the owner and encouraging him to contain his dogs. For the last week they have proven to be behaving appropriately and staying home. Thanks Enforcement!

Wenas Wildlife Area – Buffalo Road Elk Fence Repair: Lands and Recreation Specialist Frame and Habitat Biologist Miller repaired a 30-yard section of elk fence that was damaged on Buffalo Road. The elk fence was damaged due to a vehicle driving through the elk fence and then driving back through the fence again to exit the wildlife area. Vehicle information (a license plate) collected at the scene was reported to Wildlife Enforcement Officers.

Pronghorn Survey: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Yakama Nation completed survey of the south-central pronghorn population. Biologists Fidorra, Hoffman and Ott flew surveys using a Cessna to count winter groups of pronghorn in Benton, Yakima, and Klickitat counties. Approximately 329 animals were counted, which is an increase over the past herd high count of 250 animals counted four years prior. A final report including sighting information from Safari Club International, who coordinated a ground survey during the same week to supplement flight data, will be completed in the coming month. 

Bat Hibernacula Surveys: WDFW staff members and partners are conducting surveys of known hibernacula in Washington. Biologist Fidorra assisted District 9 staff members with surveys one day for Townsend’s Big-Eared Bats in Klickitat County cave systems. 

Sunnyside Wetlands: Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area staff members have been busy maintaining pumps, water control structures, and ditches to keep wetlands filled for wintering waterfowl. Thousands of snow geese, Canada geese, and high numbers of pintail ducks have recently shown up at wetlands in the wildlife area, providing quite a spectacle to observe.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area - Youth Hunt: It was a successful end-of-the-season youth hunt for a young hunter on the Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area. He harvested a diverse limit of ducks, including a fully plumed Northern Shoveler drake that he is excited to mount on his wall! He also harvested two lesser Canada geese. It was a great end to his last season as a youth hunter!

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Visitor’s Center: The Oak Creek Visitor’s Center remains open from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm daily staffed by Friends of Oak Creek volunteers. The elk viewing area and Visitor’s Center remain inundated with visitors, especially on the weekends. Over the holiday weekend there was an estimated 1,200 visitors! Thanks Friends of Oak Creek for providing information and conducting truck tours!

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Rattlesnake Mt Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued to monitor activity on Rattlesnake Mountain. Almost all elk activity is occurring on the Hanford National Monument. Elk activity near HWY 240 has been increasing and few vehicle collisions have occurred recently.

Kahlotus Deer Damage: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand prepared and delivered additional damage permits to a landowner along the Snake River experiencing deer damage to his crops. Three youth hunters from the regional roster were also contacted and deployed to the landowner for hunting opportunities.

Benton City Sheep Depredation: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand and Detachment 33 Enforcement staff members responded to a lone sheep depredation along the Yakima River near Benton City. A week prior Enforcement handled a depredation at the same location where three sheep had been killed. The cause of the mortality was not determined. A trap and cellular camera were deployed and is currently being monitored.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Wenas Wildlife Area – Volunteer Target Shooting Trash Collection: Lands and Recreation Specialist Frame collected over 500 lbs. of target shooting trash picked up from WDFW volunteer members.

Providing Education and Outreach

Wenas Wildlife Area - 10 Year Management Plan: Wenas Wildlife Area Manager Gray and Lands and Recreation Planner English gave a presentation to Region 3 Management outlining the timeline, purpose of the plan, and background on the Wenas Wildlife Area. A meeting involving the planning team is expected to take place in February to provide an overview of what the management plan will involve, go over planning timelines, and expectations for staff members. The plan will take approximately two to two and a half years and will outlines priorities and strategies for the wildlife area.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

District 4 - New Technicians: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra completed hiring of two technicians for the upcoming Ferruginous Hawk survey work in District 4.

Other

Wenas Wildlife Area – Pesticide/Herbicide Recertification Courses: Wenas Wildlife Area staff members attended Pesticide/Herbicide Recertification Courses in Yakima to earn credits for maintaining Pesticide/Herbicide applicators license.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Meat Disposal: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand received CWD-positive deer meat from a hunter who harvested the deer in Montana and, after test results, needed assistance with proper disposal. The meat was transferred and deposited at the approved Richland Landfill.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Heron Colony Nest Count: Great blue herons are a common sight throughout Skagit county. Often spotted wading in shallow waters, these birds stand out because of their long legs, bluish gray feathers, and daggerlike bill. Great blue herons are colony nesters, meaning, several hundred birds will build their nests in close proximity to each other. Nests are built in treetops, and one tree can contain several nests. The highest observed in Skagit county has been 28 nests in one tree. Winter is the best time to count nests because there aren’t any leaves blocking the view. More importantly, the birds have vacated the area and there isn’t a risk of disturbing them. 

District 14 Biologists Waddell and Soltysiak joined the Skagit Land Trust in counting nests at the Skagit heron colony site. If a tree contained a nest, the number of nests were recorded, and signs of recent occupancy were searched for. These signs include poop on the tree, eggshell fragments on the ground, and feathers or bones around the base of the tree. Each year, the Skagit Land Trust records nest success through the use of game cameras. Researchers are able to live-stream video and observe herons as they build their nests, lay their eggs, and raise their young. This incredible project provides valuable insights on great blue heron behavior.

Wildlife Rehabilitation Inspections: Biologist Anderson worked with Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist Evans to provide for recent inspection needs at a District 12 area wildlife rehabilitation facility.

East-West Bobcat Study: Biologists Anderson and Smith assisted Research Scientist Kertson with running his westside traplines for bobcat. This study is examining a host of landscape spatial and temporal aspects of this species on either side of the Cascade Crest in King and Kittitas counties. More to come!

Managing Wildlife Populations

Black-tailed Deer Study Initiated: Biologists Holman and Stephens joined Ungulate Specialist Oates to capture black-tailed deer and initiate this long-anticipated project. Thirty-six black-tailed deer were captured by helicopter net gun in GMUs 556 (Toutle) and 550 (Coweeman), on a combination of state and private industrial forestlands. The captured deer were fitted with GPS collars, evaluated for body condition, various biological samples were taken, and the animals were released on-site. For more information on the project see the WDFW news release. Thanks to Helicopter Pilot Huey, Gunner Carpenter, and Mugger McClellan of Baker Aircraft for their combination of excellent flying, net shooting, and animal handling skills. 

Dusky Canada Goose Surveys Continue: In January, Biologists Wickhem, 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. 

Biologist Wickhem completed two Clark County surveys in January, recording 192 duskies and zero collars on her first survey. On Wickhem’s second survey, she observed 123 duskies with three collars. Other species observed include cackling and western subspecies of Canada geese, trumpeter and tundra swans, bald eagles, northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, kestrels, numerous species of ducks, a beautiful rusty-colored coyote, and a river otter who’s jogging path between water bodies happened to be only a few feet behind Wickhem while she ate lunch. In Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, Biologists Stephens and Holman completed the surveys finding dusky, cackling, western and Taverner’s Canada geese as well as trumpeter and tundra swans. Incidental observations included many species of ducks, shorebirds, bald eagles, Columbian white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, elk, and more. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Trail Maintenance: Access area staff members are currently monitoring a hole along the trail at Kress Lake. Last year the trail developed a large hole due to flowing water under the trail. Access area staff members had to repair the trail with a few yards of rock that held for the rest of the year. Now another hole is developing in a different location next to the bank of the lake not too far from where the last hole formed. Hopefully water does not rise too much this season, and the hole can be repaired while it is small and easier to deal with. Time will tell. As always, access area staff members will continue to monitor the situation for public safety. 

Parking Lot Maintenance: Access area staff members have been working with Capital and Asset Management Program to have several access area parking lots graded and rocked. A wildlife area parking lot in Wahkiakum County was also graded. 

Mineral Access Area: While in Lewis County, access area staff members noticed ice formed on the rocks just outside of the Mineral Access Area.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Deer in Distress near Toutle: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey and District Biologist Holman responded to a location near Toutle where a deer had gotten a plastic ring around a hoof / lower leg. Concerned homeowners contacted WDFW to report the deer in distress. Aubrey and Holman were able to capture the adult doe by dart gun / immobilization drugs, remove the plastic ring, and release the deer safely. 

Elk with Plastic Ring Around Neck: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey and Assistant District Biologist Stephens teamed up to capture a spike elk that had a plastic ring stuck around its neck. Aubrey had made a few capture attempts previous to this one and was never able to catch the elk on the property. The elk was still at the property this time, and Aubrey and Stephens were able to immobilize the elk and safely remove the plastic which turned out to be a toilet seat.

Providing Education and Outreach

Aviation School for Kelso High School Outreach Opportunity: While waiting out the morning fog at the Kelso airport during the black-tailed deer study, Biologist Holman seized the opportunity to provide information related to wildlife associated aviation to students from Kelso High School. The students participate in a program to learn about flight and piloting through a cooperative arrangement between the school and the flight instructors. Biologist Holman explained the various ways in which helicopters and airplanes are used in wildlife related work with a case in point example of the black-tailed deer study.