Managing Wildlife Populations
Managing Pygmy Rabbit Recovery: Over the course of two days, Biologist Clements assisted with the pygmy rabbit team on their wild trapping efforts in the Beezley Hills. Several rabbits were trapped and vaccinated for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHDV2), and there was a recapture of a female that was a translocation from Nevada back in 2020.
Pygmy Rabbit Burrow Surveys: The pygmy rabbit team has completed surveys for Beezley Hills, Rimrock Meadows, and Palisades. In Sagebrush Flats, the high occupancy areas have been searched. Now we will be focusing on exploratory areas where pygmy rabbits were historically and where they could have potentially moved.
Conservation Northwest Volunteers joined us for three days. In that short time, they found 73 burrows, collected 147 samples, and covered approximately 600 acres. University of Idaho students created a new record when they found 50 burrows in just one day. Our volunteers make a huge difference in helping us learn which rabbits are out on the landscape. This past month, we had partners from US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management, and Pheasants Forever also join us in the field.
In Sagebrush Flats, our largest question is where did the rabbits in the S3 enclosure go? Alarmingly, we could not find any evidence of them inside of the breeding enclosure. Genetic testing from the samples we collect in the surrounding area would confirm if these rabbits escaped. We are actively looking for carcasses to test for disease, but no carcasses have been located. There are however, a few suspicious holes in the fence.
Wild Trapping: For the first time, the pygmy rabbit team began winter trapping efforts. Winter trapping is much easier than trapping in the spring, summer, and fall because the snow covers inactive burrows, tracks and signs are easier to detect, and pygmy rabbits are more likely to stay close to their burrows in winter conditions. Trapping was a complete success in Beezley Hills. We were able to trap and vaccinate ten new rabbits that we had not previously caught. Most notable was Rabbit NV2002. This rabbit was caught in 2020 in Nevada and translocated to Washington. It has not been redetected for the last three years, so we were very excited that it showed back up in our traps. All the rabbits were healthy and were returned safely to their burrows.
Welcome our New Staff Member: Our new Scientific Technician Kaley Meacham has arrived, all the way from Kansas. Kailey has a strong interest in studying genetic diversity and is gearing up for her master’s degree at the University of Oklahoma. She has experience working with various small mammals including pika, black-footed ferrets, and prairie dogs. Kailey brings lab knowledge, survey skills, and enthusiasm to our team. When she isn’t out looking for pygmy rabbits, she plans on backpacking and looking at birds.
Mule Deer and Bighorn Sheep: WDFW contracted with Leading Edge Aviation to conduct helicopter captures, collect biological samples, and attach radio collars to mule deer and bighorn sheep in District 6 as part of a broader effort throughout central Washington in Klickitat, Yakima, Kittitas, Chelan, and Okanogan counties. In Okanogan County, they successfully captured and radio collared 17 mule deer in the Methow Valley, 51 mule deer in the Okanogan Valley, nine bighorn sheep in the Mount Hull herd, and seven bighorn sheep in the Sinlahekin herd. The goals of this effort are to better understand adult survivorship, migration, annual mortality rates, and cause-specific mortality. The collars have the added benefit of increasing the ability to detect bighorn sheep during surveys.
Bighorn Sheep: District 7 biologists Jeffreys and Eilers assisted District 8 with aerial bighorn sheep captures and GPS collar deployment in Yakima Canyon.
Bighorn sheep: In Chelan County, WDFW contracted Leading Edge Aviation to capture and deploy five new bighorn sheep GPS collars in the Manson herd. Biological samples such as blood, hair, and nasal swabs were collected from all captured animals to assess individual health and the presence of diseases or parasites. Then each animal was fitted with a GPS collar before being released onsite. Biologists will use the GPS collar data to track movements of individuals and learn more about herd home range sizes and distribution, migration routes and timing, and to aid in relocating animals for future abundance and composition surveys.
Mountain Goats: As the latest step in ongoing efforts to learn more about the declining mountain goat populations on both shores of Lake Chelan, District 7 planned on deploying 10-20 GPS collars within these herds in January. However, the intensive aerial capture efforts were cancelled and postponed until next winter season due to safety concerns. The recent rain on snow and warming temperatures experienced in the Lake Chelan Basin made the steep hillsides and cliffs too icy and dangerous to put capture crew personnel on the ground in most areas. The capture crew was able to selectively capture two mountain goats that were in safer terrain. They deployed GPS collars on one nanny on the south shore and one nanny on the north shore.
Biological samples such as blood, hair, ear and nasal swabs, and fecal pellets were collected from both goats to assess individual health and the presence of diseases or parasites before the collared nannies were released onsite. Biologists are very excited for next winter’s capture efforts as further data is needed to help assess potential reasons for the declining Lake Chelan mountain goat populations.
Mount Hull Bighorn Sheep: The Washington Department of Transportation contacted Biologist Heinlen informing him that a bighorn sheep ewe was struck and killed on State Highway 97 south of the town of Oroville. Biologist Heinlen inspected the carcass and collected samples specifically for disease and parasites.
Trapped, Sick and Injured Wildlife: Earlier in January, Biologist Clements collected a deceased golden eagle that appeared to be hit by a vehicle on State Route 28. This golden eagle had patagial tags as well as a leg band. With the help of many individuals and entities, we were able to find out that this golden eagle was an adult female that was captured in Florence, Montana on Jan. 30, 2020.
Mule Deer Mortality: Biologists Jeffreys and Eilers received a mortality signal from one of the District 7 GPS collared mule deer in the Wenatchee Mountains. Biologists went to the mortality site 48 hours after the signal was initially sent and found a completely scavenged carcass with only the skeleton remaining.
There were abundant coyote signs and tracks. Due to not having an intact carcass to perform a mortality investigation, the cause of death could not be determined. The GPS collar could not be found or retrieved due to a lack of signal. Biologists predict that the coyote family enjoyed a new chew toy from the leather strap of the GPS collar.
WDFW and Washington State University Meso-Predator Research Project: WDFW personnel assisted State Furbearer and Bear Specialist Lindsay Welfelt to set up camera traps for a WDFW and Washington State University research project. This project is designed to estimate the abundance of Canada lynx and bobcat in the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area and the nearby Loomis State Forest.
Mountain bluebird boxes: Sinlahekin staff members cleaned out 112 bird boxes utilized by species such as western bluebirds, tree swallows, and wren species on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area.
Scotch Creek Sharp-tailed Grouse: Staff members surveyed the riparian areas in Siwash and Tunk Valley for sharp-tail grouse. No grouse were observed during the survey. Both Siwash and Tunk have open south slopes, allowing the grouse to forage on the ground. Staff members constructed nine new top nets for the sharp-tail grouse traps. They also constructed ten new funnels for the sharp-tail grouse traps. The new funnel design was developed by Grouse Lead Atamian. The funnels are set up adjacent to the trap and guide the grouse into the trap.
Ground Squirrels: District Biologists are gearing up for another year of Washington ground squirrel surveys, in addition to a translocation effort that will move an entire colony away from a site that will be developed this year. Many of the logistics still need to be worked out, but in coming weeks many of the outstanding questions will be addressed.
Northern Leopard Frogs: Biologist Grabowsky has been assisting with development of the next Competitive State Wildlife Grant grant proposal for the past few weeks. This involves coordination with internal and external partners, collation of northern leopard frog (NLF) reintroduction and management ideas, and research into how those idea can be incorporated and implemented into the current recovery for this species. Technician Haines completed habitat assessments at several potential NLF reintroduction sites. These assessments will help us determine sites that could support NLF in the future and management activities that need to be completed before frogs are translocated to the site. Technician Haines has also been fine-tuning and testing methods for using the I3 Pattern software to identify individual NLF by spotting pattern. This software has been successfully used to identify herps and shows promise with NLF since each frog has a unique spotting pattern. Once these methods are refined and approved by the Science Division, the hope is that WDFW can implement this technique into future monitoring work.
Biologist Grabowsky completed the recruitment paperwork to hire another seasonal technician to advance NLF recovery this year. The anticipated start date for this position will be sometime in March or early April.
Waterfowl: Biologist Clements conducted swan surveys on Jan. 19 with the assistance of Technician Haines. They focused on areas that have had swan sightings reported over the winter and a total of 71 swans were counted that day. Of the 71 swans recorded, 51 of them were positively identified as trumpeter swans, and the remaining 20 were unknown. Since the survey day, many more sightings have been reported via email to biologist Clements. She will be adding those sightings into a spreadsheet to assist with future monitoring. Thank you to everyone who has passed along reports of swans in the local area!
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Providing Education and Outreach: Biologist Clements attended the Washington Waterfowl Association (WWA) meeting for the Moses Lake chapter on Jan. 19, 2023 to provide an update to the chapter with final banding numbers for the 2022 banding season as well as recruit volunteer help for the upcoming season. There was a good amount of interest within the group for banding help this 2023 season, and WWA members have been extremely helpful with keeping an eye out for swans as well.
Mule Deer Feeding: Biologist Fitkin and other WDFW staff members addressed concerns over the potential need to emergency feed deer in the Methow Valley by working with the Methow Valley News on a prominent article on the subject explaining why feeding is generally a counter-productive management option.
Boating Facilities Program Grants: Okanogan Lands Operations Manager Haug worked on several boating facilities program related tasks. Haug met with the Wolf Creek Irrigation District Board and members to discuss concerns regarding the fully funded Patterson Lake improvement project. Overall, the board and members seemed supportive but delays in construction are still ongoing as a title report is being generated. Haug also submitted final applications and presented two new projects for Sidley and Spectacle Lake. Those projects would bring much needed improvements to those access areas. He met with both county commissioners and the community of Molson to present the Sidley Lake project with overall positive feedback.
Hunter Access: Biologist Cook continued to check Hunter Access signs and map sign locations. This mapping effort is to better notice areas where signs are knocked off or lost due to winds or farm equipment and to find areas where signs are repeatedly removed. This tracking will improve the ability for consistency of signing each year. As part of checking Hunter Access signs, Cook replaced two signs on one property where signs are intentionally being removed. Biologist Morris scouted for agricultural fields being used by waterfowl as a potential opportunity to obtain hunter access in the future.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Scotch Creek Riparian Enhancement: WDFW personnel ordered 200 water birch plugs to be planted in the project area fall of 2023 prior to snow fall. Water birch provides an important food source for sharp-tail grouse when snow creates a barrier to native grass and forb seeds.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Elk Damaging Haystacks: Specialist Heilhecker visited with a landowner regarding elk damage to his haystacks. The landowner had an active landowner damage prevention cooperative agreement. Specialist Heilhecker issued the landowner a kill permit to remove one antlerless elk. They also discussed fencing the haystack as part of a cost-share fencing agreement with WDFW.
Turkey Trouble: Specialist Heilhecker met with a landowner regarding turkeys getting into cattle feed. The landowner signed a landowner damage prevention cooperative agreement. Previously turkeys had been getting into his haystack, and tarps provided by WDFW stopped the haystack damage. Yet, the turkeys have not left the area and are now getting into feed left out for the cattle. Specialist Heilhecker issued several turkey permits to the landowner.
Responding to Wolf Reports: Specialist Heilhecker received two wolf sightings reports. There was one unconfirmed report of wolves howling west of an RV park north of Twisp. An approximate location would place the wolves on Department of Natural Resource or WDFW land. The second report was a confirmed sighting of one wolf, with possibly a second wolf, on Pogue Mountain. The reporting party submitted photos of tracks. Both reports were entered into Spillman.
Providing Conflict Prevention: Biologists Dougherty and Clements completed the firearms training to assist with wildlife conflict staff in the future. This training took place on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18, 2023, and they have both received their certifications in the mail.
Douglas County State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Conservation Reserve Program Update: To date, Private Lands Biologist Braaten has received 58 State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Conservation (SAFE) contracts from Douglas County Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. Fifty-eight contracts containing 8,825 acres on over 130 fields have been received. The signup is ongoing and more SAFE contracts may be accepted by FSA. General Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup is due to begin in February. FSA has not provided the contracts that were signed up for fiscal year 2022. We have asked several times and no answer has been provided. Information is provided to landowners as it becomes available from FSA and NRCS.
SAFE-CRP: Biologist Cook spoke with a SAFE-CRP landowner in Adams County specifically about work vital for field preparation needed this spring on a newly enrolled field.
Scotch Creek Riparian Enhancement: Staff members ordered 200 water birch plugs to be planted in the project area fall of 2023 prior to snow fall. Water birch provides an important food source for sharp-tail grouse when snow creates a barrier to native grass and forb seeds.
Providing Education and Outreach
Sinlahekin Spring STEAM in the Field Event: Lands Ops Manager Haug met with Sinlahekin Wildlife Area Manager Wehmeyer, Assistant Manager Riley and North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) Regional Science Coordinator Haug to discuss a potential Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math (STEAM) in the field event for two fifth-grade classes this spring. The group talked about logistics, station subjects, and overarching themes students can learn and take away from the event. Planning has just started, and the event is roughly scheduled for late April.
Conservation Easement Management: Lands Operations Manager Haug has been working with a large landowner in Methow near Twisp where WDFW holds a conservation easement. The two have been in discussion on a potential conservation plan for the property and how that plan compliments the easement language. Haug will be meeting with the landowner, Department of Natural Resources, and NRCS staff to discuss the potential partnership and determine how best to fund the planning effort.
Conducting Business Operations and Policy
Meetings: Biologists Cook and Morris attended a meeting of the Moses Lake chapter of Washington Waterfowl Association to discuss field hunting opportunities for geese. Cook presented an overview of past efforts to provide field hunting opportunities and current efforts under a new program, Waterfowl Habitat and Access Program. Cook also answered questions about the Hunt by Reservation system and Register to Hunt which will be used for these sites. Biologists Cook and Morris requested input, to get the hunters’ perspective and on desirable locations for these field hunting opportunities. This input will guide efforts to secure Hunter Access properties for this program.
Acquisitions and Easements: Private Lands Biologist Braaten worked with district and regional staff on several properties that are under consideration for acquisition and/or easements. A possible opportunity in the Carlton area was evaluated with input from staff members and forwarded to help determine if WDFW is interested. Another opportunity is a property in Douglas County which has sharp-tailed grouse, where a family has decided to sell. Initial discussions and information exchange has begun with local and regional staff members. Private Lands Biologist Braaten provided suggestions of possible approaches with specific landowners.
Methow Winter Management: Assistant Manager Repp worked on and completed the annual weed survey for 2022. He submitted documents related to a statewide Public Disclosure Request (PDR) on herbicide use. Manager Troyer and assistant manager Repp attended a day long workshop on cultural resource related topics. Assistant manager Repp worked across program lines to help extricate enforcement vehicles stuck in the snow near Beaver Creek Campground.
Scotch Creek Winter Maintenance: Staff members continued doing maintenance and repairs on vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), and farm equipment. They also upgraded three light fixtures in the office to LED. Additionally, staff members ordered and picked up lumber from a local vendor. The 2x6s will be used to replace degraded deck boards at the office.
Sinlahekin Winter Maintenance: Staff members conducted preventative maintenance on four ATVs and two utility task vehicles. Additionally, they repaired decking on a trailer. Staff members also created several spray-tank brackets for ATVs and installed spray-tanks. Staff members also repaired wooden fencing surrounding an ephemeral spring near Hahn’s meadow on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area.
