Managing Wildlife Populations
Chronic Wasting Disease: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade fielded Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) related questions from the United States Forest Service (USFS) range manager. A local newspaper published an article detailing Idaho Fish and Game's response to CWD detection in deer populations near Slate Creek. This article has raised questions among staff and grazing permit holders. Wade recommended that Ungulate Research Scientist DeVivo would be the best source of information. Wade assisted with coordinating between DeVivo and the USFS. DeVivo will be giving a presentation at the USFS’s annual employee orientation in June.
Natural Resource Technician Janowski collected two CWD samples from an elk and a white-tailed deer. The elk was harvested using a landowner kill permit and the white-tailed deer was salvaged from a roadkill.
Forest Grouse: Biologist Lowe, along with staff members from Regions 1, 2, and 3, conducted the annual eastside wing bee in Spokane. Biologists identified species, sex, and age class of forest grouse wings and tails collected from wing barrels during the 2022 hunting season. A reporter from a local news station visited the wing bee. The newscast can be viewed.
Tyson Foods Permitting: Wildlife Biologist Vekasy responded to a Department of Ecology request for work window recommendations around the artificial wetlands used by the Tyson Foods animal processing facility near Burbank. Water treatment ponds attract both feeding and nesting waterbirds, and we are recommending limited activity and maintenance on the ponds during the breeding season.
Lynx Camera Monitoring: Wildlife Biologists Prince and Turnock replaced a camera in the Kettles for the purpose of monitoring lynx. The cameras are operated cooperatively with Washington State University, Department of Natural Resources, and the Colville National Forest.
Culvert Planning: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Daro Palmer hiked in to inspect an unnamed tributary to the Little Spokane River on March 7, where WDFW will be replacing a simple ford with a culvert, for improved water quality and fish passage. He found quite a bit of snow remaining. Palmer scheduled a site visit with Habitat Biologist Bruce Heiner for March 27, as staff members continue to develop plans and determine permitting requirements.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Tucannon Lakes: Natural Resource Technician Tritt and Natural Resource Worker Jensen continued checking the lakes and fish screens to make sure everything was working properly. Lots of people came to the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area to fish the Tucannon lakes on the March 1 opener. Wildlife Area Manager Dingman continued working on the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) application for the Beaver Lake Inlet to be able to keep water flowing into Beaver and Watson lakes this summer.
W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area Campgrounds: Tritt and Jensen cleaned up trash in the campgrounds. They constructed a buck rail fence along the north edge of Campground 2 to discourage the public from driving into the adjacent field.
Sherman Creek Road Maintenance: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Daro Palmer inspected the winter-closed Bisbee Mountain Road using an ATV on March16, 2023. He found a couple spots where water had ditched the road, but the road was clear otherwise. The ditches will be repaired before the gate swings open for public use on April 1, 2023
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Wolf Education Lamont: Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty provided guidance and reached out to local ranchers regarding a wolf confirmation in their area that was near a calving pasture.
Pro-Active Deterrents: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb spent part of two days procuring fencing components and installing fladry, turbo fladry, and fox lights on a Columbia County calving pasture. The pasture has experienced wolf activity and depredation by wolves on cattle in the past. Multiple trail camera photos of wolves near the pasture site have been documented over the winter. The pro-active deterrents are an effort by WDFW and the producer to reduce the likelihood of carnivore activity or wolf-livestock interaction.
Asotin County Wolf Activity: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade continued to work with producers in the Anatone area regarding wolf activity near active calving operations. Wade met with two producers who had active calving pastures in the immediate area of the recent wolf activity. Wade discussed preventative measures that were currently in place and recommended others. Wade delivered fox lights to one of the producers to deploy around their calving pastures and the other producer deployed fox lights that they had retained from their summer grazing pastures. One of the producers also used temporary fencing to reduce the size of their calving pasture. Wade continued with daily/twice daily updates to producers in the surrounding area and the Asotin County Cattlemen’s Association president. Wade also spent two days checking the area for signs of wolf activity and to attempt to collect information that would help determine how many wolves were possibly in the area. Two wolves were observed near one of the calving pastures and the producer hazed them out of the area with gun fire.
Continuing Education: Natural Resource Technician Harris listened to a webinar on range riding put on by Western Landowners Alliance and Montana State University.
Elk Hazing: Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman traveled to Cloverland to check on commercial crops for elk damage. A large trail was located. Due to the extensive hazing efforts in the area, this herd has become almost completely nocturnal.
Depredation Investigation, Calf, Davenport: Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty assisted in depredation investigation with LEO reported as a wolf but upon arriving landowner was unsure about cause of mortality. Carcass had been removed and the enclosure had been disturbed heavily with human footprints. Coyote tracks were found, blood trail was minimal due to snow melt, but video was provided by landowner that provided insight and confirmed that several coyote track lines were seen, and the blood trail was extensive. Upon skinning calf remains, punctures and scratches on the nose and hocks were indicative of smaller canid species. Confirmed coyote depredation.
Depredation Investigation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade conducted a depredation investigation on a newborn calf that a producer suspected had been killed by a cougar. Wade conducted a necropsy and determined that the calf had likely been stillborn and scavenged by coyotes. Wade assisted the producer with collecting and cleaning up the remaining hide to be used for grafting an abandoned calf to the mother cow.
Reported Wolf Sighting/Depredation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb and Natural Resource Technician Moberg followed up on a reported wolf sighting and depredation (single chicken) in the town of Dayton. After speaking with the reporting party, Kolb followed up with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). CCSO reported that one or multiple domestic dogs were reported to have been involved with multiple chicken depredations the previous day. Kolb followed up with the reporting party from the CCSO report, who had photographs of one of the large domestic dogs implicated in the previous chicken depredation. Kolb shared the photo with the reporting party from the most recent incident and the reporting party indicated that it “might” be the same canine. Kolb also spoke with the owner of the chicken that was reportedly taken. The owner of the chicken stated that they were going to repair their fencing so chickens could not get out of their yard. A thorough search of the area reveled domestic dog signs, but no wolf sign.
United States Forest Service Follow Up: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade reached out to the United States Forest Service (USFS) range manger to follow up on questions regarding the use of lime for carcass sanitation in the rare case that a carcass couldn’t be removed from the landscape. Wade, Range Manager Druffle and District Ranger Piper discussed the use of lime. Wade answered questions regarding the amount needed. Druffle and Piper requested that Wade inform them if lime is used for carcass sanitation on USFS property and that it is not to be used within the riparian zone. Wade forwarded the information to Conflict Supervisor McCanna.
Asotin County Wolf Activity: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade continued to have daily check-ins with the Asotin County Cattleman’s Association president and multiple producers in the area of recent wolf activity. Wade and Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman traveled to the Anatone area to check for signs of wolf activity and to collect information. Wade met with two producers in the area to discuss the recent activity and to deliver more fox lights to one of them. Wade and Heitstuman located tracks from four wolves near where collar data showed there had been recent wolf activity. Wade also received two other wolf reports form Officer Sabo. The first was from a shed hunter who reported seeing three black and three gray wolves traveling near Shumaker Grade. The second was from a homeowner who hazed a black and a white wolf near his home in the Anatone area.
Carcass Sanitation: Natural Resource Technicians Harris and Janowski picked up a horse carcass from a landowner in North Stevens County and transported it to the Stevens County Landfill for disposal. The horse had died of natural causes and the landowner was unable to dispose of the carcass. WDFW staff members assisted to prevent predators from being attracted to the property.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Shrub Planting: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley planted additional shrubs at a habitat project on a Feel Free to Hunt property in Walla Walla County and removed weed barriers at an old shrub planting site to clean up the area.
Spring Habitat Projects: Private Lands Supervisor Earl met with the Garfield County Conservation District to review and line out the re-plantings that will occur this spring. Earl also visited a site for a potential new project along Deadman Creek in Garfield County.
Chief Joseph Wildlife Area Land Maintenance: Cool weather and light rain did not stop the blackberry vines from burning. Encroaching blackberry vines on food plot agricultural fields were plucked last fall and winter by wildlife area staff and piled for a spring burn. Scientific Technician Meisner and Rimmelspacher also mowed off decadent vegetation of the wildlife area fields to promote new growth and enhance wildlife habitat. Biologist Woodall and Rimmelspacher also planted some native trees and shrubs in a shrub plot that had some openings in the existing planting.
Asotin Creek Wildlife Area Land Maintenance: Wildlife area staff members finally had a good weather window to burn two small fields on the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area. The shooting range and the North Fork Trailhead fields totaling 14 acres burned easily and very fast. This burn will be good for reducing decadent fuels as it ironically did not burn in the 2021 wildfire that consumed everything around it, and the burn will also enhance wildlife habitat.
Revere Wildlife Area: Wildlife Area Manager Mike Finch hauled a utility task vehicle to Revere Wildlife Area to meet the Avista Representative Todd McLaughlin to do a visual inspection of the utility line right of way and document the deep ruts caused from the equipment during the repairs after the Wagner Fire last Aug. 18, 2022. According to the easement agreement, the utility company is responsible for any damage caused to the property during the pole replacement. Finch and Avista Representative McLaughlin marked all the damaged areas and will be hiring a contractor to do the repair work. After the repairs are completed, WDFW will broadcast seed those areas back to a native grass mix.
Finch also met Pheasant Forever Mike Gruenke and the new Pheasants Forever President Mike Collier for a site inspection prior to the April 1-2 shrub planting day at Revere for the start of the Wagner Fire habitat recovery. The three took soil samples at two locations at a three-foot depth so the sites can be tested for pH. Over the years several sites have probably failed due to high pH levels and depending on the levels could change the decision on where to plant certain species.
Chief Joseph & Asotin Creek WLA Land Maintenance: David Woodall and Blake Rimmelspacher started their spring spraying. They started with parking lots and buildings, applying a ground sterilant in these sites for fire protection breaks and to keep parking lots vegetation free and looking good. This work will continue into the next week.
Turkey Habitat Project: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley completed site preparation of mowing and harrowing and then seeded approximately five acres and planted 100 cottonwood trees to complete a WDFW turkey funded habitat project on a Feel Free to Hunt property in Walla Walla County.
Additional Boat-Cleaning Unit: Access Manager Dziekan has been working with Access Section staff members in Olympia to obtain and install free-to-WDFW boat cleaning stations for three access areas: Newman, Badger, and Diamond Lakes. These self-contained, solar-powered stations are produced by CD3 Systems. While not technically decontamination stations, they do allow boat users to clean the outside of their boats before leaving the access area, to slow the spread of aquatic invasive species like quagga and zebra mussels. For an annual software fee, the stations also collect usage data that can be downloaded for analysis by access staff members. Dziekan is scheduled to receive the three units on March 23, 2023. However, on March 13 Dziekan and Wildlife Area Manager Anderson were notified that an additional station would become available, and they were asked if they would be willing to take it. Both agreed to take it, preferably for Williams Lake Access Area, with a backup location of Newman Lake Access Area. The fourth unit will arrive with the other three.
Providing Education and Outreach
Gray Wolf Presentation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Bennett presented information about gray wolves to an elementary class in Kettle Falls. They provided information of wolf biology, behavior, and answered student questions.
Wilbur/Creston School: Wildlife Area Manager Finch and Private Lands Biologist Baarstad loaded up wood boards in the back of a pickup that were donated by Boise Cascade to WDFW. They hauled them to the Creston School so the shop students could start making blue bird and kestrel boxes prior to the field tour this coming April at Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area. Private Lands Biologist Baarstad will be taking an example of a wood duck box to the Creston School for their shop class to replicate those boxes as well.
Coyotes, South Hill: Wildlife Control Specialist McCarty prepared and edited an existing urban coyote presentation for Rockwood Retirement Community next week.
Volunteer Project: Biologist Baarstad worked with Hunter Education and Volunteer Coordinator Dazey to request volunteers to build more wood duck nesting boxes. Several master hunters responded, willing to help. The boxes will be placed in various locations on private lands and wildlife areas throughout eastern Washington.
Bighorn Show: Wildlife Biologist Prince and Wolf Biologist Roussin gave a presentation entitled “Managing Large Carnivores” at the Bighorn Show in Spokane. Unfortunately, attendance at the presentation was very light. However, those that did participate were given a free can of bear spray.
Bighorn Outdoor Adventure Show in Spokane: Region 1 Access Manager Dziekan helped set up the WDFW booth at the annual Bighorn Show. He worked a Saturday shift as well. Wildlife Area Manager Juli Anderson worked a Friday shift.
Creston Junior High School Science Grant Project: Wildlife Area Manager Finch is working with Creston Junior High School teacher Rosman, Creston Shop Teacher Clark, Conservation Education Curriculum Developer Eckenrod and District 2 Habitat Biologist Mackelvie planning for a student science grant project that the Creston School was successful in acquiring early this year. The project will take place one day in April and another day in June at the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area with students collecting habitat data and identifying plants to try to identify a trend since the Whitney Fire. Eckenrod contacted Finch to discuss different educational outdoor science opportunities prior to the pre-field trip tour with just teachers on April 6.
Conducting Business Operations and Policy
Administrative Duties: Wildlife Area Manager Anderson met Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Manager Mike Finch at Swanson Lakes headquarters on Thursday, March 2, to bring Finch up to speed on Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA’s) CBFish online contracting system for Fish and Wildlife contractors. BPA completely funds Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, and Finch has assumed the duty of developing and managing the annual contracts, on the WDFW side. Lands Division Fiscal Analyst Nelson also had a video call with Finch and Anderson mid-day, to discuss some expenditure issues. It was a very long but productive day.
New Damage Permit System Call: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade took part in a committee meeting for the new damage permit system. The committee decided to scrap the program that they were testing and seek a program created and managed by an outside vendor.
Collaboration Efforts with the Natural Resources Conservation Service: WDFW Private Lands staff members and Farm Bill Coordinator Reseland discussed an upcoming new agreement between the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and WDFW. Collaborative work between the agencies has been strained in the past due to workload and timeline issues, so Farm Bill Coordinator Reseland will meet with the NRCS to discuss new agreements going forward.
Ducks Unlimited North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grant: Private Lands Biologist Gaston received notice from local Ducks Unlimited Biologist Blewett that they were successful in obtaining their North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant. Private Lands Biologist Gaston worked with the Ducks Unlimited staff members to provide habitat restoration information on work already completed and assist their grant application. The grant received is for $100,000 and focuses on wetland restoration on Revere Wildlife Area in NW Whitman County. Additionally, it includes work being done by Private Lands Biologist Gaston as part of his private land's waterfowl habitat restoration program as well as work done by Swanson Lakes and Revere Wildlife Area Manager Finch.
Asotin Creek Wildlife Area Fence Work Update: A third contractor has been hired by Capital Asset Management Program (CAMP) to work on the Smoothing Iron segment of fence. The CAMP project manager and the contractor with his crew are arriving on Monday to begin work. Dice looked at fence lines at Smoothing Iron and found some of the lines are still snowed in. Deadfall trees were blocking some of the trails and Meisner and Dice sawed out the trails in Cooper Canyon and South Fork on Wednesday. Surveyors from Pace Engineering arrived this week and began their work to complete marking WDFW property lines at Harlow Ridge and in South Fork.
Fish and Wildlife Commission Blue Sheet Presentation: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna traveled to Wenatchee and was part of a WDFW team that responded to a blue sheet request from WDFW Commission. McCanna presented on how WDFW works with the Department of Agriculture on their grants, range rider coordination with grant recipients, and non-lethal tools used to mitigate wolf-livestock interactions and depredations.
Other
Whitman County Joint Conservation Districts Annual Meeting: Private Lands Biologist Gaston attended the joint Conservation District Annual Meeting in Colfax. Information about pesticides and habitat in Whitman County was distributed.
Stevens County Conservation District Meeting: Natural Resource Technician Janowski, Natural Resource Technician Harris, and Biologist Baarstad attended a meeting between WDFW and the Stevens County Conservation District. The meeting produced several collaborative project ideas between both organizations.