Managing Wildlife Populations
Western Grebes: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman conducted western grebe surveys on two lakes to document nesting activity and count the total number of western grebes observed on each lake. The grebe nesting colony on Long Lake has grown again since the last survey was conducted in 2021. Sprague Lake was surveyed for nesting western grebes for the first time this year, and although no nests were discovered there were unusually large numbers of grebes observed which is what prompted this initial survey. The emergent vegetation looks too dense for grebe nests so this lake may just provide suitable summer habitat for non-breeding birds.
Chronic Wasting Disease: Natural Resource Technician Janowski collected a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sample from a roadkill deer in GMU 121.
Grizzly Bear Hair Corral: Wildlife Biologists Prince and Turnock took advantage of the cooler weather and deployed a hair corral in Pend Oreille County for grizzly bear monitoring. They also checked an established rub tree and were delayed by road destruction and maintenance.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Hunt By Reservation Only: Natural Resource Technicians Nizer and Rumiser created hunting calendars for the Whitman County landowners. These calendars will be given to the landowners with the dates blocked out marking the agreed days which can be hunted throughout the upcoming hunting season. These dates can be viewed on the WDFW Private Lands Hunting website.
Natural Resource Technician Nizer created a draft Hunt by Reservation Only contract for Mica Peak and sent it to the Director of Spokane County Parks Chase for reviewal. Once Spokane County Parks reviews and agrees with the draft contract, it will be signed off by both parties and deer and turkey hunting access will be allowed for 2023-2028 hunting seasons.
Loon Lake Dock Repair: Water Access Area taff members Dziekan and Brant fixed the broken section of the gangway adjacent to the WDFW boat ramp at Loon Lake. Dziekan had stashed some old boards at his office after an earlier project. He and Brant cut some to size and replaced the broken plastic tread area of the dock. Ingenuity in action!
Master Hunter Selection Letters: Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty sent out letters of success and expectations documents to selected Master Hunters in Region 1.
Turnbull Turkey Access: Interim Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated with the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge to allow turkey hunting access for fall of 2023. Nizer coordinated with WDFW staff members to create a memorandum of agreement. Nizer created the maps for the turkey site and wrote up the legal description of the property.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Livestock Direct Loss Claims: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade met with one producer this week to assist with completing their direct loss claims packet for a confirmed wolf depredation. Wade also assisted a producer with initiating a direct loss claim for a confirmed cougar depredation that occurred this week. Wade also followed up with Statewide Wildlife Conflict Analyst Todd on the claims.
Bear Damage: Natural Resource Technician Harris picked up an electric fence deployed at a property to prevent a black bear from getting into a porch freezer. Harris discussed permanent solutions for preventing future bear damage with the landowner and provided them with informational materials to build their own electric fence.
Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb has been working with a Walla Walla County producer the last couple of years to address black bear damage in mountain commercial strawberry fields. Last year was especially bad in terms of crop damage, and with the elimination of spring black bear season, there was essentially no pressure on the bears. Furthermore, a producer cannot submit a commercial crop damage claim for black bear damage since compensation for crop damage caused by black bears is not covered in existing rules, laws, and regulations (i.e., WACs & RCWs). This year, the producer installed a carnivore specific 5-wire electric fence incurring a significant out-of-pocket-cost to the producer. WDFW provided some material support, specifically a high-powered energizer. Last year the field yielded 15 flats of strawberries (due to extensive bear damage), and this year the field yielded 450 flats of strawberries. The producer is very happy with the result of this year’s yield, the effectiveness of the fence design, and they are appreciative of the limited support WDFW was able to provide.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Revere Wildlife Area: Natural Resource Technician Wagner finished spot spraying Scotch thistle and Rush skeleton weed at the Revere Wildlife Area. The Scotch thistle was dying slowly but was already beginning to flower, so Wagner decided to spray it again to prevent the weeds from going to seed.
Eloika Lake: After performing routine field work at the Eloika Lake access site, Brant noticed that the ADA paint of the concrete parking area was faded beyond recognition and needed to be addressed. Brant was able to round up the supplies he needed, and he painted ADA parking spots.
Providing Education and Outreach
Seasonal Fire Restrictions: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area and North Region 1 Water Access Area staff members posted new seasonal fire restriction posters at entry points to our lands on Thursday, July 6. Activity restrictions started on Friday, July 7.
Spokatopia: Access Manager Dziekan worked a booth at Spokatopia, an outdoor activity focused event held on the banks of the Spokane River. Dziekan set up the booth on Friday and staffed it on Saturday. Spokatopia is geared towards mountain bikers and paddle boarders, but the WDFW booth stayed busy. It was very popular with the kiddos, who enjoyed touching the pelts and skulls. Dziekan had some good conversations with attendees, even though the group was a bit different from our usual shows where WDFW has a presence. Overall, a good show.
Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Kiosk: Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Rimmelspacher and Natural Resource Technician Wagner worked on the renovation of the kiosk located on Swanson Lakes. The kiosk and the signs that were hung on it were in poor shape. After a new layer of paint, new signs, and clean plexiglass the kiosk looks brand new.
Conducting Business Operations and Policy
Annual Evaluations: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna spent three days meeting with Private Lands Supervisor Earl, Wildlife Conflict Specialists Kolb, McCarty, and Wade at their offices to perform annual evaluations. McCanna worked with staff members on expectations for the upcoming year.