Managing Wildlife Populations
Hunter Harvest Wildlife Checks: Regional wildlife biologists, wildlife conflict specialists, and customer service specialists continue to check hunter harvested wildlife. Many species of wildlife including cougars, bobcats, bears, big-horned sheep, and mountain goats have various checking requirements to facilitate biological sample collection and assure the legality of harvests. Hunters are reminded to check the Big Game Seasons Pamphlet in order to be clear on checking requirements for various species. Recently, Biologist Holman checked two big-horned sheep harvested by happy hunters in WDFW’s Region 1.
Treponeme-Associated Hoof Disease (TAHD) Hoof Collection: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey was contacted by a district biologist in Region 6 about a fresh set of elk hooves suspected to be infected with TAHD. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey was able to meet the hunter and transport the hooves to a specialized freezer to assist with Washington State University's ongoing research.
Wolf Telemetry: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen accompanied Wolf Biologist Spence for a day in the field, checking wolf radio collar signals, and looking for tracks in the South Cascades.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Access Program Site Maintenance: Private Lands Biologist Gray replaced old, weathered program signage at properties enrolled in the Private Lands Access Program in Skamania County. The current federal Voluntary Public Access Program Grant awarded to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2020 helps support the purchase and replacement of deteriorated signage.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
District 9 Depredation Investigation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, Biologist Spence, and Officer Nelson investigated a cow carcass found on a grazing allotment on U. S. Forest Service land. The livestock producer accompanied Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff members during the investigation. The carcass was several weeks old and heavily scavenged, which hindered the investigation. The cause of death for this cow was classified as “unknown cause of death.”
Bear in Yard: A Clark County landowner contacted Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) regarding a black bear that was captured by a trail camera in their yard. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen spoke with the reporting party about the bear. It appeared to have a WDFW ear tag from a previous human food habituation issue. Jacobsen will continue to monitor reports in the area.
Cougar in Driveway: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was contacted by a resident in an urban area regarding a cougar that was photographed in her neighbor’s driveway earlier that morning. Jacobsen patrolled the area but was unable to locate the cougar.
District 9 Injured Deer Reports: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of an injured deer in Skamania County. The deer had been struck by a vehicle and then later attacked by what appeared to be a domestic dog. Jacobsen euthanized the deer and donated the carcass to a neighboring landowner.
Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Officer Bolton responded to a report of an injured deer that had been trapped in an empty cattle water trough for two days. It took the landowner two days to realize where the thumping sound was coming from before she discovered the deer. The landowner dumped the deer out of the trough and turned the trough upside-down to keep other deer from jumping in. After giving the small deer a day to recover, the deer was still not able to stand up after the ordeal. Jacobsen eventually had to euthanize the deer.
Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreements: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen met with several commercial agriculture producers to initiate or renew Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreements. These agreements help Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and producers mitigate crop damage and loss due to deer and elk.
District 10 Cougar Depredation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey responded to a report of three sheep killed by a cougar. This was in the same area and the same livestock owner who had a single sheep killed ten days earlier in a different pasture. The depredation happened midday, but unfortunately took over 24 hours to be reported. A depredation investigation was conducted, and it was determined that the cause of death was a cougar. Given the circumstances, hounds were deployed in an attempt to remove the cougar. The hounds were unable to strike on a scent. Trail cameras were left to monitor the situation and livestock husbandry advice was given.
District 10 Injured Deer and Elk Reports: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey responded to a report of a deer with an arrow in its front shoulder. The deer was still mobile and was not located by Aubrey. The deer will likely be able to survive the injury based on the description from the original reporting party.
Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey responded to a report of a young deer that had been down in a homeowner’s yard for about eight hours. The deer was unable to stand and appeared to be experiencing regular seizures. Aubrey euthanized the deer.
Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey responded to a report of a deer hit by a vehicle. Unfortunately, the injuries were severe, and the deer was euthanized.
Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey responded to an elk down in a field. The reporting party was unsure if the elk had been hit by a vehicle or if it was suffering from TAHD. Upon arrival, it was clear the elk was hit by a vehicle. The elk was euthanized and donated to an individual who wanted to salvage the animal.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Opening Weekend of Modern Firearm Deer Season on the Klickitat Wildlife Area: Assistant Regional Wildlife Program Manager Hauswald and Klickitat Wildlife Area Manager VanLeuven conducted a hunter success survey on the Soda Springs Unit on Saturday Oct. 14. The number of camps on the wildlife area was noticeably lower than normal, with several good camping spots vacant.
Hunters reported seeing a few does and bucks, but not as many deer as expected. Most of the hunters contacted were people who hunt the Klickitat Wildlife Area every year. Of 67 deer hunters counted, only one harvested a deer (a 3-point buck) on opening day. Manager VanLeuven worked solo on Oct. 15, contacting 38 hunters. None had harvested deer, however there was a report of a youth hunter harvesting a 2-point buck. The weather was pleasant and the hunters camping on the Klickitat Wildlife Area seemed to be enjoying their time. Quite a few hunters left early due to the low number of deer observed.