Managing Wildlife Populations
Fisher Studies: A collaborative team of biologists, staff members from several agencies, and staff members from non-governmental agencies including Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), U.S Forest Service (USFS), and Conservation Northwest finished deploying approximately 30 baited camera stations for fisher surveys within Chelan County.
As mentioned in a previous report, images collected at these baited camera traps will be used to help evaluate the effectiveness of the reintroduction of fishers back into the Cascades fisher recovery area. These studies will also inform future recovery actions by assessing the expansion and distribution of fishers.
In addition to fisher, the baited camera stations are likely to capture images of other carnivore species of concern, as well, including gray wolf, wolverine, and lynx. All data generated from these baited camera stations will be instrumental in learning more about the distribution of fishers and other carnivore species throughout The Cascades.
These camera stations were deployed in randomly selected forested areas throughout Chelan County from North Cascades National Park to Mission Ridge and everywhere in between. Stations will remain in place throughout the winter and early spring. All stations will be removed in the spring and summer of 2024 and SD cards will be retrieved for photo analysis.
Ring-necked Pheasants: Biologist Eilers, Natural Resource Technicians Zabreznik and Schannauer, and Customer Service Specialist Mason released ring-necked pheasants in Swakane and Chelan Butte wildlife areas. As part of the Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Program, rooster pheasants are released in these wildlife areas and others across central and eastern Washington to increase hunt opportunity for upland game bird hunters.
Forest Grouse: Biologists Jeffreys and Eilers collected grouse wing samples from the four grouse barrels around Chelan County. Hunters use these barrels to deposit one wing and tail of each harvested grouse, which then allows biologists to identify the age and species of harvested grouse and provides a means of monitoring harvest and population trends. The locations of the grouse barrels can be found by clicking this link: Forest grouse wing and tail collection | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
Bighorn Sheep Ground Surveys: Assistant Wildlife Area Manager Pavelchek and Technicians Zabreznik and Schannauer completed ground-based bighorn sheep surveys for the Swakane and Chelan Butte bighorn sheep herds. District Biologists Jeffreys and Eilers will then use this data to monitor these bighorn sheep herds and calculate herd abundance, composition, and sex/age ratios to assist in the conservation and management of these herds.
Bighorn Sheep Mortalities: Within the past month, there have been at least five bighorn sheep ram mortalities and two ewe mortalities from vehicular collisions along Highway 97A, between Wenatchee and Chelan. The majority of mortalities occurred between Rocky Reach Dam and Entiat. Washington Department of Transportation has road-side signs alerting vehicles of high sheep abundance along roads this time of year. Biologists urge drivers to proceed with extra caution along Highway 97A now and throughout the winter.
The skull and horns of the deceased rams were collected and pinned. For each head, biologists recorded horn measurements, estimated age, and performed a nasal swab to monitor for diseases of concern, such as Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi). These ram skulls will be donated to the Wenatchee Sportsman’s Association, where they will be auctioned to the public. The proceeds from this auction will be used for conservation of Washington bighorn sheep.
Deer Management: Biologist Dougherty and Clements have completed their aerial surveys for Game Management Unit (GMU) 290 and are now gearing up to conduct additional aerial surveys along areas of the Columbia Plateau. Biologists surveyed 40 units in GMU 290 and observed over 380 deer across the units.
Waterfowl: Biologists Dougherty, Clements, and Nason have been seeing several swans across Grant and Adams counties. Clements has sent out a public service anouncement to appropriate agency personnel and collaborated with volunteers and other organizations to report swan sightings. The data collected will be used for surveying. The first sighting compiled a total of 167 adult trumpeter swans and ten juveniles in one pond! Several swans have been seen along lower Crab Creek, along the Frenchman Reserve, various unnamed ponds throughout the potholes, Moses Lake, and even Lake Lenore.
Upland Hunting: Biologists Clements and Nason have assisted in releasing pheasants at Steamboat Rock State Park and Dry Falls sites. District staff members will be conducting one final round of pheasant releases in Grant and Adams counties for the year.
Trapped, Sick and Injured Wildlife: Biologist Clements received a report of a deer that got stuck in a canal. Agency staff members are not allowed to conduct any work regarding the irrigation canals until all of the water has has been drained and has complied with Columbia Basin Irrigation District’s lock out policy once water drainage has been completed.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Frenchman Regulated Access Area Blind: There are a few wetland cells that are hard for hunters to utilize without providing their own blind. We wanted to explore the prospect of having the Washington Conservation Corp crew build a few blinds to provide hunting opportunity. The crew did a great job of building and concealing the first blind at Cell 1.
Pheasant Release: Wildlife area and district staff members released 66 crates of pheasants across five wildlife area pheasant release sites. Hunters were enthusiastically waiting for staff members to arrive with birds and were very appreciative of the program.
Hunter Communication: Specialist Heilhecker spoke to a hunter looking for places to find elk.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Frenchman Dodson Road Fence Damage: Biologist McPherson and Specialist Walker found large amount of fence damage at Frenchman Wasteway of Dodson Road. Damaged materials were hauled off and Biologist McPherson coordinated with Washington Conservation Corp crew to repair fence to prevent more damage to the area.
Winchester Reserve Posting: While Biologist McPherson was conducting a grazing evaluation, he took the opportunity to check and post parts of the Winchester Reserve. Boundaries are signed and there should not be any issues with people mistakenly entering the reserve.
Responding to a Bear Call: Specialist Heilhecker spoke to a homeowner who reported a bear in garbage. Five weeks ago, the bear got into the reporting party’s garbage. The bear returned four weeks ago and got into garbage again in addition to eating the chicken feed. Recently, the bear killed a chicken and got into the garbage again. The reporting party planned to take their garbage to the landfill the following day. They asked about relocating the bear. Specialist Heilhecker advised the reporting party to secure all attractants. If law enforcement deemed it necessary, the bear would be trapped and then killed but relocation was not an option this time of year. The reporting party stated he had a bear archery tag. The reporting party was also advised he could harvest the bear but to report the bear harvest within 24 hours to law enforcement.
Cougar Kittens Report: Specialist Heilhecker received a report of two cougar kittens. The reporting party saw the kittens while hunting opening weekend of the general deer season. The photo of the animals was taken in GMU 204.
Responding to Report of Road Killed Wolf: Specialist Heilhecker received three reports of road-killed wolves. The first report along Highway 97 was reported as a possible wolf. The reporting party did not know if it was a dog or a wolf. Specialist Heilhecker and a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officer looked for the animal but were unable to locate it. The other two reports turned out to be same wolf on Highway 153 even though the locations reported were four miles apart. A WDFW officer was able to locate the animal. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was notified.
Cost Share Fencing: Specialist Heilhecker spoke to an orchardist regarding the status of the cost-share fencing program. At the time of the call, Specialist Heilhecker could provide no updates. The cost-share fencing agreement template was not finished and the budget status is unknown.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
End of Season Grazing Evaluation: Biologist McPherson started end of season grazing evaluations to ensure that grazing goals were achieved. All leases look good and meet objectives. One new tool used to evaluate grazing was the use of drones. Biologist McPherson felt that aerial images really illustrate landscape use and how grazing is beneficial to habitat and wildlife.
Native Grass Seeding Circle Corner: Biologist Cook and Technician Blanchard planted a 3.5-acre circle corner with native perennial grasses near Quincy Lakes Unit. The Private Lands no-till seed drill was used for planting the bulk of the area. They seeded the edges and some rocky parts using a broadcast seeder. Another seeding was attempted earlier this spring but was unsuccessful. Different seeding equipment was used this fall and should help with better establishment. Broadleaf weed control will be completed next spring and summer to improve native grass establishment. The Columbia Basin chapter of Pheasants Forever provided funding for native seed this fall.
Native Tree and Shrub Planting: Biologist Cook and Technician Blanchard helped Biologist Braaten with native tree and shrub planting, including plastic mulch laying along the tree/shrub rows. The planting occurred over two days and used the Private Lands tree planter and plastic mulch layer.
Post-wildfire Seeding on the Ellemeham Mountain Unit: Scotch Creek Wildlife Area Manager Dupont and Assistant Manager Stanley planned and implemented an 835-acre aerial seeding effort on the Ellemeham Mountain Unit impacted by the Eagle Bluff fire this past summer. Scotch Creek contracted Central Valley Helicopters out of Ellensburg to complete the two-day operation. Crews seeded 457 acres on the Ellemeham Mountain Unit and an additional 378 acres of adjacent Bureau of Land Management lands funded via Good Neighbor Authority agreement. Flying the mix of native bunchgrasses before the winter snows will increase germination success and help those grasses compete with non-native annuals like cheatgrass.
