Managing Wildlife Populations
Deer Mortality Trail Camera: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Biologist Wickhem investigated a mortality of a collared mule deer in west Klickitat County a couple of weeks ago. The deer likely died of hemorrhagic disease.
They placed a trail camera over the carcass. Columbia Land Trust staff members retrieved the camera for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Several interesting trail camera videos were captured, including videos of cougars, skunks, ravens, multiple golden eagles, bald eagles, and black bear.
Klickitat Mule Deer Aerial Surveys: During the week of Dec. 11, Biologists Wickhem, Bergh, Holman, Jacobsen and Bundick conducted annual helicopter surveys for Klickitat mule deer. The survey consists of flying transects over 15 randomly selected survey units in Klickitat County between the Klickitat River and the eastern boundary of the county. When a group of deer is located, they are counted and classified (age, sex, and number of antler points, if present). Several other covariates are also collected including vegetation type, amount of cover, amount of snow, etc. These data are put into a statistical model (Idaho Sightability Model) which will calculate a population estimate for the herd. Those results will be reported in the near future. Other notable sightings during the survey included one cougar, many coyotes, a herd of 66 pronghorn, lots of turkeys, more than 60 elk, several raptors, and nine study deer wearing GPS-collars.
Thanks to the flight crew for their hard work, to Customer Service Specialists Splitgerber, Rainwaters and Kean for flight-following, Wildlife Area Manager VanLeuven and Officers Nelson and Bolton for daily weather reports, and especially to Pilot Emerson from JL Aviation for safe and effective flying!
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Fishing Access: Private Lands Biologist Gray met with representatives from Weyerhaeuser Timber Company and Fish and Wildlife Officer Sargent Anderson to identify areas along the Toutle and Green rivers to enroll into an access agreement with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. These sites would provide free fishing access to the public. Check out the Private Lands property listing website this spring for more site details.
Interstate 5 Access Area: With the recent rain event last week, Natural Resource Technician Celaya is vigilantly inspecting sites for hazards to the public. For example, the I-5 access area in Lewis County has two massive cottonwood trees near the restroom and parking area, one of which had a large limb hung up in the branches above one of the parking spots. Celaya was able to safely mitigate the hazard.
Hand Access Area: Recent heavy rains caused some issues at various access areas including Hand Access Area on the upper Kalama River. The river spilled into the parking area and brought with it mud and some logs. Thankfully only part of the parking area was covered, and access staff members have already started the clean-up effort. The ramps along the Kalama River have the normal silt build up but, so far, no erosion issues have resulted from the rising river.
Modrow Bridge Access Area: Recently the Modrow Bridge Access Area suffered abuse by people. The restroom vault door lock had been cut off and the vault was filled with garbage and what appears to be the waste from a recreation vehicle black water tank. The liquid waste will need to be pumped out and then a vactor truck will be needed to remove the garbage. A vactor truck has a large, mounted tank and an 8” to 10” hose that will be used to suck out the rest of the waste. Unfortunately, it will cost approximately $2000 to clean out the restroom once both the liquids and garbage are removed.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
District 9 Cougar Concerns: This week, Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received multiple reports of cougar detections by home security cameras. One report did turn out to be a confirmed cougar detection, while the other turned out to be Mr. Fluffernoodles, a domestic house cat.
District 10 Injured Elk: Aubrey responded to a report of an immobile elk in a field, believed to be caused by Treponeme associated hoof disease (TAHD). Upon arrival, the elk had already passed and did have infected hooves. One of the neighbors wanted to salvage the animal so they were given a donation form. The elk was removed by the neighbor.
District 10 Injured Deer: Aubrey responded to a report of an injured deer that had been hit by a vehicle. The deer was dispatched and the carcass disposed of.
District 10 Bear Concerns: Aubrey received complaints from multiple areas about bears getting into trash and other attractants. Aubrey gave advice on securing attractants and hazing options.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Mudflow Unit, Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area: On the first day of December, Assistant Manager Risley and Technician Crane posted signs at the Mudflow Unit of the Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area for the winter closure.
The Mudflow Unit is the only unit in the Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area that closes seasonally for the protection of elk during the winter. The Mudflow Unit has been used by the Mt. St. Helens elk herd as over wintering grounds for generations. In recent years, Wildlife area staff members have observed as many as 350 individual elk using the Mudflow in a single day. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife made the decision to close the unit to the public during the winter months to reduce stress to the elk during a critical time when available food and other resources are low. This closure is in effect from Dec. 1 through April 30 of the following year. Unfortunately, a small number of people are caught on the wildlife area each year during the closure and the most common explanation given is, “We didn’t see any signs."
Cowlitz Wildlife Area Ponds: Three of the ponds on the Cowlitz Wildlife Area have not held water for several years due to failed water control structures but were repaired in time to take advantage of the heavy precipitation brought on by the recent atmospheric river event. These ponds are managed for moist soil habitat and winter waterfowl with the latter already seen splashing around enjoying themselves.
Providing Education and Outreach
Christmas in the Gorge Starlight Parade: Biologist Bergh joined Law Enforcement Detachment 53 for the annual Starlight Parade in Stevenson. Two Enforcement trucks were decorated with lights and decoys and Bergh handed out Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife pencils and whistles. Turnout for the parade was low this year due to the rain and snow, but the parade floats were all still very impressive.
