Providing Recreation Opportunities
L.T. Murray Shoestring Trail and Camp Sites: Natural Resource Scientist Nass worked with the President of Northwest Motorcycle Association Toenyan in the planning phase of re-routing one mile of the existing single track/multi-use trail contributing sediment loading into the South Fork Manastash Creek.
Staff members worked with law enforcement to remove an abandoned camper from a Taneum Creek camping site. The camper had a blown tire, plywood doors, and unhealthy interior air quality.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Corral Canyon Elk Area Damage Prevention and Kill Permits: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand prepared the next round of damage prevention permits (DPP) and kill permits in Elk Area 3721. Permits will be distributed in the next week to landowners on Rattlesnake Mountain to assist with crop damage impacts from elk leaving the Hanford National Monument.
Rattlesnake Hills Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continues to monitor elk activity and damage impacts while actively performing late night and early morning hazing patrols. They coordinated with and assisted landowners and damage hunt participants. Increasing numbers of elk continue to raid wheat fields along the top of Rattlesnake Mountain, mostly at night.
Plymouth Paterson Wine Grapes: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand checked several wine grape vineyards in south Benton County for deer damage. Although deer activity was observed in a few areas, no significant damage is occurring at this time, likely due to lots of different forage available and active hazing strategies.
Vehicle and Deer Collisions: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand was dispatched to two calls for service concerning injured deer involved with vehicle collisions. One young buck deer was euthanized, and two doe deer were deceased on arrival. All of the carcasses were transported and deposited at the Washington Department of Transportation carcass pit.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
L.T. Murray Volunteer Events: Assistant Manager Winegeart and Natural Resource Scientist Nass worked with volunteers on the annual maintenance of the South Fork Manastash cabin. Enforcement has been using the cabin during elk season and it has great historical value to some folks in the Ellensburg area.
Assistant Manager Winegeart led a volunteer event to remove relic barbed wire from the Whiskey Dick Unit. The project originally began as part of a mule deer migration corridor enhancement grant and to the volunteers' delight, a fawn was located on the fence line. The crew was able to see a benefit of their efforts as this little fellow stands a greater chance of survival with the old fence removed. The crew moved to a different area to work.
Oak Creek Wildlife Area Volunteer Service Day: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Charlet and 18 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife volunteers collected garbage from high public use areas around the wildlife area, including dispersed camping sites, target shooting sites, and various roadways. Volunteers covered over 100 miles of roadways on the wildlife area and collected roughly 300 pounds of garbage. Their success and hard work were celebrated with an annual potluck BBQ and meeting at the Oak Creek Visitor Center.
Oak Creek Wildlife Area Weed Control: Oak Creek Wildlife Area staff members have continued chemical control of noxious weeds throughout the wildlife area. The primary focus has been on the control of Scotch thistle, but as time allows all species on the noxious weed list are controlled. Contractors have also completed the chemical control of noxious weeds on the Cowiche Unit.