Managing Wildlife Populations
District 8 North American Bat Monitoring Program: District 8 Assistant Wildlife Biologist Moore and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Intern Flores deployed acoustic recording units as part of the annual North American Bat Monitoring Program facilitated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The acoustic monitors are deployed in the same location every year and help biologists monitor for changes in species composition and population.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Wenas Wildlife Area – Legoman Kiosk Install: Wenas Wildlife Area Biologist Miller along with Natural Resource Technician Stoltenow and Janes installed a kiosk in the Legoman portion of the wildlife area which borders U.S. Forest Service land. The kiosk shows a map of the green dot roads in the area along with other informational signs relating to WDFW regulations.
Wenas Wildlife Area – Shooting Restriction Sign Install: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Stoltenow and Janes finished making a sign that shows the current restrictions on target shooting in the wildlife area and, with the help of Biologist Miller, installed the sign on Durr Road leading to new shooting range. The sign is a copy of the sign on Sheep Company Road.
Oak Creek Wildlife Area: Oak Creek Wildlife Area staff members posted fire restriction signs across the wildlife area. Fire restrictions went into effect on July 1 and aim to reduce the risk of starting a wildfire by limiting allowed activities, including no discharge of firearms, no chainsaw use, and no campfires.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
District 4 Rattlesnake Hills Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued to monitor elk activity and haze elk out of winter wheat crops near the Hanford National Monument. New damage prevention permits were issued to landowners in Elk Area 3721 and minimal harvest has likely occurred due to nocturnal elk movements and hot weather conditions. Late night-early morning hazing patrols will continue by landowners and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand.
District 4 Kahlotus Wheat Harvest: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand checked on harvest activity at several wheatfields where deer damage had occurred from last winter. None of the landowners have started harvesting yet, but likely will in the next week. As of now, no crop damage claims have been initiated, but once harvest starts and access to more remote areas of the fields is available more deer damage could be evident.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Wenas Wildlife Area – Weed Control: Wenas Wildlife Area staff members continued efforts to control invasive weeds in the wildlife area through the use of backpack sprayers. Canadian thistle continues to be the main target for control this time of year, before it can go to seed.
Oak Creek Wildlife Area Noxious Weed Control: Oak Creek Wildlife Area staff members continue to chemically control noxious weeds across the wildlife area. As summer progresses most plants have matured in lower elevations, so staff members have started to focus efforts on the control of weeds in the Rock Creek Unit. This area is at a higher elevation but still contains a diverse list of noxious weeds, especially in disturbed areas, including Canada thistle, St Johns wort, knapweed, and dalmatian toadflax.
L.T. Murray Teanaway Unit Weed Control: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Manager Morrison and Assistant Manager Winegeart treated weeds in the Teanaway Unit meadows. The area had been treated for mainly Canada thistle, Sulphur cinquefoil, and diffuse knapweed by Mid-Columbia Fisheries under grant funding for the past couple years and was looking good.
L.T. Murray, Yakima River Unit: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Blore and Assistant Manager Winegeart installed two trail cameras on an illegal creek crossing and have acquired more than ten pictures which include vehicles in the water and other pertinent information. L.T. Murray Wildlife Area crew members first placed ecology blocks to block the trail. When someone pulled one out of the way and continued to use the trial to cross the illegal ford, the crew added boulders to the hill slope and slope toe. The users then cut small trees and brush to create a new trail around the blocks and after only two weeks it has received so much use, the trail appears to have been there for years.
Sunnyside Wetlands: Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area staff members have begun mowing wetlands in the Headquarters Unit in preparation for upcoming duck banding and routine reflooding in the fall.
Benton City Restoration: Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber and Assistant Wildlife Area Manager Jahns met with Benton Conservation District staff members to discuss the initial planning for a potential restoration project at the Benton City boat ramp site. The goal of the project is to restore the area into a native heritage garden for the benefit of pollinators and other wildlife species. The project will be a collaborative effort between wildlife area staff, Benton Conservation District, and the City of Benton. The hope is to engage with local schools and other volunteer groups to implement the project.
Other
Wenas Wildlife Area – Vehicle Maintenance: Wenas Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Taylor along with Technicians Stoltenow and Janes have been performing maintenance and repairs on various vehicles and equipment.
Lands 20/20: Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber and Assistant Wildlife Area Manager Jahns have been using the hot afternoons to work on two Lands 20/20 applications as the deadline approaches.