Managing Wildlife Populations
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Operations: Natural Resource Technician Moberg spoke with all the registered taxidermists in District 3 about sampling any deer or elk that may come through their business. She answered questions about the new regulations and updated Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
Chronic Wasting Disease: Acting Private Lands Biologist Heitstuman collected several samples from road kills provided by the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
Chronic Wasting Disease: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Natural Resource Technician Tritt sampled deer harvested by archery hunters. Dingman sampled a roadkill deer at the Delaney DOT pit. Dingman printed flyers and Tritt hung them in all the outhouses in the Tucannon Valley, as well as the outhouses on the Mountain Road and at the Rose Springs Parking Area. Another flyer was made to hang at the Last Resort and in each outhouse letting hunters know what is required with the Emergency Rules regarding full carcasses not leaving Region 1.
Bighorn Sheep Monitoring: Biologist Boyle monitored bighorn sheep in the Asotin population. A total of four groups consisting of 27 ewes, 15 lambs, eight yearlings, and one adult ram was observed. The bighorn sheep appeared healthy.
Boyle, with the assistance of Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) officers, retrieved a bighorn sheep mortality in the Snake River in the Redbird sheep population of Idaho. The mortality was reported to IDFG by a fisherman. The mortality was likely a few weeks old and was of a marked bighorn sheep. The cause of death could not be determined.
Bats: On Friday the 13th, biologist Brinkman responded to a report of a bat stuck in a fireplace in Spokane County. The bat had been roosting in the chimney and apparently slipped down and became entrapped in the gas fireplace. Brinkman was able to open the front glass panel and hand-capture the bat. It was then placed in a tree outside the home where it rested for a few seconds before flying away unharmed.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Operations: Natural Resource Technician Moberg collected five CWD samples: four from DOT pits and one from a taxidermist. She taught the taxidermist how to collect samples for future customers. Moberg also provided the contact information of all the registered taxidermists in District 3 to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members that may interact with hunters and can refer out-of-region hunters to these taxidermists to easily comply with the WAC.
District Biologist Vekasy and Natural Resource Technician Mober and Tritt, practiced removing the skull cap from a buck to prepare for the upcoming check stations. At hunter check stations, staff members will need to remove skull caps from deer or elk harvested in the region being transported elsewhere.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Acting Private Lands Biologist Heitstuman responded to five CWD sampling opportunities in Asotin County for dead deer on private property and WSDOT reported calls for deer left at the local pits. A sample opportunity on an Archery Permit Elk was also collected.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Region 1 South Access Program: Heimgartner serviced access sites along the Grande Ronde and Snake Rivers this week as well as making a trip to the Wooten Wildlife Area. Heimgartner and Nielsen began setting concrete picnic tables at the Heller Bar and Faha access sites. They used one of the wildlife area’s large John Deere tractors to set the tables.
Rainbow Lake Algal Bloom: The algal bloom appears to have cleared up for the year with the cooler temperatures. Natural Resource Technician Jensen took down the warning signs that were hung at every access point to Rainbow Lake.
Pheasant Release Program: The Region 1 private lands team conducted pheasant releases throughout the Region for the youth opening season that starts this weekend.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris met with a producer in Northern Whitman County to discuss crop damage. The producer estimated that they lost approximately 50% of total crop yield in their garbanzo beans this year due to elk damage. Harris provided the producer with information on WDFW’s Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement program, crop damage compensation claims, and damage permits.
Deploying Bear ID Signs: Biologist Johnson went to several locations the U.S. Forest Service suggested could use signage to help hunters identify the different bear species and deployed the signage on their signboards.
Orphaned Moose Calf: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris spoke with a landowner in Spokane regarding a moose calf that had been on its own for several days. The calf’s mother had been euthanized several days prior after being found on private property with what appeared to be a broken back. The calf currently appears to be in good health and has been observed eating and drinking. Harris will continue to work with the landowner to monitor the calf’s health.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area nearby Wildfires: On Saturday, a wildfire approximately three miles north of the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area was started by an ATV, with 12 mph winds blowing southwest. The fire burnt approximately 60 acres of range and timberland but was put out by Creston Fire Rescue before coming onto the wildlife area.
On Wednesday, the same operator's ATV started another fire just one mile north of the wildlife area’s north boundary. The fire burnt approximately 50 acres with winds blowing towards the south heading towards the wildlife area. Creston Fire Rescue was able to extinguish the fire before is reached the wildlife area. Conditions are still extremely dry with no moisture in the forecast, therefore extreme caution must be exercised.
Seeding Smoothing Iron: Natural Resource Specialist Whittaker started seeding food plots on Smoothing Iron in Asotin Creek Wildlife Area. This week, four food plots were seeded with a variety of winter wheat called Reaper Ax. In total, 55.2 acres were planted. Next week, seeding will continue on Smoothing Iron ridges, and then equipment will be transferred up to Joesph Creek for seeding.
Water Rights: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Manager Anderson contacted the regional Department of Ecology Water Master, Drury, about measuring water flow for the diversion from Sherman Creek that feeds two fields at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area and a neighboring orchard. The orchard’s water right is likely overused in the spring, but there are no monitoring devices for the creek or the diversion system. WDFW should also know how much water it’s using. Drury agreed that monitoring the flow of the diversion system is a great idea. The cost of a monitoring system was not discussed at this time. Drury and Anderson will follow up with more information exchange on this issue.
Shrub Planting Weed Control: This week Wildlife Area Access Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Kyle Duclos took the newly purchased weed trimmer and the older trimmer to the shrub plot in the Z-lake pasture that was planted in May for trimming. The plot took both employees approximately four hours to trim.
Providing Education and Outreach
Hunter Education Instruction: Acting Private Lands Biologist Heitstuman attended the first session of the Hunter Education Instructor class.
Hunter Education Instructor Training: Private Lands Biologist Nizer met with Hunter Education Coordinator Dazey regarding being trained to become a hunter ed instructor. Nizer will be teaching a class on wildlife management next week to the hunter ed class.
Conducting Business Operations and Policy
4-O Ranch Wildlife Area Fire Tour: On Friday, district team staff members, along with regional and statewide staff members, toured the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area to discuss post wildfire restoration activities including logging, weed control, and options for replanting severely burned areas with trees. It was a beautiful day and there were many beneficial discussions.
