Managing Wildlife Populations
Cascade Carnivore Monitoring Project (CCMP): Biologists Eilers and Jeffreys deployed baited camera stations for carnivore monitoring in forested areas throughout Chelan County. Images collected at these baited camera traps will be used to help evaluate the distribution of wolverines, Canada lynx, and other carnivores.
The idea of the baited camera station is to draw any carnivores inhabiting the vicinity into view of the game camera by placing a dispenser loaded with extremely potent skunk scent over a bone on a tree approximately 10’-15’ away and in full view of the camera. This scent lure dispenser will drip the pungent liquid onto the bone below every 48 hours throughout the winter, attracting any nearby carnivores. To further assess carnivore distribution, a hair snare belt is nailed to the tree right below the bone with the aim of snagging hairs from visiting animals climbing the tree, that can then be used for DNA analysis.
All data generated from these baited camera stations will be instrumental in learning more about the distribution of carnivore species throughout the Cascades. These camera stations will then be retrieved, and images analyzed in the summer of 2025. Biologists from 26 collaborating agencies and organizations such as U.S. Forest Service, Woodland Park Zoo, Conservation Northwest, and numerous tribes are participating in this monitoring project across Washington.
Forest Grouse: Forest grouse hunting season is upon us! Biologists Eilers and Jeffreys placed four grouse barrels around Chelan County for hunters to deposit one wing and tail of each harvested grouse. This allows biologists to identify the age and species of harvested grouse and provides a means of monitoring harvest and population trends. The barrel locations in Chelan County are at the Wenatchee District Office, Colockum Wildlife Area, French Corral, and Shady Pass. Unlike previous years, there is not a barrel at Cooper Mountain, as most roads and hunting areas in Manson GMU 243 are still closed to access due to the Pioneer Fire. The specific locations of the grouse barrels can be found on our forest grouse hunting webpage.
Bighorn Sheep: Biologists Eilers processed two legally harvested bighorn sheep rams, one from the Chelan Butte herd and one from the Swakane herd. Processing included collecting data on horn measurements, age, and swabbing the nasal cavity to monitor for diseases of concern, such as Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (Movi). Additionally, a uniquely numbered metal pin is drilled into the back of one horn on each ram to show documentation of a legal harvest. All harvested rams are required to be pinned within ten days of harvest.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Hunter Access: Private Lands Biologist Braaten spent many hours posting signs and meeting with landowners in Douglas County. Braaten continues to maintain and update hunter access contracts, mapping and signs.
Biologist Morris spent over 30 hours checking and posting hunter access signs in his area. Morris made sure all hunter access properties had up-to date signs in good condition for the current and upcoming hunting seasons. Biologist Morris continued work on updating hunter access contracts. He renewed all the contracts that had expired and is working on some that will expire at the end of this hunting season. These hunter access contracts are developed with farmers/landowners to provide regulated public hunting access on private lands.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Deer Damage to Orchards: Specialist Heilhecker visited three orchards with the owner to look at deer damage and discuss fencing options. The owner signed a damage prevention cooperative agreement and received a kill permit for each of the properties.
Report of Sick Deer: Specialist Heilhecker received a report of sick deer. The reporting party was concerned the deer are infected with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). She sent the reporting party’s information along with the submitted photos to the district wildlife biologists. The biologist did not think, from the pictures provided, that the deer were infected with CWD.
Cougar Issues: Specialist Heilhecker received a report of a dead lamb. She confirmed the lamb was killed by a cougar. The night before the lamb was killed, the livestock owner had moved the sheep to a pasture further away from the house. After the lamb was killed, the livestock owner brought the sheep back to the pasture next to the house. Specialist Heilhecker loaned the livestock owner two Foxlights. The livestock owner also left a message with a hunter.
Bear Visiting Neighborhood: Specialist Heilhecker received a call about a bear wandering a neighborhood eating birdseed, apples in trees, and getting into garbage. They discussed removing all attractants and nonlethal hazing options. If the bear does not leave the area after all the food sources are removed, Specialist Heilhecker reminded the reporting party that bear hunting season is open.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
2024 Pheasants Forever Wildfire Grant: Private Lands Biologists’ Braaten and Morris secured over $18,000 from Pheasants Forever to enhance wildlife habitat by planting sagebrush and other shrubs in areas affected by wildfires as part of restoration efforts in Grant and Douglas counties this fall.