Managing Wildlife Populations
Northern Bog Lemming: Biologists Jeffreys and Turnock backpacked to a wetland above Rainy Lake near Maple Pass as part of an effort to assess current occupancy of northern bog lemming (NBL) throughout their historic range in Washington. To determine if NBLs are present in this area, biologists scoured the area for little rodent runways and burrows, searching for scat similar in shape to a grain of rice and between 4-7mm in length. In total, biologists collected 30 samples and will be sending them to a lab for DNA testing to confirm they belong to NBLs, as this species’ scat strongly resembles that of several vole species present in the area and can't be identified based on appearance alone. A second survey site was planned near Dagger Lake couple miles south of Washington Pass; however, bad weather during two different scheduled trips prevented biologists from completing the survey at this second location.
The northern bog lemming is a small mammal species restricted to subarctic climates and found primarily in sphagnum bogs and wet meadows. The bulk of this species’ range is in Canada, and northern Washington represents its southwestern range limit. Due to its dependency on cold, wet environments, the northern bog lemming is particularly vulnerable to climate change. The NBL occurs in low numbers in Washington in small, isolated populations, and is designated as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Little is known about this species throughout the USA, but it is thought to be declining in many areas, so WDFW has joined with other northern states to collect more information on NBL occupancy.
In 2022, District 7 biologists successfully confirmed NBL occupancy via DNA from scat samples at the bogs and wetland complex near Washington Pass Observation Site. In 2023, biologists surveyed McAlester Pass and unfortunately did not get any positive NBL detections.
Mule Deer: Biologists Jeffreys and Eilers teamed up with Ungulate Specialist Bundick to place 18 remote cameras on game trails around Blewett Pass. These cameras will be used to capture images of mule deer from the Wenatchee Mountains herd undertaking their annual eastward migration to lower elevation winter range. Biologists will analyze all images collected to determine age and sex of photographed deer and use this information to generate fawn to doe and buck to doe ratios for the herd. Biologists will then compare these ratios with those obtained from aerial surveys set to take place in early December to determine whether remote camera placement could be a viable method to assess mule deer herd composition moving forward.
To identify the best locations for camera placement, WDFW staff members analyzed GPS data collected from does collared on winter range in the Wenatchee Foothills in 2020 and 2022. With three years of fall migration data now available, biologists were able to determine the areas along Highway 97 used most consistently by the collared does for crossing each fall. The biologists then went out into the field, parking along stretches of Highway 97 and searching for deer trails crossing the highway in these general areas. Well-established, intersecting pathways through the trees and underbrush were sought as the locations where cameras were likely to capture images of the greatest number of deer groups. Once a promising site was identified, biologists secured a game camera in a nearby tree facing the trail. These cameras will be retrieved, and photos analyzed in the winter after fall migration has ended.
Mountain Goats: Biologists Jeffreys and Eilers completed two days of aerial surveys for mountain goats in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. A total of 25 mountain goats were observed, all between 6,000 to 6,800 feet elevation. Both days were extremely windy, with surveys having to be abandoned the first day due to 70 mph gusts. It’s possible that these strong winds reduced the detectability of goats by making the survey itself more challenging as the helicopter was buffeted around by the wind, and by potentially causing goats to seek shelter beneath timber where they would be impossible to see from the air. With this in mind, biologists will seek to fly this area again in late summer/early fall of 2025, if funding permits, to gain a greater understanding of herd numbers and age composition.
Pygmy Rabbit Breeding Enclosures. Biologists Crowell, Gallie and Turner led the efforts to trap two breeding enclosures at Beezley Hills on September 26 and 27. In total, 22 pygmy rabbits were captured - five adults and 17 juveniles. Veterinarian Haman collected blood from each rabbit for an ongoing RHDV2 vaccination trial, and several were given vaccinations. All other rabbits not vaccinated during this effort had been fully vaccinated during trapping efforts earlier this year.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Forest Grouse: Forest grouse hunting season is in full swing! Biologists Eilers and Jeffreys are monitoring the four grouse barrels around Chelan County and periodically collecting the wing and tails of grouse that were deposited from hunters. These wing and tail samples allow 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.
Setting Up Hunter Registration Booths: To prepare for fall hunting, wildlife area staff members have been updating and preparing the hunter registration booths and parking lots. These tasks included brushing off hunter registration booths, weed whacking parking lots, replacing any old signage, clearing out yellow jackets, removing trash, and restocking hunter registration cards.
Pheasant Release: Biologist Cook released pheasants at Chiliwist Unit and carried additional birds for release at other Okanagan County locations prior to the Youth Hunting season.
Swakane Shooting Range: The Swakane shooting range was cleaned up so that it is ready to be used once fire restrictions are no longer in place.
Fire Restrictions for Public Notice: To better inform the public about fire restrictions, and hopefully prevent any incidents, new and larger signage is starting to go up around high traffic locations of the wildlife area.
Waterfowl Habitat and Access Program: Biologist Morris followed up on some expiring hunter access contracts, finished checking and posting signs in his area, and updated the private lands hunting opportunities on the website so that all his properties are ready for hunting season.
Biologists Cook and Morris, and Habitat Technician Blanchard prepared and sent letters to landowners growing corn to recruit additional sites for the Waterfowl Habitat and Access Program this fall. The program specifically provides field hunting opportunities for waterfowl and, in Region 2, also generally provides for upland bird hunting as well. These types of sites have been frequently requested by hunters looking for a continuation of the former Corn Stubble program. This is not a continuation, but another program that provides for the same or similar sites.
Private Lands Reservation System Demonstrations: Biologist Cook, along with other WDFW Private Lands and IT staff members, attended presentations from potential vendors that could provide a new Private Lands Hunter Access and Reservation system. Three vendors presented their software solutions and how they function and could be adapted to the needs of WDFW, hunters, and landowners. Cook and others provided feedback for the presented software for the next step in replacing the current Private Lands hunting Reservation system.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Weed Management: Chelan Wildlife Area staff members have been conducting further herbicide sprays of rush skeleton weed on the Chelan Butte, where significant improvements over the last year have been made and doing controls of bull thistle where forest thinning has occurred.
Irrigating Agricultural Fields: Wildlife area staff members have continued to focus on irrigating crop fields, which involves moving hand lines, setting up wheel lines, and monitoring and repairing pivots.
Water Birch Enclosure Fence Work: Technicians Balderston and Garcia have been working to repair fences protecting water birch enclosures across the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area. Several fences were so severely damaged during the Pearl Hill fire that the remaining fence is being removed so a new more durable one can be put in its place. Managers and staff members are considering the options for a longer-term solution that would require less consistent repair.
Spraying Invasives: Wildlife area staff members have focused spraying efforts this month on hound’s tongue near headquarters and rush skeleton weed in the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area. Staff members noticed less hound’s tongue and rush skeleton weed as a result of last year’s spray effort.
Preparation for BDA Installation and Maintenance: To prepare for bi-directional amplifier (BDA) installation, staff members have carefully mowed the area for easy access and weed whacked around piles of BDA posts and weaving material. The team began BDA work in September.
Xerces Pollinator Plots Preparation: The office secured two habitat garden kits from the Xerces Society earlier this year, and in October staff members will pick up the kits and plant them on the Bridgeport Bar. To prepare for the planting, Technician Haney-Williamson and Balderston have flagged the site and are thinking through how irrigation will need to be set up and other necessary site prep.
Habitat Plots: Biologist Morris continued planning for his habitat project that will plant sagebrush and other shrubs in a shrubsteppe area affected by fire in 2017 to improve the habitat for mule deer, upland birds, and pygmy rabbits.
Conducting Business Operations and Policy
Coordination with USFWS: Specialist Heilhecker spoke with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff members regarding depredation investigations and meeting with producers in Okanogan County.
Grizzly Bear: Specialist Heilhecker attended an internal grizzly bear management and conservation meeting.
Grizzly Bear Public Meetings: Specialist Bridges attended three public meetings hosted by Chelan County Commissioners on grizzly bear reintroduction efforts to take place in the North Cascades over the next 10 years.
Other
Vehicle Checklist: Staff members have been inventorying all motor pool and agency vehicles to ensure that each one has safety equipment.
Interviews for Natural Resource Technician in Training: We are in the process of recruiting new employees in the coming months.
ATV/UTV Training: Staff members attended ATV and UTV training at the Methow Wildlife Area in July. All who attended successfully completed the course and received Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) certifications of completion.
Found Bees in Big Bend: Wildlife Area Manager Peterson and Assistant Manager Blake came across a species of ground nesting bees while working in the Big Bend Wildlife Area. They reached out to Biologist Julie Combs who informed them that these bees are solitary bees in the Anthophora species, commonly known as Miner or Digger bees. Combs informed an expert who will attempt to ID at the species level.
New Employee: Assistant Wildlife Area Manager M. Meierotto has started this month and is learning the ropes.