Managing Wildlife Populations
Columbian White-tailed Deer Surveys: Biologists Stephens and Holman, as well as Conflict Specialists Aubrey and O’Connor, have completed surveys for Columbian White-tailed Deer (CWTD) on Puget Island. With support from Shillapoo and Mt. Saint Helens Wildlife Area staff members, Biologists Ott and Wickhem successfully conducted the first surveys along a newly established route on the Shillapoo Wildlife Area. The surveys consist of driving designated routes, counting all deer, and classifying them as doe, fawn, or buck. The primary purpose of the survey is to generate a doe to fawn ratio and thereby assess annual productivity within different segments of the population. This survey is done in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Cowlitz Tribe, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and with support from volunteer members. Survey results will be summarized in future reports and are informative to management decisions related to these state and federally threatened deer. Thanks to Customer Service Specialists Splitgerber, Rainwaters, and Henderson for participating in the surveys. For more information on Columbian White-tailed Deer see the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website.
Mule Deer Aerial Surveys: Biologists Bergh, Wickhem, Ott, and Holman, and Wildlife Area Manager Holman conducted aerial surveys for mule deer in GMUs 388 and 382. The goal of these surveys was to fly enough survey units to estimate the population size in those GMUs. Unfortunately, the weather was extremely uncooperative and only three short flights were flown over the course of five days. A total of 785 deer were seen, along with a notably large group of elk in GMU 382. The ratios (uncorrected for sight ability) observed were 58:100 fawns to does and 16:100 bucks to does.
GPS-collared Deer Mortality: Biologist Bergh and Ott went to the location of a GPS-collared mule deer mortality in GMU 382 on a particularly rainy day for eastern Klickitat County. Despite arriving quickly after receiving the mortality message, hardly any of the carcass was left. With part of the spine and one leg, no cause of death was able to be determined. The deer was located in the perimeter of this July’s Bighorn fire, so it was interesting to observe the burned landscape during the long hike in and out.
Klickitat Mule Deer Project – Mortality Investigation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen traveled to eastern Klickitat County to investigate the mortality of one of the Klickitat Mule Deer Project’s satellite GPS-collared deer. The cold and snowy investigation involved a seven-mile round-trip hike to retrieve the collar. Jacobsen located the collar but determined that a pair of coyotes had moved the collar a substantial distance away from the carcass. Jacobsen backtracked the deer’s movements to the adjacent creek drainage. While there, Jacobsen noticed tufts of deer hair that had been plucked and were floating in the creek, and signs of ground disturbance that was rapidly becoming buried by snow. Jacobsen also observed a fresh cougar track in the immediate vicinity. Jacobsen did not locate the carcass but suspected that the mortality was caused by a cougar.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Deceased Urban Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a deceased deer fawn in an urban yard. WDFW staff members do not usually remove deceased wildlife from residences, but in this case, the elderly homeowner was unable to move the deceased deer out from under her porch on her own. Jacobsen happened to be in the area and agreed to assist the landowner with the deer removal. In the process of removing the deer from under the porch, Jacobsen noted that the deer had signs of diarrhea on its back legs, which is often a sign of digestive issues. Suspecting a possible case of rumen acidosis – an often-fatal condition caused by supplemental feeding – Jacobsen asked the landowner about any possible supplemental feeding of deer by residents in the neighborhood. The landowner did not know of any feeding activities going on. Jacobsen then inquired about the possible presence of any ornamental yew plants in the landowner’s yard. The landowner indicated that there were several ornamental yew bushes adorning her property. A quick investigation revealed signs of deer browsing on most of the yew bushes in the landowner’s yard, and a subsequent necropsy of the deer’s stomach indicated that this small deer had been recently consuming ornamental yew needles before it died. Jacobsen advised the homeowner of the dangers that toxic ornamental yew plants pose to deer, especially in winter when it is one of the few plants with foliage that remains green throughout winter and can be appealing to hungry deer. The landowner agreed to remove all her yew plants from her property. Check out this Outdoor Life article for more examples of how yew poisoning is affecting wild ungulates in western states.
Calf Depredation Investigation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, Biologist Spence, and Officer Bolton responded to a report of a depredation on a calf by a wolf. After investigating the incident, WDFW staff members determined that the calf was killed by coyotes. Jacobsen loaned the livestock producer several fox lights to help deter coyotes in the vicinity from active calving operations.
Depredation Investigation on Unsecured Goats: A landowner in Klickitat County contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen to report a depredation on two of her domestic goats. Jacobsen responded to the residence and quickly determined that the goats were killed by a cougar. Drag marks, cougar tracks, and caching of the carcasses was evident. Jacobsen had responded to a previous cougar incident at this residence a few years prior and the landowner had adjusted her barn so that she had a suitable night pen. However, the landowner admitted that she had become complacent and reverted to leaving her goats out unsecured in a pasture at night.
Reported Cougar Depredation on Cow: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen fielded a report from a livestock producer after the producer discovered lacerations on one of his cows near the cow’s elbows. The producer believed a cougar might have been responsible. Jacobsen examined photos of the lacerations and determined that they were not caused by a cougar.
Depredation on Unsecured Turkeys: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a residence where a landowner claimed that a cougar had killed two of his turkeys. The landowner owned approximately 30 turkeys that roamed his property, mingled with wild turkeys, and roosted wherever they pleased. When Jacobsen arrived, the landowner showed Jacobsen several faint and undiscernible marks in the gravel driveway where he thought a bear came in and killed and ate the turkeys. Jacobsen saw no evidence of bear tracks in the gravel. Jacobsen provided advice on installing trail cameras in the area and securing the turkeys in a protected enclosure. A couple of days later, trail camera images showed two stray dogs attempting to attack more turkeys on the property.
Bobcat Depredation on Chickens: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a residence where a landowner had lost three chickens to a bobcat. Jacobsen provided advice on securing her chicken coop to prevent future depredations from bobcats and other carnivores. The landowner quickly implemented these modifications to her coop to create an excellent, secured area for her chickens.
Reported Cougar Depredation on Dog: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a report of a cougar depredation on a 20-pound schnauzer dog. After reviewing photos and descriptions of the injuries that the dog received, Jacobsen determined that the injuries were not consistent with a cougar attack on a such a small dog.
Carnivore Concerns: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded in-person and over-the-phone to a landowner who repeatedly, over multiple weeks, reported an incident where he thought a cougar and/or bear walked past his house. Jacobsen found no evidence of carnivores on the property, and provided advice and support to the concerned landowner.
Injured Bobcat Concerns: A concerned landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen after he discovered a small bobcat near what appeared to be a den in an embankment. The bobcat didn’t run away when approached and he thought that the bobcat might be injured. Jacobsen advised the landowner to give the juvenile bobcat space and that it was likely just fine.
Injured Cougar 1: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, Officer Way, and Sergeant McQuary responded to a report of an injured cougar within the city limits of White Salmon. A previous report had come in of this injured cougar a few weeks prior, but nothing had been reported since. The cougar was recently captured on home security camera dragging its back legs across a resident’s driveway. Despite the apparent immobility of the cougar, WDFW staff members were not able to locate it that day, even with the use of hounds. A couple of weeks later, the cougar was again observed in White Salmon and a Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office deputy euthanized the animal. Jacobsen recovered the carcass and performed a necropsy on the cougar. The adult male cougar was extremely emaciated and had incurred compound fractures in its leg, which then became infected.
Injured Cougar 2: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, Officer Moats, and Officer Hughes followed up on a report of a cougar in the Ridgefield area. Jacobsen had received several other reports of a cougar in the general area over the past few weeks and believed it was the same animal. A resident captured a video of the cougar repeatedly walking up and down their driveway. Jacobsen provided advice to the resident. Upon further review of the video, Jacobsen determined that the cougar likely had suffered an injury to a back leg. WDFW staff members developed a plan to attempt to capture the injured cougar the next time it was reported, but all reports of a cougar in the area ceased. The cougar likely crossed under I-5 and found more suitable habitat east of Ridgefield.
Wolf Sighting Report: A hunter reported seeing a wolf while hunting in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. After reviewing the video footage of the animal, Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and WDFW wolf biologists determined that the animal in question was a domestic dog.
Bear in Chicken Coop: A concerned landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen after a bear ripped apart her chicken coop and killed some chickens. Jacobsen provided advice on securing the coop with electric fencing. The landowner was concerned about city construction ordinances, so Jacobsen contacted city officials to determine if the landowner was able to construct electric fencing around her coop without permits. The officials indicated that this construction would be permissible without a permit, so the landowner will begin constructing her electric fence soon.
General Bear Concerns: A Clark County landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen with concerns about a bear that was frequenting her property. The landowner lived immediately adjacent to large tracts of industrial timber property, as well as public land, both of which are ideal bear habitat where a bear would be expected to reside. Jacobsen provided advice on bear biology and suggested contacting public bear hunters during bear season to hunt her property.
Bear in Orchard: A landowner with a fruit orchard contacted WDFW because he was concerned that a bear was frequenting the orchard. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen determined that the property was not conducive to public bear hunting but advised the landowner to pick up the fruit off the ground and to enclose his small orchard with electric fencing. The landowner was pleased with the suggestions and planned to do just that.
Bear in Trash: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen talked to a resident of a mobile home park who was having issues with bears getting into her trash. Jacobsen has dealt with bear issues in this park in the past, and most of the issues stem from residents not paying for regular garbage service in the neighborhood. More work will need to be done collaborating with the park owner on a permanent garbage solution.
Bear in Den: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen provided advice to a landowner after the landowner’s dog discovered a bear den on the landowner’s property. The landowner stuck his head in the den and found a bear, which was not happy about being disturbed. Jacobsen provided advice on keeping the dog away from the den and on safely monitoring the den with the use of a trail camera. The landowner was appreciative of the advice.
Raccoon Concerns: An unhappy homeowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding three raccoons that were frequenting her urban yard. The raccoons had not been acting aggressively but the homeowner was concerned they might become aggressive. Jacobsen provided advice on deterring the raccoons, including collaborating with all the neighbors on her block to eliminate sources of supplemental feed for the raccoons. The homeowner agreed to try working with her neighbors to solve the issue. Another landowner contacted Jacobsen to express her concern that raccoons in her area might have rabies. Jacobsen advised the landowner that there have not been any documented cases of raccoons with rabies in Washington. According to the Washington Department of Health, the only animals in Washington that have tested positive for rabies since 1988 have been bats (566), domestic cats (two), a horse, and a llama.
Elk Damage to Hay: A Clark County landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen to discuss the damage he was incurring from approximately 30 head of elk on his hay fields. Jacobsen planned to meet with the producer and conduct a site visit soon, as well as enroll the producer in a Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement.
Elk Damage to Wheat and Other Crops: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Biologist Bergh met with several agriculture producers in east Klickitat County to discuss ongoing elk damage issues to crops and an apparent increase in herd size in the area. Different approaches to the damage were discussed, and several options will be explored moving forward.
Deer Damage to Hay: A producer contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen to complain about deer damage to his hay crop. After speaking with the landowner, Jacobsen determined that he did not meet the financial production threshold to be eligible for damage permits. However, Jacobsen offered several non-lethal hazing tools as options and offered to deploy youth antlerless deer hunters to his property to help reduce the local deer population. The landowner stated that he would contact Jacobsen if he decided that he needed hunters on his property. Jacobsen did not hear back from the landowner.
Deer Damage to Produce: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen met with crop producers who had recently lost their entire tomato, watermelon, and cantaloupe crops to deer and elk damage. Unfortunately, the producers waited until the crops were completely decimated before seeking out WDFW assistance. Jacobsen met with the producers to review the damage and discuss preventative measures. Jacobsen enrolled the landowners in a Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement and is working with the producers on a Cooperative Fencing Agreement as well.
Injured Deer 1: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a sick deer that had been laying in a resident’s yard for two days. The deer ended up expiring shortly before Jacobsen arrived. Further investigation revealed that the deer’s sinuses were severely damaged and infected, likely due to a vehicle collision. Jacobsen disposed of the carcass.
Injured Deer 2: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of an injured buck near a public utilities department substation but was unable to locate the buck. No additional reports of the injured animal were received.
Trapped Buck: Biologist Ott and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen captured a black-tailed deer buck that had been trapped for a prolonged period within a seven-acre high-fence hazard site in the city of Vancouver. The deer likely jumped over a fence that had barbed wire angled inward into the enclosure. Based on how the wire was constructed, the buck was unable to jump out. After an extensive game of hide-and-seek around the enclosure, Jacobsen was able to successfully dart the deer with chemical immobilization drugs. Jacobsen and Biologist Ott quickly worked up the deer and prepared it for transport. The deer was moved outside of the city a few miles away to nearby WDFW property, where it was released. The deer is now free to roam, breed, eat, and drink unimpeded.
Buck with Fencing: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a report of a deer with electric fencing wrapped around its antlers. Once entangled in the fencing, the deer ran away from the (previously) fenced garden with several hundred feet of fencing in tow. The trailing fence quickly wrapped around an irrigation standpipe and the deer became tethered. The landowner found the deer this way and contacted WDFW to report it. Jacobsen and WDFW Enforcement Officer Way responded to the scene. Jacobsen was able to successfully approach the deer and chemically immobilize the animal with a dart gun. Jacobsen and Officer Way promptly removed the fencing from the deer’s antlers, ear-tagged the deer to document that the deer had immobilization drugs in its system, and administered a chemical reversal to wake the deer back up. Within a few minutes, the deer was up on its feet and walking away like nothing had ever happened. Interestingly, this is the second time that Jacobsen has responded to a report of a buck deer entangled in this property owner’s electric fencing in the last few years. The previous scenario went exactly like this one, with the deer becoming tethered in the woods by its trailing fence nemesis. This landowner will be promptly changing the style of fencing he has been using to protect his crops.
Buck with Wire: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Officer Nelson responded to a report of a buck mule deer with wire wrapped around its antlers and trailing for 15 feet behind it in the city of Goldendale. The buck was still very mobile, but the hard wire was starting to get wrapped around the deer’s neck. Jacobsen reported on scene to capture the deer and remove the wire. Jacobsen managed to get within 25 yards of the buck and shot the deer with a dart gun. After the deer was chemically immobilized, Jacobsen removed the wire from its antlers, marked it with an ear tag, and administered a chemical reversal to send the deer on its way. Ten minutes later, the deer was up and walking away, wire-free.
Sick Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a sick or injured deer lying in a resident’s carport. The deer did not move when the homeowner moved their car in and out of the carport, and they were concerned for its well-being. Jacobsen arrived on the scene and, after assessing the deer’s condition, determined that the deer needed to be euthanized. The deer was in poor overall health and did not move when Jacobsen approached or touched it.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Fencing All The Way: Recently, the Mt. St. Helens-Shillapoo Complex Wildlife Area staff members completed a new fence on the South Unit of Shillapoo Wildlife Area. The previous fence was aged and no longer effective at containing cattle. The crew used wildlife friendly fencing principles to design the fence to minimize fence impacts on wildlife while effectively containing cattle in. The new fence not only will contain cattle but was also re-routed to cut off cattle access from the edge of the South Cell wetland. The team expects the newly protected wetland plant community to thrive without grazing pressure.
Providing Education and Outreach
Wildlife Tracking Class: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen assisted Columbia Land Trust’s (CLT) Natural Area Manager Adam Lieberg with a field-based wildlife tracking class in Klickitat County. The tracking class took place on CLT’s Bowman Creek property. Participants had the opportunity to examine sign left be species such as deer, bear, coyote, skunk, squirrel, and wolf.
East Cascades Oak Partnership Presentation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen prepared and delivered a presentation at the East Cascades Oak Partnership quarterly meeting regarding managing carnivore conflict in oak ecosystems. Jacobsen served on a discussion panel at the meeting along with biologists from the Confederated Tribe of the Warm Springs regarding carnivores and conflict.
Police Department Trainings: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, with assistance from Officers Moats and Hughes and new Wildlife Conflict Specialist O’Connor, held multiple training sessions for local police officer staff members on managing urban-wildlife conflict situations. While these duties fall under the purview of WDFW Wildlife Conflict and Enforcement staff members, local law enforcement officers are often first on the scene and/or provide logistical assistance during wildlife conflict scenarios involving public safety. The training focused on how the two agencies could work collaboratively and effectively when these conflict situations arise.
Washington State University (WSU) Extension Living on the Land Presentation Series: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen prepared and delivered a presentation as part of WSU Extension’s Living on the Land series for landowners in Clark and Skamania counties. The presentation focused on attracting wildlife to one’s property while avoiding conflicts.
Vancouver Wildlife League presentation: In Clark County, Private Lands Biologist Gray spoke at a monthly meeting of the Vancouver Wildlife League. Gray gave a presentation about the WDFW Private Lands Access Program and her Southwest Washington work area. She discussed what the program is, the status of the program, and future program goals with continued funding. The participants seemed very engaged with interesting questions and discussion about pheasant releases on program properties.