Managing Wildlife Populations
L.T. Murray Wildlife Area - Elk Feeding: The L.T. Murray Wildlife Area crew members continue to feed elk at the Joe Watt and Robinson Canyon sites. Elk numbers are lower than usual for the time of year but are remaining fairly steady and appropriate considering the bare south facing slopes in the area. Natural Resource Technician Blore and Natural Resource Specialist Nass accompanied District 8 Wildlife Biologist Wampole while collecting sampling for CWD testing.
Oak Creek Wildlife Area - Elk Feeding: Feeding operations continue at both the Cowiche and Oak Creek Wildlife Area feed sites. Numbers are averaging just over 600 animals at Oak Creek and mid 1600’s at Cowiche. These numbers are down due to late January’s milder weather. Previous peaks earlier in the month were 650 animals at Oak Creek and 2,000 animals at Cowiche.
Oak Creek Wildlife Area – Off Leash Dogs: Recently, management of dogs on the Cowiche feed site was a challenge. Four local dogs were frequenting the site almost daily creating immense stress on the elk there. Enforcement did a wonderful job in resolving the issue by tracking down the owner and encouraging him to contain his dogs. For the last week they have proven to be behaving appropriately and staying home. Thanks Enforcement!
Wenas Wildlife Area – Buffalo Road Elk Fence Repair: Lands and Recreation Specialist Frame and Habitat Biologist Miller repaired a 30-yard section of elk fence that was damaged on Buffalo Road. The elk fence was damaged due to a vehicle driving through the elk fence and then driving back through the fence again to exit the wildlife area. Vehicle information (a license plate) collected at the scene was reported to Wildlife Enforcement Officers.
Pronghorn Survey: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Yakama Nation completed survey of the south-central pronghorn population. Biologists Fidorra, Hoffman and Ott flew surveys using a Cessna to count winter groups of pronghorn in Benton, Yakima, and Klickitat counties. Approximately 329 animals were counted, which is an increase over the past herd high count of 250 animals counted four years prior. A final report including sighting information from Safari Club International, who coordinated a ground survey during the same week to supplement flight data, will be completed in the coming month.
Bat Hibernacula Surveys: WDFW staff members and partners are conducting surveys of known hibernacula in Washington. Biologist Fidorra assisted District 9 staff members with surveys one day for Townsend’s Big-Eared Bats in Klickitat County cave systems.
Sunnyside Wetlands: Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area staff members have been busy maintaining pumps, water control structures, and ditches to keep wetlands filled for wintering waterfowl. Thousands of snow geese, Canada geese, and high numbers of pintail ducks have recently shown up at wetlands in the wildlife area, providing quite a spectacle to observe.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area - Youth Hunt: It was a successful end-of-the-season youth hunt for a young hunter on the Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area. He harvested a diverse limit of ducks, including a fully plumed Northern Shoveler drake that he is excited to mount on his wall! He also harvested two lesser Canada geese. It was a great end to his last season as a youth hunter!
Oak Creek Wildlife Area Visitor’s Center: The Oak Creek Visitor’s Center remains open from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm daily staffed by Friends of Oak Creek volunteers. The elk viewing area and Visitor’s Center remain inundated with visitors, especially on the weekends. Over the holiday weekend there was an estimated 1,200 visitors! Thanks Friends of Oak Creek for providing information and conducting truck tours!
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Rattlesnake Mt Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued to monitor activity on Rattlesnake Mountain. Almost all elk activity is occurring on the Hanford National Monument. Elk activity near HWY 240 has been increasing and few vehicle collisions have occurred recently.
Kahlotus Deer Damage: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand prepared and delivered additional damage permits to a landowner along the Snake River experiencing deer damage to his crops. Three youth hunters from the regional roster were also contacted and deployed to the landowner for hunting opportunities.
Benton City Sheep Depredation: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand and Detachment 33 Enforcement staff members responded to a lone sheep depredation along the Yakima River near Benton City. A week prior Enforcement handled a depredation at the same location where three sheep had been killed. The cause of the mortality was not determined. A trap and cellular camera were deployed and is currently being monitored.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Wenas Wildlife Area – Volunteer Target Shooting Trash Collection: Lands and Recreation Specialist Frame collected over 500 lbs. of target shooting trash picked up from WDFW volunteer members.
Providing Education and Outreach
Wenas Wildlife Area - 10 Year Management Plan: Wenas Wildlife Area Manager Gray and Lands and Recreation Planner English gave a presentation to Region 3 Management outlining the timeline, purpose of the plan, and background on the Wenas Wildlife Area. A meeting involving the planning team is expected to take place in February to provide an overview of what the management plan will involve, go over planning timelines, and expectations for staff members. The plan will take approximately two to two and a half years and will outlines priorities and strategies for the wildlife area.
Conducting Business Operations and Policy
District 4 - New Technicians: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra completed hiring of two technicians for the upcoming Ferruginous Hawk survey work in District 4.
Other
Wenas Wildlife Area – Pesticide/Herbicide Recertification Courses: Wenas Wildlife Area staff members attended Pesticide/Herbicide Recertification Courses in Yakima to earn credits for maintaining Pesticide/Herbicide applicators license.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Meat Disposal: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand received CWD-positive deer meat from a hunter who harvested the deer in Montana and, after test results, needed assistance with proper disposal. The meat was transferred and deposited at the approved Richland Landfill.