Managing Wildlife Populations
East Columbia Gorge Mule Deer Habitat Use and Migration Study Update: Biologists Bergh, Wickhem, Ott, and Conflict Specialist Jacobson have been hard at work this month retrieving dropped GPS collars deployed for the Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big-Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors project launched back in 2021. Starting in January 2021, 80 female mule deer in Klickitat County were equipped with GPS collars to monitor survival rates, habitat use, and movement patterns. With the cooperation of landowners, the team has picked up 35 collars in the past month.
This project focuses on the East Columbia Gorge Mule Deer Management Zone (ECG MDMZ) in south-central Washington, where mule deer populations have shown a long-term decline. Prior to this study, critical data on winter habitat use and migration corridors were lacking. The study aims to provide data for defining herd boundaries, migration corridors, and habitat use areas. This information will support habitat management efforts, guide planning amidst development pressures, enhance mule deer population modeling, and inform conservation and restoration activities. Results have been published for the first two years of collar data in Volume 4 of the United States Geological Survey’s Ungulate Migrations of the Western US. The project was largely funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Department of Interior.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sincerely appreciates the cooperation of local landowners who have granted WDFW access to their properties for this work. Their support is essential to the success of this work and contributes significantly to advancing effective conservation efforts.
Bat Hibernacula Surveys: Biologists Wickhem, Ott, Stephens, Holman, and Fidorra, White-nose Syndrome Coordinator Tobin, staff members from the U.S. Forest Service, staff members from Bat Conservation International, and several volunteer members took part in the annual survey of bat hibernacula in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and surrounding private lands. The teams hiked and snowshoed to access more than 40 caves over a two-week period, including several caves that have not been surveyed in decades. The goal of the surveys was to count and identify the species of bats roosting in each cave. When bats were found and within reach, they were directly swabbed to test for the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome. These surveys are part of a larger effort to survey a portion of the more than 600 caves within the Gifford Pinchot to see which support hibernating bats, especially Townsend’s big-eared bats, which are a Washington Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SCGN) and a Priority Species under WDFW’s Priority Habitats and Species Program. Thanks to Biologist Tobin for her organizational focus, many outdoor skills, attention to safety as well as biosecurity to address potential transmission of white-nose syndrome, knowledge of all things bats, and overall leadership on this large-scale effort.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Snow and Ice: Water access area staff members have encountered snow and ice at Klickitat and Lewis counties in the last few weeks making it challenging to safely navigate and inspect water access areas. Natural Resource Specialist Celaya encountered up to 7 feet of snow, and a thick frozen layer of ice on the road into the town of Mineral Lake. This made the drive very precarious, and slow going. Fortunately, and for obvious reasons, the site appeared to be unused and clean.
Spears Pond Viewing Platform: The Cowlitz Wildlife Area staff members have installed a bench and a dual viewing scope pedestal overlooking the Spears Unit mill pond. The viewing platform is intended to be ADA accessible, though some additional work remains. The platform can be reached via the Spears Unit parking area along a short flat trail (about 450 feet) that starts at the kiosk and heads south away from the parking area. The pond provides abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Prescribed Burning: Cowlitz Wildlife Area staff members, along with assistance from regional staff members, conducted a prescribed burn on forage fields within the Davis Lake Unit. Approximately 20 acres were successfully burned of the 48 acres permitted by the Department of Natural Resources. The remaining permitted acreage will be burned as weather conditions allow. Prescribed burning is being incorporated into the Cowlitz Wildlife Area’s Integrated Vegetation Management program and will be expanded to other portions of the Wildlife Area to improve wildlife habitat.
Spears Pond at Full Pool: The Spears Pond project, which began in 2021, was completed in 2023. In April of last year, the Cowlitz Wildlife Area staff members began pumping water into the 27-acre Spears mill pond using the new 900gpm pump infrastructure. By May 2024, the pond was at full pool and the Cowlitz Wildlife Area was able to maintain the pond at stable levels throughout the summer. Stable ponds provide habitat for local wildlife, foster vibrant ecosystems, and enhance biodiversity. The Spears Pond Project will restore this crucial stability, supporting a flourishing natural habitat.
Reducing Fuel Loads for Forest Health: As part of a multi-year forest health project, Klickitat Wildlife Area Manager Holman and State Foresters successfully completed the final phase of a commercial thinning effort by burning large slash piles. Over the course of two days, approximately 100 tons of wood were safely burned, reducing hazardous fuel loads and improving overall forest resilience. Prior to burning the piles, wood collection permits were issued to local residents who requested one, ensuring the public benefited from this opportunity to collect up to three cords of free firewood for personal use.
