Managing Wildlife Populations
Bighorn Sheep Surveys: In preparation for upcoming bighorn sheep capture work, Biologist Heinlen recently classified 73 sheep on Mt. Hull, the best count since 2020. On a follow-up day, Biologists Heinlen and Fitkin found an additional 24 animals in the Riverside area; a group that is loosely connected to the Mt. Hull herd. In addition, staff members tested the efficacy of using thermal imaging equipment for locating sheep, particularly in areas where typical movement behavior is not well understood. Results looked promising in cold conditions for this notoriously cryptic species (see below).
Okanogan Mule Deer Monitoring: Biologist Heinlen and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Volunteer Fischer investigated a mortality signal from a mule deer doe radio collared in 2023. The deer was collared to monitor herd demographics. Cougar predation was determined to be the cause of death, and the radio collar was recovered. Location data from the radio collar showed a long migration from the Okanogan Valley northwest through the Pasayten Wilderness and into British Columbia, Canada.
Sharp-tailed Grouse Monitoring: Biologist Heinlen got a count of 34 Sharp-tailed grouse foraging in the water birch trees in the Siwash area. This is a higher count than the spring lek surveys which indicates there are more lek sites in the area than what is documented.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Hunter Access: Biologist Morris maintained and continued monitoring corn stubble fields enrolled in the Hunt by Reservation system for upland bird and waterfowl hunting seasons. Most bird seasons end in January, and these hunt by reservation sites close January 26th.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Elk Issues: Specialist Heilhecker received a call about elk in the Wauconda area. The livestock producer has a current damage prevention cooperative agreement and had previously harvested an elk using a landowner kill permit. The producer wanted to discuss options for harvesting additional elk. They discussed damage permits, using master hunters to haze elk, and the potential for the Colville Tribe to harvest elk.
Depredation Permits to Address Deer Damage: Specialist Bridges re-issued several permits to landowners experiencing continued depredation to fruit trees in the Malaga and Wenatchee Valley areas.
Deer Concerns: Specialist Heilhecker received a request for fencing material to keep deer out of orchards. She explained to the caller that the agency would have a better idea of the fencing budget in the spring once the legislative session ends.
Cost Share Fencing Agreements: Specialist Bridges finalized four fencing contracts and assisted with ordering and delivering material.
Providing Education and Outreach
Communication with Cattle Producers: Specialist Heilhecker spoke with a couple of livestock producers who have access to the wolf collar program. She updated them on a new collar that was added to a pack.
Conducting Business Operations and Policy
Grazing Lease Management: Supervisory Rickel and Specialist Heilhecker participated in a meeting to discuss grazing on WDFW lands and non-lethal deterrence measures to mitigate livestock-wolf interactions.
Wildlife Conflict Coordination Meeting: Supervisory Rickel and Specialist Heilhecker attended the bi-monthly wildlife conflict call.
Data Entry: Specialist Heilhecker recorded elk harvest data for landowners who used landowner kill permits. She added the recent elk landowner damage calls into Spillman.