Managing Wildlife Populations
District 8 Elk Surveys: District 8 Wildlife Biologist Wampole and Scientific Technician Ogburn completed Yakima Elk surveys and assisted Statewide Ungulate Specialist Moore with bighorn sheep captures. Staff members have begun retrieving trail cameras designed to monitor wolf activity in the region.
Oak Creek Wildlife Area Elk Feeding: Oak Creek staff members continued feeding elk at the Oak Creek and Cowiche feed sites. Peak numbers at Oak Creek this period slightly exceeded 700 animals, and they remain in seasonably fair condition. Peak numbers at Cowiche this period exceeded 2,200 animals and they also remain in seasonably fair condition, although we are seeing slightly more calf mortality this season (in excess of ten), mostly due to previous disturbance by domestic dogs in the area.
LT Murray Wildlife Area Elk Feeding: The L.T. Murray Wildlife Area crew and a few volunteer members continued feeding elk. The numbers held consistent at just over 1,000 animals between the Robinson and Joe Watt feed sites.
District 4 Pronghorn Survey: District 4 Biologist Fidorra completed the draft of the 2025 south-central pronghorn survey report. After reviewing flight data, plus sightings compiled by ground crews of Safari Club International, the final tally of the survey was 337 animals. This in an increase over the prior high count of 250 animals found in the 2021 survey. The final report will be available next month through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Kittitas County Conflict - Poison Spring Elk: Elk have been seen at Poison Springs and in the upper county crop areas. Little or no damage has been observed.
Kittitas County Conflict – Haystack Tarps: Tarps were requested to protect haystacks in the Nile, Ellensburg, and the Wenas. Tarps were delivered to those landowners that have requested tarps.
Yakima County Conflict – Cowiche Elk: Elk in the Cowiche area have been breaking elk fence and getting into areas east of the fence. Elk have been harboring in the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy and several hundred have been nocturnally visiting adjacent orchards causing significant damage.
Yakima County Conflict – Tampico Elk: Elk have been persistent in the Tampico area coming from the west and south. In addition to the Tampico resident elk, migratory elk have been coming north from the Yakama Reservation into the orchard further east. The WDFW elk fence gate has been persistently left open, allowing elk into damage areas where they have been removed. Staff members closes the gate, but it is opened again after several days.
Yakima County Conflict – Cleman Mountain Elk: Several large groups of elk broke out of the south side fence on Cleman Mountain. Over 300 elk have been damaging a cherry orchard in Naches. The hole in the elk fence has been fixed and the elk have crossed through a return gate back to Cleman Mountain.
Conserving Natural Landscapes
Franklin County Habitat: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach continued the work of Natural Resource Technician Pizzini at the Neff Jones private lands access property. Three unfarmed draws have already been planted with native shrubs over the past two years, and work has begun on a fourth draw. Weed eating in the fourth draw is nearly done, which will be followed up by herbicide treatment of invasive annual grasses and eventually a planting of native shrubs.
Private Lands Cultural Resources: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach submitted cultural resources paperwork for 14 potential habitat projects. The private lands program is able to utilize the cultural resource work of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) using the Voluntary Public Access grant. Planning and prep work will continue while these projects are pending review from NRCS and hopefully in the next couple weeks the green flag will be given to begin work on some or all of them. These projects will begin anytime between this spring and spring of 2026.
Ringold Springs Habitat Plot: Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber, Assistant Manager Jahns, Natural Resource Technician Pizzini, and Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach have been working on planting a native shrub habitat plot near the Ringold Springs Hatchery. The plot will provide valuable cover for native wildlife and help reduce erosion while also serving as a windbreak.
Oak Creek Tieton River Stream Restoration by Yakama Nation Fisheries: Work commenced within the Oak Creek Wildlife Area boundaries on a Tieton River Stream Restoration Project this period led by Yakama Nation Fisheries. The intent of this project is to seasonably re-water an old channel within the Tieton River floodplain to provide additional opportunity for the development of quality spawning habitat and increase water retention within the system.
Providing Education and Outreach
Master Hunter Advisory Group: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach met with a member of the Master Hunter Advisory Group (MHAG) on the subcommittee of retaining hunting access. This was an initial introduction meeting for each party and will be followed up with future meetings, as well as a statewide meeting with the MHAG and the private lands section manager. There will be potential for future collaboration and volunteer opportunities between the Region 3 private lands program and the MHAG.
Wenas Wildlife Area - 10 Year Management Plan: The first internal scoping meeting occurred for the Wenas Wildlife Area to provide an outline of the timeline, purpose, and overview of the planning process. Participation from all programs is an important aspect of the plan. Programs including real estate, fish, wildlife, enforcement, habitat, and more will provide input and expertise throughout the entire planning process. A meeting also occurred with the Yakama Nation Wildlife Program staff members to let them know about the planning process, to discuss future coordination, and to receive initial feedback on topics to focus on.
Oak Creek Wildlife Area Visitor’s Center and elk viewing area: Friends of Oak Creek volunteer members continue to staff the Visitor’s Center seven days per week and provide elk tours on the feed site. Below are the most recent visitor statistics.
Conducting Business Operations and Policy
Wenas Wildlife Area- Prepping of Fence Material: Wenas Wildlife Area Technician Janes and Habitat Specialist Miller began prepping fence posts by cutting them to length and stacking them in organized piles to ensure peak efficiency for fence building. Fences on the wildlife area are essential to conflict management to prevent elk damage on adjacent private properties.
Wenas Wildlife Area- Annual BPA Grant Renewal: Habitat Specialist Miller began the renewal process for the Wenas Wildlife Area Operations and Maintenance grant through Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). BPA funds make up a significant portion of Wenas Wildlife Area funding and is essential to daily operations and maintenance on facilities.
Other
Local Working Group Meetings: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach attended the Snake River Local Working Group meeting in Dayton and the South-Central Local Working Group meeting in Goldendale. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), local Conservation Districts, WDFW, the Department of Natural Resources, and various landowners attended these meetings. Local Work Group priorities were discussed for NRCS EQIP projects and current and ongoing projects were discussed.
Pesticide Recertification Training: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach, District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand, and Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber attended the Washington State University’s pesticide recertification training in Kennewick. Credits were received to maintain pesticide licenses and many pesticide topics were covered over the two-day course.
L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Inventory: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart completed a picture inventory for items assigned to employees on the wildlife area.