Managing Wildlife Populations
Safe Harbor Agreements: Biologist Morris and several other Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members met with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to update Safe Harbor Agreements (SHAs) to a new format called a Conservation Benefit Agreement (CBA). SHAs and CBAs are tools to work with private landowners to improve conservation and reintroduction success for endangered species as part of Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act.
Annual Grouse Surveys: Private Lands Biologist Braaten continued surveying Sage and Sharp-tailed grouse in Douglas County.
Biological Control: Private Lands Biologist Braaten delivered 33 releases (approximately 3,500) stem boring weevils to ten Douglas County landowners who have Dalmatian Toadflax infestations.
Providing Recreation Opportunities
Hunter Access: Biologist Morris updated and renewed three hunter access contracts. These contracts will allow for public hunting access on private lands totaling over 2,300 acres. Morris worked with another landowner to try and maintain fishing access for the public on a small lake in Douglas County. Morris checked and posted hunter access signs on several hunter access properties.
Providing Conflict Prevention and Education
Bear Trouble: Specialist Heilhecker responded to several calls about bears getting into garbage and/or killing chickens. In all the situations, the garbage was neither secured in a bear-proof garbage can nor were the chickens protected by electric fencing. Specialist Heilhecker referred the reporting parties to the Methow Bear Coalition (MBC). MBC has funding available to assist with electric fencing projects. She also encouraged people to contact WasteWise to get a bear-resistant garbage can. In one situation, the homeowner had already called WasteWise and stated the can would be delivered the next day. Specialist Heilhecker worked with regional staff members to create a social media ad to remind people to safeguard their chickens and beehives from bears.
Cost-Share Fencing: Specialist Heilhecker received a call from a producer interested in fencing materials to keep deer from newly planted trees. The producer inquired about fencing for individual trees instead of fencing the entire orchard. Heilhecker explained the cost-share fencing program would require the producer to fence the entire orchard. She informed the producer the fiscal year is coming to an end, and it is unknown as to whether there will be any funding for the next fiscal year. The producer said he would follow up at a later date if he reconsidered fencing the entire orchard.
Coordination with Grazing Permitters: Specialist Heilhecker notified producers who graze within wolf territories of den sites.
Cougar Report in Town: Specialist Heilhecker and Sargent McCormick responded to a cougar sighting report in Okanogan. The reporting party’s son heard “rustling” in a tree the previous night. They walked the area but could not find any cougar sign.
Responding to Producers Request: Specialist Heilhecker visited with a sheep producer to discuss nonlethal deterrence measures. Despite having two livestock guardian dogs, bringing the sheep to the barn every night, and having no other attractants in the area, the producer has lost several sheep to cougars over the years. Specialist Heilhecker sat with the producer as they filled out their damage claim paperwork. However, the value of the lamb will likely be under $500.
Wolf Outreach Efforts: Specialist Heilhecker worked with regional and headquarters staff members to create a social media ad and blog update on wolf dispersal. The ad references a radio collared wolf from Chelan County who has been seen travelling around the Methow Valley.
Providing Education and Outreach
Snake Day 2025: Biologist Fitkin and retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biologist Rohrer conducted our annual snake survey in the Rendezvous Unit of the Methow Wildlife Area. This served as an adult (and some kids) education class for the North Cascades Institute (NCI). Perfect conditions (cool but sunny) meant snakes were active and 27 individual snakes from four different species were located during the class. A couple of rubber boas were on hand to share with participants. The data is an indicator of abundance and species diversity over time and gives us an opportunity to monitor for snake fungal disease (no suspect legions found). The proceeds from the course support NCI’s Mountain School program for kids.
Lands and Diversity Program Assistance: Private Lands Biologist Braaten aided the Diversity Program surveys (grouse, ground squirrel, hawk, and more) and researched project access needs on private lands. Braaten also worked with staff members to provide context regarding landowner reactions to situations, involvement, etc. in order to provide adequate communication to landowners and others. Maintaining private landowner relationships is key to having healthy partnerships.
Other
Young Owls: Private Lands Supervisor Rickel responded to a report of two young owls out of the nest at a residence. It appeared as thought they were still too young to fly and might have fallen out of the nest. The young owls were kept safe from predators by the homeowner, and they were picked up by the adult owls the next day.
