Managing Wildlife Populations

Ferruginous Hawks: Biologist Brinkman completed an occupancy survey of ferruginous hawk nesting territories in Whitman County, outside of Lacrosse. Historic nest sites were investigated, and two of five were found to be active with both the male and female ferruginous hawk observed at each of those active sites. The three unoccupied nests were within the same territories as the active nests, so a follow-up occupancy survey will not need to be conducted at those sites. Productivity surveys to determine hatching and fledging success will be conducted at the active nests in June. 

Biologist Lowe conducted a ferruginous hawk occupancy survey at the nest alongside the highway where Biologist Brinkman had observed a bird last week. She took photos of a ferruginous hawk incubating in the nest which confirms the active status of this site. 

Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Winter Gates Opened: WDFW staff opened gates on the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area that are closed from December 1st to April 1st annually to restrict motor vehicle access into ungulate winter range. Acting Wildlife Area Manager Palmer and Natural Resource Technician Graves opened the gates on Bisbee Mountain Road, Trout Lake Road, and the Old Game Range Road. Next, staff members cleared downed trees from the roads and cleaned out culverts. The photo below shows Graves cleaning the head end of a culvert on the Old Game Range Road. 

Bullfrogs: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Natural Resource Technician Tritt had a Teams call with Fish and Wildlife Biologist Janquart about options to try to reduce or control the bullfrog population on the WT Wooten Wildlife Area. There is a “large” population of bullfrogs in Spring Lake, Rainbow Lake, and the wetland adjacent to Rainbow Lake. Wildlife area staff members will be trying some of Biologist Janquart’s suggestions as they get time this summer.

Preparing for Sharp-tailed Grouse Release: This week Wildlife Area Manager Finch, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner, and Natural Resource Technician Duclos placed the grouse release boxes in position to prepare for the first translocation of sharp-tailed grouse (STG) next Monday. Placing these boxes in position early helps with the resident grouse getting familiar with the new out of place items. While out placing the boxes in position at Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, staff members met with Region 1 District 1 Wildlife Biologist Lowe on site to collect fecal and feathers from resident STG so genetic testing could be done. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

WT Wooten Wildlife Area Lakes: Natural Resource Technicians Jensen and Tritt checked the lakes daily and adjusted as necessary. They picked up trash around the lakes. They finished hauling tailings to fill the potholes in the access road between Rainbow Lake and Deer Lake. Tritt and Jensen walked the Deer Lake inlet channel and cleared debris to improve water flow to the lake. 

WT Wooten Wildlife Area Campgrounds, Parking Areas, and Shooting Range: Natural Resource Technician Jensen checked the campgrounds and parking areas and cleaned up trash. He removed the old paper signs from inside the outhouses and the expired signs from the kiosks.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Turkey Hazing: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris responded to a report of wild turkeys in a Spokane business complex. The complex has previously had issues with turkeys causing damage to vehicles in the parking lot. Harris located a small group of toms in the parking lot and hazed them off the property with a paintball gun. 

Turkey Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris hazed a tom that was relentlessly attacking its reflection in the window of a Spokane business. The tom did not cause damage to the window, but did inflict minor injuries to itself in the process. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Shrub/Tree Planting: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson assisted Biologist Nizer in Whitman County with planting trees and shrubs along the edges of a wheat field to increase forage opportunities and habitat for wildlife such as pheasants.

Cougar Creek Fire Reseeding Effort: Biologist Woodall and Natural Resource Technician Peters spent much of the work week applying seed to internal roads used for hauling logs and log deck sites. Woodall also coordinated and oversaw an aerial seed application using a helicopter. They applied 12,000 lbs. of a native seed and clover mix across the most heavily burned sites that have seen little to no regrowth. 

Pampa Pond Access: Access Area staff members began the process of catching up on many years of deferred maintenance at the Pampa Pond Access Area in Whitman County. During site inspections in late winter, staff members discovered the property has hidden picnic tables, and even one intact grill (which will be removed prior to fire restrictions). The tables were hidden amongst grass that was several feet tall. Natural Resource Technician Brant began the process of knocking the tall grass down with a string trimmer, and Natural Resource Specialist Dziekan follows Brant’s work with a lawn mower, mulching up the tall grass, leaves, and other debris and leaving behind a nice-looking area. The tall grass and unkempt areas made for a good habitat so after string trimming, and prior to mowing, Dziekan walked the areas to ensure he would not be running his mower into anything that it is not designed to cut. While doing the pre-mow inspection Dziekan discovered a baby rabbit. After a more detailed inspection, the rabbit’s siblings alerted Dziekan to their location and he was able to locate the warren. Dziekan made quick work of returning the rabbit to its nest and covering the warren back up. As he walked away, he noticed the female rabbit was close by, very well camouflaged, watching the entire process take place. No rabbits were harmed in the improvements of Pampa Pond!

One of the last priority tasks for Pampa Pond is getting the toilet under control. When Dziekan and Brant visited the site last year, they found the most atrocious looking toilet conditions the pair had ever seen. That prompted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) into entering a management agreement with the property owners. Countless instances of graffiti, along with stains from human waste, left the inside of the restroom entirely unappealing for use. New white paint was applied to the interior walls, and new grey paint applied to the floor. The floor paint was finished with sand, which will aid in traction when the floor is wet. 

Culvert planting: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson assisted the Habitat Program by using an auger to dig holes and plant various vegetation around a new culvert near Danville. The species included were western larch, ponderosa pine, and willow.

Plants: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley partnered with Corps of Engineers on a habitat project at Bennington Lake. Thorne Hadley supplied several hundred ponderosa pine trees, woods rose, fourwing saltbrush, and rabbit brush plants that were planted by volunteer members.

Habitat Project: Private Lands Biologist Nizer, Natural Resource Technician Itrich, and three other volunteer members completed a tree and shrub planting at a hunt by written permission property near Lamont. The habitat will be extending an existing fence line for game bird and big game habitat cover. Nizer and Itrich plan on coming back out to seed 25 acres into a grass stand.

Revere Wildlife Area Shrub Plot: This week Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos went to the Revere Wildlife Area to help volunteer members from the Spokane Chapter of Pheasant Forever deliver over 1,500 shrubs from Plants of the Wildlife directly to the work site. A temporary enclosure will be setup to protect the shrubs from deer and elk until the project starts.

Approximately 57 volunteer members showed up at the Revere Wildlife Area to brave the cold and windy weather to plant over 1,600 shrubs with three large shrub plots enclosed with 7.5-foot deer fence. This project was prepped in advanced by the Private Lands program who laid the matting as a field instruction day. The volunteer members were served a wonderful fried chicken, bean, salad, and brownies for dessert by a Spokane Chapter Pheasant Forever members. There were three separate Pheasant Forever chapters who showed up for this project along with Washington State University students and volunteer members from the Spokane Audubon. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Black Bear: Natural Resource Technicians Edmondson and Keeling brought Bear Aware pamphlets and informational material to the Northport hardware store to be handed out to residents and tourists that pass through town.

Inland Northwest Wildlife Council Disabled Hunter Open House: Wildlife Area Manager Palmer participated in the Disabled Hunter Open House hosted by the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council on April 12th. Palmer presented disabled hunter opportunities on Sherman Creek and Rustlers Gulch Wildlife Areas.

Bear Aware at Camas Center: Biologists Prince, Johnson, and conflict staff members Keeling and Edmondson conducted a Bear Aware event for the daycare kids at the Camas center. This included talking to the kids about grizzlies, how they differ from black bears, and ways to stay safe while recreating. The kids did multiple activities to learn more about things we do to keep bears from getting human food and keeping a clean campsite. It was an exciting day for the kids and a great start to our many outreach events planned this year.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Grant Proposal: This week Wildlife Area Assistant Wagner wrote a proposal for a $20,000 grant used for enhancing habitat for turkeys and other upland game birds. This grant benefits the habitat and increases the game bird population for better hunting experiences. The proposal that Wagner wrote outlined a partnership with Pheasant Forever and volunteer members.

Wagner recently received an email that his grant proposal was accepted for funding!

Red Card Wildland Fire Safety: Wildlife Area Manager Dice and Acting Wildlife Area Manager Woodall traveled to Spokane and met up with other WDFW staff members to complete their Red Card safety training for wildland fires. Hopefully, we do not have another year of fires but if so, we are fully prepared.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Waterfowl: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended a training with Waterfowl Section staff members to go over set up and operation of rocket nets for trapping and banding waterfowl. Two rocket nets were set up to trap pintail, but neither were successful. Dr. Phillips (WSU) brought her Wildlife Ecology class to attend the training so they may be able to assist in future operations. The group was also given a tour of several wetlands and restoration projects by Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge Biologist Dixon. 

Golden Eagle: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman checked the Merengo and Hartsock golden eagle nests. An adult was sitting in the Merengo nest and an adult was foraging north of the nest. No golden eagles were seen in the Hartsock nest but the gusty wind kept blowing the spotting scope around, so Dingman will go back later to check the nest.

Sharp-tailed Grouse: Biologist Brinkman, along with Wildlife Area Technician Duclos and Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration and Resiliency Initiative biologist Jennings, conducted a lek survey of a historically active lek where sharp-tailed grouse had been documented alongside the road a few weeks prior. No sharp-tailed grouse were detected during this survey. Biologist Lowe searched a lek complex that has not been active in recent history and did not find any birds. 

Ferruginous Hawks: Biologist Brinkman completed an occupancy survey of a Ferruginous Hawk nesting territory in southwestern Lincoln County. No birds were observed at the old nest site or in the area. A follow-up occupancy survey will be conducted in April. Biologist Brinkman also drove past a different ferruginous hawk territory alongside the highway and took photos of a hawk sitting on a nest, but did not stop to complete a survey. The lighting made it difficult to see, but upon review of the photos it turned out to be a dark morph ferruginous hawk which means that territory is likely active. A follow-up confirmation survey will be completed soon. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Chief Joseph Wildlife Area Recreational site closure: Wildlife Area Manager Dice and Natural Resource Specialist Whittaker closed the Pine Bar/Turkey Bend access site on Tuesday. It was discovered that two live Ponderosa Pine trees had been cut down and made into firewood with a chainsaw. A third tree had been chopped into with an axe. Trees like these are rare at this low elevation site. Other damage included cut down hackberry shrubs, garbage left on site, and a torn-up parking lot from spinning tires. The site was closed using four concrete ecology blocks hauled in from the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area. The closure is for less than one month. This is not the first-time trees, and other natural resources have been damaged at this site. We will open the site once we complete some rehabilitation work and installation of a kiosk/directional signage with an emphasis to protect resources.  

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Cougar: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson brought a cougar trap and a deer carcass to Sergeant Leonetti at the Region One office to assist with the capture of two potentially orphaned cougar kittens that have been seen in District Two. 

Turkey complaint: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb followed up on a call passed along from a weekend Enforcement response involving conflict turkeys in Walla Walla County. The reporting party (RP) was upset there have been turkeys in their yard. After conducting a site visit, Kolb explained why trapping would be challenging at the location. The RP also wanted to know if they could have kill permits. Kolb explained that although they were technically in the county, there were very limited shooting lanes due to an adjacent school and numerous other homes in the area. Kolb had a couple of Critter Gitters® with him and assisted the RP in setting those up around their property with the goal of changing the turkey movement patterns. The RP was appreciative of the site visit and the equipment loaned by the department. 

Cougar trap: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb delivered a newly built cougar trap to the Clarkston field office. The trap was built by Walla Walla Community College welding program students as part of their yearly project builds. A second build trap will remain at the Walla Walla District Office. 

Bats: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman accompanied several Avista employees on a tour of the Long Lake Dam to learn more about the bat colony using the structure. Avista staff members were very interested in bat ecology, as well as steps to reduce bat use inside the structure and maintain safe conditions for their workers. The building dates to 1915 and provides ideal conditions for a bat maternity colony. 

Moose Relocation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris and Sergeant Leonetti relocated a bull moose from North Spokane that had been causing property damage despite efforts to haze the moose away from private property. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Habitat: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley and Natural Resource Technician Moberg contacted landowners/managers interested in enhancing their property for spring habitat projects; coordinating delivery and planting dates of trees, shrubs and seed. 

SCWA Golden Eagle Nest Territory: Acting Wildlife Area Manager Palmer and Natural Resource Technician Graves were working near the golden eagle nest territory on Sherman Creek Wildlife Area this week and observed a golden eagle flying. Checking on the only known nest remaining in the territory, Palmer and Graves found it to be unoccupied. With a little binocular work, Graves discovered a new nest in the territory, with one egg in the nest, as seen in the photo below. 

Revere Shrub Planting Project: This year the Revere Wildlife Area will be in their second year of replacing some of the shrub plots that were lost as a result of the 2022 Wagner Road Fire. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members prioritized specific areas for recovery and, along with the Spokane Chapter of Pheasant Forever as a partner, will be planting over 1,100 trees and shrubs on April 12^th and 13th. Wildlife Area Manager Finch worked with WDFW’s archeologist to clear the proposed sites prior to any work starting. So far, over 50 volunteers have signed up for the project in the WDFW CERVIS program for volunteers. Pheasant Forever Habitat Chairman Gruenke has already been mowing the three sites where the plantings will take place. 

Swanson Lake Wildlife Area staff members loaded the rototiller and tractor on the equipment trailer after having two new tires replaced on the equipment trailer at Les Swab in Davenport. 

This week Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos hauled materials from Swanson Lake’s storage sheds such as matting, deer fence, and staples. Wagner and Duclos also hauled the tractor with rototiller to start tilling up the shrub plots. 

Private Lands Work Party: Natural Resource Technician Moberg attended the three-day long private lands work party in Whitman County. Private Lands staff members from across the state gathered to prep and plant at several sites enrolled in the private lands access program. The habitat work was done in conjunction with Pheasants Forever. 

Sherman Creek Wildlife Area (SCWA) Prescribed Burn Preparations: Acting Wildlife Area Manager Palmer and Natural Resource Technician Graves started work on freshening up prescribed burn unit control lines at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area. Units prioritized for this spring were treated with prescribed fire about eight years ago. For the fire dependent ponderosa pine forest, with a natural fire cycle of every 8-12 years, it is time to re-enter the units to mimic that natural fire interval. Palmer and Graves are utilizing a mini-excavator and ATV with pasture harrow to freshen up existing control lines by removing burnable fuel to expose bare soil. WDFW Burn Program Coordinator Lionberger also spent time on site to prioritize the sequence of control line work and identify control lines that need to be addressed by hand crews where machine operation is not feasible. The photo below shows a harrowed control line. 

Trash dumping at Campbell Grade Road: Wildlife Area Manager Dice looked at trash/debris dumped off Campbell Grade Road near the wildlife area boundary. Digging through the trash produced two pieces of old mail with the same name, indicating a residence in the town of Asotin. The perpetrator used a dump-trailer as evidenced by tire track marks on the road shoulder. Earlier in the week, we were notified by the County that someone had used a caterpillar key to unlock, start, and use their loader parked along South Fork Road near a gravel stockpile. The loader was used to steal a load of gravel. We later learned that the trash dumping suspect had a dump trailer parked in his back yard with a load of gravel. Apparently, the suspect dumped his load of garbage, then went down to South Fork Road to help himself to a load of gravel using the County’s loader. Dice turned over evidence to the Asotin County Sheriff’s office who are preparing to file charges.  

Providing Education and Outreach

STEAM Night: Biologist Brinkman and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris set up an outreach booth at the South Pines Elementary STEAM night. They interacted with approximately 75-100 people, comprised of a mix of elementary students, parents, and teachers. The outreach booth had a “spin-to-win" wheel with different trivia categories where the biologists asked a question, and the student got a prize (WDFW swag) if they answered the question correctly. The students were mostly asked to identify an animal by looking at scat, tracks, skulls, and pelts, or to identify a bird by its sound/call. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Deer: Private Lands Biologist Heitstuman followed up on a sick deer report in the Clarkston area with Conflict Specialist Wade. This is a repeat caller. The deer is still mobile and has been for several months.

Bald Eagle: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman got a report of a potentially sick bald eagle from a landowner on the Tucannon River. When she arrived to look at the eagle, it jumped off the fence and flew away downstream. The eagle did not appear to be sick, and the landowner will call back if things change.

Raven/Raptor Survey: Biologist Brinkman conducted a point-count survey to document ravens and raptors observed at each of the 17 roadside point counts in Lincoln County. These weekly surveys are conducted during the sharp-tailed grouse breeding season to provide an index of predator abundance within sharp-tailed grouse breeding habitat.

Forest Grouse Wing Bee: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman hosted the Eastside Wing Bee in District 2 for forest grouse wings collected during hunting season within the eastern Districts. Biologists from the other eastern districts brought wings collected from their respective areas to be identified and recorded. Small game section lead Garrison provided a demonstration on what to look for to identify species, sex, and age from the submitted wings and/or tails. The biologists then broke out into two groups to go through each sample to record those data. 

LeClerc Creek Wildlife Area Elk: Acting Wildlife Area Manager Palmer and Natural Resource Technician Graves visited the LeClerc Creek Wildlife Area to familiarize Graves with more of that property. While checking site conditions for work planning needs on the West Branch parcel of the wildlife area, 20 white-tailed deer and 40 elk were observed bedded and feeding on the site. It’s great to see this utilization response to improved wildlife habitat resulting from ongoing forest restoration work on the site. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Voluntary Public Access Contracts: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley worked with Natural Resource Technician Moberg in sending out A-19 forms to landowners/managers to attain signatures to process payments for access while participating in the Voluntary Public Access Program. Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley scanned and uploaded signed A-19 forms for review and payment.

Water Access Site Field Work: Natural Resource Technician Brant serviced water access areas in District 1, performing routine maintenance duties to have sites ready ahead of the fishing season opener in late April. Brant has been focusing on pressure washing the restrooms and taking advantage of the seasonal lack of foliage on shrubs to get into the bushes for a deep clean of litter.

WT Wooten Wildlife Area Lakes: Natural Resource Technicians Jensen and Tritt checked the lakes daily and adjusted as necessary. The technicians picked up trash around the lakes. The technicians used tailings that were delivered to the Wooten Headquarters to make repairs to the road between Rainbow Lake and the Deer Lake inlet where there are large potholes from the Rainbow Lake construction project.

Region 1 South Access Areas: Access Manager Heimgartner serviced access sites at the Wooten Wildlife Area, upper and lower Grande Ronde, and Heller Bar. At Heller Bar, Heimgartner and Wildlife Area Manager Dice filled a troublesome pothole with sealant material Greg picked up from a vendor in Spokane.  

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Turkey: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson responded to several calls about turkeys causing damage. Edmondson assisted Springdale residents to help them deter turkeys from their property.

Elk: Private Lands Biologist Heitstuman conducted an elk search on private lands in the Cloverland area per the request and reports from landowners concerning crop damage. The details were added to the sighting map developed by Heitstuman on Google Earth. Heitstuman conducted an onsite review of a property enrolled in the Hunt by Written Permission program for suitability to enhance wildlife habitat.

Sick moose reported: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris received multiple reports of sick moose in the Spokane area. The moose were reported as being skinny and missing large patches of hair. Harris advised callers that the hair loss was caused by winter ticks. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

4-O Ranch Wildlife Area: Wildlife Area Manager Dice looked at property lines on the north side of the wildlife area to assess whether or not Capital and Asset Management Program staff members could enter and successfully walk planned fence lines. The property line was still a little wet for hiking, with snow still covering some of the lines. The other concern is how to cross Wenatchee Creek, given how high it is with snowmelt. Dice put up many new signs in an effort to control access from e-bikes and notify people that either a Discover Pass or Vehicle Access Permit is required to recreate on the wildlife area. 

Revere Wildlife Area On-Site Meeting: This week Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos went to the Revere Wildlife Area to meet with the new agriculture lease, Melville, and check a key out to him. Currently, the new lease is in the process of being finalized and sent out for signature. While at Revere, Wagner and Duclos meet with Wildlife Biologist Jennings to go over what area of the fences and what wire needs to be removed to make it “wildlife friendly.” The plan is to exchange the top barbed wire with a smooth wire on the north and westside of the property to meet that standard. The bottom wire is already smooth wire. Wagner and Duclos came across a herd of elk at Revere.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Property Native Grassland Field Inspection: This week Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner made a trip over to the BLM native grassland field that was planted last November to inspect for erosion due to all the rain and the melting snow. Wagner took photos of the erosion that will have to be repaired this spring to prevent further erosion. Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos will fill in the ditches this coming spring and plant the disturbance with Great Basin Wildrye to provide cover and establish a root mass to prevent further erosion. 

Ducks Unlimited Tour of Revere Wetland Project: This week Ducks Unlimited employees made it down to the Revere Wildlife Area to check out the successful wetland project. Prior to this wetland being excavated and cleaned out, Bulrush has covered the entire area which left no open water. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Deer Park Elk Meeting: Wildlife and enforcement program staff members from Districts 1 and 2 gave a presentation to landowners and producers around Deer Park regarding elk population management and Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreements. Staff members also discussed options for managing the growing elk herd, which resides primarily on private cropland.

Public calls and emails: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman responded to members of the public on a variety of topics, including raising game birds, outreach programs, scat identification, and avian influenza.

Kindergarten Class: Biologist Brinkman talked to a kindergarten class about what it’s like to be a biologist. He was joined by a wildlife biologist from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to talk to the class. Biologist Brinkman provided a wide variety of animal skins, skulls, scat, and tracks for the kids to handle, and they were encouraged to ask questions about the different animals. 

Science and Leadership Meeting: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman participated in the Science and Leadership meeting and field tour with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), tribal governments, PA 5-15 consultants, Salmon Recovery Board, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Ecology, Lower Snake Comp, and various other folks. WDFW presented the preferred alternative that was agreed upon with the agency to provide a starting point for the comanagers to come together in agreement on a path forward for the Tucannon floodplain on the WT Wooten Wildlife Area.

Reardan High School Debate Class: This week the Reardan High School debate team came out to the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area office to perform in front of staff members. The debate topics this year range from grazing on public lands to riparian setbacks. Eleven students came out to debate these topics in front of Wildlife Area Manager Finch, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner, and a local rancher Schneider. After the debate, the panel asked several questions to test the student’s knowledge on each topic. The students did an excellent job answering the questions to stand behind their stance on the topics. 

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Public Assistance: Wildlife Area Manager Dice accompanied Enforcement Sergeant Mosman on a welfare check on a woman at the Wenatchee Guard Station in the Umatilla National Forest Thursday evening. They rode Enforcement’s snowmobiles from the Cloverland Snowpark to the Guard Station. The woman was overdue to get back to her vehicle and her family was concerned. She was found safe and sound, and said she had a miscommunication with her family.

Other

University Student Meeting: Supervisor Earl met with a student from the University of Idaho who is interested in seasonal employment. Earl passed along several summer opportunities that may be coming available soon in the area.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Rustlers Gulch Wildlife Area: Acting Wildlife Area Manager Palmer and Natural Resource Technician Graves spent time at Rustlers Gulch Wildlife Area this week, getting Graves acquainted with the property and ongoing forest restoration work. In the process, Palmer and Graves were regularly encountering wolf tracks but were having difficulty determining how many wolves, until coming upon the site in the photo below. Six wolves had bedded here during that last snow event, with one other wolf bed under another single tree just uphill from this location.

Moose: Biologist Lowe was the flight follower for two days of aerial moose capture effort in District 1. Biologist Brinkman and Lowe were on the schedule to assist with capture efforts later in the week, but due to a shortage of drugs used to sedate moose, the capture effort was cut short after expending the supply of drugs during the first three days of the capture window. A total of 11 cow moose were captured and collared during those three days.

Bald Eagle: Natural Resource Technicians Edmondson and Keeling assisted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill with the capture of a bald eagle that was injured on Highway 25. The eagle was captured, put in a kennel, and left overnight at the District 1 office to warm up before being transferred to the Spokane Audubon Society for rehabilitation. 

Moose: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman, with assistance from Wildlife Health Tech Appel, conducted a mortality investigation on a cow moose that was collared in 2024 as part of an ongoing moose study in the region. The collar began sending a mortality signal on February 9 and was investigated on February 10. Based on tracks and sign visible in the snow, it was determined that the moose was killed by wolves (likely the Mount Spokane pack), and had subsequently been scavenged on by eagles, ravens, and magpies. Although the exact age of the moose is not currently known, it appears to have been an older individual based on gum recession and tooth wear. Two incisor teeth were removed during the mortality investigation and will be sent to a lab for aging. There was a large abscess on one of the hind legs, indicating an injury that had become infected. This injury may have resulted in limited mobility and thus increased the susceptibility of this moose to predation. 

Fairchild Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP): Biologist Lowe and Habitat Biologist Westerman met with staff members from Fairchild Air Force Base to discuss resource management activities completed in 2024 and goals for 2025, as identified in their Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan. 

Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Enforcement Patrol: Acting Wildlife Area Manager Palmer and Natural Resource Technician Graves joined Enforcement Sargent Bahrenburg and Officer Thoma on patrol at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area, on the Bisbee Mountain Road, to check for illegal motor vehicle access into the ungulate winter range. No illegal motor vehicle access was detected this year. Wildlife area staff members also use the opportunity for wildlife observations, noting trends in tracks and animal numbers. The snow was quite deep at higher elevations, which likely played a role in decreased wildlife observations. 

Tucannon Bighorn Sheep: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman located all 19 of the sheep this week. Biologist Vekasy, Conflict Specialist Kolb, and Dingman darted and collared two lambs: one male and one female. 

Tucannon Spring Chinook Meeting: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman attended a meeting with Fish Program and Habitat Program to discuss the future of the Tucannon spring chinook and an agreed upon path forward to try to keep them from extinction.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Deer: Natural Resource Technicians Edmondson and Keeling responded to a call about a deer that had been found dead at the Colville Junior High School. The technicians arrived on scene, removed the deer, and disposed of it at the Roitz Rd Department of Transportation pit. 

Coyote Predations: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris received multiple reports of deer being killed in Spokane resident’s yards. Harris investigated one of the dead fawns and confirmed that it had died during a coyote predation event. Carcass remains were removed from the scene to prevent attracting predators to the area. 

Injured Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris followed up on a report of two injured deer at a Spokane college campus. Harris identified both deer as fawns from last year with leg injuries. Both deer were still mobile, and Harris advised campus staff members to leave the deer alone and contact us if their condition declines.

Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris met with a producer in Spokane County to assess elk haystack damage. The producer is working to setup cattle panels around the haystack to keep elk out.

Turkey Trapping: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb and other conflict staff members from District 3 spent a portion of the week addressing turkey complaints from city of Walla Walla homeowners. Weather conditions fluctuated throughout the week and created challenges to ensure the capture equipment would function correctly. The team was successful in trapping and transporting a group of large toms out of the problem area. All turkeys trapped were uninjured and released without issue.  

Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris met with a group of landowners and producers in Spokane County to discuss Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreements (DPCA) and mitigating elk damage. Landowners have been heavily impacted by damage to wheat and garb crops and are interested in enrolling into a DPCA to receive future damage permits.

Moose Conflict: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris responded to a report of a moose in distress at a Spokane residence. Harris advised the homeowner that the moose, a yearling bull, appeared to be in good shape and to give it time to leave on its own. The moose received an ear tag in the summer of 2024 when it was immobilized by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) enforcement staff members to remove a roof jack that was stuck on its foot. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Brush Piles: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley discussed brush pile construction with Private Lands Biologist Manderbach and emailed job sheets with construction diagrams along with photographs of brush piles being constructed on WDFW contracted access properties in Walla Walla County. 

Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley met with the Habitat Chairman of the Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever Chapter to give him several pallets to use for the foundation of two brush piles that the Chapter is planning on constructing this spring. 

Solar and Wind Energy: Biologist Lowe attended a meeting with the Solar and Wind Guidelines focus group to receive updates on the progress of the draft “Guidelines for Utility-scale Solar and Onshore Wind Energy Development in Washington State” document. The group will have a couple of weeks to provide comments during the second review period.

Chapman Lake Access: This week Wildlife Area Manager Finch and Natural Resource Technician Duclos went to Chapman Lake to check the access from the public for trash and target shooting. Finch and Duclos also placed a game camera at the access point where recent damage was caused to the fence, gate, and bracket. Approximately one month ago, someone took down the fence next to the access gate to drive an ATV within the property.

Forest Restoration Grant Revision Approved: Acting Wildlife Area Manager Palmer was notified that the Recreation and Conservation Office approved a revision to the current grant providing for forest restoration prescribed burning at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area. The revision replaces treatment units identified for this grant with other units that were treated before this grant project. The original project units cannot be treated before the grant end date due to partner delays and logistical reasons. The replacement units are due for re-entry with prescribed fire based on natural fire cycles in the ponderosa pine forest habitat type. This revision provides the opportunity to continue meeting prescribed burning treatment objectives and fully expend the grant before the end date on June 30, 2025. 

Revere Wildlife Area Inspection: This weekend with the heavy rains in Whitman County the snow melted off so quickly reports of major flooding occurred. Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos went to the Revere Wildlife Area to inspect for any flood damage. While inspecting the wildlife area, driving from the west entrance through the interior, everything looked normal until they approached the county wooden bridge leaving the north side of the property. Once Wagner and Duclos reached the wooden bridge that crosses Imbler Creek, the entire county road on the westside of the bridge had been washed out. There was debris that washed up against the wooden bridge and restricted the flow of Imbler Creek, forcing the channel to divert to the west side of the bridge and down the county road a distance. Now the only road entrance onto the wildlife area is from the westside along Jordan Knot Rd. Wagner contacted the Whitman County Road Supervisor and reported the washout, but was told Whitman County declared a state of emergency therefore it would be at least three weeks to one month before that section of roadway can be repaired.

Providing Education and Outreach

University of Idaho Career Fair: Private Lands Biologist Nizer attended the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources career fair. Nizer spoke to future graduates about how to get involved and what steps to start a career as a Private Lands Biologist. 

Selkirk Middle School Career Fair: Biologist Brinkman attended a career fair at the Selkirk Middle School in Liberty Lake. Students from sixth to eighth grade visited booths set up from many local businesses and each grade had different questions that the students asked to professionals from different career paths. Enforcement Officer Copenhaver was also at the WDFW booth to answer questions related to enforcement. 

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb coordinated facility and live-fire locations for four hunter education courses in the Walla Walla Valley this spring. 

4-O Ranch Wildlife Area Buck and Pole Fence: Natural Resource Technicians Peters and Meisner made a template for constructing uprights to hold up buck and pole fence. The plan is to build about 1,000 feet of fence around a pond near the Reynolds place to protect quaking aspen from grazing livestock, deer, and elk. The project is partially funded with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) money, and we are planning on having RMEF volunteer members construct the fence this spring.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Seasonal Access Area Closures: Natural Resource Specialist Dziekan visited access areas in District 2 to shut them down for the season. These included Spokane County Lakes; Badger, Williams, and Clear Lake. The gates are routinely shut and locked after waterfowl season is over. Dziekan will reopen the gates once regular fishing season opens at the end of April.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Natural Resource Technician Edmondson picked up three elk heads that had been harvested using damage permits to collect CWD samples.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Moose: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended a meeting to discuss logistics and review capture protocols for the upcoming aerial moose capture in Districts 1 and 2. 

Biologist Lowe coordinated with a vendor regarding moose calf flights that will be conducted in late February or March. These surveys will be used to estimate recruitment rates from cows that were pregnant during the 2024 aerial capture effort. 

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Wildlife Area Manager Dingman sampled a roadkill whitetail doe for chronic wasting disease. 

Wolf: Biologists received email updates from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife that a female wolf, collared in Oregon, passed north into Washington through District 3 and into District 2 before heading east into Idaho. 

CWD: Regional private lands staff members participated in the CWD listening session with Acting Wildlife Program Manager Prince, Research Scientist DeVivo and CWD coordinator Westacott. 

Tucannon Bighorn Sheep: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman located 15 of the Tucannon bighorn sheep herd west of Merengo. Biologist Vekasy and Wooten staff members attempted to dart a bighorn lamb to put a collar on it but were unsuccessful. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Hunting Access Program: Private Lands Biologist Nizer drove out to a new Hunt by Written Permission property to post the property with signs. While posting the property, a hunter drove by interested in obtaining permission. This new property in Spokane County will provide a great hunting opportunity for the area. Nizer coordinated with the landowner to let him know he will start to get phone calls for the upcoming hunting seasons.

Recreation Access Management and Maintenance: Fish Hatchery Specialist Nielsen cleaned restrooms and picked up litter at Heller Bar, Shumaker and Boggan’s. Nielsen and Natural Resource Specialist Whittaker worked together to replace a strip of rubber mat that acts as erosion prevention measure in the access road.  

Fruitland Elk: Private Lands Supervisor Baarstad coordinated with Fruitland Valley landowners and a permitted elk hunter from western Washington over the weekend. The landowners were very helpful, and the hunter was able to get an elk.

WT Wooten Wildlife Area Campgrounds, Parking Areas, and Shooting Range: Natural Resource Specialist Tritt checked the campgrounds and parking areas and cleaned up trash.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill responded to several reports of elk causing damage to haystacks and crops throughout the week. In one instance, Samsill coordinated the deployment of livestock panels and electric netting to exclude elk from a haybarn. In another, Samsill deployed a propane cannon to deter the elk.

Turkey Damage: Samsill responded to the report of nuisance turkeys in Springdale believed to have killed two dogs that consumed turkey feces and reportedly contracted Coccidiosis. Samsill issued the reporting party ten turkey kill permits and loaned the reporting party a paintball gun and bird banger pistol to deter/haze the turkeys. 

Wolf non-lethal deterrent work: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb installed additional non-lethal deterrents (i.e., a zon cannon and additional fox lights) following reports of cattle busting through multiple fences in the vicinity of a recent wolf depredation. 

Cougar Sightings: Samsill responded to two cougar sightings throughout the week. Both calls were reported directly to Samsill. 

One call involved a cougar reportedly seen with a dead cat in its mouth. The report was secondhand and could not be confirmed. 

The second call involved several close encounters with a cougar near a barn where several cats were being fed. The landowner also has several small livestock nearby. Based on the landowner’s description of the cougar and the behavior observed, this was believed to be the same cougar for which a pursuit permit was issued nearby. After coordinating with Sgt. Bahrenburg, a second pursuit permit was issued for this property. Samsill met the landowner to sign the pursuit permit and deployed two cellular cameras. Cougar, bobcat, and wolf tracks were all observed behind the landowner’s barn. 

Deer: Natural Resource Technicians Edmondson and Keeling responded to another report of a deer that had died in Northport, marking the fourth one in a little over a week. Upon retrieving the carcass and doing a brief field necropsy, the Technicians discovered corn in the rumen which was also found in the previous deer that were removed from there. 

Asotin County Sheriff (ACS) Meeting: Supervisor Earl lead a meeting with ACS staff members to discuss wolf activities and procedural actions for both parties. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) had local Wildlife Conflict staff members as well as Statewide Wolf Biologist Spence give various presentations on the subjects.

Turkey: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson issued landowner kill permits for turkeys as well as giving a paintball gun to the landowner to haze turkeys off their property.

Deer: Natural Resource Technicians Edmondson and Keeling picked up a deer that a landowner had euthanized due to it getting impaled on a picket fence and appeared to be sick. The carcass was removed and a CWD sample was taken. 

Orphaned Moose: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris received a call regarding a sick moose in Whitman County. Harris was able to identify the sick moose as an orphaned calf from last year. The calf had some minor hair loss from winter ticks and appeared to be thin but was able to get up and run away when approached. Harris advised the landowner to continue to monitor the calf and call back if its health continues to decline. 

Nuisance Turkeys: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris received two complaints regarding nuisance turkeys in Spokane and Lincoln County. Harris provided both landowners with advice on mitigating conflict and issued kill permits to one of the landowners to keep the turkeys out of their livestock feed. 

Supervisor Earl monitored flocks of turkeys in the Asotin Creek drainage. Earl also assisted Conflict Specialist Kolb, Conflict Specialist Wade and Natural Resource Specialist Moberg with trapping efforts in Walla Walla. A walk-in trap was set up as well as a rocket net. Unfortunately, there was an abnormal amount of activity around the traps and the turkeys were very leery and were on high alert. Efforts will resume next week to try and remove some of the more than 100 birds in the area.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Asotin Creek Wildlife Area Winter Gate Vandalism: Wildlife Area staff members were notified Tuesday morning by a concerned citizen that the winter gate on Lick Creek Road had been vandalized and left standing open. The citizen discovered the damaged gate on Sunday. All wildlife area staff members spent the better part of two days repairing the gate. Someone used either a grinder and cut-off wheel or a reciprocal saw to cut the hinges at the posts. The dropped gate was then pulled open which of course damaged the hinges on the other post. Staff members had to use a cutting torch to remove the damaged hinges. New hinges were fabricated in the Clarkston shop and installed on Wednesday. A mini excavator was used to support the gates while it was installed on the new hinges. Once installed, Nathan Whittaker welded caps on the pins to secure them. Enforcement is investigating the incident but as this time.

Z-Lake Aeration System- This week Wildlife Area Manager Finch flew the drone over the frozen Z-Lake at the correct time when the aeration system was running to verify it being operational.

Providing Education and Outreach

Habitat: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley met with two landowners in Columbia County to deliver them some black cottonwood and quacking aspen tree plugs. They were very excited about them and appreciative. 

Biological Control: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley contacted Noxious Weed Coordinator Heimer regarding obtaining biological control in assisting a gentleman that inquired about how to attain some. Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley received an answer and passed along to fellow Private Lands Biologists as well.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Natural Resource Technician Position: Private Lands Biologist Nizer filtered through the applicant pool for the Saint John Natural Resource Technician position. Nizer worked with other private lands staff members to narrow it down to five applicants for the interview. Nizer asked Heitstuman, Baarstad, and Westacott to be on the interview panel. Interviews are expected to take place Thursday, February 6th, 2025.  

Grants: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman reached out to Ducks Unlimited with an idea for a wetland project on the Swegle Unit of the WT Wooten Wildlife Area using Duck Stamp grant funds. 

Bear Outreach: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris, Sergeant Leonetti, and enforcement intern Swiger visited with a first and second grade class at a Spokane Middle School to teach students about black bears and grizzly bears. Students learned about bear biology, species identification, and bear conflict. 

Teamwork: Regional Private Lands staff members attended the statewide monthly private lands update hosted by section manager McCanna. Private Lands supervisor Baarstad met with McCanna to discuss regional private lands priorities for 2025.

Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Shop Organization: Natural Resource Technician Graves and Wildlife Area Manager Palmer went to the Region 1 Shop to deliver a shelving unit to Natural Resource Specialist Daniel Dziekan and pick up a work bench and cabinetry that Dziekan had removed from the Region 1 shop. Graves and Palmer installed the work bench and cabinetry in the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area shop and continued with reorganization and storage improvement efforts. The reorganization is improving storage space and expanding workspace to accommodate increased equipment maintenance and repair needs. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Private Lands Biologist Nizer drove to a roadkill elk alongside Highway 195 driving north to Spokane. The elk was hit by a car right before Spangle. Nizer took the CWD sample from the elk and took the other CWD samples he had with him to the Spokane regional office.

Cummings Creek Winter Closure: Natural Resource Technician Tritt closed the Cummings Creek gate for the annual January 1st to April 1st winter closure to protect wintering wildlife. 

Prairie Grouse: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended the annual Washington Sage and Sharp-tailed Grouse Workshop held at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members and state, federal, and tribal partners gave updates on grouse populations, habitat restorations and improvements, and discussed conservation actions to benefit sage and sharp-tailed grouse. 

Chronic Wasting Disease Sampling: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill sampled and coordinated the sampling of several elk harvested during the week with damage permits and in the Fruitland elk area.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

WT Wooten Wildlife Area Campgrounds, Parking Areas, and Shooting Range: Natural Resource Technician Tritt checked the campgrounds and parking areas and cleaned up trash. He cleaned up a tree that a camper chopped down with an axe in Campground 1. He also burned pine needles in Campground 1. 

Recreation Access Management and Maintenance: Natural Resource Technician Nielsen cleaned restrooms and picked up litter at Heller Bar, Shumaker, and Boggan’s. Natural Resource Technician Nielsen and Natural Resource Specialist 3 Whittaker applied and spread three dump truck loads of gravel at Heller Bar to level out low spots. 

Access Program: Private Lands Biologist Nizer received the signed contract for a new Hunt by Written Permission property in Spokane County from the landowner. Nizer plans to post the property in the next week. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Great Horned Owl: On Thursday, Natural Resource Technician Edmondson and Natural Resource Technician Keeling responded to a call regarding a great horned owl that had flown into a person’s home after colliding with the side of their house in pursuit of one of their chickens. Upon arriving on scene, the owl seemed to be calm and was easy to capture and place in a crate. The owl was then delivered to the Kettle River Raptor Center for further evaluation for possible injuries. 

Moose Complaints: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris and Enforcement Intern Swiger responded to a call regarding a bull moose frequenting a Whitman County landowner’s yard. The landowner had been unsuccessful in deterring the moose and asked for assistance with hazing the moose away from their house. Staff members successfully hazed the moose away from the residence using paintball guns. 

Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris also responded to a report of two bull moose fighting in a Spokane resident’s back yard. One of the bulls got a rope swing twisted around its antlers but was able to free itself from the swing prior to Harris arriving on scene. The moose did not appear to have sustained any injuries during the incident. 

Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris was contacted by a producer that was sustaining elk damage to a haystack in Spokane. Harris loaned the producer a paintball gun to assist with hazing the elk away from the haystack. 

Wolf non-lethal deterrent work: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb followed up with a Columbia County producer after a confirmed wolf depredation to assist with carcass sanitation. Natural Resource Technician Moberg and Wildlife Control Specialist Kolb also helped the producer install fladry and fox lights around a corral area where the depredation occurred. 

Elk: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson received a call from a landowner near Fruitland that has been having problems with elk near their hay stackyard. Edmondson brought a propane cannon down to the landowner to assist with keeping the elk away. 

Turkey: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson issued depredation permits to a landowner who had called to report a large number of turkeys in their field with the cattle.

Cougar: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson assisted Sergeant Bahrenburg with a cougar call involving a cougar that had attacked a landowner’s dog. Hounds were brought in to attempt to locate the cougar, but the cougar could not be found.

Wolf: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson checked three trail cameras that Natural Resource Technician Keeling had set out on a property where a possible wolf incident occurred.

Injured Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris responded to a report of an injured deer on a Spokane college campus that was described as having what appeared to be intestines coming out of an abdominal wound. Harris determined that the mule deer buck had a papilloma on its hind leg and appeared to be in good health. Harris provided campus staff members with information on papillomas and assured them that the buck was going to be fine. 

Deer: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson and Keeling responded to a call about three deer carcasses that members of the public found in Northport. Upon arriving on scene, it was noted that the three deer were an adult doe and two yearlings. Edmondson and Keeling did a field necropsy to find any signs of the cause of death. Corn was found in the stomach of the adult doe.

Elk: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson and Keeling set up livestock panels in front of a landowner’s hay barn that elk had gotten into the night before. The next morning the landowner called to say that the elk had been back but were unable to get to the hay in the barn due to the panels.

Turkey Trap: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb and Natural Resource Technician Moberg installed a turkey trap in Walla Walla County to address on-going damage complaints caused by nearly 100 turkeys.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Habitat: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley contacted a landowner that was making some repairs to their wildlife watering facility as well as inquiring about suggestions on how to enhance surrounding area. The landowner was very excited and very appreciative.

Cleaning Access Road: Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos worked on removing an elderberry bush that had fallen across one of the access roads at the Revere Wildlife Area. Duclos ran the chainsaw while Wagner followed behind, removing the branches and tree. 

Habitat Project Planning: Private Lands Biologist Nizer met with Private Lands Section Manager McCanna to discuss a future private lands workshop for spring 2025.

Hartsock Unit: Regional Habitat Program Assistant Manager Schirm met with a Columbia County engineer to look at an illegal construction project on the Hartsock Unit. The county purchased grass seed and straw to seed and cover the disturbed area. The habitat biologists will be meeting with the co-managers to discuss what mitigation will be required by the county next summer during the work window. Natural Resource Technician Tritt cleared the blackberries and brush from around more of the irrigation risers on the Hartsock Unit to allow more parts of the field to be irrigated next summer.

Revere Wetland Project: With the Ducks Unlimited Wetland project completed at the Revere Wildlife Area, Wildlife Area Manager Finch contacted Ducks Unlimited engineer Heck about the possibility of installing the wood slats back in the dam. Brian Heck gave Finch the go ahead, so Natural Resource Technician Duclos installed the wood slats back into the dam. 

West Medical Access Site: This week Wildlife Area Manager Finch, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner, Natural Resource Technician Duclos, Region 1 Access Manager Dziekan meet with Vasquez, a salesman from Pacific Fence and Wire to go over the fence replacement at West Medical Lake from the 2023 Gray Fire. All present walked over the area where the existing fence was to inspect the line and details of the fence project. This fence should be completed before April 15, 2025. 

Revere Wildlife Area Wetland Project: This week Wildlife Area Manager Finch, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos made a trip from West Medical Lake to Chapman Lake and then down to the Revere Wildlife Area to inspect the wetland project since its completion and after the boards were installed back in the structure. Finch filmed a video that can be showcased at the next District 2 Team meeting in February. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Winter Camp: Biologist Lowe provided a program and activities for 50 Girl Scouts ages six to 14 who were attending the Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho winter break day camp. The theme of the presentation was winter adaptation, and the girls examined tracks, scat, skulls and hides and tried to determine species based on identified features. 

Job Shadow: Biologist Lowe met with a high school student on a job shadow day to answer questions about wildlife biologist duties and role in the agency.

Presentation: During the Columbia County Conservation District’s annual meeting held in Dayton, Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley presented information about the WDFW’s Private Lands Access Program, along with information from Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb and Wildlife Area Manager Dingman. Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley will coordinate with two landowners the following week to meet at their properties to discuss habitat projects after talking to them at the meeting. 

Wildlife Experts at Kettle Falls Elementary School: Every year the Kettle Falls Elementary School fourth grade teachers invite local WDFW staff members to serve as wildlife experts to answer student questions about gray wolves, cougars, bald eagles, and white-tailed deer. This year Wildlife Area Manager Palmer was joined again by Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hultberg, as well as Wildlife Biologist Johnson and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill. PowerPoint presentations and animal mounts are used to add to the experience for the students. Some ask, “Are these real?” while petting the cougar rug or deer mount. 

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Facility/Equipment Security: Wildlife Area Manager (Acting) Palmer worked with District 1 Fish Biologists Baker and Walker to complete a cross-program project. The Fish Program needed a secure location to store their airboat, so the program purchased four gates to enclose an open shed at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area headquarters. The custom gates were picked up from the supplier a couple of weeks ago. This week Palmer, Baker and Walker worked together to install the gates. The Fish Program’s airboat in now securely stored, as seen in the photo below. 

Signs: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman submitted “Closed Waters” and “Wildlife Area” signs to be updated with the new WDFW branding so she can order new signs to replace faded or missing ones on the WT Wooten Wildlife Area.

KREM 2 News Interview: Private Lands Biologist Nizer was interviewed by KREM 2 about the first ADA duck blind that was installed in Region 1 on a Hunt by Reservation parcel. The blind was put in by WDFW and the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, who donated the blind.

Other

Volunteer Opportunity: Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated with a volunteer member to work on a trailer lights and trouble shoot the issues, along with installing a metal sheet for blocking wind when transporting pheasants. Nizer also took the volunteer member on a drive and showed him how to take CWD samples. Unfortunately, no samples were found along the road. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Sharp-tailed grouse: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended a virtual meeting with other Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists and wildlife area staff members, as well as biologists from the Colville Tribe, to discuss logistics surrounding an upcoming Columbian sharp-tailed grouse translocation effort from British Columbia into Washington that will occur in April.  

Northern leopard frog: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended a brief virtual meeting to discuss northern leopard frogs with two diversity biologists that work on herpetofauna in the state. The main point of discussion was what should be done, if anything, about the non-native leopard frogs that are occasionally reported in the Clear Lake area of District 2.  

Tucannon bighorn sheep: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman located the Tucannon bighorn sheep herd and all six lambs from this year still alive. She checked on the sheep multiple times this week in the hopes they were near the Tucannon Road where a lamb could be darted and collared. Dingman checked with the landowners and got permission to enter their lands to collar the lamb when the sheep decide to cooperate.

Moose: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman finalized a brief summary report of moose capture activities in 2024 for Mount Spokane State Park. This report was required through the terms of the capture permit issued to WDFW for moose captures in 2024. Subsequently, biologist Brinkman submitted a renewal application to continue moose capture efforts in 2025, including the potential need to conduct moose calf survey flights over cows that were collared in 2024.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Access Program: Private Lands Biologist Nizer started the process for enrolling a new contract into Hunt by Written Permission in Spokane County. The total acreage is only 100 acres but will provide excellent hunting for upland, turkey, and big game opportunities. 

Rainbow Lake cyanobacteria: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman participated in the Teams meeting with WDFW staff members, Amaruq Environmental Services, and the Phoslock representative. Dr. Skibo (Amaruq) went over the results from the water and sediment samples that he collected and had analyzed. The group discussed the best steps for treating the higher phosphorus levels in the lake to reduce the risk of future cyanobacteria outbreaks. It was decided to hire Amaruq in the spring to treat Rainbow Lake with Phoslock.

Region South Access Program: Maintenance Mechanic Heimgartner and Natural Resource Technician Nielsen cleaned access sites from the Snake River to the Wooten Wildlife Area lakes and campgrounds. Heimgartner and Natural Resource Specialist Whittaker cleared leaves and trimmed limbs.  Whittaker brought the dump truck and dumped some gravel to fill potholes on the access road to the Botts parking area.  

Access: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley assisted hunters through calls and emails regarding access for hunting.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Moose Call: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill, Wildlife Conflict Technician Edmonson, and Wildlife Conflict Technician Keeling responded to the report of a mangey moose that reportedly had not moved for several days. WDFW staff members located the moose, which ran off shortly thereafter. While the moose was not in ideal body condition, it was able to move quite well and did not need to be euthanized. The reported mange was likely due to a bad case of winter tick infestation.

Elk Damage: Samsill followed up on several reports of elk causing damage to fences and hay crops throughout the week. Samsill, Edmonson, and Keeling met two commercial producers sustaining elk damage and provided them information on the Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement (DPCA) for crop damage as well as the Private Lands Hunting Access Programs.

Wolf Activity: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb followed up on a report of wolf activity in eastern Walla Walla County. Kolb scouted the area for both straggler cattle and any sign of wolf activity. Kolb followed up with the producer.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Habitat Projects: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley and several volunteer members of the Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever chapter planted over 300 native shrubs on a contracted access property in Walla Walla County.  

Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley and Natural Resource Tech Moberg mowed a habitat area and planted native shrubs on a contracted access property in Walla Walla County. 

Wind Energy: Biologist Lowe attended a meeting with Cordelio Power, Tetra Tech, several WDFW district staff members, and the Solar and Wind Development team to discuss the company’s Areas of Interest (AOIs) in eastern Washington. These are areas that are in the assessment stage and have land leased for potential projects. The AOIs include four in Lincoln County, two in Spokane County, and one in Adams County.  

Revere Wildlife Area: This week Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos went to the Revere Wildlife Area to rebuild the short span of fence between WDFW and the private landowner to the south. The landowner removed a short span of fence south of the WDFW property line, therefore the boundary fence that separates WDFW and the private property runs within the wetland and the wires of the fence has disappeared due to corrosion. Wagner and Duclos ran a new wire and stretched the wire on a short span of approximately 200 feet.

Habitat Projects: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley coordinated with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Rainwater Wildlife Area Project Lead in scheduling and suppling grass seed and approximately twelve hundred ponderosa pine trees for a habitat planting project this spring.

Providing Education and Outreach

Farwell Middle School Presentation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris gave a presentation on wildlife adaptations to a fourth-grade class at Farwell Middle School. Students learned about different wildlife adaptations that help them survive in their habitat.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Private Lands Biologist Nizer helped with taking out a CWD sample from a moose that was road killed in the Garfield area. 

Columbia Basin Mule Deer: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman conducted four ground-based mule deer surveys in Lincoln and Whitman counties. Ground surveys are also conducted in Districts 4, 5, and 7, and are used to estimate post-season herd composition (i.e., fawn:doe and buck:doe ratios) for three subherds across the Columbia Basin. This year, aerial surveys are also being conducted for the Benge subherd in parts of Whitman, Franklin, and Adams counties. Aerial surveys were hindered by heavy fog the entire week, and Biologists Brinkman and Fidorra were able to fly only one half-day survey. Ground surveys will continue next week and attempts at aerial surveys for the next two weeks. 

Great Horned Owl: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Officer Maletzke responded to a report of a possibly injured great horned owl in Turner. The landowner said the owl had been on the ground overnight and was not moving much. The owl was located and upon approach the owl stood up and soared down the hill into some poplar trees where it landed before flying across the field into a larger tree. The landowner will contact Dingman if the owl is found on the ground again and appears in distress. 

Tucannon Bighorn Sheep: Dingman located the Tucannon bighorn sheep herd, and all 19 sheep are back together, with all six lambs from this year still alive.

Winter gate closures: Acting Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Manager Daro Palmer found the winter vehicle restriction gate on Trout Lake Road damaged on Monday, December 9. The gates, which close roads for ungulate protection from vehicular disturbance while on winter range, had only been closed for a week. Someone had obviously tried to pull the latch side of the gate out of the ground. Though unsuccessful, the gate had to be repaired. Palmer returned later that day with an excavator to reset the latch post and straighten the gate arm as much as possible to return the gate to operation. The winter sign was replaced later in the week. 

Ferruginous Hawk: Natural Resource Technician Tritt assisted Assistant District Biologist Vekasy in removing a ferruginous hawk nesting platform on private land where a wind farm will be constructed in the future.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Access Contracts: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley contacted landowners in Columbia and Walla Walla counties to follow up with access contracts and to obtain signatures on new or renewing access contracts. Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley forwarded signed contracts to a contracts specialist in Olympia for review and approval. 

Pheasant Mentored Clinic: Private Lands Biologist Nizer helped put on a mentored pheasant hunting clinic for the Saint John area for Saturday the 14th. Nizer worked with Pheasant Forever (PF) Spokane Chapter, R3 Coordinator Riordan, and Hunter Ed Specialist Garcia to accomplish the event. Nizer led 10 mentors and 18 mentees to hunt by reservation properties that were reserved for the event. Each property was well suited for the event and Nizer worked with PF and other volunteers to release 80 pheasants between the six properties. Overall, the event was a success, and multiple hunters limited out or harvested their first pheasants. 

Hunter calls: Private Lands Biologist Heitstuman responded to requests from hunters across the state about access to private lands for hunting opportunities. Heitstuman requested a contract change for a landowner who had sold some property and wanted it removed from the Access Program. Heitstuman began a list of priorities and projects in anticipation of hiring a Natural Resource Technician in training. Heitstuman continued the review of access contracts needing updates or renewals. 

Region South Access Program: Heimgartner and Nielsen used the wildlife area mini-excavator and a dump trailer to clean out fallen rocks at the recreational parking area near the mouth of Charley Creek. The rocks and gravel have been sliding down the hill and are accumulating against eco-blocks bordering the parking area. It was getting to the point where slide offs were going over the top of the blocks. Nielsen also serviced access sites at Heller Bar and the upper and lower Grande Ronde on Thursday.  

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Spokane Moose: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris responded to a report of two moose in close proximity to a Spokane grade school. Harris, with assistance from local law enforcement, monitored the cow and calf moose to ensure that students could safely leave the school during pickup time. The moose eventually moved away from the school on their own, and hazing efforts were not needed. 

Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb conducted hazing and herding efforts on herds of elk in Walla Walla County causing commercial crop and haystack damage. Multiple groups of elk were present, ranging from 10-15 elk to groups of more than 300 elk. Kolb successfully moved the elk off commercial crop fields and onto the foothills of the Blue Mountains (non-agriculture ground). A special muzzleloader hunting season starts next week in the area the elk are currently concentrated in and will assist with limiting on-going damage. The lack of public lands and the Oregon border complicates where and how far hazed the elk can be herded. 

Walla Walla Turkeys: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb continues to work on a winter trapping plan for turkeys in and around the City of Walla Walla.  

Cougar Sighting: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill spoke to a Stevens County resident that saw two cougars next to her home over the weekend. Samsill advised the resident on how to avoid cougar conflicts. The resident believed the cougar(s) killed one of her barn cats recently. Officer King also spoke to the resident and completed a report. 

Turkey Hazing: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris hazed a solitary turkey hen away from a business complex twice. The hen appears to be drawn to the area because of multiple large windows on the building that it can see its reflection in. It has also been causing damage to the vehicles in the parking lot by jumping onto them. Harris provided staff members with suggestions for minimizing future turkey interactions. 

Elk Fence: Natural Resource Technician Tritt walked the last section of elk fence that needed checked this fall. No holes were found, and 60 elk were observed on the correct side of the elk fence.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Habitat Planning: Private Lands Biologist Nizer started planning for Spring 2025 habitat planting season. Nizer has funding aligned for one project and plans to secure other sources of funding. 

Forest Habitat Management: Acting Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Manager Palmer spent time at LeClerc Creek Wildlife Area cutting more undesirable lodgepole pines, focusing on a previously thinned area on the half section unit. Ultimately, he cleared 10 acres this week. Removing this species is annual, on-going work. 

Noxious Weed Control: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman submitted the Project Completion Reports for 2023 and 2024 to Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for the grant funds WDFW had been awarded. She renewed all the staff members pesticide applicator licenses for 2025. Dingman worked with Dave Heimer to try to figure out why the Chemical Control app in Survey123 is not letting her submit spray records. Dingman attended the North American Invasive Species Management Association’s virtual Annual Biocontrol Summit. 

Tree removal: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson, Natural Resource Technician Keeling, and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill assisted with the removal of lodgepole pine saplings from the West Branch Le Clerc Creek Wildlife Area. This was done to encourage regeneration of Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and white pine. 

4-O Ranch Wildlife Area Event Updates: Wildlife Area Manager Dice looked at ongoing logging operations taking place on the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area. Colder temperatures would help operations with firming up soils and reducing mud. Active logging is taking place near the old Reynolds place. Also, Dice is having discussions with agency foresters regarding restoration plans on the other side of the wildlife area at Mountain View. Clearwater Power crews were at the wildlife area on Thursday trying to figure out how they are going to replace burned power poles leading from Grande Ronde River Road to the McNeil buildings. Replacing and repairing the lines is going to be very expensive for Clearwater Power. Lastly, Dice had a conversation with Department of Natural Resources Fire Investigator Long on status of the investigation on how the Cougar Creek fire started. Long anticipates issuing his report sometime in the middle of January 2025.

Revere Wildlife Area Pheasant Forever Meeting: This week Pheasant Forever Manager Lewis met with Spokane Chapter Pheasant Forever Gruenke, Wildlife Area Manager Finch, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner, and Natural Resource Technician Duclos to look over the entire project for restoration needs so possible grants can be looked at for funding in the future. The hay fields were looked at and Finch explained some of the challenges with keeping those fields in hay production with the condition of the fields and the conditions of the irrigation equipment. The group then traveled the interior to look at the work that was completed on the ongoing wetland restoration project and then to the back side of the project to look at future shrub planting project and field restoration. All the ideas that were discussed will need funding to complete. 

Revere Shrub Plot Project: This week Finch and Swanson Lakes staff members met with Pheasant Forever members to look at the proposed sites for the three shrub plots that will be planted in early April of 2025. There will be three different shrub plantings in areas of the Revere Wildlife Area that had shrubs damaged from the 2020 Wagner Road Fire. The Swanson Lakes staff members and Pheasant Forever prioritized the locations of the proposed shrub plots based on key locations for wildlife. All the shrubs that will be planted will be fire resilient shrubs. Finch has already worked with WDFW Cultural staff members to clear the areas where the shrub planting will be located. Wagner has created a volunteer signup for this upcoming project. The shrubs had to be ordered a few months ago and several of the materials have already been purchased and delivered.

Providing Education and Outreach

Hunt by Written Permission (HBWP): Natural Resource Technician Edmondson spoke with a landowner about the HBWP program and answering questions regarding Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement (DPCA). 

Safety Bulletin Board: This week Finch received the cork bulletin board that was ordered to hang in the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Office to post emergency contacts, worker’s rights, excavation routes and recent safety meeting minutes. The board is placed in a location that is accessible to visitors coming into the office for information. The board will continually be updated over time. 

Other

Equipment Maintenance: This week Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos pulled the bottom pan off the UTV to clean out all weed seeds.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Tucannon Bighorn Sheep: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman located the Tucannon bighorn sheep herd, and all six lambs are still alive. The herd has grouped back up down towards Merengo. 

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman worked at CWD check stations to collect samples from deer harvested during the late modern firearm season. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Rainbow Lake Park Bench: Maintenance Mechanic Heimgartner and Natural Resource Technician Nielsen installed a park bench at Rainbow Lake last week. The bench was donated by the Asotin County Sportsmen’s Association.  

WT Wooten Wildlife Area Campgrounds, Parking Areas, and Shooting Range: Natural Resource Technicians Jensen and Tritt checked the campgrounds and parking areas and cleaned up trash. Jensen cleaned up trash at the shooting range. Jensen and Tritt made repairs to the benches at the shooting range. Wildlife Area Manager Dingman scheduled for six vault toilets to be pumped next week. Jensen made repairs to the buck and rail fence at Campground 2. 

Region 1 South Access Areas: Maintenance Mechanic Heimgartner and Natural Resource Technician Nielsen serviced access sites throughout the area this week. Nielsen used the access area tractor to smooth roads and parking areas at Couse Creek, Heller Bar, Faha, and Epson 3 on Tuesday. Nielsen also spent one day assisting wildlife area staff members with elk fence maintenance.

Chapman Lake Access: This week Wildlife Area Manager Finch, Region 1 Real Estate Specialist Stallinga, Access Manager Dziekan, Natural Resource Technician Brant, Capital and Asset Management (CAMP) Engineer Hansen and three other CAMP employees inspected the proposed route of the road to the lake, parking lot and boat launch site. The CAMP employees wanted to look at all aspect of the project to see if changes need to be made. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Bear-resistant Food Lockers: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area staff members, Natural Resource Technician Graves, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer, and Wildlife Area Manager Anderson were joined by north Region 1 Water Access staff members Brant and Dziekan to prepare cement pads and install five bear-resistant food lockers at popular campsites. They installed the second and third boxes at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area, and the fourth and fifth at LeClerc Creek Wildlife Area. This now makes five lockers on the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area complex, and the very first ones on any state wildlife area! 

Collection of Dead Elk: Biologist Johnson and Wildlife Conflict Technicians Keeling and Edmonson collected an elk carcass on private property. The elk was sampled for CWD and information about CWD was provided for the property owner, since they had never heard of it before. They encouraged the property owner to provide samples when they go hunting in the future.

Providing Education and Outreach

Presentation at Pioneer School: Biologist Brinkman visited Pioneer Elementary School in Spokane and gave a presentation on the differences between wildlife and domestic animals and what to do when the students encounter wild animals in their neighborhoods. The presentation was on Halloween, so the students arrived in costumes of their favorite animals.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Administrative Duties: WDFW archaeologists Celano and Armstrong inspected recent prescribed burn sites and sampled soil at planned post hole sites for two gates, at Sherman Creek on Thursday, November 14. The pair was assisted by WDFW Prescription Burn Coordinator Lionberger on their tour of burned locations. Celano reports that they found no archaeological items to report. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

4-O Ranch Wildlife Area Forest Management Project: Wildlife area staff members were notified at the end of the week that the forest management project is under way at the 4-O. Logging machinery that was working on adjacent private property moved in and operations to salvage burned timber and thin other areas identified by WDFW foresters is under way.  

Worm Casting for Grassland Restoration: This week Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Range Specialist Shafer and Wildlife Area Manager Finch went to Otis Orchard to pick up the worm casting BLM purchased to include with the grass/forb mix when seeded. The new drill has three separate boxes. The front box will be used for the forbs, the middle box will be the grass mix, and the back box will be used for the worm casting. The worm will be applied as an experiment to see how it works with the soil and seeding. The worm castings will be applied at a full rate of 14lbs/ac on one third of the 70-acre field, one third of double the rate at 28lbs/ac and one third of the field with no worm castings. BLM Range Specialist Shafer had been doing research on this product and approached Finch about trying this product on the BLM grassland restoration project this fall. 

Forest Habitat Management: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer and Natural Resource Technician Graves traveled to LeClerc Creek Wildlife Area a few times during the week and removed undesirable lodgepole pine from more than 14 acres on a previously thinned site at LeClerc Creek’s half section parcel. 

Lands and Facilities: Biologist Woodall went to the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area to look at the post-burn thinning. He talked to the Bennett Forest Products representative and some of the logging crews. Bennett mentioned that one third of the projected harvest was already blue stained from bark beetles. The mills are not interested in this wood, as it is of no value. Woodall noticed very little regrowth, even after some significant rainfall. 

Swegle Unit Restoration Project: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Natural Resource Technician Jensen spent the week planting in the Stovall fields on the Swegle Unit of the WT Wooten Wildlife Area. Natural Resource Technician Tritt spent two days helping plant. Other Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members who assisted in planting this week include Safety Officer Moynahan, Private Lands Biologist Thorne-Hadley, Communications Specialist Lehman, and Acquisition Specialist Stallinga. A master hunter and an Inland Northwest Wildlife Council volunteer member from Spokane both drove down, and each spent a day assisting with the planting efforts. The week started with 3,000 plants and 2,760 plants were put in the ground. The remaining 240 plants will be planted on Monday morning. 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Grassland Restoration: This weekend Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner worked on the BLM Sandygrin grassland restoration project trying to get the seeding done before the weather changes. Natural Resource Technician Duclos spent all day Tuesday finishing seeding the 70-acre restoration project. After the completion of the seeding project, Wagner and Duclos moved all the equipment back to the Swanson Lakes headquarters. BLM Range Specialist Shafer and BLM Wildlife Biologist Lowe were out to see what extra work they could do with completing some of the grass seeding and worm casting. Both Shafer and Lowe will be out on Friday to pick up some extra grass seed and worm casting to distribute.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Providing Education and Outreach

Other