Region 1 (Eastern) | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

Biweekly report Apr1-15 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Year

2024

Dates

Apr1-15

Division/Region

Region 1 (Eastern)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Golden Eagle Mortality: Biologist Brinkman coordinated with the wildlife program manager from the Spokane Tribe that found a deceased golden eagle with a GPS transmitter on the Spokane Reservation. This coordination also included Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Biologist Vekasy, Wildlife Research Scientist Watson, and a biological consulting organization to determine the owner of the transmitter and learn about the history of the bird. They discovered the bird was marked in 2017 and provided five years of location data before the transmitter stopped functioning. Samples will be submitted to examine lead exposure levels.

Moose Mortality Notification: The moose team received a mortality notification for one of the cow moose collared in February. Biologist Brinkman met with three other WDFW biologists from the moose team to investigate the location of the mortality signal. The cow moose carcass was found intact with no evidence of predator activity. The team of biologists conducted a full field necropsy and collected samples that will be sent to the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab (WADDL) for analysis and determination of cause of death.

Cow moose that was found deceased showing bare skin on the shoulder. — **Cow moose that was found deceased. The bare skin on the shoulder is a sign of heavy tick infestation. Many engorged ticks can be seen along the edge of the bare patch**.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Access Areas: North Region 1 Water Access Area Manager Dziekan and Natural Resource Technician Brant have been busy cleaning access area restrooms in preparation for spring fishing and boating season. The work included picking up litter and cleaning restrooms, and they used backpack blowers to clear the parking areas of pine needles and other debris that accumulated during the winter. Backpack blowing is very much a routine task, but this scale of backpack blowing takes a lot of time.

Fan Lake Access Area entry, before debris removal. — **Fan Lake Access Area entry before debris removal.**

After debris removal. — **Fan Lake Access Area entry after debris removal.**

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Controlled Burning: Wildlife area staff members conducted controlled burns of agricultural fields on Smoothing Iron Ridge. They burned wheat stubble off food plot fields in preparation for weed control and spring plantings. They also burned off a perennial grass field due to increasing ventenata and to stimulate new perennial grass growth for the elk. This project was not completed due to the rain so staff members will need to finish it up once nicer weather arrives.

Prescribed burn fire line. — **Prescribed burn fire line: Natural Resource Specialist Whittaker making a 12-foot fire line with a disc around forage plot fields on Smoothing Iron Ridge.**

Natural Resource Technician Hammons starting an extra layer of fire line protection. — **Natural Resource Technician Hammons starting an extra layer of fire line protection by burning back into the disc line.**

Natural Resource Technician Miesner and wind working together by pushing the fire towards the burnback/disc line. — **Natural Resource Technician Miesner and wind working together by pushing the fire towards the burnback/disc line on the west side of the field.**

Weed Control: Biologist Woodall sprayed parking and access sites on Cloverland and Meyers Ridge roads. He also coordinated with a contractor who completed an aerial spray project for Mediterranean sage.

Aerial Spraying an area of Mediterranean Sage weed. — **Aerial spraying an area of Mediterranean sage weed.**

Tire Cleanup: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman contacted Columbia County Road Department about disposing of approximately 40 tires and a dryer that were picked up along Hartsock Grade by wildlife area staff members. The county covered the transfer station cost to dispose of everything since it is a county road and right-of-way. Tritt hauled the full dump trailer to the Columbia County transfer station and disposed of the tires and dryer.

Noxious Weed Control: Natural Resource Technicians Jensen and Tritt started spraying the field along Oliphant Road for yellow star thistle and houndstongue. They also sprayed weeds in the area of the Rainbow Lake spoils pile and the field by Campground 2. Tritt repaired one of the all-terrain vehicle spray tanks so all three sprayers are now functioning. Wildlife Area Manager Dingman sprayed weeds around the headquarters fields. Dingman set up some monitoring plots in upper Tumalum Creek for future monitoring of noxious weed infestations.

Habitat Planting: Natural Resource Technician Moberg assisted Private Lands Biologist Thorne-Hadley in planting 120 shrubs on private land that is enrolled in an access agreement program. The landowner tagged along and showed us an additional site with a water guzzler that would be an ideal candidate for future habitat work.

Hunting Access Programs: Natural Resource Technician Moberg and Private Lands Biologist Thorne-Hadley investigated a 2,000+ acre property whose owner has expressed interest in joining the private lands access program. Moberg also met with a representative of Puget Sound Energy to learn more about the Columbia County Windfarm Recreation access program.

Habitat Plots and Plantings: Private Lands Biologist Nizer met with a landowner to mow a food plot with the tractor and prepared another site for a planting. Nizer also led a crew to plant 1,700 trees for turkey roosting habitat. In total, there were five volunteers for the Saturday project. Nizer also met with Private Lands Biologist Baarstad to plant 1,000 shrubs on a Hunt by Written Permission property.

One of Three Habitat Food Plots Mowed for Weed Control. — **One of three habitat food plots mowed for weed control.**

Providing Education and Outreach

Trent Elementary: Biologist Brinkman gave a presentation to fifth grade students at Trent Elementary School about moose biology and management in Washington.

Biologist Brinkman teaching fifth grade students. — **Biologist Brinkman explaining to fifth grade students how the consistency of moose scat can vary seasonally based on the food resources available at different times of the year.**

Eagle Scout Project: Wildlife Area Access Manager Dziekan worked with a local boy scout troop to complete an eagle scout project. They installed a personal flotation device loaner station at the Williams Lake Water Access Area.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Riparian Shrub Planting Project: This past week a freight company delivered eight rolls of deer fence that the Spokane Audubon Society purchased for the upcoming riparian winter shrub habitat project at Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area. The Spokane Audubon Society will also be purchasing all the shrubs for the project which makes their total donation over $8,200. The Spokane Chapter of Pheasants Forever will also be involved with their volunteers and funding. There will be approximately 780 trees and shrubs planted and then enclosed with deer fence to protect them from deer and possibly trespassing cattle.

Read more about Biweekly report Apr1-15 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Biweekly report Mar16-31 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Year

2024

Dates

Mar16-31

Division/Region

Region 1 (Eastern)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Necropsy Training: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended a necropsy training conducted by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Veterinarians Drs. Mansfield and Haman, and Pathologist Dr. Oliveira from the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab (WADDL) at Washington State University (WSU). Staff members from several eastside districts and programs attended the class, which included classroom instruction and field necropsies on a variety of species. During the training, Dr. Oliveira performed a necropsy on a bighorn ewe that was collected last week from the Lincoln Cliffs herd.

Wildlife biologists, Spokane Tribe and WDFW enforcement officers participating in a training. — **Wildlife biologists from WDFW and the Spokane Tribe and WDFW enforcement officers participate in a necropsy training exercise.**

Fairchild Airforce Base: Biologist Lowe worked with Habitat Biologist Westerman to review and provide comments for the 2024-2028 Draft Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP) for Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane County.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Eloika Lake Parking Stops: Access Manager Dziekan and Natural Resource Technician Brant traveled to Eloika Lake to replace parking stops that have been crumbling. The first step was to remove the old blocks. Dziekan and Brant used pry-bars to lift the blocks that were in place, and a sledgehammer to loosen up the rebar anchors. They prepped and leveled the site. Then they carefully removed the new parking stops from the dump trailer and placed them where the old stops were originally located. The old rebar was salvaged and was driven into the ground where the old anchors were. The old parking stops were turned into gravel and spread in the parking area on site.

**After the parking blocks were removed at Eloika Lake.**

**Replacing parking blocks at Eloika Lake.**

Wildlife Area Maintenance: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer used a mini excavator to continue cleaning up roads and trails on Bisbee Mountain, at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area. He also started cleaning up the exposed portion of the irrigation system coming off Sherman Creek. He removed leaves and silt and cleaned out the trash rack to ensure the water flows smoothly. This work is in preparation for turning on the seasonal irrigation system and gate opening on April 1.

**Before the road water damage repair.**

**Irrigation ditch: cleaned out at rear, clogged in foreground.**

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Volunteer Opportunities: Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated and setup four volunteer events for registered Whitman County Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife volunteers. Nizer led a crew of eight volunteers to plant 1,700 plants at designated locations on private lands enrolled in the Private Lands Access Program.

**Volunteers Planting 1700 shrubs and trees on private lands.**

Spring Weed Control: Wildlife Area Manager Dice sprayed food plot fields at Joseph Creek in preparation for spring food plot planting. Assistant Wildlife Area Manager Woodall started spraying parking lots with a pre-emergent herbicide that will keep them clean and looking good. This work will continue next week. Natural Resource Technicians Meisner and Hammons spent the whole week spraying emerging Scotch thistles in upland areas at the Halsey Unit.

Dice driving the tractor and spraying fields at Joseph Creek. — **Dice driving the tractor and spraying fields at Joseph Creek in preparation for spring planting projects.**

Noxious Weed Control: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman listened in on the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Project Advisory Committee meeting where they reviewed grant applications and answered questions pertaining to her noxious weed control grant application. The project ranked second on their list to be funded so once the official letter is received the project to spray yellow star thistle in upper Tumalum Creek can move forward.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

General Facilities and Equipment Maintenance and Repairs: Dziekan and Brant inspected their shop and vehicle first aid supplies and ordered more items to have fully stocked kits on hand, both in the shop and for the field.

Asotin Creek Wildlife Area, Smoothing Iron Well Pit: Meisner and Hammons replaced a crumbling concrete well ring near the Smoothing Iron house. The old ring was failing, and it was not safe. They also installed a new concrete top with a manhole making access to well and pump equipment easier.

New concrete riser ring and new concrete lid installed by Meisner and Hammons. — **New concrete riser ring and new concrete lid installed by Meisner and Hammons at the Smoothing Iron house.**

Trainings: Natural Resource Technician Moberg attended the “How to Submit a Safety and Security Incident Report” online training. Moberg updated her First Aid/CPR Certification in Spokane. Additionally, Moberg studied Washington pesticide laws and related regulations for her upcoming pesticide certification test.

Read more about Biweekly report Mar16-31 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Biweekly report Mar1-15 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Year

2024

Dates

Mar1-15

Division/Region

Region 1 (Eastern)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Prairie Grouse: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman conducted a sage grouse lek survey this week to search for any remaining sign of sage grouse on the lek that was used by one male last spring. Unfortunately, no sage grouse were observed. Additionally, they searched the nearby Roseman sharp-tailed grouse lek site and no signs of sharp-tailed grouse were detected.

After conducting prairie grouse lek surveys in the early morning, Biologists Lowe and Brinkman completed a raven and raptor survey that consisted of 16-point counts evenly spaced along a driving route. Each count is performed for ten minutes and sightings of ravens and/or raptors are documented at each site. The intention of these surveys is to document the presence and monitor the trend of avian predators in sharp-tailed grouse habitat.

A gnarled cottonwood tree provides excellent roosting and nesting structure for avian predators. — A gnarled cottonwood tree provides excellent roosting and nesting structure for avian predators in prairie grouse habitat. An active great horned owl nest was found in the left fork of this tree, near the top.

Bighorn Sheep: Biologist Lowe, with assistance from Officer Beauchene, retrieved a bighorn ewe carcass that was reported by a local landowner in Lincoln County. The landowner observed this animal acting somewhat sickly the day prior and then found it deceased the next morning. Because this animal was sick and the carcass is still intact, it provides a good opportunity for the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) in Pullman to conduct a full necropsy to determine the cause of death and examine the animal for signs of illness and/or injuries.

Dead bighorn ewe from the Lincoln Cliffs herd. — Dead bighorn ewe from the Lincoln Cliffs herd found dead by a local landowner. Carcass was retrieved by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff members, and a necropsy will be conducted to determine cause of death and test for disease exposure.

Grizzly Bear Handling Workshop: Wildlife Biologist Prince attended this year’s grizzly bear handling workshop hosted by the University of Montana and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The course covered different drug types used for handling bears, trap types, and many different scenarios for trapping both research and management bears.

Moose Calf Capture: Wildlife Biologist Prince, Ungulate Research Scientist DeVivo, Conflict Specialist Harris, and Wolf Biologist Roussin successfully darted a calf moose with a PVC fitting on its foot. The calf had the PVC on its foot for a few months and this was the second attempt at capturing it. The fitting was removed, and they released the moose on-site.

*Using a multi-tool to remove PVC fitting from immobilized moose calf.*

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Access Area Spring Cleaning: Region 1 Access Manager Dziekan reports spring cleaning with the spring fishing opener on the horizon. Work has begun prepping for spring clean-up projects to get the access areas ready for the public. The weather has been cooperative, which has allowed Dziekan to start running water through the pumps on the truck earlier this season than ever before.

The first, and most time-consuming, task is pressure washing vault toilets. Dziekan and Natural Resource Technician Brant have loaded the pressure washer into the truck and hooked the trash pump up to the pressure washer to be an entirely mobile cleaning unit. It takes a lot of water and about an hour for each toilet, compared to the five to ten minutes it takes for routine cleaning. The first step is bleaching the entire structure, inside and out.

Dziekan purchased a one-gallon sprayer designed specifically for bleach, along with a rain suit that fits Brant to protect his clothing from the bleach. Using about a 5% solution, the crew applies the bleach to the inside and outside of the vault toilet. This works to help remove the moss and mildew buildup on the outside of the structure, and clean and disinfect the inside of the structure.

They started the work at Newman Lake and will focus first on access areas that are open. Then they will move to the ones that haven’t opened for the season.

W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area Campgrounds and Parking Areas: Natural Resource Technicians Jensen and Tritt checked the campgrounds and cleaned up trash. They removed one of the locust trees in Campground 5 that split down the middle and was leaning over a picnic table. Additionally, they constructed buck and rail fence at Campgrounds 1 and 2 to keep the public from driving into areas outside of the campgrounds.

Jensen and Tritt cleaned up trash on the Hartsock Unit. They used the back-blade on the tractor to smooth the gravel in Campground 9 where a member of the public tore it up with what looks like an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). They also removed a tree in Campground 10. A member of the public started to chop it down with a hatchet.

Wildlife Area Maintenance: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer traveled partway up Trout Lake and Bisbee Mountain Road on the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area and used his mini excavator to clear downed trees from roadways. This work is in preparation for spring gate opening on April 1.

*Downed tree removal on Bisbee Mountain Road.*

*After the downed tree removal on Bisbee Mountain Road.*

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Wildlife Conflict: Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman assisted Conflict Specialist Wade and Supervisor Earl in trapping and relocating 16 turkeys for a private landowner in the Clarkston. A second trapping is planned where turkeys are damaging gardens and getting aggressive with local homeowners and residents. About 30 head of mule deer are in the area as well.

*Turkey relocation on the Waverly Wildlife Area.*

Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb and Natural Resource Technician Moberg deployed zon gun cannons to alter elk movement patterns in Columbia County. The elk were not observed in the commercial crop fields following the deployment of the cannons.

*Zon gun cannon deployments in Columbia County.*

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Swegle Unit Restoration Project: Dingman spent the majority of a day at the Swegle Unit restoration project site with several Habitat Program engineers, Restoration Specialist Karl, and staff members from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). The group discussed the portion of the project that puts the West Little Walla Walla River back into a historic channel. They took several elevation points of the area so the Habitat Program engineers can put together drawings that will be used for permitting and putting the contract out to bid.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Administrative Duties: Access Manager Dziekan welcomed his returning career seasonal Natural Resource Technician Brant, back to work this week. Dziekan has already taken Brant into the field and is getting him caught up with required training.

Fence Contractor Meeting: Wildlife Area Manager Finch met with Capital & Asset Program Management (CAMP) Project Manager Johnston and four contractors to instruct them on a self-guided tour of the fence work that will need to be bid on. These contractors will decide which portion of the fence project to bid on and submit their bids within the next several weeks. The work will be in Areas 1 through 4 and includes the fences along Telford Road.

Read more about Biweekly report Mar1-15 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Biweekly report Feb16-28 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Year

2024

Dates

Feb16-28

Division/Region

Region 1 (Eastern)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Moose Capture Effort: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman spent two days working with other Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists to aerially capture and collar moose in District 2. The first day focused on searching and capturing moose in the Spokane West Hunt Area, and the second day moose were captured in both the Mt. Spokane North and South hunt areas. A total of 13 cow moose were captured and collared during those two days of effort (six in Spokane West and seven in Mt. Spokane North/South). This is the first year of a multi-year project to better understand moose population dynamics within their range in northeastern Washington (Districts 1 and 2).

WDFW staff members attaching GPS collars onto a moose — *Biologists Lowe and Roussin, and Wildlife Veterinarian Mansfield work on obtaining samples and attaching a satellite GPS collar to an anesthetized moose in the Mt. Spokane North Hunt Area.*

A helicopter in the distance with a moose in the foreground — Helicopter used during aerial capture effort dropping off the processing team at an anesthetized moose to complete the work-up on this individual. The capture team is dropped off at the moose first to secure the animal and attach a facemask to reduce stress to the animal before the processing team arrives.

Forest Grouse: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman participated in the eastside “wing-bee”, an event where biologists and other Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members examine grouse wings and tails collected from wing barrels during the 2023 forest grouse hunting season. Grouse hunters are asked to deposit a wing and tail from each harvested grouse into these wing barrels. After the hunting season, biologists sort through the wings from each district and identify the species of grouse wing submitted before determining age and sex of the bird, when possible.

WDFW staff members examining a grouse wing on a table — *WDFW staff members examine a grouse wing submitted by a hunter to determine species, age, and sex of the harvested bird.*

A grouse wing — Molt patterns, coloration, and shape of feathers on a grouse wing can provide important information that biologists use to determine species, age, and sex of that individual. This particular wing is from a juvenile male dusky grouse. One of the details used in that determination was the grayish covert feathers that are starting to grow in place of the brownish juvenal feathers.

Hartsock Golden Eagles: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman observed the adult pair flying in the territory and one adult landed in the nest with a stick. This is the first year the pair will be using this nest site and quite a bit of new material has been added to the nest.

Mountain Lions: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman came across video of a female mountain lion with two kittens on the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area headquarters security cameras. The video is from Friday, Feb. 23 at 4:18 a.m.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Early Spring Opener: Region 1 Access Manager Dziekan reports a few access areas have been prepped for the March 1 opener. The access areas that are prepped are Liberty Lake, Deer Lake (District 1), and Amber Lake. The picture below is from Liberty Lake after Dziekan cleaned the toilets. The gate at Liberty Lake has been locked open. The two other access sites do not have gates to lock open.

Bathrooms at an access site — *Liberty Lake Access Site.*

Access Areas: Access Manager Heimgartner serviced access sites at Heller Bar and the Grande Ronde River on Monday. Heimgartner serviced sites at the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area on Thursday. Natural Resource Specialist Whittaker assisted Heimgartner with making a welding repair on his tractor back blade on Thursday afternoon.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb responded to a report of elk damage in the Cheney area. The reporting party was upset about what they described as $10,000 in elk damage to a round bale haystack. Kolb placed 300 feet of netting style electric fence and turbo fladry around the haystack. A zon cannon was also provided to the producer in addition to pyrotechnics.

Covered haystacks — **Non-lethal measures employed around a haystack in an effort to mitigate on-going damage from elk.**

Elk Crop Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris met with a producer in Spokane sustaining damage to haystacks and winter wheat fields from two different elk herds. Harris loaned a paintball gun and bird banger pistol to the producer to aid in their attempts to haze the elk off the haystack at night. Harris also worked with volunteer coordinators to organize a master hunter hazing effort to assist the producer with hazing. Harris and Private Lands Biologist Nizer will meet with the producer next week to discuss Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement and public hunting access for his winter wheat fields.

*Haystack damage caused by elk in Spokane.*

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Boundary Stock Fence: Natural Resource Technician Meisner, Natural Resource Technician Hammons, and Natural Resource Scientist Whittaker continued replacing aging stock fence at Boozier Ridge on the George Creek Unit of the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area. The fence borders a private property ranch with an active grazing program.

A newly constructed wire fence — *New fence at Boozier Ridge.*

An ATV stretching wire for a fence — *Whittaker using All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) winch to stretch wire.*

Gate Found Open: From a tip received over the previous weekend, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer found that the Trout Lake Road winter range gate was open, when it should have still been locked shut. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) lock was also gone. Palmer checked the roads beyond the gate to determine the extent of travel and to ensure no vehicles remained behind the gate. He also finished cutting a tree out of the road, which the illegal accessors had cut just enough to squeeze past. Palmer checked with the Colville National Forest staff members about the gate as well, but they had no knowledge of the gate being opened. The gate is now locked shut with a WDFW lock.

Providing Education and Outreach

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb assisted with the instruction of 14 students who completed their hunter education field day at the Waitsburg Gun Club.

A classroom full of kids — *Students interact with Enforcement Officer Kunz-Pfeiffer during the classroom instruction.*

Students out in a field — *Students evaluate a scenario during the field portion of the class.*

Spokane Great Outdoors and Golf Expo: Region 1 Access Manager Dziekan worked a shift at the Spokane Great Outdoors and Gold Expo over the weekend. Dziekan’s shift lasted about three hours, and it was busy almost the entire time fielding a variety of questions. Conveniently though, most of the questions were regarding access. People wanted to know where to go for different outdoor activities, primarily hunting and fishing.

Biologist Brinkman gave a presentation at the Spokane Great Outdoors Expo about recreating safely in bear and cougar country. The talk was attended by about 40 people.

Brinkman giving a presentation on black bears — *Biologist Brinkman presenting to the public on bear and cougar safety during the Spokane Great Outdoor Expo.*

Grizzly Bear Train the Trainer Workshop: Wildlife Biologist Prince attended a workshop organized by the Selkirk/Cabinet-Yaak IGBC Subcommittee information and education task group. The workshop was led by a communications and outreach specialist from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Workshop participants learned how to deliver bear education to audiences of different ages and identities. They learned why consistency is important in bear education and they received tools and materials to use in educational presentations. Each participant was also able to give a 5-minute presentation using their newly learned skills and receive feedback from the group.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Tucannon U.S. Forest Service Project Tour: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman, Senior Restoration Specialist Karl, and some U.S. Forest Service staff members toured some U.S. Forest Service (USFS) projects on the Tucannon. Dingman and USFS staff members will work together to place large boulders on the property line in the USFS Tucannon Campground where Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife owns land that USFS has been charging people to camp on.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Forest Service staff members reviewed the designs/plans for replacing the Little Tucannon Bridge with a longer-spanning bridge. The new bridge would be raised up to allow for larger flow events in the Little Tucannon without washing the bridge out every time. They reviewed and discussed the proposed large wood structures that will deflect the Tucannon River away from Tucannon Road near the Watson Lake parking area where the road was washed out during the 2020 flood event.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and U. S. Forest Service Annual Meeting: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman participated in the annual meeting of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Umatilla National Forest U.S. Forest Service staff members. These meetings are always a good way to catch up on all of the projects going on and see everyone in person.

Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Facilities: Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer mounted a metal storage box and placed a new Automated Emergency Defibrillator (AED) in it, at the shop at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area. This activity is one result of the early February safety stand-up meeting held at the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area. The other AED will be mounted on a shelf at the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area office once the ordered shelving arrives.

And AED on a wall — *AED and storage box at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area shop. A first aid kit sits on the box.*

Read more about Biweekly report Feb16-28 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Biweekly report Feb1-15 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Year

2024

Dates

Feb1-15

Division/Region

Region 1 (Eastern)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Lynx Monitoring: Wildlife Biologists Prince and Turnock participated in two meetings about lynx monitoring in the Kettle Mountains of northeast Washington. A large effort for monitoring lynx occupancy and snowshoe hare abundance (still in the works) within the Kettles may begin this summer depending on funding and staff availability. Entities involved include the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, U.S. Forest Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington State University, and Conservation Northwest.

Elk Damage: Natural Resource Technician Nizer and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris met with two producers in northeast Whitman County that were having elk damage on their crops. Nizer talked about the access program and how that could help mitigate the elk damage. Harris talked about the Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement (DPCA) and how it works well with an access agreement. Both producers were interested in the program. If they agree to a contract, it will add about 1,000 acres in the Hunt by Reservation Program and 300 acres in the Hunt by Written Permission Program for elk and pheasant hunting access. Nizer will follow up with landowners to see if they want a contract worked up.

Elk: Biologist Brinkman and other biologists from Region 1 traveled to an elk feeding site outside of Ellensburg to participate in immobilization training with Wildlife Veterinarian Mansfield and other WDFW staff members that have extensive experience in capturing ungulates. The purpose of this training was to practice working through the department capture protocols and datasheet that will be used on moose captures next week.

WDFW staff members observing a herd of elk. — WDFW staff members observing a herd of elk, waiting for the immobilization drugs to take effect after darting two individuals.

An immobilized cow elk at a winter feeding site. — An immobilized cow elk at a winter feeding site near Ellensburg. The rest of the herd was observing from a distance. Biologists had already completed their work-up of this animal and had stepped back to allow it to wake up and run away.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Hunter Contact: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade was contacted by a quality elk tag holder. Wade assisted with locating potential areas to hunt during the 2023 muzzleloader season. The hunter reported that he sent teeth from his elk to a lab in Montana to be aged and wanted to share the results. Wade also answered several questions for the hunter regarding potential hunts for the coming year.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Radio Activated Guard Box (RAG) Check: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade traveled to the Grande Ronde to check on the RAG box that was deployed last week, in a feedlot that has had recent wolf activity. The RAG box was functioning properly, and all cattle observed were calm and feeding.

RAG box deployed last week in a feed lot.

Deer Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb received a complaint of deer damage to a cherry orchard in Walla Walla County. A site visit was conducted, and damage permits were issued in an effort to mitigate further damage.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area – Tree Planting: Wildlife Area Manger Dingman and Natural Resource Technician Tritt worked on planting ponderosa pine trees at the Rainbow Lake spoils site. The trees will replace the trees that were removed from the dam on the north end of Rainbow Lake. Two of the staff members at the Tucannon Fish Hatchery stopped by and helped plant the last 12 trees.

Channeled Scablands Habitat Conservation - Outreach Kick-off Meeting: Wildlife Area Finch attended a meeting regarding the Channel Scablands habitat conservation. The purpose for the meeting was to discuss the next steps for wetland habitat conservation after the Waterfowl Spring Migration Survey and Report project in the eastern Washington Channeled Scablands. Everyone that attended the meeting was trying to come up with ideas for how to advertise conservation to private landowners. They want it to be appealing for landowners to develop their property for habitat conservation for waterfowl migration.

Providing Education and Outreach

Bear Outreach and Education: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended the second Grizzly Bear Information, Education and Outreach Summit in Coeur d’Alene Idaho. The workshop included 120 participants from several state and federal agencies, two provinces, non-profits, businesses, county representatives, and community members.

Public School Visit: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer conducted an annual visit to the Kettle Falls Elementary School, to teach 4^th grade students about wildlife interactions. The entire grade of about 50 kids was broken up into four groups: Eagle, Wolf, Cougar, and Deer, where they learned about their animal’s life history.

4^th Grade Animal Experts: Wildlife Biologists Prince, Turnock, Bennett, and Palmer served as experts to 4^th graders at Kettle Falls Elementary School. They shared information and answered questions about bald eagles, cougars, white-tailed deer, and wolves.

Waikiki Springs Eagle Scout Project: Access Manager Dziekan met with a boy scout to sign off on a project proposition so that the scout troop can begin working on it. This project has been in the works for some time now. With Dziekan’s signature agreeing to the project, the boy scout will begin building and installing an informational kiosk at Waikiki Springs Wildlife Area. This kiosk will be installed at the lower portion of the wildlife area to compliment the kiosk at the trail head, which was also an Eagle Scout project. The boy scout has the funding secured to purchase the materials. Once the scout has acquired everything that is needed, Dziekan will schedule a time for the scout and a trusted adult, since the scout is under 18, to meet at the WDFW Region 1 shop and use the workspace and tools to build this kiosk.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Equipment Maintenance: On Feb. 1, Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer turned over two old snowmobiles to the gentleman who bought them from state surplus. Palmer also changed the oil filter on one of the newer snowmobiles assigned to Sherman Creek Wildlife Area.

Palmer helping a buyer load up his snowmobiles.

Read more about Biweekly report Feb1-15 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Biweekly report Jan16-31 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Year

2024

Dates

Jan16-31

Division/Region

Region 1 (Eastern)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Bighorn Sheep: Biologist Brinkman received a report from a member of the public that had discovered a collared bighorn sheep that had died in the Lincoln Cliffs area. The sheep was presumed to have been killed and eaten by a cougar, the reporting party observed tracks around the kill site and took pictures that were verified by Biologist Brinkman.

Although the kill looked relatively fresh, the carcass was almost completely consumed. The skull was still intact, as was the collar. The remains were collected by the reporting party and were dropped off at the regional office in Spokane. Upon receiving the collar, Biologist Lowe searched the bighorn collar database for the Lincoln Cliffs herd and determined that this ewe was collared as an adult in 2015.

Remains of a female bighorn sheep from the Lincoln Cliffs herd. — Remains of a female bighorn sheep from the Lincoln Cliffs herd that was likely preyed upon by a cougar.

Tucannon Bighorn Sheep Herd: A ewe with a GPS collar was sending off a mortality signal and had a cluster of points in one spot. Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Natural Resource Technician Tritt located her and determined the collar was malfunctioning. The ewe was standing up and feeding and looked healthy. Later in the week Dingman found 12 of the 13 sheep in the Tucannon herd. The one half-curl ram is still missing.

Deer Road Surveys: Biologist Vekasy compiled summaries of post-hunt deer surveys for District 3. District staff members counted and classified 1,353 mule deer for a buck to100 doe ratio of 0.19 and a fawn to100 doe ratio of 0.55. Incidental to mule deer counts, we also counted and classified 406 white-tailed deer for a buck to100 doe ratio of 0.28 and fawn to100 doe ratio of 0.62. Mule deer buck ratios were lower than the previous 5-year mean but within the 95% Confidence Interval (CI), while fawn ratios were higher than the 5-year mean but also within the 95% CI. White-tailed ratios for both buck and fawn were both above the 5-year means but within the 95% CIs.

Bighorn Sheep Capture: Vekasy worked with District Biologist Wik to dart bighorn sheep lambs in the Asotin Creek herd. Lambs are being collared to detect adolescent movements of bighorns, providing new information for risk-management models for contact with domestic sheep and goat herds. In addition, the recent detection of M. ovi. in bighorn sheep from multiple Hells Canyon herds makes disease testing a priority.

Swan: Biologist Brinkman received a swan carcass that was found by a hunter while waterfowl hunting. This was the only bird carcass found in the area, veterinary staff members decided to not test for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at this time. However, if additional bird carcasses are discovered in that area, tests will be conducted to determine if a localized HPAI outbreak may have occurred.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Recreation Access Site Maintenance: Maintenance Mechanic Heimgartner and Natural Resource Technician Nielsen cleaned and serviced access areas across the district.

Photo by WDFW

Sportsman Contacts: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade spoke with two muzzleloader elk hunters this week and assisted them with identifying a potential area to hunt. One hunter contacted Wade to let him know that he had successfully harvested a cow elk on a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Register to Hunt area, Wade had recommended. Wade assisted the hunter with contacting the owner of the property to gain vehicle access to the property so that the hunter could retrieve the elk. The hunter thanked Wade and Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman for their information sharing and assistance.

Hunting Access: Private Lands Biologist Hadley spoke to a gentleman regarding hunting access for next upland bird season. He was looking for properties to hunt with his daughter. Hadley recommended several access sites in Walla Walla and Columbia County and forwarded information of a couple local hunting chapters that have a strong youth program and women program to see if his daughter would be interested. He was very appreciative.

Sign removal: Private Lands Biologist Hadley began removing access signs on a property that was recently removed from a Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife hunting access program in Columbia County.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Wild Game Retrieval: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill picked up a dead buck deer and a dead bull moose calf from two different properties in Ferry County. The carcasses were transported to the Wildlife Health Lab at the Spokane Regional Office and will be used at an upcoming necropsy training.

Cougar Sighting: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill followed up on a series of cougar sightings in Springdale. Upon speaking to the reporting party, Samsill determined that they had never actually seen a cougar but believed a cougar was frequenting their property based on grainy security camera footage and tracks. Although Samsill was unable to view the videos the reporting party referred to, pictures of tracks indicated that a large dog was frequenting the property instead of a cougar.

Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb spoke with a Spokane County landowner about on-going elk damage to a haystack. Advice was provided and the producer is considering entering into a Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement

Wolf Non-Lethals: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb responded to a proactive request for non-lethal support from a Columbia County producer who will start calving soon. The calving pastures are within the Columbia pack territory and the producer has experienced wolf-livestock interactions in previous years. Kolb dropped off foxlights and offered to help set up fladry once calves start hitting the ground.

Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill responded to the report of elk consuming and damaging haystacks in Fruitland. Samsill performed a site visit and provided the producer with a landowner kill permit. Samsill offered to erect electric fencing around the haystack, however the producer decided to stack unwanted moldy hay bales around the hay he intends to feed to his livestock.

This acted as a barrier to prevent elk from reaching the quality hay inside. The producer requested additional damage permits. Samsill informed the producer that a Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement for Crop Damage (DPCA) contract would need to be signed and the producer would need to commit to a hunting access option before additional permits could be issued. The producer agreed to sign a DPCA and asked to be added to the landowner access list for elk and turkey hunting.

Stuck Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb was contacted by Wildlife Services concerning a deer stuck on a landing at Lower Monumental Dam. Kolb contacted the Corps of Engineers and coordinated dam access. The location of the deer impacted contracted work plans at the dam. Numerous Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Corps of Engineers staff members assisted with the effort. The deer was removed from the landing and scheduled work was able to be resumed.

Clarkston Deer Call: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade responded to two deer calls this week. The first call was a report of a deer that was deceased in an absentee homeowner’s lawn. When Wade contacted the homeowner, they had already arranged to have the carcass removed. The second call was a report of a deer that was unable to stand. Wade and Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman responded to the area to evaluate the deer. They determined that euthanizing the deer and removing the carcass for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sampling was the best course of action. Upon further inspection, it was determined that the deer was infested by ticks. Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman collected CWD samples and disposed of the carcass.

Haystack Damage: Natural Resource Technician Harris followed up on a complaint of elk damage to a haystack in Ferry County. The producer reported that they had setup their own electric fence around the haystack to protect it from the elk, but the elk managed to destroy the fence beyond repair. Harris issued a kill permit and loaned the producer an electric fence kit to protect the haystack from further losses.

Damage to Ferry County haystack caused by elk.

Asotin County Wolf Activity: Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman responded with Supervisor Wade to a potential depredation in the Grande Rhonde area. The Radio Active Guard (RAG) Box was deployed, and Foxlights were put up at several locations.

The Radio Active Guard (RAG) Box was deployed.

Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Lands and Facilities Check: Natural Resource Technicians Meisner and Hammons cut up and cleared some dead trees that had succumbed from the Lick Creek fire and came down in a windstorm. The trees blocked access and made a mess. Wade also checked the Smoothing Iron house and placed a trail camera in Warner Gulch.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Grant Applications: Natural Resource Technician Nizer followed up with Pheasants Forever Spokane Chapter to give them more information about a site that could be a great habitat planting area. Nizer gave pictures of the site as well as a report that was taken during a site evaluation.

Natural Resource Technician Nizer applied for an internal grant for turkey habitat that was applied for last year and requested more funding to continue habitat work for roosting, nesting, and brood rearing habitat. The total amount requested for the project was $5,000. Maps were created through GIS of the updated planting areas.

General Facilities and Equipment Maintenance and Repairs: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer spent a good amount of time plowing snow at the wildlife area headquarters. Between six and ten inches of snow fell between Tuesday and Friday in Spokane and northeastern Washington. North Region 1 Access Area Manager Dziekan spent a fair bit of time removing snow from parking lots at access areas and the Region 1 headquarter facilities, and Dziekan made sure sidewalks were ice-free.

Plowing snow at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area facilities.

Administrative Duties: Dziekan began the process of updating specifications for his career seasonal employee, changing term length from six months to nine months. The change will provide more stability for the Incumbent Natural Resource Technician Brant but it is also beneficial to Research Scientist DeVivo.

Brant will still be working with Dziekan on access areas for six months out of the year, and for the other three months he will be doing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance work. With the term change, DeVivo won’t have to worry about recruiting candidates for a three-month position, but will already have an employee onboarded, trained, and ready to sample.

Brant will get some biology work that he can put on his resume to go with his new biology degree. This will help make him more able to meet his career goal of becoming a biologist. So far, Dziekan has created a ticket to change the season length, and he has received approval from Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP) for the change, which will come with no loss of off-season benefits.

Other

W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area: Natural Resource Technician Jensen found a postcard from 1942 for sale on eBay that is a photo of the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area taken just north of the headquarters. Wildlife Area Manager Dingman was able to get the postcard photo enlarged and printed on metal to hang in the W.T. Wooten headquarters.

Picture of W.T. Wooten Wildlife area 1942.

Photo by WDFW

Read more about Biweekly report Jan16-31 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Biweekly report Jan1-15 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Year

2024

Dates

Jan1-15

Division/Region

Region 1 (Eastern)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Golden Eagles: Biologist Lowe attended a meeting to learn about a tool developed by Research Scientist Watson and GIS Analyst Jansen to predict landscape use by breeding golden eagles. The tool is intended to be used for evaluating wind power development in Washington.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Rogersburg Road: Access Technician Nielsen used the access John Deere 2502R tractor to grade and make repairs to Rogersburg Road along the lower Grande Ronde River. Several neighboring landowners complimented Steve on his good work!

Asotin Creek Wildlife Area Shooting Range: Heimgartner and Nielsen used the access program dump trailer and 2025R John Deere tractor to spread gravel at the parking area for the shooting range. One load of gravel was hauled up from the Clarkston Shop and the other two came from a stockpile at the mouth of Dry Gulch. Heimgartner and Nielsen also installed new fire rings at the Black Butte access site and swimming hole site near Joseph Creek Road.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

W. T. Wooten Wildlife Area: Natural Resource Technician Tritt checked the elk fence along the Mountain Road for trees over the fence after the severe winds in the area this week.

Reported Wolf Activity: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb responded to a complaint of a wolf being observed in a 200-acre calving pasture in Columbia County. Non-lethal deterrents were deployed and Kolb will check in with the producer and monitor the pasture during calving operations.

One of numerous fox lights installed around a large calving pasture in Columbia County.

Cougar Depredation: Natural Resource Technician Harris and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill responded to a complaint from a landowner that has had a total of six goats go missing over the last two months, three of which had disappeared over the weekend. Harris and Samsill investigated and determined that a cougar was responsible for the most recent disappearances. Harris and Samsill coordinated with Stevens County Sheriff's Office to deploy hounds and removed an adult tom. DNA and tooth samples were collected, and the cougar carcass was donated.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Fence Repair: Technicians Hammons and Meisner started the week checking a hot spot in the elk fence where they know trees will soon fall on it and it will need repaired. No trees have fallen yet. On Tuesday, Hammons and Meisner removed about 200 yards of high-tensile fence wire near the Cougar Creek access site that was broken and hanging loose. The wire was replaced with a barbed wire and stretched tight on the existing posts. Access Technician Nielsen assisted at Cougar Creek. They also continued fence work on Bonneville Power Administration funded lands at Stringtown Gulch and Long Gulch.

Cougar Creek Fence Repair. — Cougar Creek fence repair.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Entry Road Maintenance: This week Wildlife Area Manager Finch graded the 1-mile road coming into the shop area and the short road going to the office. Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Rimmelspacher used the new rock rake to smooth the road surfaces and kick the rocks off to the side of the road after grading. The finish surface turned out extremely smooth with no washboards.

Swanson Lake Wildlife Area entry road. — Swanson Lake Wildlife Area entry road after grading and rock rake.

Dog Training Meeting: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman participated in a meeting with biologists and enforcement to discuss the new program for issuing permits to let hunters with hound dogs run mountain lions to train their dogs. Areas on the wildlife areas in south-east Washington were agreed on where this could take place.

Equipment Maintenance: With Dziekan’s assistance, Palmer took possession of a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife internally surplused snowmobile in Spokane on Tuesday. He spent half a day Wednesday conducting maintenance and repairs on the new sled. This is the second newer used sled Palmer has recently picked up. He will be surplusing two much older sleds from their current location at the wildlife area.

Helicopter Capture Tabletop Exercise: Staff members that will be participating in the 2024 Northeast moose captures (including Biologists Turnock and Prince) participated in an exercise designed to prepare staff for potential scenarios during a helicopter capture. The exercise was extremely helpful and identified a few needs for agency training.

Snowmobile Training: Wildlife Biologists Turnock, Prince, and Ungulate Research Scientist DeVivo participated in the Forest Service’s snowmobile training in the Methow Valley. The training was extremely useful and all three feel much more comfortable operating snowmobiles as a result of the training.

DeVivo and Turnock after practicing getting unstuck.

Helicopter Capture Tabletop Exercise: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman participated in a tabletop exercise with staff members involved in upcoming moose captures in Districts 1 and 2. The exercise involved working through potential emergency scenarios and responses during an aerial capture and was very helpful.

Voluntary Public Access – Habitat Incentive Program: Natural Resource Technician Nizer reviewed payable contracts enrolled in Hunt by Reservation or Feel Free to Hunt to see how much is expected to be paid out this year. The total number of payables was sent to Private Lands Section Manager McCanna. Nizer also gave updates on Voluntary Public Access – Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) new contracts and what habitat work has been done this last year.

Equipment Maintenance Cross-Program Coordination: Sherman Creek Hatchery staff members used the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area shop for two days, performing boat maintenance and repairs.

Read more about Biweekly report Jan1-15 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Biweekly report Dec16-31 2023 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Year

2023

Dates

Dec16-31

Division/Region

Region 1 (Eastern)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Bear Trap Removal: Wildlife Biologist Prince removed a bear trap that was set up over the weekend in an effort to trap an orphaned bear discovered by a local resident. The bear cub was feeding on and bedding underneath a deer carcass outside of Metaline Falls. Unfortunately, the bear was not seen on camera or captured.

Sharp-tailed Grouse: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended a planning meeting with staff members that will be involved in translocating sharp-tailed grouse from British Columbia to Washington in the spring.

Grouse and Shrubsteppe Songbird Species Lead Atamian demonstrated the process of attaching netting to sharp-tailed grouse funnels for walk-in traps so that Biologists Lowe and Brinkman can assist with preparing traps for the capture effort in British Columbia.

Process of building funnels for walk-in traps. Netting gets stretched taut using pins, and then gets attached to the metal frame of the funnel using small hog ring pliers.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Spokane Moose: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris responded to a report of a cow moose that has been stuck inside a fenced property since Christmas. The property is 50 acres of forested land that is surrounded by 6-foot-tall chain link fencing. Harris and the reporting party attempted to herd the moose towards an open gate without success. The moose appears to be in good health and has adequate access to food and water on the property. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff members will continue to monitor the situation.

Despite hazing attempts, the moose was not willing to leave the property.. — Despite hazing attempts, the moose was not willing to leave the property.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Timber Management: For a third week in a row, Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer spent two days at LeClerc Creek Wildlife Area. He used a pole-style brush cutter to remove undesirable lodgepole pines from regrowth areas that had been previously thinned. On Tuesday, he had volunteer help from Access Manager Dziekan, Conflict Specialist Harris, and Private Lands Biologist Baarstad. Wednesday, he was assisted by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Research Scientist DeVivo, Lands Agent Stallinga, and Biologist Westacott. Over just two days of work, Palmer and his crews cleaned up 28.5 acres of land. Thanks to all the volunteers who showed up to lend a hand!

Thinning crew. — Thinning crew from Tuesday (left to right) Dziekan, Harris and Baarstad.

Private Lands Agent Stallinga volunteeered to assist with the thinning on Wednesday.

Research Scientist Devivo and Biologist Westacott also lent a hand with the thinning project.

Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer was able to assist with the thinning project.

Before thinning out lodgepole pine at LeClerc Wildlife Area.

After thinning out lodgepole pine at LeClerc Wildlife Area.

Prescribed Burn Planning: Private Lands Biologist Nizer is in the planning process for a prescribed burn on a property enrolled in the Hunt by Reservation Program. Nizer reached out to Department of Ecology for permits regarding the burn.

Prescribed burn location for February or March.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

New Rock Rake: This week, Wildlife Area Manager Finch and Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Rimmelspacher worked on blading the one-mile entry road coming into the office complex. After the rain the following day, Finch and Rimmelspacher tried out the new rock rake for the first time. The new rock rake did an excellent job on the road, and it may take the place of grading the road at certain times and conditions.

Rimmelspacher blading entry road into office. — Rimmelspacher blading the entry road into office.

The new rock rake for entry road. — The new rock rake for the entry road.

Other

Cultural Resource Survey: Archeologist Davis visited the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area this week to dig the holes for a cultural resources survey on the site where a new pole building will be built at the Wooten headquarters. Wooten staff members assisted with digging the survey holes. While the archeologist was on site, he dug a couple test holes where the new irrigation well will be drilled to save Capital Asset Management Program staff members from having to come back to the site for an additional survey.

Tritt assisting Archeologist Davis with shovel probes for the cultural resources survey. — Tritt assisting Archeologist Davis with shovel probes for the cultural resources survey at the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area headquarters where the new pole building will be constructed.

Read more about Biweekly report Dec16-31 2023 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Biweekly report Dec1-15 2023 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Year

2023

Dates

Dec1-15

Division/Region

Region 1 (Eastern)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Columbia Basin Mule Deer: Biologist Brinkman conducted an additional ground-based mule deer survey around Rock Lake in District 2. Ground surveys are also conducted in Districts 4, 5, and 7, and are used to estimate post-season herd composition (for example fawn to doe and buck to doe ratios) for three subherds across the Columbia Basin. Aerial surveys continued this week for the Odessa subherd in parts of Lincoln and eastern Grant counties for population estimation. Biologists Lowe and Brinkman and Eastside Ungulate Specialist Bundick were able to fly a day and a half of surveys between periods of rain, snow, and heavy fog this week.

Adult mule deer buck observed during a recent ground-based deer survey near Odessa.

Coyote observed hunting for rodents in Whitman County.

Male ring-necked pheasant perched in a shrub alongside the road near Rock Lake.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Hunter Success: Private Lands Biologist Nizer received a harvest report from a hunter that hunted on Columbia Plataea Wildlife Management Association land. The hunter shot it on the last day of the late muzzleloader season.

Harvest Picture from a Hunter on a Hunt by Written Permission Property. — Harvest picture from a hunter on a hunt by written permission property.

Turnbull Hunt By Reservation Success: Private Lands Biologist Nizer received a harvest report from a hunter that hunted on the hunt by reservation Turnbull Wildlife Refuge Long Lake Hunt.

Successful Turkey Hunter on the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge Long Lake Hunt. — Successful turkey hunter on the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge Long Lake Hunt.

Access Site Maintenance: Access staff members went to Heller Bar and Joseph Creek on Monday to clean restrooms and pick up litter. They power washed and painted the walls of the toilets at Heller Bar. They also removed litter and leaves. They cleaned access sites across the district and checked the shooting range.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Whitman County Elk: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb responded to a complaint in southern Whitman County concerning 300 elk that were destroying fences, pasture ground, and commercial crops. Kolb conducted a site visit with the producer. The producer agreed to enter into a Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement for additional tools and resources to address the on-going damage.

Cloverland Elk: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade spent one day in the Cloverland area after receiving a report that a large herd of elk had been seen in the area. Wade located roughly 100 head of elk in the area where they were reported. The elk were in a non-crop area and muddy conditions in the area were not conducive to hazing. Wade and Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman monitored the elk and will start hazing when conditions approve.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Water Trough Escape Ladders: Natural Resource Technician Meisner spent the week replacing rotten escape ladders in water troughs scattered across the wildlife area. The old steel ladders rusted out and were not useable for birds or small mammals. Without the ladders, they could become trapped and perish in the water troughs. The new ladders are aluminum versus steel so they will have a longer lifespan. The design is essentially a metal mesh that angles down into the water. When birds or small mammals fall into the water, they can climb out. He also checked winter gate closures and facilities.

Habitat Plantings: Private Lands Biologist Hadley planted shrubs on a Feel Free to Hunt access site in Walla Walla County and met with a member of the Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever Chapter to plan volunteer dates. They plan to plant shrubs and do other site prep work on multiple Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife contracted access sites in Columbia and Walla Walla counties. Private Lands Biologist Hadley contacted landowners to notify them of planned work dates.

Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) Grant Planning Meeting: This week Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Rimmelspacher and Wildlife Area Manager Finch attended monthly meeting of the Spokane Chapter of Pheasant Forever in Spokane. Spokane Audubon Haggin and ALEA Grant Manager Thorburn were present at the meeting to discuss the terms of the grant. The purpose of the meeting was to plan the winter riparian shrub planting that will take place in the Lake Creek Drainage on the east side of Z-Lake. In September, Rimmelspacher placed a shrub order that included over 750 trees and shrubs. Shrub matting will be used along with deer fencing to protect the plants. The estimated time for planting will be mid-April of 2024. The Bureau of Land Management has done very similar work in the same drainage over the last few years and has been very successful.

Camp Wooten Environmental Learning Center: State Parks staff members completed the project at Camp Wooten to put the creek, that comes out of the draw behind the park, back into its historic channel where it will by-pass the park to the north and reduce the risk of gulley-washers damaging anymore of the buildings. Dingman used some leftover seed to seed the disturbed areas for State Parks.

Camp Wooten ELC hardened crossing. — Camp Wooten Environmental Learning Center hardened crossing where the creek was put back into its historic channel to the north of the camp.

More photos of the Camp Wooten Wildlife Area project.

Photo by WDFW

North Spokane Natural Area Corridor: There is a lot happening behind the scenes near Waikiki Springs Wildlife Area, located along the Little Spokane River on the north edge of the city of Spokane. The Spokane Tribe of Indians (STOI) recently purchased some land near the Inland Northwest Lands Council’s (INLC) Nature Preserve. The Inland Northwest Lands Council’s land lies adjacent to the wildlife area. Washington State Parks Department is also working on acquiring about 1,000 acres, called the Glen Tana property, in the same general area. With these new acquisitions, there will be a natural area corridor connecting Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Waikiki Springs Wildlife Area, INLC’s Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve, the STOI property, a chunk of Kalispel Tribe property next to their golf course, Washington State Parks’ Glen Tana property, and Riverside State Park.

Dziekan and Regional Wildlife Program Manager Robinette represented Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in a meeting about management of these publicly accessible parcels. Representatives from the four other organizations, State Parks, INLC, STOI, and the Kalispel Tribe also attended. After a general introduction, they discussed how each organization currently manages its lands in the area, and how future partnerships between all five organizations can improve habitat management and possibly bring about co-management of these lands.

Providing Education and Outreach

Waikiki Springs Presentation: On Thursday, Dec. 7, North Region 1 Access Areas Manager Dziekan gave a brief presentation at the closing portion of the Lands Division meeting in Ellensburg. He discussed the unique status of Waikiki Springs Access Area, which is used more like a city park and is being transitioned into a wildlife area.

Access Manager Dziekan discussing Waikiki Springs at Lands Division Workshop.

Volunteer Coordination: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb conducted the final coordination with a Washington State University wildlife ecology student before they started their volunteer work in District 3. The student will have volunteer opportunities in every Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife program during their work period.

Read more about Biweekly report Dec1-15 2023 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Biweekly report Nov16-30 2023 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Year

2023

Dates

Nov16-30

Division/Region

Region 1 (Eastern)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Bighorn Sheep: Biologists Wik and Vekasy spent the last two weeks capturing six-month-old bighorn lambs along the Grande Ronde River as part of a new monitoring effort. This effort has been assisted by the new Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife District Biologist Wolf, the new Idaho Fish and Game Technician Scott, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Wildlife Manager Wildbill, and Nez Perce Tribe Wildlife Manager Kash Kash. This collaborative effort has resulted in 20 bighorn lambs being captured and fitted with GPS collars. They hope to better understand how young animals are using the landscape. With healthy bighorns along the Grande Ronde exhibiting rapid population growth, the risk of dispersing animals is poorly understood.

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. — Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Wildlife Manager Wildbill and Nez Perce Tribe Manager Kash Kash monitoring the recovery of a newly collared lamb.

Two sedated bighorn lambs that became anesthetized within two feet of each other.

Grouse: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended the annual Sage and Sharp-tailed Grouse Workshop in Ellensburg. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff members, partners from other agencies, universities, tribes, and non-government agencies participated in the meeting to discuss grouse populations statewide. There were presentations regarding the status of the birds on different properties, discussions about translocation efforts, and updates on solar and wind development projects that could impact habitat for grouse.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris collected a CWD sample from a buck harvested in GMU 117.

Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman collected CWD samples from area Department of Transportation collection pits and relayed calls to other team members for pits in their areas. Roadkill opportunities are remaining constant.

Private Lands Biologist Nizer went to a hunter’s camp to take CWD samples from two deer, one white-tail buck and one mule deer doe.

Bighorn Sheep: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman completed an aerial survey of the Lincoln Cliffs bighorn sheep herd. Low fog delayed the start of the flight, but the weather eventually cleared enough to complete the survey. GPS locations of each observed group were recorded, and the biologists subsequently counted the total number of individuals in each group as well as the group composition (including the number of ewes, lambs, and different age classes of rams).

Large group of bighorn sheep trotting through wheat stubble. — Large group of bighorn sheep trotting through wheat stubble during an aerial population survey of the Lincoln Cliffs herd.

Columbia Basin Mule Deer: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman conducted six ground-based mule deer surveys in Lincoln and Whitman counties. Ground surveys were also conducted in Districts 4, 5, and 7. The surveys are used to estimate post-season herd composition including fawn to doe and buck to doe ratios for three subherds across the Columbia Basin. This year, aerial surveys are also being conducted for the Odessa subherd in parts of Lincoln and eastern Grant counties for population estimation. Biologist Brinkman and biologists from Districts 4 and 5 were able to fly three and a half days of surveys in between periods of heavy fog this week. Ground and aerial surveys will continue next week.

Mule deer observed in a frosty wheat field. — Mule deer observed in a frosty wheat field in southern Whitman County.

Mule deer congregate on a pivot crop field in southwest Lincoln County.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Columbia Plateau Wildlife Management Association: Private Lands Biologist Nizer met with Columbia Plateau Wildlife Management Association President Lubey, past President Hinkle, and a new landowner to sign a contract for 1,000 acres in the Hunt by Written Permission Program. Nizer worked with District Wildlife Biologist Lowe to discuss additional tags that could be issued for the upcoming season because of the added acreage. Nizer also added the new property into the private lands hunting opportunities so that it will be available to the public on the agency hunt planner app.

Columbia Plateau Wildlife Management Association Incentive Tag: Private Lands Biologist Nizer spoke with the Columbia Plateau Wildlife Management Association about an additional incentive cow tag for landowners specifically joining the Hunt by Written Permission Program or to retain landowners in the program. Nizer worked with District Biologist Lowe to see if this would be feasible for the upcoming season setting.

Turnbull Meeting Preparation: Private Lands Biologist Nizer gathered statistics on the first turkey reservation season on the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge. Nizer also reached out to hunters that hunted the Long Lake reservation to determine their success rate. While not many harvested, a good number of them heard or saw turkeys in the area. Nizer will bring these statistics to his meeting with Turnbull Wildlife Manager Moroney next week. Nizer will be meeting to discuss additional hunt areas for the 2024 fall turkey season.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Asotin Creek Wildlife Area – Weatherly Unit Elk Fence Repair: All Asotin Creek Wildlife Area staff members spent the majority of the week making repairs to the elk fence at Weatherly. Wind-fall trees, rotten posts, loose staples are a chronic problem. So far, staff members have spent two full work weeks on the fence beginning at Mountain Road. They have not finished repairs and anticipate it will take all the short week next week and the week after Thanksgiving to finish.

Trees on fence next to area logged by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Notice the orange mark on the tree which indicates it was a leave tree when logged. Several “leave” trees have hit the fence.

More wind-blown leave trees on the elk fence.

Nielsen, Heimgartner, and Hammons installing new wire on the Weatherly Unit.

Rotten posts replaced near Iron Springs Road.

Depredation Investigation: Staff members investigated an injured steer calf which had grazed in Columbia County over the summer and fall. The determination of the investigation was unconfirmed because there was no clear evidence as to what caused the injury.

Staff members investigated four dead sheep and ten injured sheep in Columbia County. The determination of the investigation was a confirmed non-wild wolf depredation event by a domestic dog.

Asotin Creek Wildlife Area Weatherly Elk Fence Repairs: Wildlife area staff members continued making repairs to the elk fence on the Weatherly Unit. Most of the work this week involved repairing broken rock jacks and hammering in loose staples. Staff members have two miles of fence to go over and hope to complete repairs by the end of the month.

Meisner and Hammons measuring, cutting, and setting a new rock jack.

Producer Contacts: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade was in contact with a Grouse Flats producer this week to discuss the producers lower than normal return rate. The producer also reported that he believed that many of his cows were not breed when they shouldn’t have been. Wade recommended that the producer explore filing an indirect loss claim and put the producer in touch with Statewide Wildlife Conflict Analyst Todd.

Cougar Depredation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris investigated a dead goat that was reported to have been killed over the weekend. Based on evidence found on scene and sightings reported by the landowner, Harris determined that the goat had been killed by a cougar. Harris coordinated with Stevens County Sheriff's Office and a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife contracted hound hunter to deploy a cell camera. The cougar did not return the next night and the landowner removed the goat carcass for disposal.

Forest Management: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer, Natural Resource Specialist Zueger, and Access Manager Dziekan removed undesirable lodgepole pines at the West Branch parcel of LeClerc Creek Wildlife Area on Thursday. This work followed a test run the previous week. The trio used Sherman Creek Wildlife Area’s new Echo brand pole-style tools with brush-cutter blades. Lodgepole pine seedlings and saplings were cut, leaving tree species that should be on the site. Leave trees included primarily ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and western larch, along with some Engelmann spruce and western white pine. With the three staff members working one day plus Palmer putting in a couple hours earlier in the week, they cleaned up about 20 acres of land.

Before and after, LeClerc Creek Wildlife Area. — Before LeClerc Creek Wildlife Area. Zueger is seen using the trimmer.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Swegle Unit – Noxious Weed Control: Natural Resource Technicians Tritt and Jensen met Maintenance Mechanic Heimgartner and Access Technician Nielsen at the Swegle Unit of the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area. They worked on mowing kochia and Russian thistle skeletons, piling them, and hauling them to the landfill in the dump trailer. A total of four loads were hauled this week, making a grand total of 13 loads of kochia and Russian thistle skeletons hauled to the landfill so far this fall. Jensen sprayed the cheatgrass in Stovall Field while they were on the site.

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Seeding: Private Lands Biologist Nizer reached out to a local producer who is enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and seeded about two acres of native grass seed mix. The stand should stay dormant for the winter, and with good moisture they should sprout up in the spring. Nizer used the Tye no-till drill. The drill was the perfect size for the smaller project.

Drill and tractor seeding a small Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program project.

Spring Plantings: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris met with the Stevens County Conservation District to discuss plans for a riparian restoration project at the Vetter Farm. Harris put in an order for trees and shrubs to be planted next spring.

Habitat Plantings: Private Lands Biologist Hadley planted shrubs on two Feel Free to Hunt properties located in Walla Walla County. Hadley contacted the local Pheasants Forever chapter habitat chairman to discuss volunteer opportunities to assist. Hadley also coordinated with the Pheasants Forever biologist in Ephrata to meet and work with her.

Revere Wildlife Area Wetland Enhancement Project: Wildlife Area Manager Finch was able to meet Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Archeologist Davis at the Revere Wildlife Area wetland project site. Phase 3 of the project was funded through a North America Wetlands Conservation Act and Ducks Unlimited grant. The purpose of the grant is to scrape off the heavy infestation of bulrush and to get more open water. Finch was able to explain the project to Archeologist Davis and fly the drone over the area to get some aerial photos.

Revere Wildlife Area wetland project- dense bulrush.

Asotin Creek/Chief Joseph Winter Gate Closures: Wildlife area staff members began closing winter closure gates just before midnight on Thursday. Wildlife Area Manager Dice closed the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area gates on Lick Fork and South Fork roads. He also closed U.S. Forest Service gates at the top of Smoothing Iron and Pinkham Butte. The gate at the top of Lick Creek was already shut by Forest Service staff members. Woodall closed the ATV access gate at Green Gulch on Thursday and attempted to close the winter gate on Cougar Creek Road. He did not close Cougar Creek due to someone having a camp in the Autry Campground and another vehicle parked near one of our gates. There is a late muzzleloader deer season in progress in Unit 172.

Providing Education and Outreach

Appreciation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb and Region 1 Hunter Education and Volunteer Coordinator Dazey presented a plaque of appreciation to the Waitsburg Gun Club board members during their monthly meeting. The Waitsburg Gun Club goes above and beyond sponsoring and supporting youth activities, including Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife hunter education field day evolutions.

WDFW presents a plaque of appreciation. — WDFW presents a plaque of appreciation to Waitsburg Gun Club board members.

Access Area Kiosks: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has been working on a project to install more kiosks and entrance signs on WDFW lands throughout the state. Region 1 installations will begin the next year or two, and detailed planning has started. Access Area Manager Dziekan reviewed the sites, identifying which access areas would benefit from having a single pane vs. a triple pane kiosk. Dziekan will begin submitting requests in the next several weeks for cultural review, well ahead of the planned installation work to prevent delays.

Volunteer Coordination: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb finalized the volunteer schedule for a Washington State University student to participate over their winter holiday break.

Turkey Damage Outreach: Private Lands Biologist Nizer worked with Communication Consultant Lehman to create an article about turkey damage in Spokane County. The article will discuss how hunters can help farmers reduce the damage done to private lands. The article will let hunters know about the access program for turkey hunting and inform landowners that might be interested in joining the program.

University of Idaho Student Mentoring: Wildlife Area Manager Dice spent Tuesday afternoon with two sophomore University of Idaho students majoring in Wildlife Resources. The students accompanied Dice on several tasks at the wildlife area which gave them an opportunity to observe and ask questions. Dice and Woodall each agreed to serve as mentors for two students earlier this fall as part of an outreach class taught by University of Idaho. Many other natural resource professionals are serving in the same role for this class. Most are employees from Idaho Fish & Game.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Private Lands Statewide Budget: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor, Private Lands Access Manager McClellan, Landowner Services Division Manager Yarborough, and Wildlife Program Budget Analyst Quinton met and went through the Private Lands statewide budget.

Read more about Biweekly report Nov16-30 2023 - Region 1 (Eastern)

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