Managing Wildlife Populations

Vulcan Bighorn Sheep Survey: Wildlife Biologist Turnock conducted a ground survey for the Vulcan bighorn sheep herd. Biologist Turnock found the sheep in small groups suggesting that rut activity may be winding down.

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Cougar: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman joined biologists with the Kalispel Tribe’s Natural Resources Department to capture a cougar in Riverside State Park. Other participants in this capture included Sargent Leonetti, state park employees, and members of the media. The cougar was captured as part of a larger study by the Kalispel Tribe to examine the effectiveness of hazing, at reducing the habituation of cougars to human presence in highly trafficked areas (e.g., state parks).  

A news article discussing this capture effort can be found here: Learning from cats: Cougar spotted at Riverside State Park now part of research project | The Spokesman-Review  

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Elk Retrieval: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb assisted Detachment 33 officers with the retrieval of multiple elk harvested by a hunter in Walla Walla County. Officers seized one of the elk and Kolb assisted with getting the carcass donated to a local charity.  

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Biologist Baarstad collected CWD and tooth samples from an elk harvested by a Creston resident.   

Chronic Wasting Disease Operations: Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman followed up on emails regarding improving the sample gathering process from the Department of Transportation (DOT) pits. Heitstuman collected five CWD samples from DOT pits. One sample was extremely infected. Pictures were taken and information was shared with Biologist Wik and members of the CWD team.  

Private Lands Biologist Nizer worked at a chronic wasting disease (CWD) check station in Deer Park off Highway 395. The CWD check station brought in many hunters over the weekend for sampling their deer in Spokane and Stevens County.  

Wolf Report: Biologist Lowe responded to a report of a possible dead wolf on I-90 near Sprague. The animal hit on the roadway turned out to be a moose calf.  

Tucannon Bighorn Sheep: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman received an email from a landowner outside Pomeroy that a bighorn ram was in the area of his domestic sheep. Dingman assisted Biologist Wik in locating the ram. No one saw the ram actually in with the domestic sheep, so the ram was just hazed back into the Tucannon Valley towards the rest of the bighorn herd.  

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Asotin Creek Wildlife Area Harlow Ridge Parking Area: Asotin County graciously improved WDFW’s parking area at Harlow Ridge on the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area recently. The rock came from a pit on WDFW land near Rockpile Creek where the county has been pulling rock for county road improvement projects. They hauled the rock to Harlow Ridge, spread the rock, and rolled it for a smooth surface. They also improved the county road leading to the parking area.  

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Williams Lake Access Site: This week Region 1 Access Manager Dziekan and Natural Resource Technician Brant were able to spin trim the driveway going into the Williams Lake Access Area. Most of the work was done with string trimmers, but Dziekan and Brant also got the shears and saws out to push back some of the woody debris. All the large debris was loaded in the trailer for the dump, and the grass was blown back into the ditch. Having the grass trimmed this winter will open the possibility of herbicide application next spring that will prevent the grass from growing back and requiring routine cutting. 

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Columbia Plateau Wildlife Management Association: Private Lands Biologist Nizer spoke with Columbia Plateau Wildlife Management Association (CPWMA) President Lubey to discuss enrolling another 1,000 acres into the Hunt by Written Permission Program in addition to the landowner hunting permits. The proposed acreage will be outside of the town Tyler in GMU 130. Nizer created maps for the proposed property and submitted an amendment for the existing contract. CPWMA also talked about another landowner interested in joining and providing another 1,200 acres into Hunt by Written Permission Program too. Nizer will follow up with CPWMA and the landowner to discuss the process.  

Pheasant Release: Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer met with Private Lands Biologist Baarstad on Thursday morning to take delivery of pheasants for release at Sherman Creek that afternoon. The periodic fall releases provide pheasant hunting opportunities in northeast Washington; this one was timed to coincide with Veteran’s Day weekend.  

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Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Swan Lake Wolf Activity: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris talked with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) staff members regarding wolf activity at the Swan Lake Campground. USFS staff members reported that the campground is closed for the winter and there have been no recent wolf sightings.  

Asotin County Elk Meeting: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade, Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman, and District Biologist Wik attended a meeting with Asotin County producers to discuss elk populations, tag allocations, and damage issues. Wade answered questions regarding commercial crop damage and the use of damage/kill permits. Wik discussed antlered and antlerless tag allocations and possible changes to the number of tags available. Producers were in favor of increasing the number of branch bull tags in the area to address large herds of bulls causing commercial crop damage.  

Blue Mountains Elk Fence Maintenance: Wildlife area staff members spent the short week going over and making repairs to the elk fence from Mountain Road east. They checked and repaired the middle section of fence. There were several trees on the fence and some sections of wire had to be replaced. Additionally, a one-way gate was found disassembled and wide open for animals to pass through. Access Area Manager Heimgartner and Technician Nielsen assisted on Tuesday. Staff members began working on repairs at the Weatherly Unit and found extensive damage from tree strikes. Overall, the fence is showing its age. Many rotten posts were discovered and brush growing in and along the wire is extensive.  

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Conserving Natural Landscapes

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program: Private Lands Biologist Nizer mowed a couple acres of Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program habitat projects to prepare for a fall seeding of native grasses. Seeding will take place most likely the week of Nov. 13 as time allows.  

Habitat Work: Private Lands Biologist Hadley met with Walla Walla Conservation District members to discuss potential projects including old fence removal and shrub plantings. Private Lands Biologist Hadley worked with Pheasants Forever members to weed the holes in mulch mats in preparation of fall shrub plantings.  

Swegle Unit – Noxious Weed Control: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman, Natural Resource Technicians Tritt and Jensen met Access Technicians Heimgartner and Nielsen at the Stovall Field on 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. They hauled a total of seven loads. They raked the area where the weed skeletons were to clear the debris from the soil. Then they planted the area with Great Basin wildrye and a triticale cover crop. They hope the triticale will out-compete the kochia and Russian thistle and give the wildrye a chance to get established again.  

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Providing Education and Outreach

Question of the Week: Acting Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris recorded a segment on elk and deer haystack damage for Question of the Week.  

Cattlemen’s Presentation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb and Wolf Biologist Spence gave a presentation to the Columbia County Cattlemen’s Association. The presentation covered general wolf biology, blue mountain specific wolf activity, and wolf-livestock protocol topics. Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna was also in attendance and assisted in answering numerous questions from producers following the presentation.  

Hunter Education Coordination: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb submitted resupply requests and scheduled a plaque presentation for one of the local community sponsors of the Hunter Education Field Day evaluations.  

Chronic Wasting Disease Presentation: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer presented a talk on chronic wasting disease and what it is. The presentation was put on by the Palouse Conservation Districts webinar talk series. The presentation was about 45 minutes and was presented to folks who live in the Palouse. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Carcass Pit Inspection: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer and Wildlife Area Manager Anderson hosted a tour of the state Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Trout Lake roadkill carcass pit, located off state Highway 20, at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area. Two DOT employees and seven Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Region 1 employees attended. They were trying to determine what can be done to keep large carnivores from scavenging out of the pit, which is a somewhat shallow, narrow, and short trench. They will be pursuing the most promising option, working to arrange a drop-off agreement with the county landfill.

Washington department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members also inspected the WDFW farm animal compost facility located nearby, which is also on WDFW land. This fenced facility provides an option for local farmers to have WDFW conflict staff members dispose of dead livestock. This facility is not meant for wildlife, because compost from wild ungulates can have limited use due to disease concerns. 

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Chronic Wasting Disease: Private Lands Biologist Nizer led a chronic wasting disease (CWD) check station at Washtucna. Nizer had one volunteer from Washington State University that he taught to take lymph nodes out. Nizer also checked hunting camps and took five samples at a camp. 

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Private Lands Biologist Nizer transferred CWD samples to Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Coordinator Westacott from the 21^st and  22^nd check stations. 

Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman staffed the Evan’s Road Check Station near Asotin with Natural Resource Technician Tritt. Closing weekend did not provide many sampling opportunities. Samples were transferred as requested. They also checked on Department of Transportation roadkill collections. 

Selkirk and Cabinet-Yaak Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy: Wildlife Biologist Prince participated as a technical team member at the first grizzly bear conservation strategy meeting. The conservation strategy, once developed, will serve as the management document for the Selkirk and Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bear populations. The first meeting focused on demographic monitoring and habitat management. The strategy will likely take many years to draft before it will be available for public comment. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Hunter Check Stations: Biologist Brinkman ran the hunter check station along Highway 395 north of Deer Park, with assistance from Chronic Wasting Disease Biologist Westacott. This check station provides an opportunity for biologists to interact with hunters participating in the modern firearm deer season. Biologists collected samples from hunter-harvested deer as part of a CWD surveillance effort in Region 1. One hunter had also harvested a grouse and left the wing and tail with the biologists to be submitted with wing barrel samples. 

Rock Lake Access Site: The Yakima and Lacey construction shops teamed up for a toilet removal at Rock Lake. Region 1 Access Manager Dziekan went out to the access area ahead of time to salvage parts from the fiberglass toilets before they were demolished. Dziekan helped tear out the fencing around the outhouses so that the parts could be used at other sites. 

The construction crew removed the fence posts that were concreted in the ground, tore the fiberglass toilets down, had the vaults pumped, then tore the concrete holding tanks out of the ground. The construction crew finished the project with dirt and gravel in the holes and smoothed out the area. Once the construction crew was finished it was hard to tell anything was ever there. Dziekan scheduled the delivery of portable toilet units to be used until a more permanent agreement can be worked out with the property owners. 

Private Lands Access: Private Lands Biologist Nizer has been working with an avid hunter since June about where he should take his grandson hunting in Whitman County. Nizer coordinated with landowners and provided access through the landowner's access list that allows hunters to access private lands. Nizer received a picture of a harvested mule deer on one of the access sites by the successful grandson. 

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Asotin Creek Wildlife Area Elk Hunting: Elk hunters were setting up camps and preparing the Friday before opening day at Smoothing Iron Ridge. Very few elk had been observed on the wildlife area as of that Friday. It is difficult to determine the reasons why elk observation is low.

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Rustlers Gulch Trail Clearing: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer spent the week using his mini-excavator at Rustlers Gulch Wildlife Area to clear brush on an extensive system of trails between Beaver Creek and Horseshoe Lake. These trails are very popular with horseback riders. 

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Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Beaver, Farmington: Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty connected with Habitat Biologist Mackelvie on a beaver dam that was causing flooding in Farmington. Mackelvie and McCarty established a plan to visually evaluate the dam and once they speak to the landowner to decide if pond levelers or hydraulic project approval would be most effective. 

Beaver Relocation Site Survey: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb met with a permitted beaver relocator and a landowner in Walla Walla County to access and score potential beaver relocation sites. The landowner is enthusiastic about the possibility of beaver being relocated to their property. Additional coordination and follow-up with District 3 staff members will be necessary before any relocation effort is initiated. 

Bear Depredation: Acting Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris responded to a report of a black bear killing and dragging off a domestic sheep. Harris and Officer Beauchene investigated and determined that a black bear was responsible for killing two sheep over the past week. A culvert trap was set in response to the depredations. Wildlife Conflict Specialists Harris and Samsill called out hound hunters to track down the bear, resulting in the bear being removed. They collected tooth samples, and the bear meat was donated. 

Great Horned Owl: Biologist Brinkman and Conflict Specialist McCarty responded to a call of a great horned owl entangled in netting material that was stretched over the top of a chicken coop/run. The owl was presumably attempting to prey upon one of the chickens and got tangled in the mesh netting in the process. The mesh was wrapped tightly around one foot, cutting off circulation to the toes and causing minor abrasions as the owl fought to get free. Brinkman and McCarty were able to restrain the owl and remove the netting from the injured foot. It was determined that the owl should go to a wildlife rehabilitation facility for further evaluation and monitoring but seems likely that it will make a full recovery and be released back into the wild. 

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Northport Bear Smart Discussion and Planning: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Bennett began work on Northport becoming a bear smart community with bear proof garbage receptacles and assisting landowners with securing attractants. 

Depredation Investigation: WDFW staff members investigated an injured adult cow in Grouse Flats territory. The determination of the investigation was a confirmed wolf depredation.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Revere Habitat Restoration: Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Rimmelspacher and Private Lands Biologist Baarstad went to the Revere Wildlife Area with an ATV and broadcast spreader to seed after the disturbance from the Wagner fire and pole replacement. The Avista Company hired a contractor to repair the damage below the newly installed power poles and Rimmelspacher broadcast seeded a native grass mix. Rimmelspacher also broadcast seeded a pollinator mix forb mix in a food plot area that the Pheasant Forever Chapter had used for several years. 

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Duck Stamp Project: Private Lands Biologist Nizer and Natural Resource Technician Rumiser mowed a marsh wetland area with a marsh master to provide water access for waterfowl and hunters on a private lands hunting access site in Whitman County. The site will take about a week to mow all 12 acres of bull rush and cattails.

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Habitat Project: Private Lands Biologist Hadley planted several shrubs at a habitat project and spot sprayed for weed control at another location. Coordination plans were made for upcoming habitat field day with the Walla Walla Conservation District and Pheasants Forever in coming together to plant shrubs on a landowner’s property in Walla Walla County. 

W. T. Wooten Wildlife Area Noxious Weed Control: Natural Resource Technician Jensen sprayed weeds at the Hartsock Unit, Russell Unit, and in the fields at the headquarters. Natural Resource Technicians Jensen and Tritt traveled to Walla Walla County with the dump trailer and cleaned up kochia and Russian thistle that is growing around the Stovall Road parking area. Wildlife Area Manager Dingman began working on the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation grant application to get funds to aerially spray yellow star thistle infestations on the W. T. Wooten Wildlife Area.

Native Seed Planting: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer seeded an 8-acre plot of land in Albion. The landowner just joined the hunt by written permission program for a total of 100 acres with habitat for deer, pheasant, and waterfowl. The native seed planting will provide cover for pheasant and food for deer during the hunting seasons.

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Marsh Master: Private Lands Biologist Nizer finished mowing about 20 acres of bull rush in a wetland. The bull rush wasn’t allowing ducks to land in waterways because of overgrowth and didn’t allow for hunters to find good access to water. This mowing will be followed by either a prescribed burn or chemical spraying to reduce regrowth in the spring. 

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Habitat Project: Private Lands Biologist Hadley presented an outdoor workday partnering with Walla Walla Conservation District and Pheasants Forever. They came together to plant shrubs and seed a pollinator friendly grass seed mix on a landowner’s property outside of Dixie. The outdoor education program is from a grant that the Walla Walla Conservation District wrote that involves a service-learning program for K-12^th grade focusing on restoration and salmonid habitat. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Williams Lake Eagle Scout Project: Region 1 Access Manager Dziekan was contacted by Life Scout Colin Martinez. Colin is interested in an eagle scout project on our state lands. Martinez would like to install a life jacket loaner station at Williams Lake, a lake that he and his family frequent.

Dziekan met on site with Life Scout Martinez’s mother, laid out some plans, and started the process on his project. Dziekan shared some information on another life jacket loaner station that was installed as an eagle scout project at Liberty Lake.

Life Scout Martinez plans to spend the winter working on securing funds for the loaner station, building it, and then will install it next spring. If the weather holds out, he will install it this winter, but there is also no rush on his project as he still has several years left in scouting. 

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Region 1 Access Tour: Lowery, Gibbons, Robinette, and Dziekan toured Newman Lake, Liberty Lake, West Medical Lake, and Clear Lake to inspect the Gray fire damage and other management issues relating to the access sites.

At Clear Lake, Dziekan pointed out the surrounding ramps that were installed over 50 years ago and the issues with them. It was good to show Lowery and Gibbons the issues that access staff members are having to deal with every day. Just recently, Dziekan has had to clean up graffiti painted on the outside of the bathrooms at both Reardan Audubon and Newman Lake. 

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Reardan Audubon Wildlife Area Tour: This week’s tour also included the Reardan Wildlife Area. Lowery, Gibbons, Robinette, Dziekan, Wildlife Area Manager Finch, and Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Rimmelspacher went over the management and the type of work staff members do to maintain the unit. Wildlife area staff members will be calculating how much time is spent over the biennium maintaining the unit, which includes herbicide treatment, litter activities, and general parking lot maintenance. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Grouse Collection Barrels: Biologist Brinkman checked forest grouse wing/tail barrels. A total of three samples were collected this week.  

Hunters place harvested wing and tails into one of the provided paper bags and drop it into a collection barrel. The samples are collected and stored in the freezer until grouse season ends. After the hunting season, usually in February or March, biologists from across the state have a “Wing Bee” to examine samples and collect data to help inform statewide harvest metrics. 

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Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Private Lands Biologist Nizer collected a CWD sample from a successful muzzleloader hunter harvest. The sample was given to Ungulate Research Scientists Devivo.  

Nizer and Natural Resource Technician Rumiser posted CWD brochures at Washington Department vendors in Whitman and Lincoln counties.  

Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman checked local pits for CWD samples and collected a sample from a cow elk in the Cloverland area. Four calls from the Washington State Department of Transportation were relayed to closer employees and samples were collected for CWD testing. Heitstuman met with the Clarkston area supervisor for the Washington Department of Transportation and was informed of a possible new pit collection site.  

Lake Rehab Assistance: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer, Water Access Area Manager Dziekan, and Natural Resource Technician Brant assisted Fish Program staff at Williams Lake in Stevens County. Dziekan worked with the shore crew, and helped Palmer load a dump trailer with empty, washed rotenone barrels. Palmer used his mini excavator to crush the barrels, enabling them to fit the barrels in one trailer and take them to the dump.  

Brant spent the day on the boat with Fish Biologist Osborne. Brant ensured the powdered piscicide was mixed with water and spread onto the lake while Osborne piloted the boat. The distribution of this rotenone was completed by noon, after which only Fish Program staff members applied liquid rotenone to the shallows.  

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Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Sampling: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill collected two CWD samples and submitted them for testing. Both samples came from mature does harvested with Damage Prevention Permits.  

Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer worked at a chronic wasting disease check station in Washtucna. Nizer taught four Washinton State University wildlife major students how to sample for CWD and how to educate the public. Deer were sampled at the station from Oct. 14 through Oct. 15.   

Sharp-tail Grouse: Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Rimmelspacher and Wildlife Area Manager Finch did a sharp-tail grouse fall lek survey this morning to see if any resident sharp-tailed grouse males are attending the leks. If there are several birds attending the leks in the fall, trapping maybe warranted to collar a bird and use the telemetry information for winter movements. 

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Natural Resource Technician Tritt and Scientific Technician Moberg placed a reminder sign at the Delaney Department of Transportation pit asking staff members to let Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife know when they drop a deer carcass off at the pit.  

Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Tritt organized sampling kits for chronic wasting disease (CWD) check stations. Dingman worked opening weekend of general deer season at the Last Resort Campground on the Tucannon and collected 37 CWD samples from hunter harvested deer. Tritt worked opening weekend of general deer season at the Asotin check station and collected 14 CWD samples from hunter harvested deer.  

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Providing Recreation Opportunities

Once in a Lifetime Opportunity: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb assisted an out-of-state hunter with a special elk permit for game management unit (GMU) 149. Kolb spoke with a landowner who does not normally allow hunting who agreed to let the hunter onto their property. The hunter was successful and harvested a large mature bull. The hunter asked if I would pass along the following message to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff members, “Please extend my sincere appreciation for this amazing opportunity that you all provided. It will be an epic memory that I’ll have for the rest of my life. Thank you!”  

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West Medical Lake Access Site, Grey Fire: Access Manager Dziekan talked with Greg Hayford from Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Medical Lake Facility. They are currently working with cleanup crews and forestry personnel falling burned trees and shrubs.  

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife properties and facilities on West Medical Lake and Silver Lake have been affected by the fires and Hayford would like to take down some of the damaged trees. Dziekan wanted to identify the damaged trees that need to be removed and mark them with paint before approval. Dziekan identified 18 dead Ponderosa trees that need to be removed for public safety.  

The DSHS Medical Lake Facility will be taking down the damaged trees at no cost to Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. They will have a crew fall the trees and Avista Corp will be chipping the wood and hauling it to one of their facilities in Kettle Falls.   

Recreation Access Maintenance: Access staff members cleaned access sites across the district. They also hung new signage at Coues Creek and put together new ADA signage. 

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Hunter Check Stations: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman ran a hunter check station along Highway 395, north of Deer Park, to talk to hunters participating in the opening weekend of the modern firearm deer season. Biologists collected samples from hunter-harvested deer as part of a chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance effort in Region 1. Student volunteers from Washington State University assisted with the sampling effort both days the check station was open.  

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Hunter Harvest Inspection: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman checked in a mountain goat harvested from Goat Rocks West hunt area, and pinned a juvenile bighorn sheep ram that was harvested by a hunter in the Chelan Butte hunt area.  

Biologists obtain measurements and take nasal swabs to test for M. Ovi (short for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae) which is a bacterium that can be devastating to bighorn sheep populations as it can persist in healthy adults, but infection can be fatal to lambs. Additionally, they insert a pin into the horn to uniquely identify the animal and make it legal for the hunter to possess the skull.   

Additionally, a bobcat was brought to the Deer Park check station and was pelt-sealed by Biologist Lowe.  

Brush Clearing on Trails: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer spent Tuesday through Thursday using his mini excavator to clear brush from several lengths of non-motorized trail at Rustlers Gulch Wildlife Area.   

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Reardan Audubon Wildlife Area: Access Manager Dziekan went to the Reardan site to work and noticed some tagging inside the restrooms on the south parcel. Dziekan walked around the restrooms and found graphic tagging on the entire backside of the restroom. Dziekan did the very best to clean up the tagging using up the last of the graffiti remover that was on the truck. Dziekan had a difficult time getting it off but between extra elbow grease and the chemical it became illegible when standing behind the restroom trying to read it.   

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Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Cloverland Elk Stuck in Cattle Guard: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade received a call regarding a cow elk that had fallen through a cattle guard in a producer’s driveway. Wade, Private Lands Supervisor Earl, and Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman traveled to the area to evaluate the elk’s injuries and determine a plan of action to get it out of the cattle guard. After evaluation, it was determined that the best course of action was to chemically immobilize the elk and lift it out. Wade contacted District Biologist Wik who traveled to the area to immobilize the elk. Despite the best efforts of the team the elk died three days later. Wade and Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman with the assistance of the producer collected the carcass for CWD sample collection and disposal at the Asotin County Landfill.  

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Portable Electric Fence: Wildlife Biologist Prince and Private Lands Conflict Technician Barron assisted with the installation of a portable electric fence around sheep and goats in the general area where a grizzly bear was recently photographed on a trail camera. No conflict was reported; this was a proactive measure.  

Beaver Relocation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb continues to work with a permitted beaver relocator and other department staff members to determine the feasibility of relocating a conflict beaver within the Walla Walla River watershed. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Weed Control: Natural Resource Technician Meisner worked on fall weed control. He sprayed rush skeleton weed that has gotten out of control in a remote area. The skeleton weed was most likely brought in by trespassing cattle. Lack of personnel has greatly hindered the treatment efforts. 

Food Plots: Biologist Woodall spent most of a week seeding annual food plots on Smoothing Iron Ridge. It is three to four weeks behind when this task is normally complete due to personnel shortages. He will continue and hopes to finish quickly.

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Wooten Floodplain Management Plan: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Natural Resource Technician Tritt completed the Year 5 monitoring of the Rainbow Lake wetland that was created during the Rainbow Lake reconfiguration project. The Year 5 monitoring report was completed and sent to the Corps.  

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Providing Education and Outreach

Washington State University Labs: Private Lands Biologist Nizer, Ungulate Research Scientist Devivo, and Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman helped with a darting lab at Washington State University. Nizer helped train students on how to properly and safely use a dart gun on a standing deer decoy at about 35 yards.  

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The wildlife conflict supervisor taught a wildlife trapping lab for the 29th year at Washington State University (WSU). Private Lands Biologists Earl and Nizer and Natural Resource Technician Rumiser assisted with the lab. They set up a rocket net, discussed species it can be used on, and set it off. Then they demonstrated the net gun and what it can be used for.  McCanna covered the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s mission, future job opportunities, wildlife professions in general, and answered all kinds of great questions. The lab was split into two days with 52 students in total. 

Third Annual Chris Christensen Memorial Youth Deer Camp: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill instructed and mentored seven first time deer hunters at a youth deer camp in Kettle Falls.  

Managing Wildlife Populations

Grizzly Bear Monitoring: Wildlife Biologist Prince assisted a Kalispel tribal biologist with removing their last two 2023 hair corrals from within the Selkirk grizzly bear recovery area. Wildlife Biologist Turnock was assisted by a Kalispel tribe biologist with removing two Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) hair corrals from the Selkirk grizzly bear recovery area. 

Deer: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman continued the second round of fall deer surveys. These roadside surveys cover similar routes to those driven in August, but the results are used to estimate fawn-to-doe ratios instead of buck-to-doe ratios which were calculated in August. The surveys are conducted for two to three hours around dawn or dusk, during the cooler times of the day, as this is typically when deer are more active. Locations are recorded for each group of deer observed, and composition of the groups are also documented (i.e., how many does, bucks, and fawns in each group).

Deer Survey: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer and Natural Resource Technician Rumiser completed two deer surveys near Hay and Dusty areas for District Wildlife Biologist Lowe. The most deer were seen on the second survey outside of Dusty with a total of 126 deer seen in 38-mile stretch.

Elk Calf Survival Study: Scientific Technician Moberg continued monitoring collared elk calves in the Blue Mountains. She conducted one mortality investigation, which was likely a cougar predation. Field necropsies on carcasses, along with predator DNA sampling, help to support predation evidence.

Chronic Wasting Disease: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb retrieved samples for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing throughout the week. 

Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman checked local pits for CWD samples. One ungulate reported injured was put down and was sampled for testing then disposed of in the Washington Department of Transportation pit. Additionally, three reported road killed deer were recovered, sampled for testing, and disposed of in the Department of Transportation pits.

Wildlife Area Manager Dingman collected CWD samples from a roadkill doe along Patit Road and a buck at the Delaney Department of Transportation pit. Natural Resource Technician Tritt collected a CWD sample from a deer at the Delaney Department of Transportation pit on his way to pick up the CWD trailer from Garfield County Fairgrounds where it had been over the weekend. Dingman and Tritt participated in the CWD Check Station Logistics meeting. Tritt participated in the CWD Technician meeting.

Bird Survey Transects: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer and Wildlife Area Manager Anderson met with Spokane Audubon Society’s Dr. Thorburn and Haggen on Thursday. Thorburn and Haggen are planning expansion of breeding bird survey efforts at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area, which help staff members compare bird use in different habitat types and before and after habitat treatments. Palmer mapped out six transect routes (five plus the existing route) with five “stop and listen” points per each one-mile transect. The four drove all six routes together and made minor adjustments to the listening point locations. Starting in 2024, Audubon members will be surveying two transects per year, completing the entire set every three years.

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Access Program: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer met with two landowners that are deciding to join the Hunt by Written Permission Program. One of the landowners is in Albion (Whitman County) along the South Fork of the Palouse River and has about 100 acres of land that provides hunting for big game, upland, and waterfowl access. Nizer is planning habitat work on land that used to grow alfalfa, and the landowner wants to transition it to a native grass stand. Nizer coordinated with Private Lands Biologist Baarstad to use a native seed mix he has available for the project. They also planned tree plantings on the site in the coming spring. Nizer met with another landowner in Lamont that has about 3,500 acres that he wants to enroll in the Hunt by Written Permission Program. Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty, Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer, and Natural Resource Technician Rumiser met with the landowner to discuss the options and benefits of the program. The landowner plans to send maps of the property. He plans to sign a contract within a couple weeks, hopefully before modern deer season.

Nizer met with an existing landowner outside of Uniontown that wanted to enroll 200 more acres into a new contract. Nizer created the new contract with maps and submitted for approval. Nizer and Rumiser posted the property with access signs.

Access Site Tours: This week Wildlife Area Program Manager Robinette, Access Manager Dziekan, Region 1 Real Estate Specialist Stallinga, Access Habitat Technician Brant, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Rimmelspacher, and Wildlife Area Manager Finch took a walking tour of the Waikiki Springs Access Area and they visited the Chapman Lake parcel, the proposed Department of Natural Resources trade to WDFW. Dziekan led a very detailed tour of both sites and explained the plans for the development of the Chapman Lake parcel. The group then went to the Waikiki Springs Unit and Dziekan explained all the habitat work that has been done over the last few years and the management issues to consider for that unit.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Waikiki Springs Volunteer Project: Inland Northwest Land Council (INLC) hosted a volunteer project at Waikiki Springs Wildlife Area. Access Manager Dziekan and Natural Resource Technician Brant were on-hand that day to represent the agency and help with the clean-up. Dziekan and Brant met with INLC and a group of 12 volunteers, half of which were parents and children in the Girl Scouts, on Saturday, Sep. 16 for a volunteer work project at the Waikiki Springs Wildlife Area. The volunteers picked up litter along the switchback trails. The date of the work project was picked because it was World Cleanup Day, an event aimed at promoting litter cleanup using volunteer service. In total, the group filled six large trash bags to the brim with litter, and a tire. Volunteers spent two hours on Saturday picking up the litter and left with a sparkling clean switchback trail without a piece of litter in sight. There were lots of small children, but no photos of the kids were taken since no releases were signed prior.

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Photo by WDFW

Access Program: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated with a landowner in Albion to enroll in the Hunt by Written Permission Program. Nizer created the landowner's contract and is waiting for approval to have it signed. The property is about 100 acres and is prime habitat for deer, waterfowl, and upland bird. This property will be a highly sought after piece as it is in an area where a lot of hunters drive by.

Contracts: Private Lands Biologist Hadley contacted and met with landowners to extend existing WDFW access contracts expiring soon. Also, he contacted landowners enrolled in WDFW’s Voluntary Public Access Program (VPA) to extend their program an additional year. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Producer Check-In: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb conducted check-ins with producers in the Touchet pack territory and informed them of a recent collaring effort. Wolf Biologist Spence successfully deployed a GPS collar within the Touchet pack. Producers with existing data sharing agreements are now able to view the collar data to aid in range rider deployments and other non-lethal applications.  

Depredation Investigation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade and Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna conducted an investigation of two injured calves this week. Both calves were determined to be non-depredations.  

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Shrub Order: Private Lands Biologist Hadley coordinated with Private Lands Biologist Baarstad and Plants of the Wild and Wild Lands to complete shrub orders to complete planting plans for this fall and next spring planting projects in Columbia and Walla Walla counties. 

Habitat Projects: Private Lands Supervisor Earl met with the local Conservation Districts to discuss potential joint projects. Earl also worked with the Regional Private Lands staff members to put together a large, combined order for trees and shrubs. Earl met with Private Lands Biologist Baarstad to transfer a seeder from Pomeroy to be used on projects in Lincoln County. 

Conservation Reserve Program Enhancement: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer and Natural Resource Technician Rumiser visited a Conservation Reserve Program site that is enrolled in the feel free to hunt access and conducted weed management by spraying for invasive weeds with the tractor.

W. T. Wooten Wildlife Area Shooting Range: W. T. Wooten Wildlife Area staff members finished rebuilding the fence at the entrance to the Wooten Shooting Range and got the new gates hung. Natural Resource Technician Tritt and Jensen built rests for the gates to sit on while open and placed a large boulder near the corner of one of the gates to keep people from driving into it.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Education and Outreach

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb assisted with the coordination, teaching, and delivery of more than 24 total hours of instruction for hunter education. Over the course of a one-week period, Walla Walla instructors taught both a traditional class and an on-line class and successfully certified 30 students in hunter education which included an in-depth live-fire field day evolution.  

Water Festival: Each year, the Lake Roosevelt Forum sponsors Water Festival, two days of kids’ field trips, where natural resource professionals provide hundreds of area schoolchildren with information about what they do. As they did last year, Sherman Creek Wildlife Area staff members gave a presentation titled “Who’s for Dinner.” Natural Resource Technician Zueger and Wildlife Area Manager Anderson taught about 150 kids from several different schools about upland predators and prey, and the adaptations that ensure their success. The crew had assistance from four high school student assistants (two each day), and on the second day from Chronic Wasting Disease Technician Duncan. The students and Duncan were very helpful and happy to actively participate in presenting information. 

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Photo by WDFW

 Bear Safety: Biologist Brinkman participated in a bear safety event with local hiking groups at the new library in Spokane Valley. This event reached approximately 60 people and focused on techniques for staying safe in bear country, including a demonstration on the proper use of bear spray using inert canisters.

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Photo by Donna Walker of Inland North West Hikers

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Photo by Donna Walker of Inland North West Hikers

National Hunting and Fishing Day: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman participated in the National Hunting and Fishing Day event at Diamond Lake. The event was intended to introduce youth to hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. It included activities such as catching fish from the dock, shooting firearms and bows, visiting a backcountry camp setup, and talking to falconers that brought live raptors to their booth. Biologists Lowe and Brinkman assisted at the art tent where kids could make their own fish prints using a form of art known as gyotaku, take a plaster cast of animal tracks, build butterfly houses, and draw/color on various coloring sheets. Approximately 600 kids were registered for the event.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb, Hunter Education and Volunteer Coordinator Dazey, and Chief Hunter Education Instructor Hall presented an appreciation plaque to the Walla Walla County Fire District 4. They have provided unwavering classroom support to recent hunter education classes which has made a substantial difference in how classes are delivered to students.

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Photo by WDFW

Camp Wooten: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb and Wooten Wildlife Area Manager Dingman taught a full day of classes to 6^th grade students at Camp Wooten. The classes covered Blue Mountain wildlife species the students could see during their stay at Camp Wooten.  

Managing Wildlife Populations

Cougar Capture: Wildlife Biologist Prince and Officer Kirsch assisted Wolf Biologist Roussin with locating and releasing a subadult cougar caught in a wolf trap. Cougars can be tricky to find after being caught in a foothold trap, due to their tendency to be extremely still and quiet once tangled in vegetation. The cougar was released unharmed. 

Bighorn Sheep: District Biologist Wik learned of approximately 150-200 domestic weed goats along the Snake River about 15 miles south of Asotin, approximately three miles from Black Butte bighorns. District Biologist Wik visited the site and was not able to communicate with the herder on site or contact a landowner. The goats were observed moving onto county property, which led District Biologist Wik to contact the county planner. In the end, the goats left the site as the job was complete. District Biologist Wik talked with one of the owners of the goats who seem to have mixed information regarding disease risk to bighorns. 

Chronic Wasting Disease Sample: Natural Resource Technician Harris collected a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sample from a buck harvested in Game Management Unit 111. 

Grouse: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman deployed grouse barrels prior to the start of the grouse hunting season. These barrels are placed at three different locations in District 2 and will be available for hunters to voluntarily submit a wing and tail from each harvested grouse during the open season. These samples will be used to identify species, sex, and age of each grouse and provide Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife with valuable information about the population structure of grouse on the landscape.

The barrel at Inland Empire Paper Company’s Thompson Creek gate will likely be removed mid-season as the road is not maintained in winter. Grouse season opened on Sep. 15 for the third consecutive year, as this delayed start has been shown to decrease disproportionate harvest of brood hens that occurs with earlier season openers in other regions.

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Photo by WDFW

Chronic Wasting Disease Testing: Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman checked local pits for CWD samples. Two unreported road killed deer were recovered and disposed of due to advanced decomposition and tissue damage to the glands needed for CWD testing. 

Deer Surveys: Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Rimmelspacher and Wildlife Area Manager Finch conducted their first deer survey for the month of September. During the month of August, they conducted two deer surveys over the same 70-mile route. They reported a high percent of legal bucks and many fawns which included one set of triplets and few sets of twins. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Trail Maintenance: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Zueger and Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer finished cleaning off the popular trail that runs from Sherman Creek Wildlife Area headquarters south to Haag Cove along the Columbia River. They cleared off piles of pinecones and needles they had made earlier and removed encroaching brush as well. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Mentored Pheasant Youth Hunt: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated with Pheasants Forever to put on a mentored pheasant youth hunt on four hunt by reservation properties in Whitman County. Nizer planted 20 birds for the youth hunt. In total there were eight kids that showed up to the hunt with their parents. Nizer talked about the access program to the group of hunters and explained how they can gain hunting access for the future.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Asotin Creek Wildlife Area Parking Improvement: Atlas Sand and Rock delivered and roughly spread ten truckloads of gravel at the South Fork shed lot. Technician Nielsen spent the better part of the day using the access area tractor and land plane leveling and smoothing the new gravel surface. The lot is often used by horseback riders using the trail up the South Fork of Asotin Creek. Hunters and other wildlife area users also frequently park vehicles there.

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Photo by WDFW

Waitts Lake Maintenance: Dziekan and Brant spent Wednesday at the Waitts Lake Access Area, catching up on deferred maintenance. Lawn grass had grown as far as one foot over the sidewalk, so Dziekan purchased an edging hand tool and Brant used it to cut back the turf. The pair cleared the fence line of brush growing through the wire. They also pruned several trees to open sight lines and keep low-hanging vegetation from hitting them when they’re on the mower. The pair filled their dump trailer with green waste, just from that site. Dziekan sprayed herbicides for broadleaf and grass control, as part of his work on removing unwanted vegetation from the gravel parking area and around the boulder, so that it looks nicer and saves staff members from having to string-trim. 

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Photo by WDFW

Blue Green Algae Blooms: Rainbow Lake has cleared up and appears to be past the risk of blue green algae returning. The Columbia County Health Department finally got back to Wildlife Area Manager Dingman with the results of the water samples and all the lakes were below detectable levels.  

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Wolf Activity: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade was contacted by a landowner who has property that borders the Umatilla National Forest. The landowner had captured trail camera pictures of the WA139 group on his property. The picture appears to be taken after Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lethally removed two adult wolves from the pack. The producer emailed the pictures to Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade after the conversation.

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Photo by producer

Moose Hazing: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer and Natural Resource Technician Rumiser hazed three moose in two different locations. One bull moose was from the St. John area. The cow and calf were in the Garfield area, but a total of six moose were counted throughout the day. Both groups were hazed by firing paintball guns at them to move them off the landowner properties so they would no longer cause a danger to the homeowners.

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Photo by WDFW

Beaver Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb received a report of commercial crop damage from beavers in Walla Walla County. The producer agreed to explore relocation efforts and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb contacted a licensed relocator. A site visit is tentatively set for the end of next week for further evaluation. 

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Photo by WDFW

Producer/Sherriff Check-ins: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade followed up with the affected producer, range rider, and County Sheriff regarding the depredation investigation that was conducted last week. 

Radio Activated Guard Box: Natural Resource Technician Harris set up and tested a new radio activated guard box in preparation for deployment in northern Stevens County following multiple confirmed wolf depredation events. 

Night Pen Construction: Natural Resource Technician Harris and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill built a night pen for a landowner's sheep. The night pen was funded in conjunction with Defenders of Wildlife following multiple sheep depredations involving several different cougars. Staff members will return later to finish enclosing the night pen and install electric fence in the sheep pasture. 

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Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Habitat Funding: Natural Resource Technician Harris submitted a draft contract to utilize turkey tag money for a turkey habitat restoration project to be conducted in spring 2024. 

Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area fall food plots: Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Rimmelspacher spent time planting a fall food plot with separate strips of winter triticale and winter canola. 

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Photo by WDFW

Cummings Creek Fire: A lightning storm on Sep. 7 caused a fire on the W. T. Wooten Wildlife Area to pop up on Sep. 8. The local Department of Natural Resource crews were quick to get on the fire and ordered an abundance of aircraft to help get the fire under control. The fire only burned 84 acres on Hatchery Ridge above the Tucannon Fish Hatchery. The Wildlife Area Manager responded to the wildlife area the afternoon of Sep. 8 to function as a natural resources advisor for the fire and to close the road to Rainbow Lake to allow the helicopters to dip out of the lake for fire suppression. She submitted all the necessary documentation when she came back to the office on Sep. 11.

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Photo by WDFW

 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

 

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Education and Outreach

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb put up posters around the area communities about hunter education opportunities in Walla Walla and Touchet Valley.

Dayton Fair: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer worked the chronic wasting disease trailer at the Dayton Fair to inform the public about the disease. 

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Photo by WDFW

Wildlife Area Advisory Committee meeting: On Thursday, Wildlife Area Manager Finch and Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Rimmelspacher held their 2023 Wildlife Area Advisory Committee meeting at the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area office. There were approximately 20 people in person and four that attended via Teams. There were many topics that were covered between the Swanson Lakes, Revere, and Reardan Audubon wildlife areas. Region 1 Wildlife Program Manager Robinette spoke on the topic of separating the wildlife areas with new managers and how and why that decision was made. Access Manager Dziekan gave a power point presentation on Waikiki Springs and the new Chapman Lake parcel. Access Manager Dziekan’s presentation was very detailed with a lot of information that described the history of both parcels. The Bureau of Land Management Spokane District Wildlife Biologist Lowe gave a presentation on the test results of the invasive grass herbicide test that was conducted at Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area this past season. Ducks Unlimited Biologist Blewett spoke on the wetland projects at the Revere Wildlife Area which included the Phase 1 portion that began in 2020 and the Phase 2 portion will be coming soon to increase the open water for migrating birds. 

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Photo by WDFW

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Columbia Plateau Wildlife Management Association Meeting: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer, District Wildlife Biologist Lowe, Assistant Wildlife Biologist Brinkman, and Officer Copenhaver met with Columbia Plateau Wildlife Management Association board members to discuss and draw tags for the Landowner Hunting Permits (LHP) for the upcoming hunting season and to introduce new folks to the board members.

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Photo by WDFW

Managing Wildlife Populations

Bighorn Sheep Monitoring: District Biologist Wik and Assistant District Biologist Vekasy traveled to Oregon to recover a bighorn sheep collar that had sent a mortality alert. The collar on a yearling ram was shed on a fence line. Placement of collars on older lambs, particularly rams, has yielded important new information on dispersal movements, highlighting an increased risk of contact with domestic sheep. Multiple rams have now traveled through domestic sheep grazing allotments that had previously not been recognized as being in bighorn sheep range.

Upland Game Birds: Biologist Brinkman recorded observations of upland game birds while conducting deer surveys and submitted these observations as part of a larger scale effort to document breeding productivity of upland birds statewide. 

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Photo by WDFW

Elk Calf Survival Study: Scientific Technician Moberg continued monitoring collared elk calves in the Blue Mountains. She conducted five mortality investigations, of which three were shed collars caught on fence lines and two were likely cougar predations. Field necropsies on carcasses, along with predator DNA sampling, help to support predation evidence.

Habitat Development Activities: Biologist Baarstad contacted seed vendors, co-workers, and volunteers to begin planning fall habitat development work. Several projects are planned for implementation over the next two months. 

Deer Surveys: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman conducted deer pre-hunt ground surveys that will be used to estimate buck to doe ratios for white-tailed deer in District 2. These surveys are conducted for around two to three hours in the morning or evening when deer are most active, and the surveys consist of driving routes through different parts of the district and recording the number of individuals and composition of each group of deer observed (i.e., how many does, fawns, and bucks). Mule deer are often encountered during these surveys, and composition of these groups are also documented.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Chronic Wasting Disease: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer took Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) samples to the Spokane regional office for processing. Nizer also checked Department of Transportation pits for deer carcasses. Nizer also checked in with Pacific Pride/Java Bloom to ensure having a check station at that site would still be ok this fall.

Private Lands Biologist Hadley worked with W. T. Wooten Wildlife Area Wildlife Area Manager Dingman to create a CWD poster for the Rainwater Wildlife Area to be put out for hunters to see. Private Lands Biologist Hadley printed and laminated several posters and coordinated to meet with Dingman next week. 

Chronic Wasting Disease Operations: Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman checked local pits for CWD samples. Several road-killed deer were also recovered and disposed of due to advanced decomposition.  

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Fire Damage: The Gray Fire, which started late in the week west of Spokane, swept through the West Medical Lake Access Area and burned down the fiberglass toilets. This occurred when Dziekan and Brant were off for the weekend. They may be unable to closely inspect the site until the fire is completely extinguished. Swanson Lake Wildlife Area Manager Finch will be working with Dziekan to fill out the damage report and complete follow-up work, including replacing restrooms and posting signage onsite and online. Statewide Access Area Manager Belson and Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Manager Anderson will assist as needed.

Badger Lake Gate: Access Manager Dziekan removed half of the gate at Badger Lake last spring and brought it back to the shop to reinforce it with some new welds. The gate is perfectly functional, but adding additional metal should prevent unauthorized access to the boat launch area when the gate is locked for the season. There have been issues with vandals cutting the lock off the gate so they could get into the access area. Dziekan covered the top of the gate with a new round plate and added some more metal to the sides as an extra measure. The bottom is still open, it needs to be open to allow access the lock, but there isn’t enough room at the bottom to open bolt cutters and cut the lock hasp. It was tested in the field before it was secured. 

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Photo by WDFW

Tucannon Lakes: Natural Resource Technicians Tritt and Jensen continued checking the lakes and fish screens to make sure everything is working properly. They cleaned up trash around the lakes and cut trees down in the Blue Lake overflow area. Tritt and Jensen completed installation of the new spotting scope at the ADA accessible pad at Rainbow Lake. They used the tractor to move some large boulders to protect the spotting scope from being backed into.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Turnbull Hunt By Reservation: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer and Natural Resources Technician Rumiser met with the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge manager to post hunt by reservation and boundary signs for the new 1,883 turkey access site. While posting the property Nizer and Rumiser stumbled across a bull moose. This access site will provide great access for turkey in the future and for viewing beautiful wildlife.

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Photo by WDFW

Cummings Creek Road: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Natural Resource Technician Tritt took the all-terrain vehicles to check Cummings Creek Road. There are several places where the trees are leaning over the road, making it difficult for horseback riders. Completing clearing of the road is a priority before the upcoming hunting seasons.

Landowner Hunting Permit Application: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer worked with Columbia Plateau Wildlife Management Association to submit their Landowner Hunting Permit application for the three-year seasons. Nizer also reached out to Officer Copenhaver to see if he would be willing to attend a meeting that they will be having on Sep. 14. This will allow them to get familiar with the officer that covers their area.

Mentored Youth Hunt: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated with Jason Cushman with Pheasants Forever of Spokane to organize the mentored youth hunt on Sep. 16. The sites were reserved for the youth hunt and birds will be held back to release at the designated sites.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Contract Range Rider Check-In: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb conducted a check-in with a contract range rider. Jacobson was also informed of a contract range rider who may be interested in riding in his area of responsibility.  

Potential Contract Range Rider Calls: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade spoke with two potential range riders and provided them with information regarding the program. 

Wolf Activity and producer Contacts Anatone Area: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade worked to contact multiple producers to gain access to their private property for wolf related operations this week. Wade worked to inform the District 3 wolf team of private lands access for the operations. Kolb, Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman, and Wade met with an Anatone area producer to deploy a radio activated guard (RAG) box on their property. Heitstuman and Wade returned later in the week to build an enclosure around the RAG box to prevent damage from cattle and wildlife in the area. The RAG box was deployed in response to a confirmed wolf depredation in the pasture. Wade also discussed grazing rotations with another producer who is running out of viable pasture outside of the W139 activity center.

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Photo by WDFW

Wolf Depredation: Natural Resource Technician Harris, Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill, and Officer Thoma met with a producer to investigate an injured cow that was discovered on a grazing allotment in the Smackout pack territory. Staff members confirmed that the cow was injured during a confirmed wolf depredation event. The cow will stay at the producer’s homeplace for the remainder of the grazing season while it recovers from its injuries.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Project Proposals: Natural Resource Technician Harris worked on writing proposals for habitat restoration projects to be conducted in 2024. Harris also met with two landowners that were interested in carrying out riparian area restoration projects on their land. 

Asotin Creek Boundary Stock Fence: Wildlife Area Manager Dice looked at 1,000 feet of stock fence built by wildlife area staff and University of Idaho interns at Cook Ridge. The fence closed a hole left by the contractor who didn’t finish his job and has now left the area. Dice also locked the gate going into WDFW land at Cook Ridge and posted agency signs. The contractor sent a crew over to finish cleanup work in order to get paid. Their work wasn’t exactly what we were looking for but will have to do. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Medical Lake Gray Fire: The Medical Lake Gray Fire that started on Aug. 18 destroyed several homes also did some damage to WDFW West Medical Lake access area. The fire destroyed four fiberglass outhouses along with countless signs, fences, and several large ponderosa trees will need to be cut down. Access Manager Dziekan used plywood to cover the open toilet pits after removing the outhouse debris over the openings to make the area safer for the public. Dziekan took many photos and documented the damage in a report that was submitted to Wildlife Area Manager Finch.

This week, Budget Analyst Nelson, Camp Engineer Hansen, Dziekan, and Finch met on teams to discuss the damage caused from the Gray Fire and estimate the cost to repair the damage. Nelson will be submitting a funding request soon to cover the damage repairs. Dziekan is also documenting the hours doing cleanup work. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Habitat Proposal: Natural Resource Technician Harris wrote and submitted a funding proposal for a riparian restoration project on the Vetter Farm in Stevens County. Harris met with Biologist Stetson at the project site to discuss the project. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Mentored Youth Deer Camp: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill helped to coordinate and plan the upcoming Third Annual Chris Christensen Memorial Youth Deer Camp. The camp will take place at the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area the weekend of Aug. 24 through Aug. 27. 

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb continued coordination throughout the week on hunter education support for future classes. 

Chronic Wasting Disease Billboard: Wildlife Biologists Prince and Turnock, Ungulate Research Scientist DeVivo, Access Manager Dziekan, and Chronic Wasting Disease Technician Brant installed a CWD billboard south of Chewelah. The billboard space was provided by the Northeast Washington Wildlife Group and the sign will be in place from now until mid-December.

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Photo by WDFW

Northeast Washington Fair: Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty managed a booth with Assistant District Biologist Turnock at the Northeast Washington Fair.

Natural Resource Technician Harris staffed the WDFW booth at the Northeast Washington Fair in Colville. 

Spokane Interview: Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty spoke with a reporter that was experiencing squirrel damage to his potted tomato plants and wanted to write a newspaper article on squirrel damage in urban areas.

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb contacted newspapers in Walla Walla and Columbia County about up-coming hunter education opportunities in the area in the event the editors want to share the information with their readers. 

Another Unauthorized Field Camp: Fish and Wildlife Officer Thoma successfully got a set of unauthorized residence campers on the western end of Sherman Creek Wildlife Area to clean up and leave their site last week. Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer spotted a new camp, near the previous one along the south fork of Sherman Creek. This new camp appeared to belong to a single person but was unoccupied and in disarray. Palmer cleaned up the site and threw the debris in the dumpster at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area headquarters. 

Columbia County Fair Booth: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Fish Manager Trump put the WDFW Fair booth together.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Lethal Removal Recommendation: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna spent a considerable amount of time writing the WA-139 wolf group lethal removal recommendation. The District 3 wolf team provided edits and comments. McCanna worked with the Attorney General office for final edits and comments. McCanna sent final recommendation to Region 1 Director Kuttel and Director Susewind.  

The Sherman Creek Wildlife Area office received a new heat pump heating and cooling system on Friday. This replaces an old electric baseboard for heat and opened windows and a fan for cooling. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

After Action Review: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna facilitated an after action review after a depredation in District 3. The cause of death was non-depredation. 

Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna facilitated an after action review for the WA-139 group recommendation and lethal removal operation. Notes from the meeting can be found at After Action Review.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Pikas: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman had a meeting with an employee of Washington State Parks to discuss American pika on Mount Spokane. We discussed previous survey efforts and identified locations where pika have been observed on the park in the past 20 years. The park is evaluating the potential for implementation of a volunteer survey effort to search areas of suitable habitat for pika. 

Chronic Wasting Disease Sample: Natural Resource Technician Harris collected a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sample from a cow elk that was harvested in Game Management Unit (GMU) 121 with a depredation kill permit.  

Chronic Wasting Disease Operations: Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman checked local pits for CWD samples. A sample was collected from the Clarkston pit. The laptop for sample data malfunctioned and another is being ordered. 

Grizzly Bear Survey: Wildlife Biologists Prince and Turnock picked up one hair corral in Pend Oreille County. Only black bears were detected. In addition, they deployed a new corral in the same general area.  

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Bat Survey: Wildlife Biologists Prince and Turnock conducted an exit count bat survey in Ferry County this week. The homeowner reported the colony through Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) online reporting tool and biologists followed up to determine species using the space and number of bats present. Only 26 bats were observed. However, the week prior the landowner observed 148 using the same technique.

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Photo by WDFW

Elk Calf Survival Study: Biologist Vekasy worked with field crews coordinating mortality investigations and updating tracking spreadsheets. With a number of failed transmitters and shed collars again being an issue, particularly in GMU 175. Active collars are now down to 58 from a total of 115 deployed. As in the past, cougar predation has been the main cause of mortality, running slightly lower than previous years at 66% of all mortality causes.  

Bumble Bee Surveys: Biologists Wik and Vekasy completed bumble bee surveys in a high priority cell in north Walla Walla. Although floral resources were still available at the selected survey locations, bumble bees were scarce, with only one seen at the first sight and seven captures or seen at the second sight. Vekasy also completed a survey at another partially sampled cell and found an assortment of species using a community garden in the Walla Walla area. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Small Bat in a Tight Spot: On Thursday, Aug. 10, Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Manager Anderson heard a thunk on an office window, as something small and dark hit the metal grid over the window. Inspection found a bat (appeared to be a little brown bat) had crawled through the grid and wedged itself between the grid and the window. Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Natural Resources Technician Zueger assisted Anderson to loosen the bolts holding the corner of the grid to the window, and propped it open a bit. The bat dropped down below the sill to hang, still behind the grill. They left the grid corner propped over the weekend for the bat to easily escape. 

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Photo by WDFW

Chronic Wasting Disease Samples: Natural Resource Technician Harris collected a CWD sample from a roadkill deer in GMU 121.  

Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer took samples from two roadkill mule deer in Whitman County.   

Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman checked local pits for CWD samples. Two samples were collected. Better notification was discussed on sampling opportunities.    

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Trail Clearing: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer and Natural Resource Technician Zueger used a mini-excavator, power tools, and hand tools to clear out portions of the Columbia River trail that runs south from Sherman Creek Wildlife Area headquarters past Sherman Creek Hatchery and down to Haag Cove.   

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Photo by WDFW

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Blue Green Algae Blooms: Rainbow Lake is currently having a blue green algae bloom. Wildlife Area Manager Dingman is working with the Columbia County Health Department to get the water tested for toxins. Warning signs were posted at all access points to the lake. Watson Lake and Spring Lake are experiencing algal blooms and are being monitored for blue green algae.   

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Photo by WDFW

ADA Hunting Access: Natural Resource Technician Harris spoke with a disabled hunter looking for ADA hunting access for moose hunting in GMU 117. Harris provided the hunter with information about the Mitchell Mountain disability hunter access and contacts for Colville National Forest and Inland Northwest Wildlife Council Disability Access Committee. Upon request, Harris forwarded the hunter’s contact information to district biologists for more information regarding moose populations in GMU 117.  

Turnbull Hunt by Reservation: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated with the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge by getting the agreement signed for this upcoming season.   

Terminally Ill Hunter: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb conducted coordination with a terminally ill hunter issued a permit from WDFW for the GMU 149 Prescott. Kolb spoke with landowner on behalf of the hunter who will be traveling from out of state to conduct the hunt.    

Youth Mentor Hunt: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated with Jason Cushman with Pheasants Forever to coordinate the youth mentored hunt that will be taking place this fall for the youth opening weekend hunt. Properties in the reservation program are being coordinated to be reserved for this hunt. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Depredation Investigation: WDFW staff members responded to a report of a dead calf being found on a United States Forest Service allotment. The calf was located partially submerged in a pond. WDFW staff members documented the area and removed the calf carcass from the pond to conduct a necropsy. They documented injuries constituent with a probable wolf depredation. Wolf tracks were documented roughly half a mile from the carcass and collar data showed that the collared animal from the 139 group had been in the area for several days. The investigation determination was probable wolf depredation

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Potential Contract Range Rider Calls: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade reached out to two potential contract range riders this week. Both said they would call back to discuss the program and their potential interest when time allowed. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Bureau of Land Management/Ducks Unlimited Project Tour: On Wednesday, Wildlife Area Manager Finch met with staff members from the Spokane District Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Ducks Unlimited (DU) Engineer Heck and DU Biologist Blewett at BLM’s Oliger property along Telford Road to discuss opening up a wetland area with a concrete flood control structure that was built around 2000 but had silted in to just a small stream running down the property. The discussion was to determine where to stack the spoils that had been already culturally cleared by the BLM archologist. The other discussion was to use the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area staff members, already funded through an existing BLM agreement, to accomplish the work.

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Conservation Reserve Program: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer assisted Rock Lake Conservation District in mowing a site for weeds next to a creek area. This site was recently planted with native shrubs this last fall by WDFW staff members and seeded with perennial grasses. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Turkey Proposals: Private Lands Biologist Hadley received information for project proposals from WDFW and the National Wild Turkey Federation to pass on to partners that may be interested. Hadley discussed a potential project partnership with the Corps of Engineers and will follow up next week with more details.   

4-O Ranch Wildlife Area Bucannon Field Restoration: Biologist Woodall spent the week traveling to the 4-O Ranch and mowing weeds out of the Bucannon field. In spring 2023, this field was planted with orchard grass. This field has been a hotbed of weed infestations. We chose orchard grass to compete against weeds and provide good forage for elk. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Habitat Improvement Planning: Natural Resource Technician Harris met with a Hunting only by Written Permission cooperator to discuss potential habitat improvement projects for waterfowl, deer, and upland game species.   

Sourcing Seed and Plants: At the request of the Private Lands Biologist Baarstad, Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman was able to source and secure a minimum of 200 pounds of fall canola seed for planting. The seed will be delivered to the St. John office on Aug. 15 where it will be picked up and taken to the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area for planting. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb set up venue locations for a September Hunter Education traditional class and a separate online class field day.  

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation 2023 Rendezvous: Wildlife Area Manager Dice put together a Power Point presentation on Lick Creek fire recovery projects and past Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) volunteer activities on the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area and presented it to RMEF members at their 2023 Rendezvous at White Pass on Saturday. The presentation went well and was appreciated by the members.   

National Hunting and Fishing Day Preparation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty assisted with organizing presenters for the National Hunting and Fishing Day that will be held in District 1 per request of Volunteer Coordinator Dazey.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Pasture Ride Along: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb conducted a ride along with a producer on private pasture in Touchet pack territory. Kolb assisted the producer with trail camera set up as well as documenting wolf signs in different areas of the pasture.     

District 3 Draft Lethal Removal Recommendation Meeting: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna facilitated a meeting to start the draft lethal removal recommendation process for the WA139 wolf group. McCanna made assignments for staff members to start filling in portions of the recommendation. McCanna will call another meeting if we have another confirmed wolf depredation.  

Cattle Producers of Washington Board Meeting: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna attended a special board meeting to discuss the new Department of Agriculture grant received. We then met with the range riders to review and sign new contracts, discuss WDFW expectations for their handwritten logs, and install the new software upgrade on their InReach devices.   

Other

Weather Event: On Monday, a severe thunderstorm rolled through the area and knocked out the power for over four hours and dropped rainfall over one inch. In some locations, rainfall measured closer to two inches. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Managing Wildlife Populations

Tucannon Bighorn Sheep Herd: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman located the Tucannon bighorn sheep herd this week and found all 12 sheep, including 3 lambs, that make up the majority of the herd. 

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Chronic Wasting Disease: Dingman sampled a roadkill white-tailed doe along Patit Road on one of her morning commutes this week. Dingman contacted the new owners of the Last Resort Campground regarding collecting Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) samples there again this fall. They are on-board to allow us to collect samples from harvested deer in the cooler, as hunters allow, and to set up a check station during general deer season. 

Chronic Wasting Disease Operations: Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman checked local pits for CWD Samples. Local Department of Transportation (DOT) employees have noticed a drop in numbers of road kills. Heitstuman discussed DOT participation and tag supply with District Biologist Wik. 

Chronic Wasting Disease Sample: Natural Resource Technician Harris collected a CWD sample from a roadkill deer in GMU 117. Natural Resource Technician Janowski collected a CWD sample from a deer in GMU 121. The deer had been struck by a vehicle and survived but was euthanized as a result of the injuries. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Trail Clean-up: Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer and Natural Resources Technician Zueger spent the morning of July 20 clearing pinecones off the hiking trail along the Columbia River, between Sherman Creek Headquarters and Haag Cove to the south. They used a motorized “flapper-wheel” attachment on a weed whacker pole, that pushes the cones off the route of travel. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Access Program: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer corresponded with the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge about the upcoming contract for 1,800 acres on the refuge that would provide turkey hunting in the Hunt by Reservation program. The contract is in the hands of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and should be ready for signatures in the coming weeks. 

Cooperative Road Management Agreement: Natural Resource Technician Harris visited several timber parcels enrolled in the Cooperative Road Management Agreement (CRMA) program and checked for proper signage and recreation activity. 

Recreation Access Closure: Natural Resource Technician Janowski coordinated with Communications Specialist Lehman to relay information to other WDFW staff members regarding private and industrial timber access closures. Several timber companies who typically allow public access had decided to close lands due to the fire danger. A timber company in Stevens County is participating in this closure. 

Grande Ronde River Access Sites: Heimgartner and Nielsen graveled one of the driveways at the Faha access site. They hauled two, three dump trailer loads of rock on the road and smoothed it with their John Deere tractor and land plane. 

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Horseshoe Lake Jersey Barriers: Earlier this year, someone hit the concrete jersey barriers at the Horseshoe Lake access area with a vehicle. One barrier was dislodged from its position, another was dragged into the driveway that leads to the parking area, creating a hazard for visitors’ vehicles. This week, Sherman Creek Wildlife Area and water access area staff members coordinated to remedy the situation using a mini-excavator, truck, chains, and hand tools. A line of jersey barriers separated the county road from the access area parking lot, but they were originally set haphazardly with large gaps in between. Rather than just moving and turning the dislodged barriers upright, the four employees reinstalled them correctly. Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer used the mini-excavator to move the barriers out of the way so the team could prepare the ground. As Palmer pushed gravel out of the way, Natural Resource Technicians Brant and Zueger used hand shovels to flatten the site. Once the prep work was done, the dislodged barriers were righted and installed properly. With a deft touch, Palmer got all the barriers set back in place, bumped up against each other and straight. This reduced the length the row that stuck out too close to the entrance of the access area by the length of one barrier. The shorter row should help prevent anyone from running into them in the future as they turn into the parking area. Having them linked together will reduce the chances of damage from barriers being pushed into parked cars or being left in the middle of the driveway if they are hit again. This repair is a great example of different work groups joining to get a big job done.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Bear Trap: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb picked up a new bear trap and capture tarp from the Wenatchee office. 

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Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Asotin Creek Wildlife Area Spalding Catchfly Surveys: Woodall and the University of Idaho interns recently completed eight Spalding catchfly surveys for the year. There are two more to go, that they can finish next week. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Reardan Audubon Access Work: Access Manager Dziekan and Natural Resource Technician Brant painted the parking areas on the access sites.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Habitat Site Evaluation: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer and Natural Resource Technician Rumiser checked a 20-acre site that was seeded in spring as a cover crop to see how it looked. The landowner recently mowed it, but everything looks like it grew at a good rate. Site will be planted again in the fall for a pollinator crop. 

Guzzler Repair: Private Lands Biologist Hadley worked with members from the Richland Rod and Gun Club to rebuild a wildlife watering facility (guzzler) roof and posts. 

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Photo by WDFW

Cultural Review: Private Lands Biologist Hadley worked with WDFW Landscape Conservation Section Manager Gorrell as well as the Walla Walla Conservation District habitat planner regarding obtaining Cultural Reviews of upcoming habitat plantings projects. 

Sourcing Seed and Plants: Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman conducted a field inspection on the Smoothing Iron Wildlife Area to help consider options for field food plots to support deer and elk through the winter as well as to try to keep the elk off surrounding private lands. 

4-O Ranch Wildlife Area Grass Planting: Dice looked at orchard grass seeded on 53 acres on the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area on Monday. The grass is looking good. Unfortunately, the weeds are thriving as well, and the field needs mowed as soon as possible. We are planning on moving a tractor along with a 15-foot mower from Joseph Creek to the 4-O Wildlife Area soon to mow the fields. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

State Lands Restoration - Little Walla Walla River Restoration Project: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman started working on the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) Nationwide Permit application to obtain the necessary permits to complete the habitat restoration project on the Swegle Unit of the W. T. Wooten Wildlife Area. She also started working on the Cultural Resources desktop review request. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Bear Airbnb Pamphlet: Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty began discussions of a guidance pamphlet of leaflet to provide Bear Aware information to Airbnb tenants in high tourism areas. This pamphlet can be provided by the property manager or owner in the welcome packet at each Airbnb location. 

Wolf Presentation: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna and Wolf Biologist Roussin did a public PowerPoint presentation in Greenbluff. Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended the presentation. The informal program provided information on the ecology and management of wolves in Washington to folks living in the area of the new Mt Spokane wolf pack. Around 80 people attended, and the information was well received. 

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Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Employee Evaluations: Private Lands Supervisor Earl worked on the Region 1 private lands team evaluations this week. Earl also travelled to meet with Biologist Baarstad to complete his evaluation. 

Regional Meeting: Private Lands Biologist Hadley attended the Service and Regional Awards Meeting held at the Region 1 office with updates from directors and program breakout meetings.

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Managing Wildlife Populations

Western Grebes: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman conducted western grebe surveys on two lakes to document nesting activity and count the total number of western grebes observed on each lake. The grebe nesting colony on Long Lake has grown again since the last survey was conducted in 2021. Sprague Lake was surveyed for nesting western grebes for the first time this year, and although no nests were discovered there were unusually large numbers of grebes observed which is what prompted this initial survey. The emergent vegetation looks too dense for grebe nests so this lake may just provide suitable summer habitat for non-breeding birds. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Chronic Wasting Disease: Natural Resource Technician Janowski collected a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sample from a roadkill deer in GMU 121.

Grizzly Bear Hair Corral: Wildlife Biologists Prince and Turnock took advantage of the cooler weather and deployed a hair corral in Pend Oreille County for grizzly bear monitoring. They also checked an established rub tree and were delayed by road destruction and maintenance. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Hunt By Reservation Only: Natural Resource Technicians Nizer and Rumiser created hunting calendars for the Whitman County landowners. These calendars will be given to the landowners with the dates blocked out marking the agreed days which can be hunted throughout the upcoming hunting season. These dates can be viewed on the WDFW Private Lands Hunting website. 

Natural Resource Technician Nizer created a draft Hunt by Reservation Only contract for Mica Peak and sent it to the Director of Spokane County Parks Chase for reviewal. Once Spokane County Parks reviews and agrees with the draft contract, it will be signed off by both parties and deer and turkey hunting access will be allowed for 2023-2028 hunting seasons. 

Loon Lake Dock Repair: Water Access Area taff members Dziekan and Brant fixed the broken section of the gangway adjacent to the WDFW boat ramp at Loon Lake. Dziekan had stashed some old boards at his office after an earlier project. He and Brant cut some to size and replaced the broken plastic tread area of the dock. Ingenuity in action!

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Master Hunter Selection Letters: Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty sent out letters of success and expectations documents to selected Master Hunters in Region 1.

Turnbull Turkey Access: Interim Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated with the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge to allow turkey hunting access for fall of 2023. Nizer coordinated with WDFW staff members to create a memorandum of agreement. Nizer created the maps for the turkey site and wrote up the legal description of the property.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Livestock Direct Loss Claims: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade met with one producer this week to assist with completing their direct loss claims packet for a confirmed wolf depredation. Wade also assisted a producer with initiating a direct loss claim for a confirmed cougar depredation that occurred this week. Wade also followed up with Statewide Wildlife Conflict Analyst Todd on the claims. 

Bear Damage: Natural Resource Technician Harris picked up an electric fence deployed at a property to prevent a black bear from getting into a porch freezer. Harris discussed permanent solutions for preventing future bear damage with the landowner and provided them with informational materials to build their own electric fence. 

Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb has been working with a Walla Walla County producer the last couple of years to address black bear damage in mountain commercial strawberry fields. Last year was especially bad in terms of crop damage, and with the elimination of spring black bear season, there was essentially no pressure on the bears. Furthermore, a producer cannot submit a commercial crop damage claim for black bear damage since compensation for crop damage caused by black bears is not covered in existing rules, laws, and regulations (i.e., WACs & RCWs). This year, the producer installed a carnivore specific 5-wire electric fence incurring a significant out-of-pocket-cost to the producer. WDFW provided some material support, specifically a high-powered energizer. Last year the field yielded 15 flats of strawberries (due to extensive bear damage), and this year the field yielded 450 flats of strawberries. The producer is very happy with the result of this year’s yield, the effectiveness of the fence design, and they are appreciative of the limited support WDFW was able to provide. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Revere Wildlife Area: Natural Resource Technician Wagner finished spot spraying Scotch thistle and Rush skeleton weed at the Revere Wildlife Area. The Scotch thistle was dying slowly but was already beginning to flower, so Wagner decided to spray it again to prevent the weeds from going to seed. 

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Photo by WDFW

Eloika Lake: After performing routine field work at the Eloika Lake access site, Brant noticed that the ADA paint of the concrete parking area was faded beyond recognition and needed to be addressed. Brant was able to round up the supplies he needed, and he painted ADA parking spots. 

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Education and Outreach

Seasonal Fire Restrictions: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area and North Region 1 Water Access Area staff members posted new seasonal fire restriction posters at entry points to our lands on Thursday, July 6. Activity restrictions started on Friday, July 7. 

Spokatopia: Access Manager Dziekan worked a booth at Spokatopia, an outdoor activity focused event held on the banks of the Spokane River. Dziekan set up the booth on Friday and staffed it on Saturday. Spokatopia is geared towards mountain bikers and paddle boarders, but the WDFW booth stayed busy. It was very popular with the kiddos, who enjoyed touching the pelts and skulls. Dziekan had some good conversations with attendees, even though the group was a bit different from our usual shows where WDFW has a presence. Overall, a good show. 

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Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Kiosk: Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Rimmelspacher and Natural Resource Technician Wagner worked on the renovation of the kiosk located on Swanson Lakes. The kiosk and the signs that were hung on it were in poor shape. After a new layer of paint, new signs, and clean plexiglass the kiosk looks brand new. 

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Photo by WDFW

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Annual Evaluations: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna spent three days meeting with Private Lands Supervisor Earl, Wildlife Conflict Specialists Kolb, McCarty, and Wade at their offices to perform annual evaluations. McCanna worked with staff members on expectations for the upcoming year. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Bumble Bees: Biologist Brinkman, with cross-program assistance from Habitat Biologists Westerman and Kinnick, conducted follow-up bumble bee surveys in Lincoln County as part of the PNW Bumble Bee Atlas Project. These surveys were conducted in the same two locations as the surveys conducted earlier in June to provide information about changes to the flowering resources available and any changes to the diversity of bumble bee species captured. Several different species of bumble bees were captured at both survey locations. 

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Golden Eagles: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman assisted District 3 Biologist Vekasy, Research Scientist Watson, and two technicians with capture and marking of two golden eagle nestlings at a nest site near Central Ferry along the Snake River. One of these nestlings was fitted with a backpack GPS transmitter to monitor movements after fledging and track survival of this individual.   

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Ferruginous Hawk: Private Lands Biologist Hadley assisted Wildlife Research Scientist Watson and Assistant District 3 Wildlife Biologist Vekasy with tagging a ferruginous hawk fledgling, banding it for identification and then fitting one of the fledglings with a transmitter. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Campsite Maintenance: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Natural Resources Technician Zueger and Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer felled a dead Douglas fir that was a hazard to a campsite at Sherman Creek, off Trout Lake Road. Palmer cut the tree down, and Zueger limbed it, gaining chainsaw experience. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Tree Removal at Clear Lake: Brant used his new chainsaw training to take down a dead Ponderosa pine at the upper Clear Lake parking lot. A perfect cut dropped the tree where they wanted it! The pair bucked up the trunk and removed limbs, and will remove remaining debris later, after the trunk rounds have a chance to “walk away.”

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Photo by WDFW

Vetter Farm Work Party: Natural Resource Technicians Harris and Janowski attended the Stevens County Conservation District (SCCD) Vetter Farm work party. Natural Resource Technicians Harris and Janowski assisted SCCD with building fence and planting a pollinator garden. 

Habitat Work: Natural Resource Technician Nizer and Natural Resource Technician Rumiser mowed noxious weeds at a feel free to hunt property. Weeds will be evaluated and sprayed in the following weeks.  

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Asotin County Elk: Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman conducted an early morning patrol in the Cloverland area. Several small groups of elk were in summer fallow fields. A large group was hazed out of a growing field. This field is due to be renewed for hunter access, contact was made with the listed owner. 

Wolf Activity: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb was visiting with a producer about elk damage when the producer mentioned that he observed seven wolves in a cattle pasture recently. Kolb contacted the producer and additional non-lethal deterrents were deployed across the pasture site.   

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Livestock Depredation: WDFW Enforcement and Wildlife Conflict staff members investigated a domestic livestock mortality in Columbia County resulting in a confirmed cougar depredation. A male cougar was removed because of the confirmed depredation in close proximity to an occupied dwelling with children present.   

Reported Possible Depredation in 139 Pack Territory: WDFW staff members responded to a report of a dead 2-year-old heifer being found by a producer who believed that it was likely a predator depredation. WDFW staff members investigated the depredation site and conducted a field necropsy. Staff members confirmed that it was a wolf depredation.  

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Turkey Feeding, Spokane Valley: Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty discussed concerns about neighbors feeding turkeys in a residential neighborhood and the potential for increased aggression toward humans if the birds were continually fed.  

Outreach and Teamwork: Biologist Baarstad met with small forest landowners in Stevens and Pend Oreille counties to tour their properties and provide land management advice for forest stewardship and wildlife benefits. Baarstad worked with the Inland NW Wildlife Council, WDFW volunteers, and Technician Wagner to clear disabled hunter access routes on U.S Forest Service lands in Stevens and Pend Oreille counties. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Habitat Coordination: Private Lands Biologist Hadley met with a Walla Walla Conservation District Voluntary Stewardship Program Coordinator to discuss areas of project coordination and focus areas. 

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Grant: Natural Resource Technician Janowski completed a final project completion report and submitted the document to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF). RMEF provided funding for a conifer tree planting in Stevens County and the organization requires a project report for their records. 

Habitat Coordination: Private Lands Biologist Hadley met with a Walla Walla Conservation District and members of Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever Chapter to discuss coordination of future projects. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Conservation District Partnership: Natural Resource Technician Nizer met with Whitman Conservation District to partner with a mowing project on a restoration site of theirs.  

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Budget: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna put together budget allotments for all Region 1 wildlife conflict and private lands staff members. McCanna sent to Budget Analyst Quinton to plan for the 23-24 fiscal year.

Hunt by Reservation Renewal: Natural Resource Technician Nizer and Natural Resource Technician Rumiser met with Spokane, Park, Recreation, and Golf Executive Director Chase to discuss renewing the reservation for Mica Peak for an additional five years. Chase was pleased with the last contract period and is interested in joining for another five years.  

Wolf Advisory Group Meeting: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna attended the Wolf Advisory Group (WAG) field trip on Monday, in Clarkston looking at several different grazing allotments and their challenges. They then met with several producers in the 139-wolf pack territory in the Anatone area to hear their challenges with the recent confirmed and probable wolf depredations. Tuesday and Wednesday, McCanna attended the in-person WAG meeting in Clarkston.