Managing Wildlife Populations

Washington Ground Squirrels: Biologists Jeffreys and Eilers and Technician Maynard trapped Washington ground squirrels at the Sagebrush Flats Wildlife Area Unit in Douglas County. The trapping was done to collect DNA samples that will be sent to the University of Idaho as part of a genetic study. Biologists placed baited walk-in traps at active ground squirrel colonies and collected buccal (AKA inside of the cheek) swabs from captured squirrels before releasing them onsite. Washington ground squirrels are designated as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), in addition to being a state-candidate species.

Greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse: Biologists are continuing to monitor known leks across Douglas County to inform population estimates of greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, both of which are classified as Endangered by the state of Washington. Douglas County has by far the highest abundance of greater sage-grouse in the state of Washington; however, the population is small and has experienced a steep decline over the past several decades. Additionally, biologists and other WDFW staff members and agency partners are conducting an intensive search for previously unknown leks by driving county roads and stopping every half mile to get out and listen for the vocalizations grouse often make while displaying. With this year’s increase in survey effort, biologists hope to find more lek sites for both species and locate leks that were displaced by the Pearl Hill Fire.

Annual Grouse Surveys: Private Lands Biologist Braaten continue surveying Sage and Sharp-tailed grouse in Douglas County. 

Grouse Surveys: Biologist Morris assisted with sage grouse searches in South Douglas County. Grouse surveys are looking to see if there are grouse in areas where they haven’t been seen recently. To do the surveys, Morris drives public roads within an assigned area and stops every half mile to listen and look for sage grouse. Morris didn’t see any grouse in his surveys but saw plenty of other interesting wildlife, including savannah sparrows, horned larks, and sandhill cranes.

Mountain Goats: Biologist Jeffreys and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Bridges spent a day aerially surveying the south shore of Lake Chelan for mountain goats as part of ongoing efforts to learn more about the distribution, abundance, recruitment, and trends of mountain goat populations in the Lake Chelan Basin. Survey weather was ideal, with very light winds and clear skies. Surveyors observed 25 goats between Devore Creek and Box Canyon, which is in line with recent years’ counts. Surveyors observed 24 mountain goats on the south shore in 2024, and 20 goats in 2022.

Mule Deer: Biologists Emily Jeffreys and Johnna Eilers picked up 18 remote trail cameras on game trails near Blewett Pass. These cameras were used to capture images of the Wenatchee Mountains mule deer herd from October through December 2024 when they were undertaking their annual eastward migration to lower elevation winter range. Biologists will soon analyze the thousands of images collected to determine age and sex of photographed deer and use this information to generate fawn:doe and buck:doe ratios for the herd. Biologists will then compare these ratios with those obtained from aerial surveys that took place in December 2024 to determine whether remote camera placement could be a viable method to assess mule deer herd composition moving forward.

Pygmy rabbit captures and releases: Biologists Crowell and Turner led the first enclosure capture efforts of the year with help from Biologists Gallie and Turnock and Technicians Hara and Maynard, as well as partners and volunteer members from Woodland Park Zoo, Conservation Northwest, Pheasants Forever, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Between two enclosures, eight breeding adults (seven males, one female) and eight kits were captured. Five kits were old enough to be vaccinated for RHDV2 and released into the wild. Three kits that were too young were ear-marked and placed back in the enclosure. Six adults were also vaccinated for RHDV2 and released back into their enclosure.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Hunter Access: Biologist Morris worked with the Buckrun Landowner Hunting Permits (LHP) landowners to update their permits and contract. Several thousand of their acres were sold and removed from the LHP, and so Morris worked with them, District Wildlife Biologist Dougherty, and Private Lands Section Manager McCanna to update permit numbers and LHP boundaries.

Morris also had several other expiring hunter access contracts that he updated to ensure that public hunting access is maintained on private lands.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement (DACP): Specialist Heilhecker met with a livestock producer to discuss a Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement. The producer is interested in signing the agreement to cost-share range riding expenses. Their livestock graze within a known wolf territory. Specialist Heilhecker submitted the agreement to headquarters staff members. Heilhecker is waiting to receive a copy for producer’s signature.

Specialist Heilhecker coordinated livestock monitoring activities with a contracted range rider.

Grazing Permit Management: Specialist Heilhecker attended a meeting with wildlife area managers to discuss nonlethal deterrence measures for wolf-livestock interactions. WDFW grazing permit holders will be required to deploy nonlethal deterrence measures this grazing season. Measures include checking livestock four to five times per week, notifying wildlife area managers of any livestock carcasses and any sick or injured livestock, and avoid denning areas, in addition to other measures.

Cougar Depredation Investigation: Specialist Heilhecker responded to a cougar depredation on a lamb. The livestock producer stated the lamb was alive the previous morning when the sheep were turned out into the pasture for the day. A couple hours later, their livestock guardian dogs herded the sheep to the flats and stayed with the sheep for remainder of the day. Around dusk, the sheep were brought back to the barn for the night. However, the sheep were not counted, and the lamb was not discovered missing until the next day as they were turned out. The livestock producer has several nonlethal deterrence measures in place including the livestock guardian dogs, bringing sheep in at night, motion sensor lights, and no attractants such as a boneyard.

Grazing Permit Revision: Specialist Heilhecker, along with Wildlife Regional Program Manager Haug worked on a grazing risk assessment for the Chiliwist Unit of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area. The Chiliwist Unit lies with the Sullivan Creek pack territory. The pack has a history of three depredations within a 10-month window dating back to August 2024. Based on the annual operation plans for grazing permits on WDFW lands, the depredations met one of three high risk criteria. Any high-risk criteria trigger a decision by the director as to whether the grazing permit needs modifications. Manager Haug and Specialist Heilhecker developed options and a recommendation for Director Susewind to consider.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Habitat Restoration Projects: Biologist Morris, Biologist Cook, and Private Lands Technician Blanchard planted over 600 native grass plugs (container-grown grass plants) to enhance cover and forage in recently established habitat plots. Grasses planted included basin wildrye, Indian ricegrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, bluebunch wheatgrass, and Sandberg’s bluegrass.

Habitat Restoration: Private Lands Biologist Braaten planted 400 riparian trees/shrubs this week in Douglas County on private lands. 

Fence Removal: Biologist Morris hauled away old fence materials that the Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crew members removed from private property near Quincy. WCC crew members removed the old, broken-down fence last fall but didn’t have time to remove it. Morris hauled away approximately 1,000 pounds of old barbed wire. The removal of the fence will facilitate easier wildlife movement and reduce the risk of wildlife entanglement or collisions with the fence. It will also make access easier for the landowner and WDFW wildlife survey crews on the property that is a Community Restoration Program field with mature wildlife habitat that supports Species of Greatest Conservation Need and federally listed endangered species.

Habitat Project Collaboration: Biologist Morris met with Pheasants Forever, Cascadia Conservation District, and a local landowner near Chelan to discuss possible habitat projects in the area. The landowner is very interested in creating wildlife habitat and helping their land recover from a recent fire. Morris provided technical advice on establishing beneficial wildlife habitat, including re-establishing an old stand of bitterbrush that burned in the fire. While there, the groups involved helped spread seed on a small area disturbed by post-fire cleanup by the landowner.

Habitat Monitoring: Biologist Morris went to check an area where he planted sagebrush and sprayed a pre-emergent herbicide to reduce weed competition last fall. Spring has sprung and there were the early blooming wildflowers displaying their vibrant colors, including sagebrush buttercup, yellowbells, and lomatium. The herbicide seems to be reducing weed pressure, but not affecting the native forbs, which is encouraging.

Community Restoration Program (CRP) Leave Areas: Biologist Morris and Private Lands Technician Blanchard flagged habitat leave areas in CRP fields that were going to be reseeded. Morris worked with the landowner, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Farm Service Agency to prevent areas of the field with suitable and potentially suitable pygmy rabbit habitat from being disturbed. The areas will be kept intact to provide current and future pygmy rabbit habitat. They also provide beneficial habitat to many other sagebrush-dwelling wildlife species including sage grouse, mule deer, songbirds, other small mammals, and many hawks and owls. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Volunteer Habitat Project: Biologists Morris and Cook, and Private Lands Technicians Blanchard and Wilson, worked with several seniors from Othello High School to plant approximately 400 native grass plugs on private land near Lind Coulee and Potholes Reservoir. Previous work by WDFW Private Lands staff members and the landowner had established mature native grass, shrub, and tress species on the site. The new basin wildrye and Indian ricegrass plants were added adjacent to a wildlife supplemental food plot and tree and shrub rows.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Specialist Heilhecker arranged for new tires on her motor pool vehicle.

Wolf Advisory Group Meeting: Specialist Heilhecker participated in wolf advisory group (WAG) coordination meetings where they discussed how to improve member participation. Specialist Heilhecker listened to the WAG meeting where members discussed range riding. WAG members developed a recommendation for Director Susewind to consider regarding changing the range riding criteria as a nonlethal measure for monitoring livestock. She then participated in an internal staff member debriefing as a follow-up to the meeting.

Specialist Heilhecker, Specialist Bridges, and Supervisor Rickel also attended a wolf coordination meeting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Wenatchee.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Deer Management: Biologist Dougherty assisted Private Lands staff members with assessing and determining changes to local LHPs (Landowner Hunt Program) for the upcoming hunting seasons.

Spring Mule Deer Surveys: Biologists Fitkin and Heinlen completed spring mule deer ground surveys classifying almost 1,600 mule deer. The raw counts yielded a fawn to adult ratio of 32 to100, which is close to the long-term average. 

Trapped, Sick and Injured Wildlife: Biologists Dougherty and Clements were notified of sick and dead snow geese at Potholes Reservior. After coordination with the reporting parties, the biologists went to the site and recovered serveral carcesses. Samples were collected and will be sent off for disease testing.

Ground Squirrels: Biologists Dougherty and Clements are continuing efforts to capture Washington ground squirrels in an effort to asses genetic diversity across the range. Dougherty and Clements took a break from baiting and trapping efforts to focus on other tasks, but pre-baiting and trapping will continue in the coming weeks.

Ferruginuous Hawks: Biologists Dougherty and Clements have been deeply invested in completing the first round of 2025 hawk surveys. After many phone calls and plenty of hiking and driving, the first round has been completed. Only two of the surveyed territories were found to be occupied by ferruginous hawks. However, Dougherty and Clements are planning return survey trips to some of the territories later in April. 

Other

Managing Wildlife Populations

Greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse: It’s officially grouse survey season! Biologists are monitoring known leks across Douglas County to get population estimates of both greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, both of which are classified as endangered by the state of Washington. Douglas County has by far the highest abundance of greater sage-grouse in the state of Washington; however, the population is small and has experienced a steep decline over the past several decades. 

Additionally, biologists and other Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members and agency partners are conducting an intensive search for previously unknown leks by driving county roads and stopping every half mile to get out and listen for the vocalizations grouse often make while displaying. With this year’s increase in survey effort, biologists hope to find more lek sites for both species and locate leks that were displaced by the Pearl Hill Fire. For more information on greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse in Washington, visit the WDFW website.

Sage Grouse Lek Counts: The Biodiversity Team has been conducting annual lek counts to monitor sage grouse populations in Douglas County. This year, they have been monitoring the Pine Canyon lek and the Dutch Henry lek, which have both been active. Lek counts will continue through spring, along with search efforts to find new leks in the area.

Washington Ground Squirrels: Biologists from across central/eastern Washington gathered for a training day about how to trap and process Washington ground squirrels. Throughout this spring, biologists will be trapping Washington ground squirrels to collect buccal swabs (AKA a swipe on the inside of the cheek) to collect DNA samples that will be sent to the University of Idaho as part of a genetic study. Washington ground squirrels are designated as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need by WDFW, and a state candidate for listing. 

Mountain Goats: Biologist Jeffreys and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Bridges spent a day aerially surveying the north shore of Lake Chelan and the Stehekin Area for mountain goats as part of ongoing efforts to learn more about the distribution, abundance, recruitment, and trends of mountain goat populations in the Lake Chelan Basin. Survey weather was ideal, with no wind and with partly cloudy skies becoming completely clear as the day progressed. Surveyors observed 62 goats between Lone Fir Creek and Boulder Creek, which represents the highest count for the north shore herd in over a decade! 

This compares to last year’s count of 40 goats on the north shore, which in turn was higher than all counts between 2017 and 2023 (Range = 17-30). Biologists hope to see numbers continue to rise in the coming years. 

Salamander Sightings: Evening work for northern leopard frogs has resulted in three incidental observations for tiger salamanders. Tiger salamanders are rarely seen as they are most active at night, but spring rains and warm evenings facilitate movement. Incidental observations like these are important for keeping updated records for species of concern. 

Northern Leopard Frog Surveys: The Biodiversity Team have been performing breeding surveys for northern leopard frogs. These surveys are important as they help inform WDFW where these state-endangered frogs are not only occupying, but breeding. This spring, northern leopard frogs have been observed successfully overwintering for the first time at a reintroduction site and calling in ponds that were found to have these frogs for the first time in over 20 years. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Annual Grouse Surveys: Private Lands Biologist Braaten began annual Sage and Sharp-tailed grouse surveys in Douglas County. County road conditions have improved. Some leks are becoming more active.

Winter Range Closure: Biologists Repp and White continue to monitor the winter closure areas for deer. While in one closed area, biologists noticed a well-established snowshoe trail. Later that afternoon, the biologists encountered two individuals on the trail. The trail was so well established that snowshoes were not needed in two feet of snow. Biologist Repp recognized the violators and reported the activity to Enforcement. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Methow Wildlife Area Shooting Range: Biologist White fabricated target stands and new stools for the shooting range. Recently, the Methow shooting range went through an extensive lead mitigation and cleanup effort. This range is known to be a highly popular recreational shooting area and people travel from as far away as Western Washington to target practice here. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Moose in Fenced Orchard: Specialist Bridges and Supervisor Rickel attempted to haze a young bull moose that was in a fenced orchard near Bridgeport. To complicate matters, there were two linemen crews in the orchard at the time working to replace electrical lines. Ultimately, the fence was cut to allow the moose to exit. Bridges and Rickel repaired the fence a few days later once the moose had gotten out on his own.

Responding to Possible Cougar Conflict: Specialist Heilhecker responded to an alleged report of a cougar attacking two dogs. The reporting party let the two dogs outside during the day. The dogs came back injured. The older pit bull had puncture wounds to the head and front legs; the younger pit bull mix had scratches on its face. The dogs were taken to the vet. According to the reporting party, the vet thought the two dogs fought with each other, except the owner has never witnessed the dogs fighting. The following evening, the neighbor reported seeing a cougar on the hill behind their houses. Specialist Heilhecker discussed protection measures with the dog owner.

Cougar Depredation Response: Specialist Heilhecker followed up with a landowner who reported sheep depredation from a cougar. They discussed nonlethal deterrence measures and the requirements for filing a livestock damage complaint. While the landowner has filed several claims in the past, there was some confusion regarding the timeline to file for a claim. Heilhecker and the landowner talked through the challenges. Specialist Heilhecker has visited the property in the past and confirmed the nonlethal deterrence measures, but she will visit the property again to sign off on the nonlethal deterrence measures.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Othello High School seniors plant native grasses: Biologists Morris and Cook, Private Lands Technician Blanchard, and Water Access Technician Wilson, along with four volunteer students from Othello High School planted 340 grass plugs in a an area along Lind Coulee. This area is great for wildlife, as the landowner plants food plots nearby. The area is between water and agricultural fields, and there are adjacent mature tree and shrub rows. Morris planted 300 basin wildrye grass plugs and 40 Indian ricegrass plugs to help create dense nesting, thermal, and escape cover next to the food and water. This was also a great opportunity for the Othello High School students to participate in habitat restoration and better understand Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) work. The current planting included about 400 native grass plugs to increase the diversity of native grasses.

Providing Education and Outreach

Grant Elementary School Science Fair: Biologist Cook, Regional Wildlife Program Manager Haug, Customer Service Specialist Bilodeau, and Administrative Assistant Jones hosted a room at the Grant Elementary School Science Fair in Ephrata. Prepared skulls, skins and displays were available for students and families to touch, interact with, and learn about wildlife with Cook and Haug explaining animal features, characteristics and facts. Coloring pages, informational activity books, bee and butterfly mask making, Make Your Own Creature activity, and small giveaway items were available also.

Outreach and Education at Chelan Middle School: Biologist Morris presented at the Chelan Middle School career and college day. He spoke with middle schoolers about how to prepare for a career in biology, the schooling required, biologist skills, and many of the fun experiences you can have as a biologist. The day was a lot of fun and students had lots of great questions for Morris.

Farmer’s Forum: Biologist Repp attended the Methow Conservancy’s Farmer’s Forum. This forum brought local farmers and ranchers together to learn and discuss relevant issues. This was a great opportunity to network, converse, and educate folks on the grazing and agriculture leases on the wildlife area.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Mountain Goat Survey: Specialist Bridges was scheduled to assist with this aerial-based survey, but it was rescheduled due to poor weather conditions. 

Other

Interview Panel Participation: Specialist Heilhecker participated on an interview panel for the natural resource technician position at the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area.

Specialist Heilhecker participated in an interview to fill the wildlife conflict specialist position in Pasco, WA.

District Team Meeting and Planting Project: Okanogan Lands staff members recently attended the quarterly District Team Meeting. The majority of Lands staff members met at the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area to attend the virtual meeting as a team. A few staff members attended virtually. The meeting was insightful as District wide updates were provided by all programs in attendance.

After the meeting, a mixture of wildlife area staff members from Scotch Creek, Sinlahekin, and Methow wildlife areas teamed up for a native shrub planting project in the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area. Staff planted approximately 150 shrubs consisting of aspen, red osier dogwood, and water birch near the banks of Scotch Creek as part of ongoing habitat enhancement work occurring in the adjacent area. Of note, this area of the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area is highly important for sharp-tailed grouse who winter along the creek. The species planted, particularly the water birch, which is a primary winter forage plant for sharp-tails, should expand critical habitat for grouse, but also for a wide array of other wildlife species known to frequent the area. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Greater sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse: Biologists are prepping for grouse survey season! Back in January, Biologist Eilers mailed out letters to 109 private landowners in Douglas County asking for land access permission to survey grouse on private property. Biologists will be monitoring known leks across Douglas County to get population estimates of both greater sage-grouse and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, both of which are classified as endangered by the state of Washington. Douglas County has by far the highest abundance of greater sage-grouse in the state of Washington; however, the population is small and has experienced a steep decline over the past several decades. 

Biologist Jeffreys attempted to complete the first lek count of the year in late February; however, roads were impassable due to too much snow. Biologists Jeffreys and Eilers will try again in early March. 

Additionally, biologists and other Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members and agency partners will be conducting an intensive search for previously unknown leks by driving county roads and stopping every half mile to get out and listen for the vocalizations grouse often make while displaying. With this year’s increase in survey effort, biologists hope to find more lek sites for both species and locate leks that were displaced by the Pearl Hill Fire. 

Wolves: Biologist Emily Jeffreys and a volunteer member set out five trail cameras in the known winter range of the Napeequa pack in early January and retrieved them at the end of February. The cameras were placed on side canyons off Chumstick Highway in the hopes of learning how many wolves are in the pack, which was unknown after the collared female’s collar malfunctioned and went offline in summer 2024. Other wildlife captured on camera included snowshoe hares and coyotes. For more information on wolves in Washington and links to annual wolf population monitoring reports, visit: Gray Wolf Conservation and Management. The 2024 Washington Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Annual Report featuring the latest update on Washington’s wolf packs will be finalized and available to the public in April 2025.

Bobcats: Biologists Eilers and Jeffreys have been busy sealing bobcats, a process that includes placing a locking band printed with a unique numeric identifier on each bobcat or pelt brought in by hunters and trappers for examination. This is required under CITES, an international treaty that regulates the trade of plants and animals to prevent over-exploitation and extinction of species. This season marks the start of a new statewide requirement for bobcat hunters and trappers to remove the lower jaws of all harvested bobcats and submit them to WDFW. The canine teeth in the jaw will provide WDFW with data on the age of the bobcat, which will then be used to track harvest trends in age classes over time. Age can be determined by examining the tooth with a microscope and counting layers of cementum, the tissue that covers the tooth root and forms annually, like counting growth rings on a tree trunk. 

Northern Leopard Frogs: The Region 2 diversity team and Northern Leopard Frog Biologist Force have been intensively monitoring the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge to look for leopard frogs emerging from winter brumation. Leopard frogs were reintroduced to the refuge last summer in an effort to establish a second population of leopard frogs in Washington, and detecting overwinter survival would be a big step for this recovery program. Two leopard frogs were detected at the reintroduction pond within the last month; however, persistent surface ice made thorough surveys impossible until the water temperature warmed up over the last week. Since the pond has thawed, two additional leopard frogs have been recorded, bringing the total number of winter survivors to four. 

Biologist Turner has begun drone surveys to locate pygmy rabbit tracks and burrows in Beezley Hills and Sagebrush Flats. Drone imagery is currently being reviewed to study the efficiency of this new method. On-the-ground rabbit burrow surveys from this winter have shown a large increase in the number of active burrows at many of the recovery sites which may lead to a great number of kits being born over the next few months. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Wolf Coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife: Specialist Heilhecker received a call from U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff member. The staff member was checking in for an update on any recent wolf activity or concerns for the upcoming grazing season. 

Presentation to Students: Private Lands Biologist Cook and Assistant District Biologist Clements presented to six groups of students for McFarland Middle School Career Day. Cook and Clements spoke about the required education, variety of jobs, and mission of the Department.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Bobcat Sealing: Specialist Heilhecker spoke with a hunter who needed a bobcat sealed. She coordinated the sealing with Assistant District Biologist Heinlen to learn the new process. She will take over bobcat sealing in the spring when Assistant District Biologist Heinlen is unavailable.

Wolf Advisory Group Communication: Specialist Heilhecker called two wolf advisory group members to see if they would like to continue representing the public on the advisory group. Most members’ terms have expired so the Department needs to know who would like to continue to determine how many vacancies need to be filled.

Bighorn Sheep Survey: Specialist Heilhecker assisted Assistant District Biologist Heinlen with a bighorn sheep survey. They were trying to locate packs and get a count on the sheep prior to the helicopter capture. 

National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Local Working Group Meetings: Biologist Cook attended and participated in two local working group annual meetings that cover his work area, the West Palouse and Big Bend Teams. Cook advocated for wildlife habitat practices being included in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contracts with the NRCS would increase the likelihood of funding. Both groups, which included Conservation Districts and local producers, were receptive to the idea, but only one group explicitly included it in their priorities. However, both groups gave greater ranking to practices that included native species used to increase plant productivity and health.

Safety Standup Meeting: Private Land staff members and supervisors all attended the morning Coffee Chats. Staff members also met and dedicated time to discussing all things safety related. The Private Lands team met to discuss safety equipment needs, emergency contact lists (updated as appropriate), job hazards, and the check-in/check-out procedure. Attestations, safety forms, inspections and training were also part of the conversations.

Other

Diversity Advisory Committee: Technician Hara attended the quarterly Diversity Advisory Committee meeting in Olympia.

Non-lethal Deterrence Discussion: Specialist Heilhecker participated in a meeting with staff members from the lands division. They discussed nonlethal deterrence measures for grazing permittees on WDFW lands.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Bighorn Sheep Surveys: In preparation for upcoming bighorn sheep capture work, Biologist Heinlen recently classified 73 sheep on Mt. Hull, the best count since 2020. On a follow-up day, Biologists Heinlen and Fitkin found an additional 24 animals in the Riverside area; a group that is loosely connected to the Mt. Hull herd. In addition, staff members tested the efficacy of using thermal imaging equipment for locating sheep, particularly in areas where typical movement behavior is not well understood. Results looked promising in cold conditions for this notoriously cryptic species (see below). 

Okanogan Mule Deer Monitoring: Biologist Heinlen and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Volunteer Fischer investigated a mortality signal from a mule deer doe radio collared in 2023. The deer was collared to monitor herd demographics. Cougar predation was determined to be the cause of death, and the radio collar was recovered. Location data from the radio collar showed a long migration from the Okanogan Valley northwest through the Pasayten Wilderness and into British Columbia, Canada.   

Sharp-tailed Grouse Monitoring: Biologist Heinlen got a count of 34 Sharp-tailed grouse foraging in the water birch trees in the Siwash area. This is a higher count than the spring lek surveys which indicates there are more lek sites in the area than what is documented.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Hunter Access: Biologist Morris maintained and continued monitoring corn stubble fields enrolled in the Hunt by Reservation system for upland bird and waterfowl hunting seasons. Most bird seasons end in January, and these hunt by reservation sites close January 26th. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Elk Issues: Specialist Heilhecker received a call about elk in the Wauconda area. The livestock producer has a current damage prevention cooperative agreement and had previously harvested an elk using a landowner kill permit. The producer wanted to discuss options for harvesting additional elk. They discussed damage permits, using master hunters to haze elk, and the potential for the Colville Tribe to harvest elk.

Depredation Permits to Address Deer Damage: Specialist Bridges re-issued several permits to landowners experiencing continued depredation to fruit trees in the Malaga and Wenatchee Valley areas.

Deer Concerns: Specialist Heilhecker received a request for fencing material to keep deer out of orchards. She explained to the caller that the agency would have a better idea of the fencing budget in the spring once the legislative session ends.

Cost Share Fencing Agreements: Specialist Bridges finalized four fencing contracts and assisted with ordering and delivering material.

Providing Education and Outreach

Communication with Cattle Producers: Specialist Heilhecker spoke with a couple of livestock producers who have access to the wolf collar program. She updated them on a new collar that was added to a pack.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Grazing Lease Management: Supervisory Rickel and Specialist Heilhecker participated in a meeting to discuss grazing on WDFW lands and non-lethal deterrence measures to mitigate livestock-wolf interactions.

Wildlife Conflict Coordination Meeting: Supervisory Rickel and Specialist Heilhecker attended the bi-monthly wildlife conflict call.

Data Entry: Specialist Heilhecker recorded elk harvest data for landowners who used landowner kill permits. She added the recent elk landowner damage calls into Spillman.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Hunter Access: Biologist Morris maintained and continued monitoring corn stubble fields enrolled in the Hunt by Reservation system for upland bird and waterfowl hunting seasons. Most bird seasons end in January, and these hunt by reservation sites will close January 26.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Elk Issues: Conflict Specialist Heilhecker responded to several reports of elk damage in GMU 204. Elk are damaging livestock fences and compromising haystacks. She visited with landowners who signed damage prevention cooperative agreements and issued landowner kill permits. 

Depredation Permits to Address Deer Damage: Conflict Specialist Heilhecker responded to a deer damage report for an orchard in GMU 209. The owner signed a renewed damage prevention cooperative agreement. Specialist Heilhecker issued permits to the landowner who traditionally gives the permits to youth hunters. 

Deer and Elk Concerns: Conflict Specialist Bridges has been working with 30 different landowners in Chelan County to address deer and elk depredation concerns and has issued numerous permits for both species.

Cost Share Fencing Agreements: Conflict Specialist Bridges has been working with 15 landowners over the last several months to finalize the design and layout for cost share fencing agreements. Bridges has been coordinating to getting fencing materials to landowners who are willing to sign a 30-year cooperative fencing agreement with the State of Washington. These agreements will allow for the construction of fences to prevent deer and elk from entering orchards and reduce or eliminate conflict. 

Releasing Stuck Deer: Conflict Specialist Bridges and Supervisor Rickel responded to a call of a deer stuck in a fence. Bridges and Rickel responded to find a large four-point buck with its antlers hopelessly tangled in a rope and fencing material. Bridges was able to dart the buck with tranquilizers. Once it was down, the antlers were removed, and the reversal drug was given.

Providing Education and Outreach

Wolf Advisory Group Meeting: Specialist Heilhecker participated in the Wolf Advisory Group meeting where the wolf-livestock interaction protocol was reviewed.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Training: Specialist Heilhecker completed mandatory IT security and CJIS trainings.

Other

Seeking Options to Address Elk Issues: Specialist Heilhecker spoke with staff members in the hunter education program regarding the possibility of using master hunters to haze elk. She wanted to offer the opportunity to willing landowners who continue to experience damage after harvesting an elk. Master hunters can haze elk to count towards their volunteer hours.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Mule Deer Surveys: Biologist Fitkin finished tabulating the recent aerial survey results. Classification of just over 3,000 deer yielded overall fawn to doe and buck to doe ratios of 83:100 and 18:100 respectively; however, ratios differed noticeably by watershed. The buck to doe ratio of 12:100 observed in the Okanogan Watershed was half that observed in the Methow. Conversely, the Okanogan fawn to doe ratio of 87:100 exceeded the 79:100 seen in the Methow. The combined fawn to doe ratio of 83:100 is the highest observed since 2005 and well above the 10-year average of 73:100. 

Deer Surveys: Biologist Morris conducted three deer road surveys in Grant and Douglas Counties. Deer road surveys include counting the numbers of deer and classifying the age and sex of deer. This data combined with harvest and aerial survey data help the district wildlife biologist set permit numbers for 2025. Late November and early December had a lot of foggy days, making it difficult to complete surveys that require good visibility. Morris was able to complete the surveys and saw some fun wildlife while doing it.

Methow Wildlife Area Winter Access Management: Portions of the Methow Wildlife Area are closed to public access again this winter to reduce disturbance of wintering mule deer. Biologists Fitkin and Heinlen and Manager Repp finished deploying remote cameras to monitor deer use in closed and unclosed areas.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Hunter Access: Biologist Morris monitored several corn stubble fields enrolled in the Hunt by Reservation system for upland bird and waterfowl hunting seasons. The fields have been getting used by both hunters and geese. Morris saw doves, flocks of Canada geese, and mixed flocks of dark and light geese in and near fields enrolled in hunter access.

Private Lands Biologist Braaten continues fielding calls from hunters asking about seasons and areas to go.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Elk vs. Horses: Specialist Heilhecker replied to a complaint of elk pushing horses away from their feeders in GMU 204. The owner wanted damage permits. However, landowner permits are used to reduce damage to grown or stored crops. Specialist Heilhecker offered suggestions for nonlethal deterrence methods and suggested the reporting party contact the Colville Confederated Tribe (CCT). Elk hunting season for the CCT is open until December 31. If the landowner was interested in removing elk, the CCT may be able to provide hunters. Specialist Heilhecker gave the landowner contact information for the CCT fish and wildlife office. 

Elk Issues: Specialist Heilhecker spoke to a landowner interested in learning the process for claiming elk damage. The landowner has four elk visiting his haystacks east of Tonasket. Specialist Heilhecker described the damage cooperative agreements, options for nonlethal hazing, and damage permits. The landowner was not interested at this time but wanted to be proactive to learn the process in case more damage does occur. 

Depredation Permit: Specialist Heilhecker renewed landowner kill permits for elk damage in GMU 204 for those who did not use their permits in the previous month.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Douglas County Sagebrush Restoration Project: Private Lands Biologist Braaten worked with Communications and Public Engagement in Region Two on the development of a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) blog post about restoration work completed this fall. Private Lands Biologist Braaten provided write up, photos and video and shared a link to the blog with landowner.

Douglas County Coordinated Resource Weed Management Group: Private Lands Biologist Braaten attended this meeting to discuss weed eradication efforts with local conservation districts, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources Conservation Service, private landowners and WDFW county staff members. Information sharing assisted others to focus on current needs for the Coordinated Resource Weed Management Group. Dalmatian toadflax biocontrol is on top of the list as well as biocontrol for rush skeleton weed, scotch thistle, and knapweed.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

District Team Meetings: Specialist Heilhecker and Supervisor Rickel attended the quarterly Okanogan District team meeting. Private Lands Biologist Morris attended the quarterly Wenatchee District team meeting.

Specialist Heilhecker attended a meeting to discuss the agenda for the wolf advisory group meeting in January. 

Other

Managing Wildlife Populations

Mule Deer Surveys: Biologist Fitkin and Manager Troyer conducted annual post-season aerial surveys of mule deer in District 6. Fitkin and Troyer classified well over 2,000 deer covering both the Methow and Western Okanogan watersheds. This was the maiden voyage for the new tablet-based data collection app. Data is still being downloaded and tabulated, so ratios won’t be available until later in the month. During the survey observers also spotted six or seven animals from the Lookout wolf pack in their traditional territory.

Mule Deer Aerial Surveys: Biologists Jeffreys and Eilers and Chelan Wildlife Area Manager Pavelchek finished a multiday aerial survey of the Wenatchee Mountains mule deer sub herd. This sub herd is part of Washington’s East Slope Cascades mule deer population which also extends into Okanogan and Kittitas Counties. Surveys were conducted in the deer’s winter range, including areas such as Number Two Canyon, Horse Lake and Sage Hills areas, and the foothills south of Monitor and Cashmere. Biologists will use these observations to generate an abundance estimate and buck to doe and fawn to doe ratios to assess age and sex composition. Wildlife biologists use these data to inform management decisions and harvest regulations.

These surveys are scheduled in the narrow window between the end of hunting seasons and the onset of antler shedding, after which time it becomes impossible to reliably differentiate between bucks and does. As is often the case in Chelan County during this time of year, low hanging clouds and inclement weather delayed the first day of surveys. Fortunately, surveyors were lucky enough to get two full days of clear blue skies to successfully complete the survey. 

Biologists will compare ratios gathered from this aerial survey with those collected via images captured by 18 remote cameras placed along migratory routes crossing Hwy 97 between Peshastin and Blewett Pass. If the ratios generated from both methods are similar, cameras may be a viable method for determining herd age and sex ratios moving forward. This would be a more efficient and less costly alternative to the current method of obtaining these data via aerial surveys. 

Mule Deer Ground Surveys: Biologists across Douglas County are finishing driving surveys for mule deer. Unlike the aerial surveys, these surveys are not used for population estimates, but instead for more precise sex and age ratios, such as fawn to doe and buck to doe ratios. These ratios help biologists monitor the health and reproductive success of deer populations, and aid in setting hunting regulations. Douglas county has aerial surveys performed on a three-year rotation, and the next aerial survey is scheduled for December of 2025. 

Bighorn Sheep Aerial Surveys: Biologists Jeffreys and Eilers completed aerial surveys for all bighorn herds in District 7. Swakane, Chelan Butte, and Manson. Aerial surveys consist of biologists flying transects via a helicopter throughout each bighorn subherd’s range. Once a sheep or group of sheep is located, the biologist records a GPS waypoint, the number of sheep in the group, and identifies sex and approximate age for each sheep in the group. These aerial surveys are used to obtain a minimum population count and assess herd composition, such as ram to ewe and lamb to ewe ratios. These surveys are also useful for gaining a broad overview of each herd’s fall distribution across its home range and surveying the landscapes that are out of sight during the ground surveys. The data is still being compiled and analyzed; however, this year’s surveys saw high counts for all three bighorn herds! 

Bighorn Sheep, Mt Hull herd: Biologist Heinlen responded to a report of a dead bighorn sheep ram struck by a vehicle on State Highway 97 near Mt Hull. Heinlen collected samples for M. ovi (the causative agent for pneumonia) and Psoroptes mites, which were documented in this herd in 2019 and 2023 respectively. The samples were submitted to the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab for analysis, and both were found to be negative. 

Forest Grouse Management: Biologist Heinlen retrieved the forest grouse wing collection barrels in District 6 (Okanogan County) in mid-November. Biologist Heinlen and Research Scientist Schroeder identified and collected sex and age data on the wings. In 2024, hunters deposited 269 wings in these barrels compared to 329 wings in 2023. This is just a fraction of all the grouse harvested in District 6 as 7,555 grouse were reported harvested in 2023. The 2024 season is still ongoing. The goal of this collection effort is to build estimated population trend datasets for each species to evaluate the effects of harvest. 

Camera Trap Monitoring: Using camera trap images, Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Specialist Richard estimated total waterfowl counts in several areas of the TD-1 project during the spring of 2024. Waterfowl counts are valuable to help detect responses to moist soil management habitat manipulations. 

Fisher Camera Image Review: The Region 2 diversity team has been working on classifying images obtained from the WDFW Cascades fisher study done over the winter of 2023-24. This effort yielded thousands of images which have been entered into a program that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify wildlife species in trail camera photos. The program has provided initial species identification on many of these photos, but because the AI is not perfect, images need to be validated by biologists before any data can be analyzed. All validated or updated classifications are sent back to the AI so that it can continue improving its identification skills.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Pheasant Release: Columbia Basin Wildlife area and District staff members released birds on five release sites prior to Veterans Day weekend. A total of 39 crates were released and wildlife area staff members were greeted with eager and happy hunters who were ready for the release.

Chelan Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Meierotto and Volunteers Wiley, Despres, and Mason went to the Swakane Wildlife Area to release 96 pheasant roosters.

Regulated Access Area Data: After the opening of waterfowl season on October 12, Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Specialist Richard and other wildlife area staff members collected registration cards each week at three regulated access areas: Frenchmen, North Potholes, and Winchester. Using hunter registration card information, Specialist Richard calculated that, so far this season, Frenchman Regulated Access Area has averaged 2.01 birds per hunter, North Potholes Regulated Access Area 1.01 birds per hunter, and Winchester Regulated Access Area 2.3 birds per hunter. 

Pygmy rabbit surveys: The Region 2 diversity team has been assisting the pygmy rabbit team with occupancy surveys to determine the occupied range of Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits in Region 2. The team has been using models to locate areas with high sagebrush ground cover. They then go out and search these areas for possible pygmy rabbit sign such as fecal pellets and burrows. It is important to have updated maps of pygmy rabbit distribution to prevent sagebrush habitat from being lost in areas where pygmy rabbits occur. So far, the team has found evidence of pygmy rabbits occupying two new parcels of land where they were not previously known to occur!

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Seed Biomass Samples: Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Specialist Richard began sorting seed biomass samples to be included in the 2024 Seed Biomass Summary for the TD-1 Project. Samples include desirable vegetation like millet and smartweed, a valuable food source for waterfowl. 

Grazing Evaluations: Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Biologist McPherson conducted all seven of the end of season grazing evaluations throughout the wildlife area. Evaluations help ensure that objectives of lease are being met, monitor degree of utilization, account for habitat trends, and record future recommendations. All leases are currently meeting objectives and benefiting habitat and wildlife.

Helicopter Herbicide Spraying: Central Velley Helicopters contracted to do an aerial spray of Plateau on the Chelan Butte to help control cereal rye and cheatgrass after the Stayman Flats fire that burned over 3,000 acres of wildlife area.

Fence Removal: Wildlife area staff members have been taking advantage of riparian areas being cleared of vegetation from the Stayman Flats fire to remove old fencing surrounding springs to improve water access for wildlife on the Chelan Butte.

Weed Control: Assistant Wildlife Area Manager Meierotto and Natural Resource Technician Zabreznik sprayed houndstongue infestations at the Entiat Wildlife Area and bull thistle infestations at the Swakane Wildlife Area.

Providing Education and Outreach

Wenatchee High School presentations: Biologist Turnock and Technicians Force and Hara gave a presentation on local wildlife and careers in the wildlife field to five Wenatchee High School animal science classes. The presentation gave an overview of wildlife species found in Region 2 with a focus on diversity species such as prairie grouse, northern leopard frogs, pygmy rabbits, bats, and pollinators. They also talked about local organizations working to help sage grouse and agriculture coexist and about what a career as a wildlife biologist looks like. They had a lot of fun and got some great questions from the students!

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

End of Season Vence Meeting: Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Biologist McPherson arranged meeting with Vence Rancher Success Team, wildlife area, and two producers to go over winter strategy, supplies needed for next year, and feedback from first season. Vence proved to be an efficient way of monitoring location of grazing but lacked the ability to control and shift grazing throughout the pasture. There has recently been updates on the herd manager program and hopefully these will allow for larger ability to manipulate how cows use landscape.

Bureau of Reclamation Quarterly: Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Wildlife Area, District, Enforcement, Habitat, and Bureau of Reclamation staff members had quarterly meeting. Topics covered were North Potholes target shooting range, Winchester Regulated Access Area development proposal, and Supplemental Feed Route status update.

Other

Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) Crew: The Columbia Basin Wildlife Area has a brand new WCC crew that started October. They have a new supervisor and crew but have a returning crew member that will serve as assistant supervisor, which is great to have someone with familiarity of locations and tasks. So far, the crew has been focusing on Russian Olive control, fixing interior fences, blind brushing, and garbage collection. 

Irrigation System Shutoff: Wildlife area staff members worked to shut off and blowout the irrigation system at Swakane in preparation for winter.

Chainsaw Training: Wildlife Area Manager Pavelchek and Assistant Wildlife Area Manager Meierotto went to Yakima for a chainsaw safety training organized by WDFW.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Bighorn Sheep Surveys: Biologists Jeffreys and Eilers completed ground surveys for both the Swakane and Chelan Butte bighorn sheep herds. Ground surveys consist of biologists driving to pre-determined observation points on either side of the Columbia River and glassing for sheep using scopes and binoculars. Once a sheep or group of sheep is located, the biologist records a waypoint as well as the number of sheep in the group. Whenever possible, the biologist identifies sex and approximate age for each sheep in the group. These ground surveys can be used to obtain a minimum count for the herd but are more reliably used to assess herd composition as limited visibility from the road can mean that a significant number of sheep are missed during driving surveys. The most important metrics derived from ground surveys are ram to ewe and lamb to ewe ratios, but biologists also look at age structure of males within the population. These surveys are also useful for gaining a broad overview of each herd’s fall distribution across its home range, at least in so far as these areas are observable from the ground. 

The driving route ground surveys Biologists Eilers and Jeffreys performed in late November follow ground surveys performed by Chelan Wildlife Area Manager Amy Pavelchek and her team in the first half of November. This means that both the Swakane and Chelan Butte sheep herds were surveyed via driving route twice in the 2024 post-hunt season. Biologists reviewed minimum counts and sex and age data from each survey and estimated the following values for each herd, based exclusively on 2024 ground surveys.

The minimum count of 128 sheep for the Chelan Butte herd is encouraging as this represents the highest count for this herd obtained via either ground or aerial survey in five years. Biologists believe this number is very close to the true herd size for Chelan Butte. The very high ram to ewe ratio is typical for this herd, and the lamb to ewe ratio looks great. In contrast, the Swakane herd is likely closer to 180 to 200 individuals based on the last several years of survey data, and it is likely surveyors missed mostly ram groups as the low ram to ewe ratio presented here is not at all typical for this herd, which in recent years has averaged about 1 to 1 rams to ewes. Biologists will be performing aerial surveys for both the Swakane and Chelan Butte bighorn sheep herds in December (as well as the Manson herd on the north shore of Lake Chelan), so it will be very interesting to see how minimum counts and ratios derived from flights compare to the numbers obtained via ground surveys. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Waterfowl Habitat and Access Program: Biologists Cook and Morris, and Technician Blanchard completed contracts and posted 11 new properties specifically for upland and waterfowl field hunting opportunities. They all opened Thanksgiving week and are Hunt by Reservation but allow Register to Hunt after 8:30 a.m. to allow for greater hunting opportunities. The properties are grouped but spread out through southern Grant County, three near Mattawa, four near Stratford, and four near Quincy and Ephrata. Most of these fields are corn stubble.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Depredation Permits Issued: Specialist Heilhecker re-issued antlerless elk kill and damage permits for several landowners. Landowners did not use their original permits that were issued prior to the elk general hunting season. With the close of the hunting season, landowners requested new landowner kill and damage permits. All the permits were issued for GMU 204.

Specialist Heilhecker renewed a damage prevention cooperative agreement for a landowner experiencing elk damage in GMU 204. She issued a kill permit. 

Responding to Racoon Report: Specialist Heilhecker received a call regarding a raccoon in a tree. The reporting party was calling on behalf of another individual. The individual believed the raccoon was stuck in the tree because she had not seen it come down in four days. Specialist Heilhecker provided some options to encourage the raccoon to move. It is likely the raccoon had been coming down after dark. 

Wildlife Conflict Mitigation: Specialist Heilhecker received a call from a legislative staff member who wanted contact information for a wildlife conflict specialist in the Yakima area. The caller was reaching out on behalf of a constituent experiencing a problem with geese. Specialist Heilhecker gave the caller the number of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services in Mose Lake since geese are a migratory bird and handled by USDA Wildlife Services. She also gave the caller the contact information for the wildlife conflict specialist in case WDFW staff members were familiar with the situation.

Wolf Pack Information Request: Specialist Heilhecker replied to an information request from the Methow Ranger District regarding the Chewuch and Loup Loup packs. United States Forest Service (USFS) staff members are working on biological assessments and need updated information regarding the two packs.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Sagebrush Restoration Project: Private Lands Biologists Cook and Braaten, and Private Lands Habitat Technician Blanchard helped Private Lands Biologist Morris plant 2,000 sagebrush plugs using the Region 2 south Private Lands tractor and tree/shrub planter. Shrubs were planted on a previously burned area to aid in recovering shrubsteppe. A previous Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit enclosure is on site and currently used enclosures are on neighboring properties. An additional 240 shrubs of varying species were planted in a low-lying draw to help additional species establish.

Upland Bird Habitat Restoration: Private Lands Biologist Cook, Private Lands Habitat Technician Blanchard, and Water Access Technician Wilson planted 140 potted shrubs in four rows on a three-and-a-half-acre circle corner east of Moses Lake. Three rows were planted about three years ago on the opposite edge with Great Plains native warm season grasses throughout the plot. The newly planted shrubs will give another row of cover and food for upland birds, beneficial insects, and other native wildlife. This plot is supplementally irrigated to aid the grasses and shrubs. However, the species used are drought tolerant and can survive for some time without irrigation. Shrubs were planted using Private Lands hand-held augers and Water Access mini track loader with a mounted auger attachment for the larger pots.

Other

Range Rider Coordination: Specialist Heilhecker coordinated livestock monitoring activities with a contracted range rider. The contracted range rider helped producers round-up and look for livestock as they are moved to private land.

Interview Panel Participation: Specialist Heilhecker participated in an interview panel to select a candidate for the Methow Wildlife Area assistant manager position. 

Training: Specialist Heilhecker attended Personal Safety Training II in Ellensburg and completed Washington State Small Purchasing online training. 

Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement: Specialist Heilhecker completed cost-share payment paperwork for a livestock producer with a damage prevention cooperative agreement. She submitted the paperwork to the wildlife conflict program. 

Range Rider Support: Specialist Heilhecker completed and submitted payment paperwork for a contracted range rider.

Public Disclosure Request: Specialist Heilhecker, Bridges and Supervisor Rickel all completed a public disclosure request.