Managing Wildlife Populations

L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Signs: New signs which complement the L. T. Murray Wildlife Area green dot management map were ordered for the elk winter closure area. The signs, containing two informational signs and a map, were relatively inexpensive to replace and will be much easier for a single employee to handle.

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Oak Creek Wildlife Area Elk Fence: Oak Creek Wildlife Area annual fence checks and maintenance began on approximately 40 miles of elk fence. This fence stretches from the Cowiche Unit to Cleman Mountain and the boundary with the Wenas Wildlife Area. This fence aims to reduce elk conflict during the winter by limiting movement of elk onto agricultural lands.

Duck Banding Underway Around Washington: Statewide Waterfowl Specialist Wilson assisted District 8 Assistant Wildlife Biologist Moore with waterfowl banding at the Sunnyside Wildlife Area and Bureau of Reclamation property. Swim in traps have been deployed to trap and band ducks for harvest management and to gather information on survival and distribution. The information from recaptured and reported waterfowl bands is used to model harvest, recruitment, and survival, which impact hunting regulations and sex-specific limits. Wilson assists with waterfowl banding projects throughout the state.

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Providing Recreation Opportunities

Landowner Hunting Permit Coordination: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand met with the owner of one of the Silver Dollar ranches participating in our Landowner Hunting Permit program to coordinate special permit holders hunting opportunities. Special permit hunters were also contacted and provided hunt scheduling and contact information for the owner.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Elk Viewing: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Charlet and Natural Resource Technician Boggs installed a new ADA accessible viewing telescope at the Oak Creek elk feeding station.

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Wenas Wildlife Area Lower Buffalo Access: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technicians Trahern and Stoltenow, along with Assistant Manager Taylor, removed the ineffective cattle guard and installed a new gate post at the Lower Buffalo entrance. Wenas staff members will make a new gate, using a new latch system and install it next week. They are going away from chain and hook latches on gates and moving to spring loaded latches.

Wenas Wildlife Area Manastash Ridge Trail Name Signs: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Specialist Frame installed white carsonite posts with trail names on approved trails in the Manastash Ridge Trails area. These will help new users keep on the trails that they intend to be on. These signs come as a part of a larger signing effort through the Manastash Ridge trail management plan.

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Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Rattlesnake Hills Elk Hazing: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand monitored elk activity and pressured elk away from crops along the Hanford National Monument border and near irrigated tree fruit and vineyard areas. Fox lights have been removed after wheat harvest ended.

Corral Canyon Wheat Harvest: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand worked with wheat harvest operations to document crop damage impacts from Hanford elk. Wheat harvest concluded on Aug. 20 with varied crop yields. Severe elk damage was observed in spring wheat crops at higher elevations.

Cold Creek Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand assisted a tree fruit and wine grape operation near Hanford with hazing a bull elk out of their orchard and checking their exclosure fencing for repairs.

West Richland Deer: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued working with a owner of several small corn fields that have been damaged by an increasing number of deer near the Yakima River. One master hunter and three archery general season hunters were deployed for a hunting opportunity.

Kittitas County Conflict: District 8 Conflict Technician Leuck and Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk complaints were reported in Badger Pocket, Kittitas, Peoh Point, Park Creek, and Teanaway areas. Technician Leuck has been working nights at those locations hazing elk.

Three light plants were installed by Technician Leuck at one field to deter elk in the Park Creek area. Elk are getting habituated to the lights.

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Yakima County Conflict: District 8 Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several orchard growers who were having problems with elk in crops.

Wenas Dam Deer: District 8 Conflict Specialist Wetzel assisted Sergeant Schroeder to free three deer that were stranded at Wenas Dam.

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Conserving Natural Landscapes

L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Fire: The Hutchins Fire (started in the current thinning project area from unknown cause) was contained at under an acre the evening of Aug. 17 by local Department of Natural Resources staff members. The fire scar was monitored for a few days as red flag conditions pushed through the weekend. Dozer line and bucket drops along with hand crew and engine work got the job done.

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L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Grazing: L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Manager Morrison and Assistant Manager Winegeart visited the Quilomene Unit’s Whiskey Jim pasture with Washington State University Professor of Rangeland and Livestock Management Hudson. The group looked at issues related to water sources, fencing, and heavily grazed areas in the canyon bottom. No immediate solutions for dispersing cattle utilization, such as higher elevation watering sites, were found but all agreed that this site could benefit from using virtual fence cattle collars.

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L. T. Murray Weed Control: L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Blore sprayed purple loosestrife on Whiskey Dick, Quilomene, and Brushy Creek. This was a coordinated effort with Kittitas County Weed Board as they sprayed the wildlife area along the Columbia River shorelines.

Hoover Acquisition Stock Fence Removal: Wenas Wildlife Area personnel prepped around two miles of abandoned fence to be rolled. Removal of derelict fencing reduces impacts on wildlife in the area.

Cottonwood Shooting Area: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Trahern and Assistant Manager Taylor installed gate posts for a gate going into the cottonwood fields. This will allow access for staff members and fire responders, while preventing members of the public from entering and dumping trash.

Wenas Wildlife Area: Wenas Wildlife Area Biologist Miller started planning for fall aerial herbicide applications on the wildlife area for cheat grass control. Miller has also started to plan for plug planting in the Evans Canyon and Cow Canyon burn scars.

Sunnyside/Snake River Access Sites: Sunnyside/Snake River Assistant Manager Ferguson and Assistant Manager Jahns prepped all access sites for the start of the dove hunting season. Kiosks were restocked with registration cards and all wasp nests were sprayed and removed from registration sites. Parking lots and roadways were also mowed.

Sunnyside/Snake River Wetlands: Sunnyside/Snake River Manager Kaelber, Assistant Manager Ferguson, and Assistant Manager Jahns continue to prep wetlands for fall reflooding. Approximately half of the wetlands in the Sunnyside Headquarters Unit have been mowed. Water was diverted towards the Johnson Wetland last week so it is anticipated that it will be reflooded in three to four weeks. Buckwheat and millet continue to grow in the Phase 1 and Phase 3 Wetlands in the Windmill Ranch Unit. These crops were planted as a food source for migrating waterfowl. The goal is to reflood these wetlands by Oct. 1.

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Providing Education and Outreach

Pack It In, Pack It Out: The Oak Creek Wildlife Area now has litter bags for public use at the Tim’s Pond kiosk. We anticipate that this dispenser along with signage will help reduce the abundance of trash cleaned up along the trail, pond, and parking lot each year.

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Oak Creek Wildlife Area Disabled Hunter Access: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Boggs developed a written guide for disabled hunters to locate three disabled hunter access gates on the Oak Creek Wildlife Area. These three access gates are part of the ADA Road Access Entry Program in which persons with disabilities may apply for an access permit. If drawn, a disabled hunter is issued an access permit allowing them to drive a motorized vehicle into a closed and gated area where other hunters must walk in.

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Managing Wildlife Populations

Sunnyside Wildlife Area Bats: Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber, Assistant Manager Jahns, and Natural Resource Technician Manderbach conducted an emergent bat count at Sunnyside Headquarters. In total, 230 bats were observed exiting four different roost boxes after sunset.

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Burrowing Owl Research: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra investigated a transmitter failure from this spring’s burrowing owl tagging study. A transmitter had stopped sending data, but the male owl was still observed alive on site. Fidorra recaptured the owl and removed the non-working harness to unburden the animal and determine cause of tag failure. The tag will be sent to the manufacturer for study.

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 Monarchs Return to Washington: Several monarch butterflies have been seen this month in District 4 and 3.

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Waterfowl Banding: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra and Natural Resource Technician Manderbach and Scientific Technician Kleinhenz installed duck traps on the Sunnyside Wildlife Area and McNary National Wildlife Refuge trap sites. The late cold spring likely set birds back a bit, but we are starting to see good numbers of hatch year mallards now coming to our main site with 70 birds captured on the first day of banding. Several district staff members and volunteers will help bait sites and band ducks through mid-September.

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Providing Recreation Opportunities

Wenas Wildlife Area Durr Road Target Shooting Area Clean Up: Natural Resource Technician Frame collected 250 pounds of dumped trash and target shooting trash at the Durr Road target shooting site. Items consisted of plywood, a television, and miscellaneous target shooting material.

Wenas Wildlife Area Manastash Ridge Trails Inventory: Natural Resource Scientist Frame has been conducting a trails inventory on the north and south side trail systems. This includes mapping new unapproved user-built trails, ensuring existing trail maps are correct, searching for unauthorized trail maintenance, and reviewing approved sections of trail for future maintenance projects. Larger trail maintenance projects are in the planning stage for the approved trails on the north side of the ridge.

Wenas Wildlife Area Sheep Company Shooting Range: Biologist Miller treated the Sheep Company shooting range for weeds, specifically Russian thistle. Keeping weeds out of the developed shooting area is crucial to preventing fires at the shooting site. It in addition, it provides a nicer area for people to recreate in.

Private Land Access Programs Prepare for Season Openers: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra and Private Lands Technician Manderbach contacted landowners and updated access properties for the upcoming Sep. 1 deer archery and dove season openers. Manderbach mowed parking areas and checked/installed signs at several properties.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Rattlesnake Hills Elk Hazing: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued to spend time hazing elk near the top of Rattlesnake Mountain. Animals are continuing to leave the Hanford site to forage in winter wheat crops on the southern exposure of Rattlesnake Mountain mostly during nocturnal hours. Fox lights were checked and are in working order.

Corral Canyon Wheat Harvest: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand worked with wheat harvest operations to document crop damage impacts from Hanford elk. Rain showers occurred for several days which has delayed harvest operations. Fields are continuing to produce near or above average bushels per acre.

Horn Rapids Deer Damage: Hand continued to work with a large wine grape operator near the Yakima River to address deer activity and damage within several areas of their vineyard. Non-lethal hazing has been ongoing, and a couple of damage permits were recently issued.

West Richland Deer: Hand is working with a owner of several small corn fields that have been damaged by an increasing number of deer near the Yakima River. In addition to hazing, plans are to implement some Master Hunter opportunities from the Region 3 list next week.

Finley Skunk: Hand received and responded to a homeowner in Finley concerning a skunk that has been living under a crawl space at their residence. Several deterrence strategies were discussed as well as trapping techniques for skunk removal.

Rattlesnake Hills Master Hunter Hunts: Hand coordinated with Hunt Coordinator Erickson on master hunter activity and elk movements on Rattlesnake Mountain. During a weekend patrol Hand checked one Master Hunter with a harvested cow elk and contacted another Master Hunter driving on private property without proper landowner permission.

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Rattlesnake Mountain Sick Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand coordinated with a Master Hunter who put down a very old sick cow elk on private property near Hanford. The animal could not stand and was in extremely poor condition.

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Sunnyside Wildlife Area Sick Deer: Hand responded to a call of a sick deer walking in circles at the Sunnyside Wildlife Area with wildlife area and enforcement staff members to collect samples for disease testing. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate the deer.

Kittitas County Conflict: District 8 Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk complaints were reported in Badger Pocket, Kittitas, Peoh Point, Park Creek, and the Teanaway area. Natural Resource Technician Leuck has been working nights at those locations hazing elk. Two light plants were installed at one field to deter elk in the Badger Pocket.

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Yakima County Conflict: Wetzel worked with several hay and orchard growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk complaints have come from the Naches River and the Nile, most of which are small hay operators.

Other: Wetzel investigated a repeat sheep depredation at one location.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

L. T. Murray Wildlife Area 2022 Vantage Fire Restoration: Cultural Resource Specialists Major, Shellenberger, and Yamamoto, Environmental Planner Merg, and the L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Manager Morrison made field visits to the 2022 Vantage fire scar to discuss the Phase 1 planting schedule, methods, and cultural resource needs in the culturally and ecologically rich Whiskey Dick and Quilomene units. With cultural review currently in motion, restoration planting of roughly 500 acres of upland sagebrush steppe habitat is scheduled to begin by the week of Oct. 16.

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L. T. Murray Vegetation Management: While controlling non-native plants, L. T. Murray Natural Resource Scientist Nass found Solanum triflorum or cut-leaf nightshade at the Corrals parking area. Though commonly viewed as an agricultural pest or weed, this is a native plant to parts of the western United States and found in disturbed habitats like the new fire scar at Corrals. Traditionally, native tribes would use it medicinally for gastrointestinal issues and occasionally eat it as food, but it isn’t as desirable as other traditional foods. You never know what you can find out there!

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Sunnyside Snake River Wetland Management: Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber, Assistant Managers Jahns, and Ferguson continued to prep wetlands within the Windmill Ranch and Sunnyside Headquarters Unit. Windmill Ranch’s Phase 3 wetland has been mowed and seeded with buckwheat. The Rice Paddies Wetlands are also being mowed in preparation for reflooding this fall. Natural Resource Technicians Manderbach and Jahns also mowed phragmites within the Clark Pond Unit with the Marsh Master to prevent further spreading of the invasive plants on neighboring private property.

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Photo by WDFW

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Wenas Wildlife Area Weed Control: Wenas Wildlife Area Biologist Miller has been surveying and treating weeds in the NJK acquisition on the Wenas Wildlife Area. This area has minimal infestations so early treatment is important to prevent further spread of noxious weeds. Primary target species have been houndstounge and Canada thistle. Biologist Miller has been preparing for the fall spraying of knapweed by prioritizing areas of previous treatment as well.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Weed Control and Monitoring: Oak Creek Assistant Wildlife Area Manager Charlet and Natural Resource Technician Boggs conducted herbicide control of Canada thistle within a high elevation meadow near Bald Mountain. This has been a multi-year effort and significant reduction in germination was seen this year. However, significant motorized off-road disturbance was documented this year, resulting in a volunteer fencing project during this same reporting period to eliminate further disturbance. Oak Creek staff members also monitored previous treatment areas for efficacy and surveyed new areas where future noxious weed control will be prioritized, including a new infestation of yellow star-thistle.

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Oak Creek Wildlife Area Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Volunteer Fencing Project: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Manager Mackey met with 23 volunteers affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) to construct no-dig buck and rail fencing along an adjacent road to a meadow in the Bald Mountain area of the Rock Creek Unit. This meadow has seen repeated disturbance over the years with motorized traffic driving off-road and rutting and disturbing the meadow in which we have actively been managing Canada thistle in-growth. The new fence will hopefully discourage off-road driving along this section. The fence was constructed with treated posts and natural railing sourced nearby. Twenty-four individuals participated in this event that took approximately 12 hours including travel time. The group was later than expected getting back, but the majority of participants wanted to continue until the project was completely finished. RMEF provided hydration and lunch while Oak Creek provided tools and materials for the project. It was a great success!

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Photo by WDFW

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Oak Creek Wildlife Area Elk Fence Damage and Repair: Oak Creek staff members repaired a small section of elk fence that was destroyed by users traveling a closed road and crossing onto private property. WDFW enforcement officers are investigating the matter.

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Photo by WDFW

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Providing Education and Outreach

Pack it in, pack it out: Pumphouse Road and Watt Canyon kiosks on the L. T. Murray now have litter bags for public use! Dispensers have only been up for roughly a week, but we anticipate good pack-in and pack-out use.

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Other

Sunnyside Snake River Monarch Butterflies: Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area staff members have observed monarch butterflies in large patches of milkweed within the Windmill Ranch Unit.

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Photo by WDFW

Managing Wildlife Populations

White Pelican Counts: District Wildlife Biologist Fidorra analyzed colony photos from Badger Island taken this spring in peak breeding season. The raw count which was nearly 3000 will be compared to partner survey data and finalized prior to an official estimate being published.

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Ferruginous Hawk Management: District Wildlife Biologist Fidorra provided feedback on internal draft document related to management recommendations for ferruginous hawks.

Sunnyside Bats: Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber assisted other WDFW staff members and partners to sample bats at the Sunnyside headquarters. Bats were collected using a harp trap as they exited their roost box. Once trapped, bats were sampled and banded.

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Providing Recreation Opportunities

Manastash Ridge Trail Washington Trails Association Meeting: Wenas Wildlife Area Manger Hughes and Natural Resource Scientist Frame met with members of the Washington Trails Association (WTA) to discuss possible re-routes of certain trails in the Manastash Ridges Trails area. Possible reroutes would mean better/proper grading and erosion prevention. There are several spots specifically on the Westberg Trail that are extremely steep and are eroding. The WTA had previously partnered with WDFW by conducting an assessment of the Westerberg Trail. They rerouted one section of the trail a few years ago that is holding up very well. There is still a need for future routes to be assessed to make the trails more sustainable and user friendly.

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Photo by WDFW

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Wenas Wildlife Area Gates: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technicians Stoltenow and Janes completed the fabrication of three gates that will be hung around the wildlife area. One gate was installed at the entrance to Hessler Flats and one was installed near Newlands Road. The final gate will be installed at the entrance to the Mellotte office.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Rattlesnake Hills Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued to monitor elk activity and haze elk out of winter wheat crops near the Hanford National Monument. Late night-early morning hazing patrols will continue by landowners and Hand. Wheat harvest is in full swing, and with added human presence and disturbance from heavy harvesting equipment, elk have been less frequent in crops during daylight hours.

Corral Canyon Wheat Harvest: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand worked with wheat harvest operations to document crop damage impacts from Hanford elk. Many of the fields are yielding near or above average bushels per acre. Heavy elk damage was observed in fields adjacent to the Hanford National Monument or areas where access to hazing was difficult.

Silver Dollar Elk Damage: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand received a new complaint of elk damage at a alfalfa hay operation in north Benton County. Damage Prevention permits were issued and will be utilized after Landowner Permit holders have either had an opportunity or harvested an elk.

Franklin County Hawk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand received and responded to a report of a hawk that was entangled in some twine on a pole near Ice Harbor Dam. Fortunately, before arriving on scene, the hawk was able to free itself and flew away uninjured.

Kittitas County Conflict: Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk complaints were reported in Badger Pocket, Kittitas, Peoh Point, Parke Creek, and the Teanaway area. Two light plants were installed at one field to deter elk. Suncadia residents reported some bear issues. A dumpster in the area was not in compliance.

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Yakima County Conflict: Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay and orchard growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk complaints have come from the Cowiche Road area, as well as the Naches River, and the Nile.

District 8 Depredations: Conflict Specialist Wetzel investigated several goats and sheep that had been killed by unknown predators. In another instance, two small dogs were killed by an unknown predator.

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Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

L.T. Murray Grazing: LT Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart and Wildlife Area Manager Morrison completed the first round of 2023 “landscape appearance” monitoring for the Martinez sheep crossing permit. A few hundred domestic sheep are expected to cross the L.T. Murray Unit on their way to a Forest Service grazing allotment the first week in August and come back through in late September. Very little browse or grazing activity was noted. In another grazing area, Winegeart had the Quilomene Unit cattle grazer remove cattle from the wildlife area because the available AUMs had been used for the 2023 grazing year.

Wenas Wildlife Area Lands 20/20 Application: Wenas Wildlife Area Manager Hughes and Lands and Habitat Specialist Miller worked together on completing an application for the Lands 20/20 Process within the agency. The application submitted was for 150 acres of a future acquisition within Wenas Valley. The owner of the property reached out to the Department about wanting to sell their property. The acquisition would be focused on conserving shrubsteppe habitat, support connectivity to the wildlife area, and provide recreational opportunities.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Aspen Exclosure: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Charlet assessed the current status of the Teepee Creek quaking aspen exclosure on the Oak Creek Wildlife Area. This exclosure helps quaking aspen to establish and grow to heights above the wildlife browse line before being subjected to elk and deer browsing. Current conditions show healthy aspen trees with a significant amount of regeneration within the exclosure.

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Photo by WDFW

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Oak Creek Wildlife Area Grazing Monitoring: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Manager Mackey and Assistant Manager Charlet completed cattle grazing monitoring surveys for one lease in the Rock Creek Unit and two allotments in the Cowiche Unit of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area. All three survey locations showed cattle grazing was within the range of expectations and permit requirements.

Sunnyside/Snake River Wetland Management: Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber and Assistant Manager Jahns have begun the process of prepping the Windmill Ranch wetlands for fall reflooding. The Phase 1 wetland was mowed and sprayed to treat noxious weeds and reduce the cover of aquatic vegetation that was reducing open water. The wetland was then seeded with buckwheat to provide forage for migratory waterfowl.

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Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Oak Creek PR Reports: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Manager Mackey and Assistant Manager Charlet completed the United States Fish and Wildlife Service annual performance (PR) report. This report includes all planned and completed activities on the wildlife area that were funded by PR contract funding from July 2022 to June 2023.

Other

Region 3 Awards Ceremony: The entire L.T. Murray team attended the 2023 Region 3 awards ceremony. The meeting was informative and just a good time with a wildlife area highlight of Amy Windrope and Wildlife Area Manager Morrison emerging victorious in the cornhole tournament.

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Wenas Wildlife Area Temporary Cattle Crossing: Earlier this spring, Wildlife Area Manager Hughes worked with a neighboring landowner on issuing a temporary cattle crossing permit on the Wenas Wildlife Area. The crossing went from Bull Pasture out through Hessler Flats. The lessee was allowed to cross cattle in one day within a designated timeframe of late spring and early fall/summer. Each crossing allowed has occurred and there were no issues with the permit. The lessee worked with Hughes on keeping her up to date when he wanted to cross cattle and the two crossings went well. The permit was beneficial for building and supporting relationships throughout the community. Hughes is looking forward to working with the permittee in future years.

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Wenas Wildlife Area Gates: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technicians Stoltenow and Janes completed fabrication of three gates to be hung around the wildlife area. One gate was installed at the entrance to Hessler Flats and one was installed near Newlands Road. The final gate will be installed at the entrance to the Mellotte office.

Pasco Parking Lot Repair: District 4 staff members worked together to fill in a trench and potholes in the Pasco office parking lot with gravel. The tilt trailer worked great to haul and spread gravel!

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Region 3 Graffiti Increase: Access Manager Garcia and Natural Resource Worker Wolff have been dealing with an increase in vandalism and graffiti through out the region.

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Matoon Lake Graffiti: Access Manager Garcia and Natural Resource Worker Wolff used a sand blaster to remove graffiti from inside and outside outhouse walls.

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Photo by WDFW

Teanaway Tree Removal: Access Manager Garcia removed a fallen tree at Teanaway Junction.

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Managing Wildlife Populations

Remote Fisher Cameras: The L.T. Murray Wildlife Area crew retrieved four remote trail cameras and scent dispensers from the Wenatchee National Forest west of Naches. The cameras were deployed by District 8 Wildlife Biologist Wampole last fall, to gather more information on Cascade Mountain Range fisher populations. No fisher presence has been detected yet, but there have been a few interesting pics.

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Photo by WDFW

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Providing Recreation Opportunities

Wenas Recreational Use Monitoring: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Specialist Frame deployed serval pieces of road monitoring equipment throughout the wildlife area. This data will show how much use our roads receive during specific times of the year.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Rattlesnake Hills Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued to monitor elk activity and haze elk out of winter wheat crops near the Hanford National Monument. New Damage Prevention Permits were issued to landowners in Elk Area 3721 and minimal harvest has occurred likely due to nocturnal elk movements and hot weather conditions. Late night/early morning hazing patrols will continue by landowners and Hand. Fox lights have been employed along heavily used trails used by elk leaving Hanford to enter crop fields.

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Photo by WDFW

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Cold Creek Elk Damage: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand received and responded to a complaint that a small herd of elk knocked over a section of elk fence and entered a large tree fruit and wine grape operation near Cold Creek. Most of the animals were hazed back out of the area and the fence has been repaired. A couple of Damage Prevention Permits have been issued to remove any remaining culprits.

Horn Rapids Deer Complaint: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand responded to a complaint from a wine grape vineyard near Horn Rapids concerning deer damage in a newer block of young grape plants. Several non-lethal hazing techniques are currently being employed with diminishing results. Damage permits were issued as well as planning for youth hunting opportunities.

Kittitas County Conflict: District 8 Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk were reported in Badger Pocket, Kittitas, Peoh Point, and the Teanaway areas.

Yakima County Conflict: District 8 Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay and orchard growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk have been observed in the Cowiche Road area as well as the Naches River area.

District 8 Goat Depredation: District 8 Conflict Specialist Wetzel investigated several goats that had been killed by unknown predators. In two instances, a cougar trap was set after two goats were killed on separate nights.

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District 8 Bear Issues: Upper Kittitas County campgrounds are experiencing many bear issues. All US Forest Services (USFS) campgrounds have reported bears in camps, in dumpsters, and wandering around campsites during daylight and nighttime hours. Bears were hazed and materials were provided to camp hosts to help reduce food attractants.

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Conserving Natural Landscapes

L.T. Murray Weed Control: LT Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Blore and Natural Resource Specialist Nass continued weed control efforts, but hot dry weather is slowing weed growth, so the crew is able to focus on other tasks.

Emergency Fire Restrictions: The L.T. Murray crew posted emergency fire restriction signs at wildlife area access points.

Mesa Lake Beaver Deceiver: Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Jahns and Natural Resource Technician Manderbach cleared a water control structure in the Mesa Lake Unit that was completely blocked by beaver debris. The blockage had resulted in flooding within the unit. Once the water flow was restored, Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber, Jahns, and Manderbach installed a beaver deceiver structure at the outflow of the 7-acre pond. Similar structures have proven to be successful in preventing unwanted blockage and flooding from beaver activity within the wildlife area.

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Mesa Lake Russian Olive Removal: Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area staff members used an excavator to remove Russian olive trees along the 7-acre pond of the Mesa Lake Unit.

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Conducting Business Operations and Policy

New Oak Flats Gate: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Boggs installed a new gate at Oak Flats with the assistance of Natural Resource Worker Close.

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Oak Creek Wildlife Area Gates: Close worked on painting and updating signage on gates throughout the Oak Creek Wildlife Area.

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Other

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Grazing: LT Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Worker Schneider and Assistant Manager Winegeart completed vegetation monitoring and pasture evaluation for the Quilomene Unit Lower Parke pasture.

Donald Wapato Fire: A July 2023 wildfire burned approximately 78 acres of the I-82 Ponds Unit of the Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area along the Yakima River. Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber and Assistant Manager Jahns walked the perimeter of the fire to assess the habitat damage and calculate approximate acreage impacted.

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Providing Recreation Opportunities

Sunnyside Bats: Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber, Assistant Manager Jahns, and Technician Manderbach conducted an emergent count of the Sunnyside bat maternal colony as they exited their roost after sunset. There were 112 adult bats observed, as well as approximately 15 young pups in the roost.

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Burrowing Owl Tracking Project: Wildlife Biologist Fidorra finished up trapping burrowing owls for the pilot study on adult male habitat use and movements. WDFW and partners including Conservation Northwest and local Audubon chapters funded the placement of ten transmitters on adults with a few additional juvenile tags going out in support of an Environment Canada project to study juvenile movements, dispersal, and survival. All data will be helpful in understanding and reversing the apparent decline of Pacific Northwest burrowing owls.

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Providing Recreation Opportunities

Parking Lot Development: Colockum Wildlife Area staff members worked on improving a primitive parking area near the wildlife area headquarters. Original plans called for grading the site, asphalt paving and installation of fencing, signage and shade structures. A pre-project cultural resource survey determined the area qualified as a cultural resource site, precluding any grading, post hole digging ,or soil disturbance. Staff members used other methods to improve the site while minimizing disturbance.

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Manastash Ridge Trails and Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance Volunteer Signage Day: Wenas Wildlife Area Manger Hughes, Specialist Frame, and Habitat Specialist Miller, with the help from volunteers, placed “Trail Closed for Restoration” and “Active Restoration” signs on trails within the Manastash Ridge trails. These trails are improperly built and often cause erosion. Closing them will help plants and wildlife return. The Wenas Team and volunteers also placed yield signs throughout the trails. This will educate users on how to properly yield to other types of user groups on the landscape.

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Rattlesnake Hills Elk: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand prepared and delivered new damage prevention permits to landowners to address elk damage to commercial crops in elk area 3721. The summer bull season ended on June 30 with a new record of 31 bulls harvested on damage prevention permits. Late night and early morning hazing patrols are continuing along the Hanford National Monument border.

Franklin County Chicken Depredations: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand received and responded to a complaint of a fox that has raided a chicken coup and killed up to six chickens near Pasco. Enhanced protective fencing designs were discussed and encouraged as well as lethal removal and non-lethal hazing tools.

Kahlotus Deer Damage Claims: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand met with a producer who farms a large acreage wheat operation near Kahlotus concerning this year’s deer damage claim. The producer seemed very happy with last years coordinated hazing and hunting opportunities offered through both WDFW Special Permit hunters and Damage Permit Program, and is not looking at filing a crop damage claim this year.

Kittitas County Conflict: Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk have been hazed from irrigated hay, row crops, and at haystacks. Elk are returning to the Parke Creek area, similar to last year.

Yakima County Conflict: Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay and orchard growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk have been hazed from irrigated hay, row crops, and orchard areas. Elk have been reported in the Naches River area in greater numbers than last year.

Conflict Specialist Wetzel Other: Conflict Specialist Wetzel assisted enforcement with trapping a bear that killed some chickens and was loitering in a neighborhood. The bear did not return to the area during the trapping period. Thanks to Rich and Lindsay for a new bear trap. It will be useful and safer to use.

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Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

North Durr Road Trash Clean Up: Wenas Wildlife Area Specialist Frame cleaned up 740 pounds of trash from the north Durr Road target shooting area. A box containing roughly a hundred 2023 WDFW Big Game Hunting Regulations pamphlets was found dumped and used as a target.

Whiskey Dick Cleanup: L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart worked with volunteers to remove half a mile of old barbed wire from the L. T. Murray Wildlife Area’s Whiskey Dick Unit. All the wire removed was picked up and taken to recycle.

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2022 Vantage Highway Fire: L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart flew the Vantage Highway fire area in preparation of fall restoration work. Vegetation is recovering well in most of the fire area, but the loss of the area's big sagebrush and large woody riparian vegetation will be felt for many years.

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Photo by WDFW

L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart and Natural Resource Specialist Nass took photos at some Vantage Highway fire photo points. Most grasses and forbs seem to be recovering well and hopefully fall plug planting will aid in recovery of the missing shrub component.

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Education and Outreach

Stolen Shooter Man Sign: The Wenas Wildlife Area worked together on designing and fabricating a new sign to draw attention to target shooting restrictions throughout the wildlife area. The team hand drew and cut out the image below in metal along with developing a locking slider to allow for changing of signs within the metal shooter man. The sign will highlight target shooting restrictions year-round on the Wenas Wildlife Area. It will switch from green stating no timing restrictions, yellow stating sunrise to 10 a.m., and red saying no target shooting when in full emergency fire restrictions. After initially posting the sign at the entrance of Sheep Company Road, the sign was gone within 48 hours. Someone had grinded the metal sign off the post it was welded onto and cut out the yellow timing sign throwing it on the ground. The life-size shooter man sign was stolen. The wildlife area ended up taking an additional sign originally meant for another area and reposting it after adding additional precaution measures to prevent theft.

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L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Manager Morrison and Assistant Manager Winegeart worked with volunteers to rebuild the Corrals kiosk which was lost in the Vantage Highway fire of 2022.

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Photo by WDFW

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Other

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Managing Wildlife Populations

Burrowing Owl Artificial Burrow Project: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra monitored and banded burrowing owls as part of an ongoing research project utilizing artificial burrows. Fidorra got help from Assistant District 8 Biologist Wampole and Region 2 technicians during this period to band and trap adults and nestlings in the artificial burrows. Fidorra also assisted US Fish and Wildlife Services with monitoring and banding at their Paterson Unit where owls are using the burrows for the first time in several years! Fidorra also toured the Energy Northwest Powerplant property where 8 clusters of artificial burrows were created. This is the first time WDFW has been to the site, and while the burrows were in good order, no owls were nesting this season.

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Photo by WDFW

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Burrowing Owl Transmitter Project: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra worked with University of Idaho Researcher Conway to deploy and test new solar tracking devices GPS accuracy on burrowing owls in Pasco. Fidorra also deployed trail cameras onsite to monitor the adults to make sure the harness and transmitter package worked without impacting the owls.

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Fisher Monitoring: District 8 Wildlife Biologist Wampole began retrieving fisher monitoring sites that were placed in fall 2022. Sites were left over winter and spring to monitor for fisher occupancy and is part of a large effort across the southern Cascades to evaluate the status of fisher following reintroductions.

Bear Monitoring: Bear monitoring sites were installed in portions of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area and the Okanogen-Wenatchee National Forest in District 8. Sites are designed to capture hair from curious bears in the area using barbed wire strung around a stand of trees with a scent lure in the center. DNA analysis will be conducted on hair samples and used to estimate bear density in the area. This monitoring effort is led by Statewide Bear and Cougar Specialists Beausoleil and Welflet.

Pelican and Tern Colony Monitoring: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra and US Fish and Wildlife Service McNary and WDFW staff members joined the Real Time Research contractors for a boat based colony survey of terns, gulls, and white pelicans on the Columbia River. Some of the first fledglings of the year were detected. Fidorra also worked on analysis of aerial colony images taken by WDFW in May, for the annual adult pelican count on Badger Island.

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Tri-Cities Goose Banding: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand, Private Lands Biologist Hulett and Technician Manderbach participated in a goose round-up and banding project at Columbia Park in Kennewick.

Blue Mountain Elk Collaring: Sunnyside-Snake River Manager Kaelber assisted WDFW staff members and others with collaring elk calves in the Blue Mountains for a calf survival study.

State Wildlife Action Plan Process Review: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra provided comments and attended the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) process review meeting in preparation for the 2025 SWAP update. The process outlined how species would be selected for inclusion in the SWAP as Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

Blue Mountains Elk Collaring: Colockum Wildlife Area Manager Lopushinsky and Assistant Manager Hagan also assisted WDFW staff members and others with collaring elk calves in the Blue Mountains for a calf survival study. Staff members worked in rugged terrain spotting cow elk with calves and then hiking to get close enough to capture and collar newborn calves.

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Photo by WDFW

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Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Reducing Vehicle Collisions: District 8 Habitat and Wildlife staff members, met with a Washington Department of Transportation biologist and engineers to begin discussion of our prospects for safe passage of wildlife to reduce wildlife vehicle collisions and improve connectivity.

Bear Cub Orphan: District 8 Wildlife staff members and police responded to a report of an orphaned bear cub on private land. The 3–4-month male cub was safely located, captured, and transported to a wildlife rehabilitation facility. The cub was determined to be in good condition and is slated for release in spring 2024.

Rattlesnake Hills Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continues to monitor elk activity and damage impacts while actively preforming late night/early morning hazing patrols. As natural forage dries-out and crop fields mature, increasing numbers of elk continue to raid wheat fields along the top of Rattlesnake Mountain, mostly during nocturnal hours.

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Richland Coyote: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand responded to a complaint from a homeowner near Badger Mountain concerning a coyote that was hanging around residences. “Living with Wildlife” material was discussed as well as actions that can be taken to protect pets.

Providing Education and Outreach

Public Presentation Deer and Elk: Assistant District 8 Biologist Wampole presented to the Kittitas Field and Streams Club on the status and trends of the elk and deer in District 8 and answered questions regarding concerns around mule deer and elk in the area.

Mesa Elementary Ecology Day: Assistant Manager Jahns attended Mesa Elementary School’s Ecology Day. The entire K-6 student body rotated through different educational stations throughout the day learning about all things ecology! The students were very enthusiastic about Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. It was a fun, action-packed day of learning!

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Other

District 4 staff members in Pasco prepared for the furniture update of desks and cabinets expected in the coming week. Wildlife Biologist Fidorra worked to secure a contract with moving companies while everyone cleaned and prepped to remove old furniture once the new arrives.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Diffuse Knapweed Control: Oak Creek Technician Boggs and Assistant Manager Charlet released biocontrol insects (bangasternus farsti) to help control dense diffuse knapweed patches in the Cowiche Unit of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area. Biocontrol insects were provided by the Washington State University Extension as part of the integrated weed control project.

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Photo by WDFW

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Sunnyside/Snake River Weed Control: Manager Kaelber and Technician Manderbach removed large patches of Scotch thistle from the I-82 Ponds Unit. Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area staff members continue to apply integrated pest management strategies to control invasive weeds throughout the wildlife area.

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Managing Wildlife Populations

Sunnyside Bats: Sunnyside and Snake River wildlife area staff assisted Department of Fish and Wildlife bat biologists, District Wildlife Biologist Fidorra, and others with annual bat sampling at the Sunnyside Headquarters Unit. Bats were collected using a harp trap as they exited their roost box. Once trapped, bats were sampled and banded. It was a late night, but staff members had a great time learning more about the bats and assisting with the sampling.

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Photo by WDFW

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District 8 Bat Surveys: Assistant District Biologist Wampole commenced summer maternity bat roost surveys in Yakima County. Long term monitoring showed an increase in roosting big brown bats at one maternity colony.

District 8 Wolf Sighting: Wolf monitoring within the Naneum Canyon revealed no additional sightings of a previously detected gray wolf.

Burrowing Owl Tracking Study Commences: Species Lead Hayes and District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra worked with partners including the University of Idaho to deploy transmitters on male burrowing owls to study movements and habitat use during the non-breeding season. Many Columbia Basin males have been shown to remain in the state during the winter, unlike other populations of this subspecies. Transmitters will also be deployed in Oregon and British Columbia in this regional study spearheaded by WDFW.

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Ground-squirrel Survey Completed: Wildlife Biologist Fidorra and biologists across the Columbia Basin revisited known colony sites for Townsend’s and Washington ground-squirrels this spring. While a few colonies remain, many historic colonies were vacant. Local landowners supported the theory that a recent decline coincided with the harsh late snows of 2017-2018 around Tri-Cities, but long term declines had started long before.

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Providing Recreation Opportunities

Unapproved User-Built Bike Jump Removal: Natural Resource Specialist Frame disassembled and removed a total of five unapproved user-built bike jumps on Cheeky-Bugger and Wildcat trails. Some jumps were large and were constructed of fallen logs and rocks. After removal, Frame re-graded the trails back to their original state.

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Photo by WDFW

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Another Successful Year of the Landowner Hunting Program: Private Lands Biologist Hulett worked with landowners enrolled in the Silver Dollar and Blackrock Landowner Hunting Program to complete and submit their 2023 Landowner Hunting Program report. In total, 21 bull elk and three cow elk were harvested across the six enrolled properties. Along with these landowner tags, 21 state drawn hunters were brought out to the properties for opportunities to harvest elk.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Rattlesnake Hills Elk: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand processed and issued additional damage prevention permits to a landowner in elk area 3721. A trail camera was installed on a traditional route elk use to enter wheat fields near the Hanford National Monument. It will monitor elk use and activity.

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Elk Thermal Imaging: Night-time hazing continues and the use of newly purchased thermal imaging optics have improved the ability to locate animals in crop areas in complete darkness.

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Pasco Rattlesnake Response: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand responded to a call in Spillman concerning an aggressive rattlesnake near the Columbia River. Three young teenage individuals abandoned their belongings near where the snake was initially observed. After a search of the area, no snake was located. Their belongings were returned, and education was provided on rattlesnake behavior and avoidance.

Two River’s Park Osprey: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand responded to a call concerning an osprey that was observed tangled with fishing line and attached to a tree from the previous day. One osprey was located at the area that was described but it was uninjured and flew away.

Prosser Beaver: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand received and responded to a complaint from an orchardist in the Prosser area concerning a beaver that had damaged a few cherry trees. Several preventive techniques were discussed including protective armament around the trees and possible trapping.

Horse Heaven Hill Pronghorn: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand and Enforcement Officer Kunz-Pfeiffer responded to a report from local power company staff members that a buck pronghorn antelope had an arrow in it. After contacting the landowner and obtaining permission to access the property, we conducted a search. No signs of the animal were located. We asked the landowner and neighboring landowners to contact us if they see any sign of the animal or scavenging bird activity.

Kahlotus Deer Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand completed renewals of two Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreements for landowners in the Kahlotus area to address deer damage in winter wheat crops.

Kittitas County Conflict: Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk have been hazed from irrigated hay, row crops, and at haystacks. Greenup is helping keep elk higher and on public land.

Yakima County Conflict: Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk have been hazed from irrigated hay, row crops, and orchard areas.

Wetzel Cougar: Conflict Specialist Wetzel assisted enforcement with trapping a cougar that killed a chicken and was loitering in a neighborhood. Trapping is ongoing.

I-90 Wolf Vehicle Collision: A dead wolf was recovered after being struck on I-90. The wolf had a tracking collar.

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Naches Elk Relocation: An elk was relocated away from a goat pen where it had been living for several months. The elk was an orphan that attached to the goats and had become a nuisance to the livestock owner. Biologists Mackey and Moore relocated the elk to the Little Naches River area.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Weed Control: Natural Resource Technician Blore flew with Central Valley Helicopters to identify heavy weed populations in the 2022 Vantage Highway Fire burn area. Assistant Manager Winegeart hired the helicopter to spray 50 acres of areas identified for whitetop and Russian knapweed. The fire removed most canopy cover from the riparian areas making weed identification and herbicide application easier.

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L. T. Murray Riparian Health: Manager Morrison and Assistant Manager Winegeart accompanied some Habitat Program staff to the Whiskey Dick Unit for drone flights which focused on creek banks and possible areas in need habitat enhancement.

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Wenas Wildlife Area Weed Spraying: Biologist Miller, Natural Resource Technician Frame, and Natural Resource Specialist Stoltenow all have been thoroughly covering the wildlife area in search of Scotch thistle, Canada thistle, and whitetop to be sprayed with herbicide. These species are all noxious and invasive weeds that can harm native plants and animals. Much of the spraying is done with backpack sprayers.

Miracle Mile Acquisition or Conservation Easement: Wenas Wildlife Area Manager Hughes, Habitat Biologist Meyer, and Environmental Planner Teske met with a landowner bordering the Wenas Wildlife Area. The landowner is interested in conserving their property either by selling it to WDFW or by putting it into a conservation easement. The three toured the property and took photos displaying the varying forms of habitat that remain on the property. The property includes shrubsteppe habitat leading into areas with ponderosa pine. It also includes a riparian section of North Wenas Creek. Hughes, Meyer and Teske are planning to apply for a grant a couple years from now to help conserve the property. Getting photos and documenting information now is an important step in this process.

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Photo by WDFW

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Habitat Projects on Private Lands: Private Lands Biologist Hulett along with Private Lands Technician Manderbach completed all of their spring shrub plantings. In total, 250 additional shrubs were planted on two sites in Yakima County. This brings the total number of shrubs planted in 2023 to 900 across nine sites.

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Colockum Wildlife Area Forestry: Work continues on the forest treatment and thinning work on the Colockum Wildlife Area. Contract loggers are working in Unit 5 and Unit 6, while also hauling logs from log decks in Unit 1. Work will continue all summer unless it is restricted by fire danger restrictions.

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Photo by WDFW

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Oak Creek Wildlife Area Weed Spraying: Biologist Charlet, Natural Resource Technician Boggs, and Natural Resource Worker Close have been diligently applying herbicide to Scotch thistle, Canada thistle, knapweed, yellow star thistle across the Oak Creek and Cowiche units. This is all spot treatment via backpack sprayers and all-terrain vehicles.

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Photo by WDFW

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Providing Education and Outreach

L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Kiosk: Assistant Manager Winegeart and Natural Resource Workers Hamlin and Schneider, set five posts in preparation for a volunteer project that will rebuild the large three panel kiosk that burned in the 2022 Vantage Highway fire.

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Oak Creek Wildlife Area Volunteer Work Party with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: On May 19 and 20, volunteers with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) assisted Oak Creek staff members in the clean-up of a recent 100-acre acquisition along the Tieton River. This was the site of a homesite and small farm. Although, WDFW Capital and Asset Management Program (CAMP) crews removed the larger structures, several small outbuildings remained as well as a small orchard. Volunteers removed and piled the fruit trees, removed three outbuildings, and removed approximately 500 feet of fencing. In total approximately 15 cubic yards of construction debris was hauled to the landfill.

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Photo by WDFW

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Oak Creek Wildlife Area Signs, Kiosk, and Cattle Guards: Oak Creek staff members began cleaning cattle guards on the Cowiche Unit, along with installing a green dot management sign and kiosk within a recent acquisition to the unit.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Unfortunate Change to Providing Technical Assistance to Landowners: Private Lands Biologist Hulett organized all State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) contracts in Region 3 to hand over to the local county Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). As of April 7, 2023, WDFW is no longer the Technical Service Provider (TSP) for any of the SAFE contracts in Washington State. Instead NRCS will be taking responsibility of all SAFE contracts. Hulett passed off all Franklin County SAFE contracts to NRCS on May 25, 2023. They are waiting to pass off Benton County’s SAFE contract documents until they can meet with a representative for Benton County NRCS, but there is currently not an NRCS staff member for Benton County.

Other

L. T. Murray Fence: Assistant Manager Winegeart and Natural Resource Specialist Nass repaired riparian exclosure fence on the Parke Creek subunit of the Quilomene Unit.

Giffon Lake Outflow: In order to maintain water levels and flow in Giffon Lake and surrounding wetlands, Manager Kaelber and Natural Resource Technician Manderbach removed beaver debris and sediment from the Giffon Lake outflow at the Sunnyside Headquarters Unit. The operation required launching a small boat to access the outflow and successfully dislodge the debris.

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Sunnyside Headquarters Food Plot: Manager Kaelber, Assistant Manager Jahns, and Natural Resource Technician Manderbach seeded several food plots along circle edges at the Sunnyside Headquarters Unit. The crops planted will provide valuable forage for wildlife throughout the entirety of the growing season.

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Photo by WDFW

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Sunnyside and Snake River Nesting Season: Sunnyside and Snake River staff members have observed a variety of hatchlings and fledglings throughout the wildlife area this spring including great horned owls, barn owls, and several species of waterfowl and shorebirds.

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Managing Wildlife Populations

L. T. Murray Wildlife Area, Whiskey Dick Unit: Manager Morrison joined members of the Ecostudies Institute in the field while they were conducting horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) nest searching and monitoring, and bird captures in the Whiskey Dick and Quilomene areas. The search and captures are part of a pilot study to gather further information about lark introduction to new locations. The pilot study supports a greater study to facilitate work in supporting population of threatened listed streaked horned larks (Eremophila alpestris strigata).

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Photo by WDFW

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Sunnyside and Snake River: Manager Kaelber assisted volunteers from the Richland Rod and Gun Club with servicing wood duck nesting boxes in the Sunnyside Headquarters and Byron Units. Several boxes were being occupied with nesting wood ducks, as well as screech owls and kestrels.

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Bighorn Sheep Monitoring: Collared individuals from the ‘Test and Remove’ study sites continue to be monitored. District personnel responded to two mortalities occurring the past two weeks within the Cleman Mountain population due to vehicle strike and a likely predation event. Nasal swabs and heads were collected and sent for additional testing. Nasal swabs test for active infection, while heads are inspected for nasal tumors. The presence of tumors would indicate chronic Mycoplasma ovipneumoniea (M. Ovi).

Mule Deer Coordination: District biologists gathered with ungulate specialist personnel to discuss current and future mule deer monitoring and management.

Ground Squirrels: District 8 staff members continued to conduct surveys for Townsend ground squirrels on private and public lands. Ground squirrel colonies have seen drastic declines. Staff members have been revisiting historic colony sites and investigate new areas on private lands. District 8 personnel have registered several new colonies in the area hosting large family groups.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

End of Winter Closure: On May 1, Natural Resource Technician Stoltenow and Assistant Manager Taylor opened gates in the Wenas Wildlife Area allowing public access to the winter closure area. At the time of opening, there were around 26 vehicles at the Hardy Canyon gate and one vehicle at the gate at the top of Woodcamp Road looking to access the winter closure area for shed hunting.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Rattlesnake Hills Elk: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand processed and issued damage prevention permits to several landowners in elk area 3721. These permits, for antlered bull elk only, are an extremely effective tool used for hazing elk away from valuable crops during the growing season.

Richland Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand and Sergeant Fulton responded to an injured deer call in Richland. They observed a young buck mule deer that could not move its rear legs and appeared extremely emaciated. The deer was lethally removed, and the carcass was taken to a Department of Transportation disposal site.

Pasco Fox: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand responded to call from a Pasco homeowner who has lost chickens, ducks, and rabbits to a fox. The reporting party has witnessed the fox in the act of depredations in the past and assumed the recent attacks are from the same animal. Multiple protective measures were discussed as well as potential use of a Wildlife Control Operator for possible trapping.

Prosser Bald Eagle: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand responded to an injured wildlife call concerning a bald eagle hanging from a powerline in the Prosser area. Local power company staff were alerted to the situation and were available to assist, but unfortunately the adult eagle died prior to any rescue attempt. The bird was tagged and labeled for shipment to the National Repository.

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Photo by WDFW

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Kittitas County Conflict: Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk have been hazed from irrigated hay, row crops, and at haystacks. Greenup is helping to keep elk higher and on public land.

Yakima County Conflict: Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk have been hazed from irrigated hay, row crops, and orchard areas.

Wetzel Other: Conflict Specialist Wetzel assisted enforcement with trapping a cougar that killed a housecat. The cougar did not return to the trap.

A deer mortality was recovered in the Teanaway. A second also occurred in a very remote area that will be recovered when snow recedes.

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Wolf Activity: Individual wolves have been reported but not verified in any one location. No packs are present at this time.

Wenas Elk Fence Check: Natural Resource Worker Frame and Biologist Miller finished the spring elk fence checks. They ensured the fence was intact in places of the wildlife area bordering areas that will be holding livestock.

Wenas Breakaway Installation: Natural Resource Specialist Frame and Natural Resource Technician Stoltenow installed breakaway fencing in a drainage along Newlands Road, between two sections of elk fence installed last summer. The purpose of this fence is to breakaway in the event of a major flooding or debris flow event, so that the rest of the fencing is not damaged.

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Conserving Natural Landscapes

Colockum Litter Cleanup: Manager Lopushinsky coordinated with WDFW Enforcement and the Wenatchee Sportsman’s Association in cleaning up a very nasty garbage site near Lily Lake in the Stemilt Basin. After being alerted to the problem the Sportsman’s Association responded immediately to rally volunteers and pick up and haul this garbage pile to the local landfill.

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Mowing at Mattoon and Fio Rito: Access Manager Garcia mowed Mattoon and Fio Rito to reduce non-native fire risk and to improve weed management.

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Boundary Fence Repair: Access Natural Resource Technician Barbosa and Natural Resource Worker Wolff repaired fences at Pond1, Pond 2, and Pond 3.

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Photo by WDFW

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Graffiti: Access Natural Resource Tech Barbosa and Natural Resource Worker Wolff painted out graffiti at Pond 6.

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L. T. Murray Wildlife Area, Quilomene Unit Grazing: Assistant Manager Winegeart and Natural Resource Workers Schneider and Hamlin completed pre-grazing vegetation utilization monitoring on the Quilomene Unit’s Whiskey Jim pasture. The pasture showed very little to no grazing from wildlife.

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Beacon Ridge Road Gate: Natural Resource Technician Blore built a gate across the Quilomene Unit’s Beacon Ridge Road to be used while cows are in the Upper Parke pasture during the first half of July.

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Sunnyside and Snake River: Manager Kaelber, Assistant Manager Jahns, and Natural Resource Technician Manderbach visited the Thornton Unit to evaluate a wildlife food plot that was recently seeded. There was new growth of the seeded species, as well as regrowth of grasses.

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Colockum Wildlife Area, Post Burn Activities: WDFW staff members conducted a 270-acre prescribed burn on the Colockum Wildlife Area last fall. This spring things are greening up nicely, and this month staff are seeding the containment lines with native grasses.

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Other

L. T. Murray Wildlife Area, Quilomene Unit: Assistant Manager Winegeart presented information to the Region 3 management team regarding a new private firing range being developed a few miles east of Ellensburg on the Vantage Highway. The property sites between the Green Gate subunit or the L. T. Murray Wildlife Area, Quilomene Unit and the Wild Horse wind farm and was almost purchased by DFW for a public firing range around five years ago. The range is owned by Vantage Valley Properties LLC and is currently being used by local law enforcement for target practice.

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Sunnyside and Snake River: Assistant Manager Jahns and Natural Resource Technician Manderbach continue to implement integrated pest management strategies to control noxious weeds throughout the wildlife area. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Bighorn Sheep Surveys: WDFW biologist, regional conflict specialists, wildlife area staff, and ungulate specialists teamed up to conduct two mark-resight surveys of bighorn sheep in the Yakima Canyon. Surveys are conducted by visually identifying bighorn sheep and quantifying the number of marked animals (wearing GPS collars) and the total number present. Staff members also collect data on the sex and age composition of observed groups. This survey provides an estimated population size and importantly 2022 lamb recruitment. This data will be utilized for the Test and Remove study that began earlier this year to address concerns of prevalence rates of mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (MOVI).

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Bear Density Surveys: Black bear density surveys were approved to be carried out early this summer in District 8. Non-invasive hair snag sites will be set in the region of Oak Creek Wildlife Area and Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest. This data will provide estimates of bear density locally and improve efforts to understand variation in black bear density statewide. See Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2022. Statewide Black Bear Density Monitoring in Washington: A cross-region and interagency team approach.

White-trailed Jackrabbit Sightings: L. T. Murray staff members saw two white-tailed jackrabbits on the Whiskey Dick Unit. That makes four white-tailed jackrabbits seen on the Whiskey Dick Unit this year. The first was mistaken for a cottontail rabbit and shot by recreators at Whiskey Dick Bay but the remaining three were spotted in April alive and healthy.

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District 8 Wolf Activity: Individual wolves, both collared and uncollared, are leaving and arriving in the district at this time. It is suspected that they will remain transient for some time.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Rattlesnake Hills Elk: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand had contact with landowners on Rattlesnake Mountain concerning the elk activity, damage occurrence, and damage permit issuance. Summer bull damage prevention permits were developed and will be distributed to landowners in the next couple of weeks. These permits provide hunting opportunity during critical wheat growth development while aiding in hazing elk back to the Hanford National Monument.

Kahlotus Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand conducted deer monitoring and damage inspections at a couple of dryland wheat farms in Game Management Unit (GMU) 381. Very few deer were observed, and damage impacts appear to be reducing.

Kittitas County Wildlife Conflict: Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk were hazed from irrigated hay, row crops, and at haystacks. One elk near a garlic field died from pneumonia complications.

Yakima County Wildlife Conflict: Conflict Wetzel worked with several hay growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk have been hazed from irrigated hay, row crops, and orchard areas. One elk near an irrigated field died from unknown causes.

Fence repairs are underway in West Valley. It is likely winter snow caused the elk fence to fall over in that area. Repairs were also needed at un-permitted entry points that adjacent landowners have cut into the elk fence.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

L. T. Murray Pedestrian Surveys: The L. T. Murray staff members, Off-road Vehicle Education Specialist Schrauth, and state foresters assisted a cultural resource specialist with pedestrian surveys within the 2022 Vantage Highway Fire footprint. Among the lithic scatter found was an arrowhead which is believed to be between 200 and 2,000 years old. The arrowhead was documented and reburied at the site. A few hundred acres have now been surveyed and will be available for planting this fall.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

 Petrified Wood: While crossing state parks through the Recreation Drive access point, L. T. Murray staff members found six bags of petrified wood in the road. Assistant Manager Winegeart contacted a very grateful John Ernster with State Parks who requested Winegeart fill out a witness statement and then had State Parks enforcement investigate and file a criminal report.

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Photo by WDFW

 L. T. Murray Grazing: Wildlife Area Manager Morrison and Assistant Manager Winegeart performed pre-grazing monitoring in the Lower Parke pasture of the Quilomene Unit’s grazing lease.

Providing Education and Outreach

Back Country Hunters and Anglers: Assistant Manager Winegeart met with the president of the local chapter for Back Country Hunters and Anglers and discussed upcoming volunteer opportunities on the L. T. Murray Wildlife Area.

Stuck Vehicle in Wenas: Off-road Vehicle Education Specialist Schrauth came across a stuck off-road vehicle while on patrol in the Wenas Wildlife Area and assisted with the removal of the vehicle. Education was also provided on proper use of the Green Dot Road system as well as proper recovery equipment, communication standards, and recovery efforts safety.

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Photo by WDFW

Sunnyside and Snake River: Assistant Manager Jahns and Natural Resource Technician Manderbach had the pleasure of participating in the 25^th annual Salmon Summit at Columbia Park. Thousands of elementary students from the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas released their classroom salmon into the Columbia River and rotated through stations to learn more about fish, wildlife, and natural resources in Washington. WDFW’s “Pelts & Skulls” station was a huge hit with the kids. They learned about the importance of wildlife habitat, native fish, and wildlife species during the interactive, hands-on lesson. Thank you, Communication Manager Lehman and Customer Service Specialist Tucker for helping at the booth as well.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Natural Resource Technician Manderbach and Habitat Biologist Maikis attended a career night at Leona Libby Middle School in West Richland. They were able to teach students and community members about fish and wildlife in Washington and potential career opportunities with WDFW.

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Photo by WDFW

Other

Sunnyside and Snake River: Manager Kaelber, Assistant Manager Ferguson, and Natural Resource Technician Manderbach spent a day cleaning up litter at the Sunnyside Headquarters Unit. Two dump trailers were filled with garbage, tires, and furniture.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Jahns and Manderbach cleared beaver debris from a waterway in the Hope Valley Unit to alleviate flooding on neighboring private property. They also cleared beaver debris from a water control structure in the Mesa Lake Unit.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Conflict Specialist Wetzel assisted Washington Department of Transportation and Washington State Patrol to haze elk from several areas near I-90. Multiple stranded or nuisance beaver calls were handled in Yakima and Kittitas counties.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Managing Wildlife Populations

Ground Squirrel Surveys: Assistant District Biologist Wampole commenced Townsend ground squirrel (Urocitellus townsendii townsendii) surveys in Kittitas and Yakima counties. Surveys conducted in 2020 and 2021 confirmed a significant decline in Townsend ground squirrel occupancy at historic colony sites. Current surveys aim to monitor remaining occupied sites and identify new colony locations.

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Photo by WDFW

Ground Squirrel Surveys: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra revisited Townsends ground squirrel colonies for the range wide survey of this Washington endemic species. Thus far two of 27 Benton County colonies that were active in 2005 had squirrels detected. There was a sharp decline in occupancy around the year 2018.

Tricolored Blackbird Research: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra placed sound recorder devices at two known tricolored blackbird colonies for a California researcher. The loggers will be used to analyze vocalizations but also provide remote monitoring for arrival and productivity which is valuable for this rare breeding species in Washington.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Hardy Canyon Gate Installation: The Wenas Wildlife Area staff members installed a gate near the Hardy Canyon trailhead to allow both users on foot and those on horseback to access the Hoover acquisition. The sale for this property recently went through. The property will be a walk-in only access site for the public. Opportunities for wildlife viewing, hunting, and hiking will be popular throughout the new acquisition. The primary focus of this acquisition is to conserve shrubsteppe and riparian habitat.

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Photo by WDFW

Wenas Wildlife Area Road Maintenance: Manager Hughes and Assistant Manager Taylor have been working closely with Capital Asset Management Program (CAMP) on road maintenance being conducted on the Wenas. The three priority roads being worked on through June are Kelly Hollow leading into Hessler Flats and Bell Tell off Sheep Company and Roza roads. The roadcrew is becoming familiar with the alkali and clay soils throughout the Wenas along with spring runoff issues that occur when there are not proper drainages built into each road. Taylor and Hughes have been working with the roadcrew on getting rolling dips and ditch outs to be angled enough for water to run off the road. If there is not enough angle (aiming for a 45-degree angle) the water will pool at the base of each rolling dip in the road. Another important feature is making the rolling dips wide enough and gradual so you can easily roll through while driving compared to a drastic dip that is difficult to haul a trailer through or get a fire engine through. Certain parts of the road are also being out sloped for water runoff. Almost all the roads throughout the Wenas have severe damage due to spring run-off issues. It is very exciting, there was some funding allowing maintenance work and some issues to be addressed. In the long run, the road maintenance will help keep user groups on the established road and in turn preserve adjacent habitat that was being eroded due to spring run off and from the public driving off the main road in order to get through.

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Mule Deer and Highways: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff members met with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to discuss a potential point of collaboration to reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife on major roadways in Kittitas County. Information obtained from GPS collared mule deer highlighted key corridors of movement which will help guide WSDOT project priority and mitigation efforts by establishing hotspots of possible conflict.

Oak Creek Volunteers and Visitor’s Center Banquet: Oak Creek Manager Mackey and Assistant Manager Charlet attended the annual volunteer awards dinner in Yakima. Two 20-year service awards, one 10-year service award, one 5-year service award, one “Smooth Talker” award, and one “Busy Bee” award were handed out to honor our dedicated volunteers for the year.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

2022 Vantage Highway Fire: Assistant Manager Winegeart and Natural Resource Specialist Nass established photo points in a 100 acre section of the Vantage Highway Fire footprint which is planned for drill seeding in the fall. Later, they joined a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife archaeologist and volunteering foresters in performing a pedestrian cultural survey of the same area. The entire 100 acres was also aerially treated with Laramie 25DF to control cheatgrass for fall seeding in some areas and to control cheatgrass to reduce native grass competition as the plants recover from fire in others.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Roza Fence Posts and Cable: Assistant Manager Taylor and Natural Resource Technician Stoltenow pounded metal posts with a cable strung across to prevent unauthorized vehicle access in the Roza portion of the wildlife area. An area was left open adjacent to the gate for the public to be able to walk in or ride a horse in. The following weekend someone from the public went even further off the Green Dot Road to cut a fence the wildlife area installed behind the cable and drove their motorized vehicles through. This has been an ongoing challenge for the Wenas Wildlife Area. The surrounding landscape of the area is difficult to block off where the Green Dot Road ends. Below the Green Dot Road goes into a riparian area along with heavier fuels. This is a popular area for hunting, wildlife viewing, and hiking. It also holds valuable habitat for elk, upland birds, mule deer, and more. Manager Hughes is going to continue to work with enforcement on the illegal offroad use past the gate and fenced area.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Wenas Kelly Hollow Reseeding: Habitat Specialist Miller seeded old, decommissioned sections of Kelly Hollow Road, as well as new ditch-outs on the Kelly Hollow and Hessler Flat roads. This seeding will be the start to recovering habitat from an outdated and unusable roadbed.

Wenas Sheep Company Spraying: Habitat Specialist Miller made a spray application at the Shooting Range off of Sheep Company Road. This spray will help to ensure the berms are acting as sufficient fire breaks as well as making the shooting area a pleasant and accessible place to recreate for the public. This will help to limit dispersed shooting on the wildlife area, benefiting public safety as well as limiting distribution of refuse.

Sunnyside/Snake River Spraying: Approximately 480 acres of the recently burned Byron Unit was sprayed for annual grasses by helicopter in preparation for seeding of native vegetation in the fall.

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Photo by WDFW

Solar Energy Project Reviews: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra attended meetings and reviews of several solar projects in District 4. The scope and size of projects overall will have unmitigated impacts to many wildlife species.

Providing Education and Outreach

Arbor Day Event: Assistant Manager Winegeart assisted with Arbor Fest at the Yakima Arboretum.

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Photo by WDFW

Other

Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area: With the weather improving slightly in recent days, Natural Resource Technician Wascisin and Assistant Manager Ferguson spent several days pulling up and burning last year’s bumper crop of kochia and Russian thistle from around the shop and office area at the Sunnyside Unit. They also put pre-emergent herbicide down to hopefully curb growth of the weeds this year.

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Photo by WDFW

Assistant Manager Ferguson has been busy installing the new gate for the driveway to the Sunnyside Unit office. The gate structure is made of heavy-gauge steel and composed of a swinging gateway and a frame situated underground and embedded in ten yards of concrete. The hope is to prevent any further forced entries into the compound by burglars.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Sunnyside Unit Front Gate: Assistant Manager Ferguson completed installation of the new front gate at the Sunnyside Unit.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Region 3 Chainsaw Training: Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber, Sunnyside Assistant Manager Jahns, Sunnyside Natural Resource Technician Manderbach, Oak Creek Wildlife Area Manager Mackey, L.T. Murray Assistant Manager Winegeart, Natural Resource Specialists Blore, Nass, Frame, and Stoltenow attended chainsaw training in Yakima. The training was provided by members of the Department of Natural Resources Ahtanum Wild Land Fire Hand Crew. It was a fun training, and we learned a ton of valuable information!

Clark Pond Fire: On Wednesday, Mar. 22, there was a fire in the Clark Pond Unit of the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area. The fire began on neighboring private property and spread into the wildlife area, burning an estimated 87 acres. Unfortunately, all the native shrub plots in the unit were destroyed.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Region 3 Fall Protection Training: Sunnyside Manager Kaelber, Sunnyside Assistant Manager Jahns, all L.T. Murray Wildlife Area staff members, and all Oak Creek Wildlife Area staff members attended Fall Protection Awareness training at the regional office in Yakima.