Managing Wildlife Populations

Black-tailed Deer Study Update: Regional wildlife biologists, Ungulate Section staff members, Science Division staff members, Conflict Specialists, wildlife area staff members, Habitat Program staff members, as well as biologists from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Region 6 continued work on the black-tailed deer project. Thirty-six black-tailed deer were captured by helicopter net gun earlier this winter. The deer are located within GMUs 556 (Toutle) and 550 (Coweeman), on a combination of state and private industrial forestlands. The captured deer were fitted with GPS collars and evaluated for body condition. Researchers took various biological samples before releasing the animals on-site.

Following a period to allow the deer to settle after the capture event, cameras have been placed within the home-range of each deer. Two or three cameras are currently deployed within the range of all study deer that remain alive, depending on the size of the deer’s range. The cameras focus attention on both forested and unforested habitats. Each camera station is also equipped with a device known as a proximity sensor which can detect when the deer’s collar is close to the camera, even if no photos were taken.

In aggregate, the collars, cameras, and sensors monitor the population of both the known deer within the study areas as well as unmarked deer that are also encountered. It is anticipated that these methods will produce sex and age ratios, and they may eventually be able to generate population abundance as well. This pilot effort is being explored within the forestlands of WDFW Region 5 / District 10 with the hope that it will prove to be a suitable tool for monitoring the secretive black-tailed deer in their forested habitats throughout western Washington.

Thanks to the many WDFW staff members who have participated in the project and thanks to the newly formed Blacktail Deer Foundation for their support and encouragement.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Martins Bar: With the busy summer season quickly approaching, water access area staff members have been busy getting prepared. One site in particular, Martins Bar Access Area in Woodland, gets quite a lot of traffic almost year-round, and even more so in the spring and summer months. Since the early spring, access area staff members made improvements to the site’s parking lot by putting down fresh gravel and placing jersey barriers in the center of the parking lot to deter the public from peeling out. Additionally, staff members have painted the ends of the barriers white to make them more conspicuous for low light conditions. 

Access area staff members have observed several garbage dumps and issues with graffiti. Silverlake restrooms and parking lot got hit pretty hard with multiple tags, which required pressure washing and painting over the graffiti. Also, there was a large garbage dump at Martin’s Bar access site where the access area team found ten large bags of garbage from a local coffee shop.

Kress Lake had a large cottonwood tree come down on the walking trail last week. It took two days to clean up and remove the tree and debris from the trail and ADA access fishing spot. Access area staff members have also been working on weed eating several sites including Kress Lake, Vancouver Lake, and Shilapoo access areas. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Injured Eagle: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a report of an injured bald eagle in Klickitat County. A passing motorist had picked up the eagle that night before WDFW staff members arrived. Officer Bolton took possession of the eagle the following day. After meeting up with Officer Bolton and assessing the eagle, Jacobsen determined that the eagle had suffered a severe wing break and was not a candidate for rehabilitation. Jacobsen euthanized the injured adult bald eagle.

Deceased Deer in Yard 1: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a deceased deer in a resident’s yard. When Jacobsen arrived, the homeowners had their kitchen butcher knife out and were attempting to salvage the deer meat for consumption. After inspecting the deer, Jacobsen strongly advised the homeowner NOT to consume the meat from this deer. The deer died of an unknown cause (likely disease), was in poor body condition, and, having been dead for several hours, had developed a strong odor. The homeowners eventually agreed that salvaging the deer was probably not the best option. Jacobsen disposed of the carcass.

Deceased Deer in Yard 2: An elderly homeowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen to report that she had recently come home from vacation and found a deceased deer right next to her door. The odor was extremely strong, and the homeowner had no way of removing the deer. Jacobsen held his breath and loaded up the decomposing carcass that was crawling with fly larvae. The carcass began falling apart as soon as Jacobsen picked it up, but most of the pieces made it into the back of his truck. Jacobsen disposed of the carcass for the very appreciative homeowner.

Deceased Deer in Yard 3: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Biologist Bergh spoke with homeowners in a neighborhood with chronic deer feeding issues. There had been multiple reports of deceased deer in this neighborhood, and supplemental feeding was a likely cause. Jacobsen provided information regarding the risks to deer associated with supplemental feeding and also advised homeowners of the new law prohibiting the feeding of deer in Washington.

“Bobcat-Domestic Cat Hybrid”: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Officer Way fielded a phone call from an extremely concerned homeowner regarding what she reported as a “huge bobcat-domestic cat hybrid” that was living in her house. The homeowner reported that she let the animal into the house several months prior but that it had started acting aggressively. The homeowner reported that the mother and daughter were now afraid to live in the same house as the animal. Jacobsen passed their contact information along to a local cat rescue who may or may not be able to help. The following picture was provided by the reporting party:

Badger Stuck in Fence: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was driving along a highway in east Klickitat County when he observed a small animal run across the road in front of him. Suspecting it was a badger, Jacobsen slowed down and looked out his window as the animal scurried across the road and through a fence. However, as Jacobsen watched the badger squeeze through a square in the woven-wire field fence, the badger managed to get its tremendously long claws hung up on the fence and flip upside down on the opposite site. After a few moments where the badger didn’t move, Jacobsen realized the badger was stuck and pulled his truck over to assist. The attached photo shows how two of the badger’s claws from its front left leg got stuck on a wire strand and incapacitated the animal. As Jacobsen approached, he also saw a white fluffball near the badger’s mouth - a young badger kit! Jacobsen gently popped the badger’s claws loose from the fence, and it righted itself on the other side. Grabbing its kit in its mouth, the badger hissed at Jacobsen and quickly backed away with the kit in tow. The badger then reached its den and backed itself and the kit down the hole to safety.

Deer Stuck in Fence: A passing motorist observed a deer stuck in a fence and contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen. Jacobsen responded to the area, but after several back-and-forth passes along the road, was unable to locate the deer. Officer Bolton also responded to the area to assist. Jacobsen stopped to talk to a nearby landowner, who reported seeing an injured deer walking on his property a few minutes prior. Jacobsen searched for the deer and while searching, the landowner received a real-time cellular trail camera photo of the deer walking through his property. Jacobsen assessed the deer from the photo and determined that the deer needed to be euthanized. Unfortunately, the deer was mobile enough that Jacobsen and Officer Bolton were not able to locate it again.

Injured Raccoon: Wildlife Conflict Specialists Jacobsen and O’Connor responded to a report of an injured raccoon behaving oddly in the city of White Salmon. Jacobsen and O’Connor met up with Bingen/White Salmon Police Officer Randall to assess the situation. Due to the raccoon’s proximity to houses and the school grounds, the decision was made to chemically immobilize the raccoon and euthanize it off-site. O’Connor was able to successfully immobilize the raccoon using her jab pole syringe. Jacobsen later euthanized the raccoon at a safe location and disposed of the carcass. The raccoon’s legs and feet were severely mangled, and it would have been unable to survive for much longer.

Mountain Top Wildlife Visitation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen met with Mountain Top Wildlife rehabilitation director Harris to see the progress on the wildlife rehabilitation structures under construction. The center’s avian flight building was well on its way to completion and looked wonderful. Director Harris showed Jacobsen several of the smaller raptor and small mammal enclosures as well as the fawn facility, which is ready for the flood of “orphaned” and injured fawn calls for the 2025 season. A special thanks goes out to Mountain Top Wildlife for all their assistance in taking in injured wildlife this year!

Injured Kestrel: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a report of an injured “sparrow hawk,” or American kestrel, from a landowner in Klickitat County. The landowner found the bird flailing on the ground in one of his barns and was able to capture and contain it in a small carrier. Jacobsen met with the landowner and transported the kestrel to Mountain Top Wildlife in White Salmon. Director Harris at the rehabilitation facility reported that the kestrel had a broken wing, but that surgery on the wing appeared successful. Mountain Top Wildlife recently posted an update about the progress of the kestrel trying out flight on their Facebook page!

Bear vs. Dumpster 1: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a bear repeatedly getting into dumpsters at an RV park adjacent to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The issue had apparently started the prior fall, but after emerging from hibernation this spring, the bear resumed visiting his favorite food repository to fill up on discarded human food scraps. The RV park manager made several attempts to deter the bear, including strapping the dumpster down with plywood. However, this was not a long-term solution, and Jacobsen encouraged the park manager to invest in bear-resistant dumpsters. The manager did so promptly, and for a couple weeks, the issue seemed to be resolved. However, after dark one evening, the bear returned and made short work of the “bear-resistant” dumpster. The bear managed to peel back the metal lid and again ransack the dumpster, spreading refuse across the RV park. The bear also climbed on top of several vehicles and raided a campsite. At this point, Jacobsen determined that this level of human habituation and strong, repeated association with human food meant that the bear was conditioned to the food source and needed to be lethally removed. This unfortunate story serves as a grim and sad reminder of the consequences of human food habituation for bears. WDFW and the BearWise organization both offer a plethora of bear-related conflict avoidance information on their sites. Please check these resources out BEFORE you experience a bear issue!

Bear vs. Dumpster2: Wildlife Conflict Specialists Jacobsen and O’Connor responded to a report of a bear accessing a one-and-a-half-yard dumpster in the Carson area. After meeting with the homeowner and assessing the situation, Jacobsen decided that loaning the landowner an electric fence setup should alleviate the bear-dumpster issue. Unfortunately, the dumpster was positioned along the edge of a driveway and right on top of a high-voltage underground transmission line, so sinking t-posts into the ground was not feasible at this location. Jacobsen improvised and anchored the fence t-posts in five-gallon buckets with rocks until the landowner can create some cement-filled buckets in the near future.

Nuthatch Nesting: A concerned landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and requested assistance with a “woodpecker” that was excavating holes in his house. Jacobsen inspected the house and found several holes along one end of the house. Many of the holes already existed from previous construction modifications, but a critter had definitely been using them. While inspecting the holes, Jacobsen observed a white-breasted nuthatch carrying nesting materials into one of the holes. Unfortunately, the layout of the house and the height of the holes made it nearly impossible for anyone to access the holes, even with a long ladder. Jacobsen advised the landowner to allow the nuthatches to finish out the nesting season, since they were already there and not causing any additional damage, and then to hire a contractor to access and close off the holes. Jacobsen also provided advice on deterrent measures.

Calf Depredations: A livestock producer that Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen had worked with for several years contacted him over the weekend regarding three dead/injured calves in his new calving pasture in east Klickitat County. Jacobsen responded early Sunday morning to conduct depredation investigations. One small calf was dead and completely consumed. A second calf was alive and with its mother but had a substantial wound on top of its head that was still bleeding. A third calf had been taken back to the ranch due to its poor condition. At the request of the producer, Jacobsen euthanized this severely injured calf. A necropsy of the calves revealed that a cougar had bitten down on the tops of the skulls of all three calves, crushing the skulls of two. The local sheriff’s office ran hounds in the open sagebrush country to look for the cougar but was unable to locate it. Jacobsen will be working with the producer on filing a livestock loss damage claim in the coming weeks.

Missing Goats: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a fainting goat that was missing from its small pasture. The pasture was only surrounded with knee-high electric fence and was situated in the middle of a vast expanse of dense woods. The electric fence was knocked down on a portion of the pasture perimeter and it appeared that some struggle did ensue. However, Jacobsen searched the woods over in head-high poison oak but was unable to locate the missing goat. The following week, the landowner called Jacobsen to report another one of her fainting goats was missing. Jacobsen responded to the residence again and, crawling on his hands and knees, tracked faint blood spots and bent-over vegetation for 75 yards until he came across the cached (buried) goat in a large leaf litter pile. The goat had been killed, partially consumed, and then cached by a cougar. The landowner soon rehomed her two fainting goats to another goat farm a couple of miles away. Three days later, the landowner who accepted the goats also experienced a cougar depredation on two of their fainting goats. The local sheriff’s office ran hounds and lethally removed a subadult male that was responsible for that depredation.

Nestling Owl Saga: A concerned landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding a nestling great horned owl that had fallen from its nest in a large Douglas fir tree. The owl was on the ground in the resident’s yard and was discovered by his dogs. The young owl was still covered in down feathers and its flight feathers had not grown in yet. Jacobsen coordinated with Mountain Top Wildlife Director Harris regarding the owl, and they determined that the best course of action would be to try to re-nest the young bird. Unfortunately, the lowest branches of the tree were still at least 20’ off the ground and the landowner didn’t own a ladder, which presented a challenge for re-nesting the bird. Jacobsen decided to use his tree climbing gear and a moving-rope system to ascend the tree and build a nest platform for the owl. With the help of the landowner and some scrap materials he had laying around, the two of them were able to construct a decent artificial nest for the owl. Jacobsen ascended the tree and mounted the platform and box to a set of branches, then descended the tree, loaded the owl in a bucket, and hauled the owl back up the tree, placing the owl in the makeshift nest box. Thankfully, the owl remained in the nest box as Jacobsen retreated down the tree and packed up his gear. During the entire saga, a very concerned set of owl parents were nearby, hooting and clicking at the young chick and occasionally swooping down to check out the operation. The grateful landowner provided regular updates concerning the owl’s status and was able to confirm that the parents were feeding and attending to the nestling. After a couple weeks, the owlet started to fledge and was seen hopping around from building to building in the landowner’s yard. But the saga doesn’t end there (see “Fledgling Owl Saga” below…)

Fledgling Owl Saga: Not to be outdone by its sibling, another young great horned owl from the same nest decided to embark on another adventure roughly two weeks later. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a report from a homeowner a few houses down the street from the owl nest that a fledgling owl was in his yard and had been in a scuffle with his small dog. Jacobsen responded to the residence. When Jacobsen arrived, the owl was contained in a small dog carrier and the landowner had attempted to feed the owl some ground hamburger. Jacobsen carefully removed the owl from the carrier and placed it in the crook of a nearby tree so it could safely continue to test its new flight feathers and learn to fly. However, after setting the owl in the tree, Jacobsen noticed a brown, oily residue all over his hands. Jacobsen sniffed the residue and determined that the owl had been covered in motor oil! At some point between its nest and this landowner’s property, the fledgling owl must have managed to hop/land into a tub of used motor oil. This was of substantial concern, as the owl would not be able to clean the oil off its feathers and there was a great chance that the oil could impact its feather growth. After coordinating with Mountain Top Wildlife rehabilitation center, it was determined that the owl needed to be assessed by a wildlife veterinarian. PAWS wildlife rehabilitation center in Snohomish County is the only rehabber in the state licensed to handle/wash oiled wildlife. Mountain Top Wildlife Director Harris successfully located a volunteer willing to transport the owl to Lynwood and the young owl was transported to PAWS for care. During the owl’s intake x-ray exam, PAWS staff found that the owl had been shot twice and two BBs were lodged in the owl. Jacobsen passed this information on to WDFW Enforcement staff, who will be investigating the matter.

Providing Education and Outreach

Washington FFA Environmental and Natural Resources State Contest: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen assisted with the planning and execution of the annual Washington FFA Environmental and Natural Resources state contest in Cashmere. Jacobsen has been involved with this competition since 2004, when he himself was a young FFA student. In fact, this contest was the main contributing factor to Jacobsen pursuing a career in wildlife. The contest entails several practicums such as Wildlife ID, Soils, Water Quality, Waste Management, Data Analysis, and a Team Activity, in teams of five students each from around the state. This year, Cashmere FFA won the competition and will be competing at Nationals this fall.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Sooty Grouse Surveys: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists are in the third year of testing a survey method for sooty grouse (formerly called blue grouse). The effort involves establishing driving routes in the Cascade and Olympic Mountains as well as the Willapa Hills. The routes include 15 to 30 listening stops where biologists spend time listening for the calling of male sooty grouse during the early morning hours. The survey method is borrowed from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon State University, and we thank them for their development of the method and sharing. When fully developed and implemented, the survey will generate sooty grouse population trend estimates that are independent of grouse harvest. Biologists Holman and Stephens, and Conflict Specialist Aubrey, have started their surveys for the year. Thanks to WDFW Law Enforcement Officer Crowell for participating as well. Biologists Wickhem and Ott completed their surveys in mid-April, each recording two hooting males on their respective routes. Biologist Bergh completed her first survey and will do a repeat of that survey in early May.

An additional component of the work is to use listening devices called Acoustic Recording Units (ARUs) to better understand the timing of the sooty grouse breeding season. This is important since the survey methodology was developed at lower latitudes in Oregon where breeding timing could be different. The ARUs are placed near calling sooty grouse and left in place for two or more months. During this time the device records the calling grouse. With several of the units placed throughout western Washington, in aggregate this information can be used to adjust Oregon’s protocol to Washington’s grouse population. Biologist Holman and Conflict Specialist Aubrey placed three units in Cowlitz and Lewis Counties.  

Glenwood Valley Annual Sandhill Crane Survey: Biologists Wickhem, Bergh, and Ott, volunteer members Castagnoli, Steider, L. Robinson, D. Robinson, B. Roe, J. Roe, staff members from Mount Adams Resource Stewards, and staff members from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service joined forces for the annual sandhill crane survey on and around Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The Glenwood Valley is one of only a few areas in the state where sandhill cranes nest. Sandhill cranes mate for life and return to the same “territory” each year to mate and raise their young - called colts - before migrating south in the fall. For this survey, the groups split up into teams to drive and hike around different crane territories recording all cranes observed and specifically looking for crane nests. This year, the team confirmed six nests, and in one case, observed courtship behavior which could mean more nests will be imminently laid. Biologists Wickhem and Bergh were treated to an interesting behavioral display when a crane was observed carrying around an egg (not a crane egg), dropping it near its partner and doing some flashy dance moves (small jumps, wing-flapping, and a bit of head-bobbing), then repeating the entire sequence a few times. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Water Access Area Spring Cleaning: Water access area team members has been busy working on several spring-cleaning projects including pesticide application at several site as well as pressure washing and striping of parking lots, ADA spots, and ramps. The team has also been working on painting faded ‘No Parking’ zones. Staff members have also had all the vault toilets pumped on each route and completed the pressure washing of the vault toilet exteriors.

Road Maintenance: Water access area staff members have been working on placing large rocks along the La Frambois Road at the Vancouver Lake Unit of the Shillapoo Wildlife Area. There have been issues with the public not staying on the road, causing damage and ruts. Initially, water access area staff members placed T-posts along trouble spots, but that proved to be a hit and miss solution. Staff members sought a more permanent and less tamper-proof solution of large rocks as a more effective deterrent.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Oregon Spotted Frog Egg Mass Surveys: Biologists Ott, Wickhem, and Bergh have been spending many hours walking through shallow water on the search for Oregon spotted frog egg masses. They are thankful to have had help from many other Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members, a great group of volunteer members, and one day of assistance from a Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crew. Oregon spotted frogs are federally threatened and state endangered, and their populations in the Trout Lake and Glenwood Valleys are monitored annually. The annual surveys involve walking transects in shallow water that is seasonally flooded to look for egg masses (groups of eggs) laid by the female frogs. Oregon spotted frogs are one of the earliest amphibians to lay their eggs in the spring, so conditions during surveys are usually cold and wet! Thank you to everyone who braved both cold and wet, and warm and sunny days to help keep track of these important critters.

Spring Deer Surveys: Biologists Ott, Wickhem, and Bergh along with Wildlife Area Manager Holman, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Stetson, and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen conducted the annual spring green up deer survey on and around the Klickitat Wildlife Area. The purpose of the survey is to classify adult and fawn deer to understand overwinter mortality of fawns. The survey is done by driving five different routes split between one evening and the following morning to spot deer when they are most active. The survey has been conducted every mid to late March since the 1960’s. This year, we observed 487 deer and classified 422 of those deer, the most deer counted and classified since 2010! We observed 47 fawns for every 100 does, which is on par with our 10-year average of 48 fawns to 100 does. The raw ratio from our December 2024 aerial surveys was 49 fawns to 100 does, so our spring survey suggests that fawn winter kill was relatively minimal this year – hopefully good news for the Klickitat deer population. 

Site Improvement: Water access staff members have been working diligently to improve local sites ahead of the busy spring/summer season. Lately, projects have consisted of removing heavy brush and tree limbs along the roads of access sites at Vancouver Lake and Washougal. Now that the weather has begun to improve, access staff members have also begun spraying herbicides to keep vigorous weed populations in check.

Trail Maintenance: Water access staff members have been monitoring the seasonal issue of the Kress Lake trail being undermined and eroded by high water levels. Until the water levels recede and the weather begins to dry out, access staff members will continue to monitor the situation. When feasible, staff members will fill in the holes and edges along the western side of the trail.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Willapa Hills Elk Survey: Staff members from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Regions 5 and 6, as well as from Olympia, joined to complete an aerial survey of the elk population in both the North and South Willapa Hills elk herd areas. The work was led by District Biologists Novack and Cent, from WDFW District 17, as well as Biologists Holman and Stephens from District 10. The effort took place over “Willapa Hills South” which includes Game Management Units 530 (Ryderwood), 506 (Willapa Hills), 681 (Bear River), and 673 (Williams Creek), as well as “Willapa Hills North” which includes Game Management Units 658 (North River), 660 (Minot Peak), and 672 (Fall River). The survey is conducted within a random stratified sampling design in which sub-areas of each GMU are flown by helicopter, while three WDFW observers plus the pilot search the landscape for elk. The animals are then counted as well as classified into sexes and ages. Additionally, the amount of vegetation concealing each group of elk is recorded. 

Approximately 3,500 elk were observed by the team within 27 survey units, over the course of nine days. Folloyyyking data analysis, estimates of herd population size, sub-herd population size, GMU population sizes as well as calf to cow and bull to cow ratios will be generated. These metrics will be used to evaluate the status of the Willapa Hills elk population per the guidelines outlined in the WDFW Game Management Plan and the Willapa Hills Elk Herd Plan. Results will be published in the annual Status and Trend Report.

Thanks to current WDFW Region 2 Director Hoenes for his development of the survey method during his time as District Wildlife Biologist in Pacific and Gray’s Harbor Counties. Thanks to Ungulate Section Manager Garrison for securing the funds for this work, aiding in managing contractual requirements, prioritizing this work in planning exercises, and incorporating the results into management of the elk herd. Thanks to the many staff members who participated in the survey. Thanks to the staff members at the Naselle Hatchery for allowing their facility to be used as a heliport. Thanks to the staff members who conducted Flight Following. Thanks to Regional Wildlife Program Managers Jonker and Calkins, as well as Assistant Regional Wildlife Program Managers Hauswald and Blankenship for their daily attention to crew safety and timely review and thoughtful edits of the Flight Plan. Finally, thanks to Pilot Pete Emerson for his precise, efficient, assertive and safe piloting during the effort. 

Dusky Canada Goose Surveys Conclude: In March, Biologists Wickhem, Ott, Stephens, and Holman completed their bi-monthly dusky Canada goose surveys in Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties. Dusky geese are a sub-species of Canada goose that spend summers in Alaska and migrate through and/or overwinter in southwest Washington and northwest Oregon. Duskies are closed to recreational harvest due to low population levels. The purpose of the survey is to count dusky geese observed, document their locations, and read alphanumeric codes on any red neck bands on the geese, also called collars. Wildlife managers survey the geese multiple times across their primary wintering grounds and use the data to generate survival estimates. Surveyors also identify and document observations of all additional species of geese and swans incidentally located during the effort. 

In Clark County, Biologist Wickhem recorded 15 groups of Duskies and two collars in her final two surveys of the season. In Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties, Biologists Stephens and Holman located flocks of Dusky, western, and cackling Canada geese along with Trumpeter and Tundra swans. However, no collared Duskies were found. Other wildlife species encountered during the effort included many species of ducks, shorebirds, raptors, nesting bald eagles, gulls, pelicans, Columbian white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, elk, coyotes, otters, beavers, and three species of marine mammals. 

District 10 Deer Project: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen assisted Biologist Holman with trail camera checks via snowmobile and deer capture efforts in Cowlitz County as part of a new deer research project that started up in 2025. Jacobsen also assisted Biologist Holman with several days of deer capture attempts, which were unsuccessful.

District 9 Deer Collar Retrieval: Wildlife Conflict Specialists Jacobsen and O’Connor assisted District 9 biologists with the retrieval of several deer collars after their programmed drop-off date.

Deer Mortality Investigation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen investigated the death of a GPS-collared mule deer as part of the Klickitat County Mule Deer Migration Project. The deer appeared to have died of an unknown medical condition, and biologists are awaiting lab test results on collected tissue samples.

Pelt Sealing: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Regional Program Manager Jonker sealed a total of ten bobcats and two river otters for two trappers who were preparing for the upcoming spring fur sale.

Annual Spring Klickitat Deer Survey: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen assisted District 9 Biologists with the annual spring deer survey along the Klickitat River.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Road improvement: Access area staff members have begun a project to place large rocks along La Frambois road at Vancouver Lake. Initially, access staff members were using the rocks already on site along the road and moving them closer to the asphalt to keep people from driving on the shoulder and off roading inside the Shillapoo Wildlife Area. Additional rock will be ordered in the near future to extend this barrier along the Wildlife Area boundary for the whole length of the road.

Spring-cleaning: Access area staff members have been busy with some spring-cleaning projects including pressure washing the exteriors of restrooms, ADA parking spots, and signs, as well as filling in numerous sink holes that have been popping up in parking lots and walking trails. Access area staff members have also been taking advantage of mild weather and have been working on getting several sites cleaned up and ready for the summer season. Many sites only need some minor work while others, such as Silver Lake and Vancouver Lake, need more intensive work with clearing heavy vegetation and restroom repairs. The restroom at Vancouver Lake is unfortunately routinely vandalized and has been without a lock on the door, plus damage to the door, making privacy nonexistent. Access area staff members have recently made repairs to the restroom ensuring the restroom is effective for its purpose. Hopefully the repair will last.

Road Management and Repair: Cowlitz Wildlife Area staff members conducted road maintenance on four miles of the Peterman 1000 mainline. The road was dragged using a box scraper to remove potholes and then the road was regraded using a dozer. The roads are currently closed to unauthorized vehicle travel, facilitating the repairs as crew members get ready to open the roads May 1.

Hazard Trees: Access area staff members recently felled three hazard trees at Kress Lake in Kalama. The trees were slowly being whittled away by the local beavers. Usually this can be avoided or at least slowed by wrapping the trees in wire, but timing is everything. Unfortunately for the trees in question, salvaging them was not an option.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Elk Damage Complaints: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to multiple elk-crop damage complaints across Klickitat County. Damaged crops included wheat, barley, managed pasture, hay, organic herbs, and apple trees. Jacobsen deployed youth damage hunters to some of the properties and hazed elk to help alleviate elk damage to commercial crops.

Elk Fencing: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen worked with a landowner and a fencing installer on a cooperative fencing project to protect organic produce from elk and deer damage. Funding for cooperative fencing projects is allocated by the state legislature.

Llama Depredation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a llama that had been killed by a cougar. Local law enforcement responded and attempted to track a cougar with hounds but were unable to locate a cougar. Jacobsen conducted a necropsy on the frozen carcass. After an extensive investigation, Jacobsen concluded that the llama was killed by domestic dogs. A couple of weeks later, the landowner called Jacobsen to confirm that his own dogs were responsible, as he had just caught the three of them in the act of attacking and killing two more llamas.

Calf and Bull Depredation Investigations: A livestock producer contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding several calves that had died on his ranch over the past few weeks, as well as a large bull that had died. Jacobsen conducted necropsies on three calves and the bull. All of the deceased livestock died of natural causes and were not killed by wildlife.

Horse Depredation Investigation: A livestock producer contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and asked for help determining what killed one of his horses. Jacobsen was unable to conclusively determine cause of death for the horse because he was only provided part of the horse's carcass for investigation and could not investigate the location where the horse died.

Domestic Dog Depredation Investigation: A landowner contacted WDFW after his domestic dog was attacked. The landowner believed that a cougar may have been responsible. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen investigated. After reviewing security camera footage and examining the dog’s injuries, Jacobsen determined that the dog was attacked by other domestic dogs.

Klickitat County Deceased Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Biologists Bergh, Wickhem, and Ott responded to multiple reports of dead or dying deer in Klickitat County over the past few months. Jacobsen ended up euthanizing several sick deer over the course of the winter. Despite the fact that winter die-offs do occur in deer populations, this year’s winter was very mild, and the deaths did not coincide with severe winter events. Several deer died in or around houses, barns, or carports, and several lethargic deer had to be euthanized. Some deer appeared to have died from rumen acidosis, a condition caused by supplemental feeding by humans, but other cases were not as clear. Lab tests results from tissue samples have come back inconclusive. WDFW staff members will continue to monitor deer mortalities in the area. Currently, chronic wasting disease and epizootic/adenovirus hemorrhagic diseases are not of concern in these mortalities. WDFW staff members want to remind homeowners that feeding wildlife can often be detrimental to wildlife and may likely do more harm than good.

Injured Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen assisted WDFW Officer Way on an injured deer incident. The deer had been hit by a car right outside of a 25mph zone and had severe injuries. The situation was not safe for firearm discharge, so Jacobsen chemically immobilized the deer prior to euthanizing it.

Residential Elk Calf: WDFW staff members received multiple calls over a month-long period regarding an elk calf that had decided to take up residence in a neighborhood. WDFW was not concerned about the activities of this independent-aged elk calf, as the neighborhood was immediately adjacent to contiguous elk habitat where the local elk herd regularly passes through. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen suspected that multiple residents were feeding the calf, and photos of the calf’s distended rumen supported this. Jacobsen discouraged residents from feeding the elk for the sake of its own health, as well as for the safety of the residents in the area. Unfortunately, local rumors indicated that the calf died a short time later, possibly due to the effects of supplemental feeding. Again, WDFW staff members STRONGLY discourage the feeding of wildlife by homeowners. The public should also be aware that on March 24, 2025, the WDFW director approved a rule prohibiting feeding deer, elk, and moose in Washington, as feeding draws animals together where they can spread disease.

Deer Attacked by Dogs: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen assisted Officer Myers with a report of a deer that had been attacked by dogs and chased across a large, swollen creek. Jacobsen and Officer Myers spent a substantial amount of time attempting to assess the deer’s condition from afar, as it was inaccessible in its current location. Jacobsen determined that the shed-antlered buck was severely injured and likely hypothermic given the amount of time that it had been in its current position, half-submerged in the creek. Jacobsen was able to euthanize the deer and eventually access the carcass. A necropsy of the carcass confirmed that the deer was attacked by dogs. Officer Myers worked on the official investigation regarding the dog attack on wildlife.

Deer Shot with Pellet Gun: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen assisted WDFW Sgt. McQuary and Officer Myers with a deer that had been shot with a pellet gun by a homeowner. The homeowner was attempting to haze the deer out of his garden and didn’t think that the pellet gun would cause harm to the deer. The pellet was moving more than fast enough to cause damage and ended up paralyzing the deer. Jacobsen euthanized the deer. WDFW officers handled the investigation with the landowner and also provided him Jacobsen’s card so he could learn about acceptable and humane methods of deterring deer from gardens.

Bear in Garbage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a bear that had been getting into a landowner’s garbage cans every night. The bear managed to rip apart the wire cover that the landowner thought would keep the garbage secure. Jacobsen loaned the landowner some electric fence supplies and installed the fence around the garbage to keep the bear from obtaining a human food source reward.

WDFW Bear Fence: Last summer, Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen loaned an electric fence setup to a landowner that did not have regular garbage service and was having issues with a bear accessing their trailer full of garbage. Jacobsen installed the fence for the landowners. This spring, Jacobsen returned to the residence to retrieve the fence setup. Unfortunately, the landowners had left the loaned fence in a state of disrepair despite the fact bears had already become active in the area. Jacobsen took possession of the fencing materials and advised the landowners to purchase their own supplies and to maintain the fence as soon as possible.

Livestock Carcass Hauling: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen continued hauling off livestock carcasses for producers in Klickitat County. These carcasses would have otherwise ended up in carcass piles on producers’ property, which could inadvertently attract carnivores to active livestock operations.

Injured Owl: A landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding an owl that had gotten tangled up in chicken coop netting. Jacobsen was over two hours away at the time, so he advised the landowner on how to wrap up the great-horned owl and release it from the netting. Once the bird was freed and secured in a container, Master Hunter Rudberg volunteered to transport the bird to the nearest bird rehabilitation center. A special thanks goes out to Master Hunter Rudberg for his assistance on this impromptu wildlife rescue call!

Deceased fawn: A concerned landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen after discovering a dead fawn in his yard. Based on photos of the scene, Jacobsen believed that the small deer was likely killed by a bobcat. Jacobsen provided advice to the landowner.

Beaver Complaint: A landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen about beavers that were cutting limbs off of her willow trees. After an unusually wet spring with abnormal flooding in the area, the landowner’s yard was underwater which allowed the beavers better access to her willow trees. Jacobsen advised the landowner to fence off her three trees to prevent beavers from accessing them.

Blind Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialists Jacobsen and O’Connor, along with Communications Specialist Ransford, responded to a report of a deer walking in circles on a landowner’s property for several hours. After assessing the deer, Jacobsen determined that the deer was likely blind in both eyes and needed to be euthanized. Jacobsen successfully darted and chemically immobilized the deer. Further assessment confirmed that the deer was missing its left eye entirely and was also blind in its right eye. Jacobsen euthanized the deer.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Klickitat Wildlife Area: Klickitat Wildlife Area staff members partnered with Columbia Land Trust (CLT) and Department of Natural Resources staff members on a reconnaissance mission to the boundary of CLT and WDFW property.

Providing Education and Outreach

Smelt (Eulachon) Arrival: The annual arrival of smelt to the lower Columbia River and its tributaries brings a welcome bounty of marine derived nutrients to the area. Avian predators including bald eagles, gulls, and pelicans, among others, are joined by harbor seals and California and Stellar sea lions to take advantage of this surge of oil-rich fish. This concentration of wildlife brings wildlife viewers out to enjoy the sight of the abundant wildlife taking advantage of this valuable food resource. Biologist Holman opportunistically engaged with some of the wildlife viewers to point out good viewing locations and chat about the species present. 

White Salmon Tree Fest 2025: Biologist Wickhem held down a table at White Salmon Tree Fest, which occurs annually in mid-March. The event is organized by the Underwood Conservation District whose native plant sale is the anchor of the festivities. This year’s fest included live music, a food truck, and 23 tables of local conservation-related businesses and organizations, including Mountain Top Wildlife Rehabilitation, Oregon State University Master Gardeners, Columbia Land Trust, and the Skamania County Noxious Weed Board to name a few. Approximately 250-300 people attended the event with 163 stopping at the WDFW table to ask questions, examine the animal specimens, and/or collect informational material. Huge thank you to mini-volunteer Babik, who tallied all of the table’s visitors, assisted with questions, handed out pamphlets, and kept Wickhem company throughout the event.

WFFA: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen delivered a presentation to the local chapter of the Washington Farm Forestry Association. The presentation focused on a wolf update for Klickitat County as well as on installing and monitoring trail cameras on properties for wildlife.

Klickitat County Board of Commissioners: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen provided a Klickitat wolf update to the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners at their request.

Central Klickitat Conservation District CRM Presentation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen presented an update on wolves in Klickitat County, as well as on the livestock depredation and compensation process, to livestock producers attending their annual Coordinated Range Management meeting hosted by the Central Klickitat Conservation District.

Hunter Education: Cowlitz Wildlife Area (CWA) staff members and the CWA Hunter Education Team held a hunter education hybrid course. The hybrid course includes a self-paced online module followed by a field skills evaluation where students take a quiz on the online portion content and receive hands-on training and evaluation by certified instructors. Fourteen students signed up to complete their certification. Four students were no-shows but ten students, ranging in age from eight to fifty, successfully passed the class and are now certified to hunt in the state of Washington.

Other

Dart Gun Practice: Wildlife Conflict Specialists Jacobsen and O’Connor worked on sighting in O’Connor’s dart gun so that she can effectively immobilize ungulates and carnivores when necessary.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Dusky Canada Goose Surveys Continue: In February, Biologists Wickhem, Ott, Stephens, and Holman continued with their bi-monthly dusky Canada goose surveys in Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties. Dusky geese are a sub-species of Canada goose that spend summers in Alaska and migrate through and/or overwinter in the lower Columbia River. Duskies are closed to recreational harvest due to low population levels. The purpose of the surveys is to count dusky geese observed and read alphanumeric codes on any red neck bands on the geese, also called collars. Wildlife managers survey the geese multiple times across their primary wintering grounds and use the data to generate survival estimates. On the first survey of the month, Biologist Wickhem was joined by Conflict Specialist O’Conner and a volunteer local high school student who is interested in becoming a biologist. The team recorded 65 duskies and zero collars for the day. Biologist Ott recorded 96 duskies on the second Clark County survey and observed two collars that were not possible to read thanks to uncooperative weather and geese. Other species observed include cackling and western subspecies of Canada geese, trumpeter and tundra swans, bald eagles (including two perching near their nest), northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, kestrels, numerous species of ducks, several hundred sandhill cranes, and a few released pheasants who have survived the hunting season.

In Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, Biologists Stephens and Holman located flocks of dusky, western, Taverner’s, Lesser, and cackling Canada geese along with trumpeter and tundra swans. However, no collared duskies were found. Other wildlife species encountered during the effort included many species of ducks, shorebirds, raptors, gulls, Columbian white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, elk, coyotes, otters, and marine mammals. 

Deer Fawn Mortalities: Since late December there have been an abnormally large number of reports of dead fawns in Klickitat County. Seventeen separate reports of a dead fawn or fawns were made over two months, with about half of the reports around Goldendale. Many of the reports involved fawns dying in a covered area (barn, carport) or in/near hay. Samples of various internal organs were sent to the WADDL lab at the Washington State University in Pullman from four of these reports, but none of the lab results pointed to a disease outbreak. A disease like AHD may be going undetected, but it is unlikely after testing four animals. These mortalities are a good reminder to not feed deer, especially during the winter. Many people think that they are helping deer by providing artificial feed during the winter, but unfortunately the opposite is true. The best way to help wildlife on your property is to provide quality habitat. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members are happy to help with that and more information about living with wildlife is available on our website. To report sick, injured, or dead wildlife please use our online reporting tool or call your regional office.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Martin’s Bar Access Area: Access area staff members have been giving special attention to the Martin’s Aar Access Area along the Columbia in Woodland in the last few weeks. There have been recent changes in the shared management agreements with the Port of Woodland and WDFW. The Port had a recent survey that prompted a change in the boundary line between the Port and WDFW property. This change shifted the property boundary owned by WDFW to now include the road. The Port has decided to remove all the trash cans and portable restrooms provided by the Port at the site. This prompted access area staff members to post signage along the entrance of the site, re-grade the entrance and parking area via the Capitol and Asset Management Program (CAMP), and to rent a portable restroom. In addition to CAMP, access area staff members had a delivery of rock for the road and parking lot to help keep the site in good shape for the extensive traffic the moves through day in and day out. 

Cowlitz Wildlife Area Spears Mill Pond Maintenance and Enhancements: Cowlitz Wildlife Area staff members conducted maintenance activities on the access road to the Spears Mill Pond parking area. Staff members used a box scraper to “dig out” the potholes and redistribute existing rock. Staff members then regraded the road using a back blade adding new rock where needed. Wildlife area staff members also finished the installation of the scopes on the Pond’s viewing platform. Currently, visitors to the area might have the opportunity to see lots of waterfowl such as Canada geese, ring-necked ducks, and tundra swans.

Managing Wildlife Populations

East Columbia Gorge Mule Deer Habitat Use and Migration Study Update: Biologists Bergh, Wickhem, Ott, and Conflict Specialist Jacobson have been hard at work this month retrieving dropped GPS collars deployed for the Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big-Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors project launched back in 2021. Starting in January 2021, 80 female mule deer in Klickitat County were equipped with GPS collars to monitor survival rates, habitat use, and movement patterns. With the cooperation of landowners, the team has picked up 35 collars in the past month.

This project focuses on the East Columbia Gorge Mule Deer Management Zone (ECG MDMZ) in south-central Washington, where mule deer populations have shown a long-term decline. Prior to this study, critical data on winter habitat use and migration corridors were lacking. The study aims to provide data for defining herd boundaries, migration corridors, and habitat use areas. This information will support habitat management efforts, guide planning amidst development pressures, enhance mule deer population modeling, and inform conservation and restoration activities. Results have been published for the first two years of collar data in Volume 4 of the United States Geological Survey’s Ungulate Migrations of the Western US. The project was largely funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Department of Interior.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) sincerely appreciates the cooperation of local landowners who have granted WDFW access to their properties for this work. Their support is essential to the success of this work and contributes significantly to advancing effective conservation efforts. 

Bat Hibernacula Surveys: Biologists Wickhem, Ott, Stephens, Holman, and Fidorra, White-nose Syndrome Coordinator Tobin, staff members from the U.S. Forest Service, staff members from Bat Conservation International, and several volunteer members took part in the annual survey of bat hibernacula in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and surrounding private lands. The teams hiked and snowshoed to access more than 40 caves over a two-week period, including several caves that have not been surveyed in decades. The goal of the surveys was to count and identify the species of bats roosting in each cave. When bats were found and within reach, they were directly swabbed to test for the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome. These surveys are part of a larger effort to survey a portion of the more than 600 caves within the Gifford Pinchot to see which support hibernating bats, especially Townsend’s big-eared bats, which are a Washington Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SCGN) and a Priority Species under WDFW’s Priority Habitats and Species Program. Thanks to Biologist Tobin for her organizational focus, many outdoor skills, attention to safety as well as biosecurity to address potential transmission of white-nose syndrome, knowledge of all things bats, and overall leadership on this large-scale effort.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Snow and Ice: Water access area staff members have encountered snow and ice at Klickitat and Lewis counties in the last few weeks making it challenging to safely navigate and inspect water access areas. Natural Resource Specialist Celaya encountered up to 7 feet of snow, and a thick frozen layer of ice on the road into the town of Mineral Lake. This made the drive very precarious, and slow going. Fortunately, and for obvious reasons, the site appeared to be unused and clean. 

Spears Pond Viewing Platform: The Cowlitz Wildlife Area staff members have installed a bench and a dual viewing scope pedestal overlooking the Spears Unit mill pond. The viewing platform is intended to be ADA accessible, though some additional work remains. The platform can be reached via the Spears Unit parking area along a short flat trail (about 450 feet) that starts at the kiosk and heads south away from the parking area. The pond provides abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Prescribed Burning: Cowlitz Wildlife Area staff members, along with assistance from regional staff members, conducted a prescribed burn on forage fields within the Davis Lake Unit. Approximately 20 acres were successfully burned of the 48 acres permitted by the Department of Natural Resources. The remaining permitted acreage will be burned as weather conditions allow. Prescribed burning is being incorporated into the Cowlitz Wildlife Area’s Integrated Vegetation Management program and will be expanded to other portions of the Wildlife Area to improve wildlife habitat. 

Spears Pond at Full Pool: The Spears Pond project, which began in 2021, was completed in 2023. In April of last year, the Cowlitz Wildlife Area staff members began pumping water into the 27-acre Spears mill pond using the new 900gpm pump infrastructure. By May 2024, the pond was at full pool and the Cowlitz Wildlife Area was able to maintain the pond at stable levels throughout the summer. Stable ponds provide habitat for local wildlife, foster vibrant ecosystems, and enhance biodiversity. The Spears Pond Project will restore this crucial stability, supporting a flourishing natural habitat. 

Reducing Fuel Loads for Forest Health: As part of a multi-year forest health project, Klickitat Wildlife Area Manager Holman and State Foresters successfully completed the final phase of a commercial thinning effort by burning large slash piles. Over the course of two days, approximately 100 tons of wood were safely burned, reducing hazardous fuel loads and improving overall forest resilience. Prior to burning the piles, wood collection permits were issued to local residents who requested one, ensuring the public benefited from this opportunity to collect up to three cords of free firewood for personal use.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Black-tailed Deer Study Initiated: Biologists Holman and Stephens joined Ungulate Specialist Oates to capture black-tailed deer and initiate this long-anticipated project. Thirty-six black-tailed deer were captured by helicopter net gun in GMUs 556 (Toutle) and 550 (Coweeman), on a combination of state and private industrial forestlands. The captured deer were fitted with GPS collars, evaluated for body condition, various biological samples were taken, and the animals were released on-site. For more information on the project see the WDFW news release. Thanks to Helicopter Pilot Huey, Gunner Carpenter, and Mugger McClellan of Baker Aircraft for their combination of excellent flying, net shooting, and animal handling skills. 

Dusky Canada Goose Surveys Continue: In January, Biologists Wickhem, Stephens, and Holman continued with their bi-monthly dusky Canada goose surveys in Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties. Dusky geese are a sub-species of Canada goose that spend summers in Alaska and migrate through and/or overwinter in the lower Columbia River. Duskies are closed to recreational harvest due to low population levels. The purpose of the surveys is to count dusky geese observed and read alphanumeric codes on any red neck bands on the geese, also called collars. Wildlife managers survey the geese multiple times across their primary wintering grounds and use the data to generate survival estimates. 

Biologist Wickhem completed two Clark County surveys in January, recording 192 duskies and zero collars on her first survey. On Wickhem’s second survey, she observed 123 duskies with three collars. Other species observed include cackling and western subspecies of Canada geese, trumpeter and tundra swans, bald eagles, northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, kestrels, numerous species of ducks, a beautiful rusty-colored coyote, and a river otter who’s jogging path between water bodies happened to be only a few feet behind Wickhem while she ate lunch. In Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, Biologists Stephens and Holman completed the surveys finding dusky, cackling, western and Taverner’s Canada geese as well as trumpeter and tundra swans. Incidental observations included many species of ducks, shorebirds, bald eagles, Columbian white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, elk, and more. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Trail Maintenance: Access area staff members are currently monitoring a hole along the trail at Kress Lake. Last year the trail developed a large hole due to flowing water under the trail. Access area staff members had to repair the trail with a few yards of rock that held for the rest of the year. Now another hole is developing in a different location next to the bank of the lake not too far from where the last hole formed. Hopefully water does not rise too much this season, and the hole can be repaired while it is small and easier to deal with. Time will tell. As always, access area staff members will continue to monitor the situation for public safety. 

Parking Lot Maintenance: Access area staff members have been working with Capital and Asset Management Program to have several access area parking lots graded and rocked. A wildlife area parking lot in Wahkiakum County was also graded. 

Mineral Access Area: While in Lewis County, access area staff members noticed ice formed on the rocks just outside of the Mineral Access Area.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Deer in Distress near Toutle: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey and District Biologist Holman responded to a location near Toutle where a deer had gotten a plastic ring around a hoof / lower leg. Concerned homeowners contacted WDFW to report the deer in distress. Aubrey and Holman were able to capture the adult doe by dart gun / immobilization drugs, remove the plastic ring, and release the deer safely. 

Elk with Plastic Ring Around Neck: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey and Assistant District Biologist Stephens teamed up to capture a spike elk that had a plastic ring stuck around its neck. Aubrey had made a few capture attempts previous to this one and was never able to catch the elk on the property. The elk was still at the property this time, and Aubrey and Stephens were able to immobilize the elk and safely remove the plastic which turned out to be a toilet seat.

Providing Education and Outreach

Aviation School for Kelso High School Outreach Opportunity: While waiting out the morning fog at the Kelso airport during the black-tailed deer study, Biologist Holman seized the opportunity to provide information related to wildlife associated aviation to students from Kelso High School. The students participate in a program to learn about flight and piloting through a cooperative arrangement between the school and the flight instructors. Biologist Holman explained the various ways in which helicopters and airplanes are used in wildlife related work with a case in point example of the black-tailed deer study. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Pronghorn antelope abundance survey: Biologist Ott assisted biologists from Region 3 this week to conduct the 2025 biennial pronghorn antelope survey across Klickitat, Yakima, and Benton counties. Pronghorn antelope were extirpated from Washington by the early 20th century. However, between 2011 and 2019, the Yakama Nation reintroduced 198 pronghorns to the Yakama Reservation. Since their reintroduction, the pronghorns have dispersed from the release sites and have shown a small population growth. The surveys are conducted using fixed-wing aircraft, allowing biologists from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Yakama Nation to gather a minimum population count of pronghorn in south-central Washington. The results of the 2025 survey are anticipated this spring.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Beginning of 2025: The first two weeks of 2025 have been busy and productive for access area staff members. Staff members have addressed several issues, including anglers trespassing on private property in Wahkiakum County. Staff members talked to the property owner and added several new signs in hopes that the anglers using the Beaver Creek Access Area will follow the proper route to get to the river. Staff members have been working on removing a large blackberry briar patch up at the Mineral Access Area. Staff members are hopeful that removing the blackberries will not only look better but also deter theft and vandalism to the public restrooms and WDFW property. In anticipation of working on a rock project in Wahkiakum County next week, staff members trained on how to safely load and unload a tractor, as well as practice backing up and parking a tractor trailer in tight spaces. This training was very helpful and boosted confidence working with the tractor/trailer. Along their route, access area staff members spotted three juvenile deer in Wahkiakum County, soaking up the sunshine and munching on some grass. Staff members have also been working with the WDFW Enforcement officers in Lewis and Cowlitz counties to ensure there is a unified presence at the access areas.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Columbian White-tailed Deer Surveys: Biologists Stephens and Holman, as well as Conflict Specialists Aubrey and O’Connor, have completed surveys for Columbian White-tailed Deer (CWTD) on Puget Island. With support from Shillapoo and Mt. Saint Helens Wildlife Area staff members, Biologists Ott and Wickhem successfully conducted the first surveys along a newly established route on the Shillapoo Wildlife Area. The surveys consist of driving designated routes, counting all deer, and classifying them as doe, fawn, or buck. The primary purpose of the survey is to generate a doe to fawn ratio and thereby assess annual productivity within different segments of the population. This survey is done in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Cowlitz Tribe, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and with support from volunteer members. Survey results will be summarized in future reports and are informative to management decisions related to these state and federally threatened deer. Thanks to Customer Service Specialists Splitgerber, Rainwaters, and Henderson for participating in the surveys. For more information on Columbian White-tailed Deer see the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website.

Mule Deer Aerial Surveys: Biologists Bergh, Wickhem, Ott, and Holman, and Wildlife Area Manager Holman conducted aerial surveys for mule deer in GMUs 388 and 382. The goal of these surveys was to fly enough survey units to estimate the population size in those GMUs. Unfortunately, the weather was extremely uncooperative and only three short flights were flown over the course of five days. A total of 785 deer were seen, along with a notably large group of elk in GMU 382. The ratios (uncorrected for sight ability) observed were 58:100 fawns to does and 16:100 bucks to does. 

GPS-collared Deer Mortality: Biologist Bergh and Ott went to the location of a GPS-collared mule deer mortality in GMU 382 on a particularly rainy day for eastern Klickitat County. Despite arriving quickly after receiving the mortality message, hardly any of the carcass was left. With part of the spine and one leg, no cause of death was able to be determined. The deer was located in the perimeter of this July’s Bighorn fire, so it was interesting to observe the burned landscape during the long hike in and out. 

Klickitat Mule Deer Project – Mortality Investigation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen traveled to eastern Klickitat County to investigate the mortality of one of the Klickitat Mule Deer Project’s satellite GPS-collared deer. The cold and snowy investigation involved a seven-mile round-trip hike to retrieve the collar. Jacobsen located the collar but determined that a pair of coyotes had moved the collar a substantial distance away from the carcass. Jacobsen backtracked the deer’s movements to the adjacent creek drainage. While there, Jacobsen noticed tufts of deer hair that had been plucked and were floating in the creek, and signs of ground disturbance that was rapidly becoming buried by snow. Jacobsen also observed a fresh cougar track in the immediate vicinity. Jacobsen did not locate the carcass but suspected that the mortality was caused by a cougar.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Deceased Urban Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a deceased deer fawn in an urban yard. WDFW staff members do not usually remove deceased wildlife from residences, but in this case, the elderly homeowner was unable to move the deceased deer out from under her porch on her own. Jacobsen happened to be in the area and agreed to assist the landowner with the deer removal. In the process of removing the deer from under the porch, Jacobsen noted that the deer had signs of diarrhea on its back legs, which is often a sign of digestive issues. Suspecting a possible case of rumen acidosis – an often-fatal condition caused by supplemental feeding – Jacobsen asked the landowner about any possible supplemental feeding of deer by residents in the neighborhood. The landowner did not know of any feeding activities going on. Jacobsen then inquired about the possible presence of any ornamental yew plants in the landowner’s yard. The landowner indicated that there were several ornamental yew bushes adorning her property. A quick investigation revealed signs of deer browsing on most of the yew bushes in the landowner’s yard, and a subsequent necropsy of the deer’s stomach indicated that this small deer had been recently consuming ornamental yew needles before it died. Jacobsen advised the homeowner of the dangers that toxic ornamental yew plants pose to deer, especially in winter when it is one of the few plants with foliage that remains green throughout winter and can be appealing to hungry deer. The landowner agreed to remove all her yew plants from her property. Check out this Outdoor Life article for more examples of how yew poisoning is affecting wild ungulates in western states. 

Calf Depredation Investigation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, Biologist Spence, and Officer Bolton responded to a report of a depredation on a calf by a wolf. After investigating the incident, WDFW staff members determined that the calf was killed by coyotes. Jacobsen loaned the livestock producer several fox lights to help deter coyotes in the vicinity from active calving operations.

Depredation Investigation on Unsecured Goats: A landowner in Klickitat County contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen to report a depredation on two of her domestic goats. Jacobsen responded to the residence and quickly determined that the goats were killed by a cougar. Drag marks, cougar tracks, and caching of the carcasses was evident. Jacobsen had responded to a previous cougar incident at this residence a few years prior and the landowner had adjusted her barn so that she had a suitable night pen. However, the landowner admitted that she had become complacent and reverted to leaving her goats out unsecured in a pasture at night.

Reported Cougar Depredation on Cow: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen fielded a report from a livestock producer after the producer discovered lacerations on one of his cows near the cow’s elbows. The producer believed a cougar might have been responsible. Jacobsen examined photos of the lacerations and determined that they were not caused by a cougar. 

Depredation on Unsecured Turkeys: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a residence where a landowner claimed that a cougar had killed two of his turkeys. The landowner owned approximately 30 turkeys that roamed his property, mingled with wild turkeys, and roosted wherever they pleased. When Jacobsen arrived, the landowner showed Jacobsen several faint and undiscernible marks in the gravel driveway where he thought a bear came in and killed and ate the turkeys. Jacobsen saw no evidence of bear tracks in the gravel. Jacobsen provided advice on installing trail cameras in the area and securing the turkeys in a protected enclosure. A couple of days later, trail camera images showed two stray dogs attempting to attack more turkeys on the property.

Bobcat Depredation on Chickens: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a residence where a landowner had lost three chickens to a bobcat. Jacobsen provided advice on securing her chicken coop to prevent future depredations from bobcats and other carnivores. The landowner quickly implemented these modifications to her coop to create an excellent, secured area for her chickens.

Reported Cougar Depredation on Dog: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a report of a cougar depredation on a 20-pound schnauzer dog. After reviewing photos and descriptions of the injuries that the dog received, Jacobsen determined that the injuries were not consistent with a cougar attack on a such a small dog.

Carnivore Concerns: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded in-person and over-the-phone to a landowner who repeatedly, over multiple weeks, reported an incident where he thought a cougar and/or bear walked past his house. Jacobsen found no evidence of carnivores on the property, and provided advice and support to the concerned landowner.

Injured Bobcat Concerns: A concerned landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen after he discovered a small bobcat near what appeared to be a den in an embankment. The bobcat didn’t run away when approached and he thought that the bobcat might be injured. Jacobsen advised the landowner to give the juvenile bobcat space and that it was likely just fine.

Injured Cougar 1: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, Officer Way, and Sergeant McQuary responded to a report of an injured cougar within the city limits of White Salmon. A previous report had come in of this injured cougar a few weeks prior, but nothing had been reported since. The cougar was recently captured on home security camera dragging its back legs across a resident’s driveway. Despite the apparent immobility of the cougar, WDFW staff members were not able to locate it that day, even with the use of hounds. A couple of weeks later, the cougar was again observed in White Salmon and a Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office deputy euthanized the animal. Jacobsen recovered the carcass and performed a necropsy on the cougar. The adult male cougar was extremely emaciated and had incurred compound fractures in its leg, which then became infected.

Injured Cougar 2: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, Officer Moats, and Officer Hughes followed up on a report of a cougar in the Ridgefield area. Jacobsen had received several other reports of a cougar in the general area over the past few weeks and believed it was the same animal. A resident captured a video of the cougar repeatedly walking up and down their driveway. Jacobsen provided advice to the resident. Upon further review of the video, Jacobsen determined that the cougar likely had suffered an injury to a back leg. WDFW staff members developed a plan to attempt to capture the injured cougar the next time it was reported, but all reports of a cougar in the area ceased. The cougar likely crossed under I-5 and found more suitable habitat east of Ridgefield.

Wolf Sighting Report: A hunter reported seeing a wolf while hunting in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. After reviewing the video footage of the animal, Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and WDFW wolf biologists determined that the animal in question was a domestic dog.

Bear in Chicken Coop: A concerned landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen after a bear ripped apart her chicken coop and killed some chickens. Jacobsen provided advice on securing the coop with electric fencing. The landowner was concerned about city construction ordinances, so Jacobsen contacted city officials to determine if the landowner was able to construct electric fencing around her coop without permits. The officials indicated that this construction would be permissible without a permit, so the landowner will begin constructing her electric fence soon.

General Bear Concerns: A Clark County landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen with concerns about a bear that was frequenting her property. The landowner lived immediately adjacent to large tracts of industrial timber property, as well as public land, both of which are ideal bear habitat where a bear would be expected to reside. Jacobsen provided advice on bear biology and suggested contacting public bear hunters during bear season to hunt her property.

Bear in Orchard: A landowner with a fruit orchard contacted WDFW because he was concerned that a bear was frequenting the orchard. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen determined that the property was not conducive to public bear hunting but advised the landowner to pick up the fruit off the ground and to enclose his small orchard with electric fencing. The landowner was pleased with the suggestions and planned to do just that.

Bear in Trash: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen talked to a resident of a mobile home park who was having issues with bears getting into her trash. Jacobsen has dealt with bear issues in this park in the past, and most of the issues stem from residents not paying for regular garbage service in the neighborhood. More work will need to be done collaborating with the park owner on a permanent garbage solution.

Bear in Den: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen provided advice to a landowner after the landowner’s dog discovered a bear den on the landowner’s property. The landowner stuck his head in the den and found a bear, which was not happy about being disturbed. Jacobsen provided advice on keeping the dog away from the den and on safely monitoring the den with the use of a trail camera. The landowner was appreciative of the advice.

Raccoon Concerns: An unhappy homeowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding three raccoons that were frequenting her urban yard. The raccoons had not been acting aggressively but the homeowner was concerned they might become aggressive. Jacobsen provided advice on deterring the raccoons, including collaborating with all the neighbors on her block to eliminate sources of supplemental feed for the raccoons. The homeowner agreed to try working with her neighbors to solve the issue. Another landowner contacted Jacobsen to express her concern that raccoons in her area might have rabies. Jacobsen advised the landowner that there have not been any documented cases of raccoons with rabies in Washington. According to the Washington Department of Health, the only animals in Washington that have tested positive for rabies since 1988 have been bats (566), domestic cats (two), a horse, and a llama.

Elk Damage to Hay: A Clark County landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen to discuss the damage he was incurring from approximately 30 head of elk on his hay fields. Jacobsen planned to meet with the producer and conduct a site visit soon, as well as enroll the producer in a Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement.

Elk Damage to Wheat and Other Crops: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Biologist Bergh met with several agriculture producers in east Klickitat County to discuss ongoing elk damage issues to crops and an apparent increase in herd size in the area. Different approaches to the damage were discussed, and several options will be explored moving forward.

Deer Damage to Hay: A producer contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen to complain about deer damage to his hay crop. After speaking with the landowner, Jacobsen determined that he did not meet the financial production threshold to be eligible for damage permits. However, Jacobsen offered several non-lethal hazing tools as options and offered to deploy youth antlerless deer hunters to his property to help reduce the local deer population. The landowner stated that he would contact Jacobsen if he decided that he needed hunters on his property. Jacobsen did not hear back from the landowner.

Deer Damage to Produce: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen met with crop producers who had recently lost their entire tomato, watermelon, and cantaloupe crops to deer and elk damage. Unfortunately, the producers waited until the crops were completely decimated before seeking out WDFW assistance. Jacobsen met with the producers to review the damage and discuss preventative measures. Jacobsen enrolled the landowners in a Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement and is working with the producers on a Cooperative Fencing Agreement as well.

Injured Deer 1: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a sick deer that had been laying in a resident’s yard for two days. The deer ended up expiring shortly before Jacobsen arrived. Further investigation revealed that the deer’s sinuses were severely damaged and infected, likely due to a vehicle collision. Jacobsen disposed of the carcass.

Injured Deer 2: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of an injured buck near a public utilities department substation but was unable to locate the buck. No additional reports of the injured animal were received.

Trapped Buck: Biologist Ott and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen captured a black-tailed deer buck that had been trapped for a prolonged period within a seven-acre high-fence hazard site in the city of Vancouver. The deer likely jumped over a fence that had barbed wire angled inward into the enclosure. Based on how the wire was constructed, the buck was unable to jump out. After an extensive game of hide-and-seek around the enclosure, Jacobsen was able to successfully dart the deer with chemical immobilization drugs. Jacobsen and Biologist Ott quickly worked up the deer and prepared it for transport. The deer was moved outside of the city a few miles away to nearby WDFW property, where it was released. The deer is now free to roam, breed, eat, and drink unimpeded.

Buck with Fencing: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a report of a deer with electric fencing wrapped around its antlers. Once entangled in the fencing, the deer ran away from the (previously) fenced garden with several hundred feet of fencing in tow. The trailing fence quickly wrapped around an irrigation standpipe and the deer became tethered. The landowner found the deer this way and contacted WDFW to report it. Jacobsen and WDFW Enforcement Officer Way responded to the scene. Jacobsen was able to successfully approach the deer and chemically immobilize the animal with a dart gun. Jacobsen and Officer Way promptly removed the fencing from the deer’s antlers, ear-tagged the deer to document that the deer had immobilization drugs in its system, and administered a chemical reversal to wake the deer back up. Within a few minutes, the deer was up on its feet and walking away like nothing had ever happened. Interestingly, this is the second time that Jacobsen has responded to a report of a buck deer entangled in this property owner’s electric fencing in the last few years. The previous scenario went exactly like this one, with the deer becoming tethered in the woods by its trailing fence nemesis. This landowner will be promptly changing the style of fencing he has been using to protect his crops.

Buck with Wire: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Officer Nelson responded to a report of a buck mule deer with wire wrapped around its antlers and trailing for 15 feet behind it in the city of Goldendale. The buck was still very mobile, but the hard wire was starting to get wrapped around the deer’s neck. Jacobsen reported on scene to capture the deer and remove the wire. Jacobsen managed to get within 25 yards of the buck and shot the deer with a dart gun. After the deer was chemically immobilized, Jacobsen removed the wire from its antlers, marked it with an ear tag, and administered a chemical reversal to send the deer on its way. Ten minutes later, the deer was up and walking away, wire-free.

Sick Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a sick or injured deer lying in a resident’s carport. The deer did not move when the homeowner moved their car in and out of the carport, and they were concerned for its well-being. Jacobsen arrived on the scene and, after assessing the deer’s condition, determined that the deer needed to be euthanized. The deer was in poor overall health and did not move when Jacobsen approached or touched it.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Fencing All The Way: Recently, the Mt. St. Helens-Shillapoo Complex Wildlife Area staff members completed a new fence on the South Unit of Shillapoo Wildlife Area. The previous fence was aged and no longer effective at containing cattle. The crew used wildlife friendly fencing principles to design the fence to minimize fence impacts on wildlife while effectively containing cattle in. The new fence not only will contain cattle but was also re-routed to cut off cattle access from the edge of the South Cell wetland. The team expects the newly protected wetland plant community to thrive without grazing pressure.

Providing Education and Outreach

Wildlife Tracking Class: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen assisted Columbia Land Trust’s (CLT) Natural Area Manager Adam Lieberg with a field-based wildlife tracking class in Klickitat County. The tracking class took place on CLT’s Bowman Creek property. Participants had the opportunity to examine sign left be species such as deer, bear, coyote, skunk, squirrel, and wolf.

East Cascades Oak Partnership Presentation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen prepared and delivered a presentation at the East Cascades Oak Partnership quarterly meeting regarding managing carnivore conflict in oak ecosystems. Jacobsen served on a discussion panel at the meeting along with biologists from the Confederated Tribe of the Warm Springs regarding carnivores and conflict.

Police Department Trainings: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, with assistance from Officers Moats and Hughes and new Wildlife Conflict Specialist O’Connor, held multiple training sessions for local police officer staff members on managing urban-wildlife conflict situations. While these duties fall under the purview of WDFW Wildlife Conflict and Enforcement staff members, local law enforcement officers are often first on the scene and/or provide logistical assistance during wildlife conflict scenarios involving public safety. The training focused on how the two agencies could work collaboratively and effectively when these conflict situations arise.

Washington State University (WSU) Extension Living on the Land Presentation Series: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen prepared and delivered a presentation as part of WSU Extension’s Living on the Land series for landowners in Clark and Skamania counties. The presentation focused on attracting wildlife to one’s property while avoiding conflicts.

Vancouver Wildlife League presentation: In Clark County, Private Lands Biologist Gray spoke at a monthly meeting of the Vancouver Wildlife League. Gray gave a presentation about the WDFW Private Lands Access Program and her Southwest Washington work area. She discussed what the program is, the status of the program, and future program goals with continued funding. The participants seemed very engaged with interesting questions and discussion about pheasant releases on program properties. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Orphaned Juvenile Cougars: Within a few days, District 9 staff members received reports of two litters of orphaned juvenile cougars in Klickitat County. The mother of one litter was shot in self defense; the cause of death for the other female is unknown. Several members of the public reported seeing the second litter scavenging on an old cow carcass along the highway, looking very skinny. Biologists Wickhem and Ott and Conflict Specialist Jacobson set and checked traps in the areas of both litters in an attempt to capture them. This team was able to capture two juveniles from one litter. Bear and Cougar Specialist Beausoleil and Bear and Furbearer Specialist Welfelt came to assist the District staff members and were able to capture two more juvenile cougars for the second litter.

These cougars cannot be rehabilitated and released into the wild, because humans cannot teach them how to hunt prey. Instead, they were sent to zoos where they can educate the public about cougars and inspire the next generation of biologists and conservationists. The younger pair, a male and female who were about 20lbs and less than two months old at capture, were sent to the Oregon Zoo in Portland. The older kittens, two males who were about six months old and approximately 50lbs each, were transported to the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minnesota. Before being transferred to the zoos, all the cougars were sedated to determine sex and do a health assessment.

Dusky Canada Goose Surveys: October kicked off the survey season for Dusky Canada geese in Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Wahkiakum counties. Dusky geese are a sub-species of Canada goose that spend summers in Alaska and migrate through and/or overwinter in the lower Columbia River. Duskies are closed to recreational harvest due to low population levels. The purpose of the surveys is to count dusky geese observed and read alphanumeric codes on any red neck bands on the geese, also called collars. Wildlife managers survey the geese multiple times across their primary wintering grounds and use the data to generate survival estimates. Biologists Wickhem and Ott have completed four surveys in Clark County, recording numerous duskies and six neck collars so far this season. Biologists Stephens and Holman have conducted the surveys in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties. They observed, dusky, cackling, western, and Taverner’s Canada geese as well as greater white-fronted geese, Trumpeter and Tundra swans.  

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Winter is Coming: Access area staff members are currently in the process of winding down many sites for the coming winter with backpack blowing, pruning, and hedging. Some sites such as Lower Mineral Lake, have one of the two restrooms closed for the winter due to very minimal use. During this season, the hectic clean up from heavy public use is replaced by down trees, erosion, flooding, and inaccessible sites due to heavy snow and icy roads. As always, safety is the number one priority for staff members and the public.