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. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Dusky Goose Survey: Biologist Stephens conducted goose surveys in Wahkiakum and Cowlitz counties. No dusky geese were observed during the survey efforts. However, several groups of cackling geese were counted, and a group of resident dark geese were seen near the Columbia River. These dark geese look nearly identical to dusky geese; however, this group was able to be distinguished because many had been collared by biologists during a previous summer on nearby islands in the river.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Repair at Icehouse Complete: For the past few months the old Icehouse building at the Mineral Springs Access Area has had a large hole on the side of the building. Recently this hole was repaired with the help and coordination of the Wildlife team in Klickitat, which is very much appreciated! 

Storm Damage: The recent storms that swept through the area have kept the access area staff members busy. As expected, trees and debris littered sites around the region especially at the Kress Lake trail. On two separate occasions (within a couple days) access area staff members cleared the trail of down trees blocking the path.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Western Gray Squirrel Surveys in Lewis County: Biologists Stephens and Holman conducted a third round of efforts in response to the presence of a dead western gray squirrel on U.S. Forest Service managed lands in eastern Lewis County two years ago. The effort finally paid dividends, producing multiple videos and still photographs of western gray squirrels alive and well near the location of the dead individual. Thanks to Species Lead Kohler, Region 6 Wildlife Diversity Biologist Sage, and Growth Management Biologist Salter for their assistance on the project. 

Hunter Harvested Wildlife Checks: Regional wildlife biologists, wildlife conflict specialists, and customer service specialists continue to check hunter harvested wildlife. Many species of wildlife including cougars, bobcats, bears, big-horned sheep, and mountain goats have various checking requirements to facilitate biological sample collection and assure the legality of harvests. Hunters are reminded to check the Big Game Seasons Pamphlet to be clear on checking requirements for various species. Recently, Biologist Holman checked a mountain goat, a cougar, and evaluated several sets of elk hooves in association with the hoof disease incentive program. Congratulations to the successful hunters. 

Northwestern Pond Turtle Habitat Use Study Presentation: Biologists Ott and Bergh, along with Ph.D. student Chen from the University of Washington, participated in Webinar Wednesdays, a series hosted by Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Research and Library Services. During their presentation, they provided an overview of an ongoing collaborative study involving WSDOT, the University of Washington, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The study focuses on assessing the movements and habitat preferences of the state-endangered northwestern pond turtle. This research was funded in part by WSDOT Quick Response funds and the WDFW Biodiversity Grant Program. The final analyses and findings of this study are expected to be completed in Spring 2025.

Klickitat Mule Deer Mortality: Biologist Wickhem responded to a mortality notification from one of the district’s mule deer radio-collars this week. The collars send an email via satellite when an animal has not moved for at least nine hours. When Wickhem arrived at the location, the deer, a doe, was completely intact, with blood and rumen seeping out of its nose and blood coming out of its ears. The doe was only approximately 100 feet from a paved road and appeared to have been hit by a car. This deer is part of a four-year study being conducted throughout GMUs 388 and 382 to track the annual movements of female mule deer and locate important migration corridors. Staff members are also attempting to determine cause of death when an animal dies, which has proven to be difficult. In winter 2021, 81 collars were deployed throughout GMUs for this effort. Twenty-two collars were deployed in the winter of 2022 and 23 collars in winter 2023 - most of which were redeployments replacing study deer that died over the first two years of the study. We are nearing the end of the study so these collars will not be redeployed for this project. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Deer Season on the Klickitat Wildlife Area: The 2024 deer season on the Klickitat Wildlife Area marked a successful period for hunters, with a notable increase in recreation and visitation due to a management shift on the Simcoe Unit. For the first time, this unit was open for general season hunting, a change from previous years' special draw requirements. This adjustment provided additional opportunities for harvesting mule deer on both the Simcoe and Soda Springs units, attracting a significant number of hunters to the area.

Although the season ran smoothly overall, a few incidents highlighted the importance of fire awareness and readiness, as well as abiding by current fire bans and restrictions. These included an engine fire that was promptly managed without spread and a campfire incident on the western side of the property. Gusting 15 mph winds led the campfire to spread across approximately two to five acres before it was successfully contained.

Modern Firearm Deer Season Opener: Biologists Wickhem and Ott teamed up with WDFW Enforcement Officers Nelson and Way to patrol the district for the opening day of modern firearm deer season. Ott and Way worked both black-tail and mule deer territory. Wickhem and Nelson focused solely on mule deer and worked on or near the Simcoe Mountains Unit of the Klickitat Wildlife Area most of the day. The teams talked with and checked numerous hunters but unfortunately did not check any harvested deer. Wickhem and Nelson did check two harvested black bears and saw another bear while working on Simcoe. 

Down Trees: With the coming stormy weather, windthrown and rotten trees are going to become more common. In some cases, the trees do not impede access to specific sites. Recently, however, a large snag fell across the road at the north Liedl Access Area, making it necessary to buck up the log enough to make room for passing traffic. Fortunately, there was a way around the log, but it was at a sharp angle that would make it difficult for vehicles with trailers and large R.V.'s.

Aging Facilities: Access area staff members have been working to find a long-term solution to the damaged Oneida boat ramp for some time. Most, if not all the damage has been caused by boater's power loading on the ramp, causing a large hole to form and grow over time and use. This late summer access staff members poured gravel into the hole and packed it as best as possible. A recent visit at low tide revealed that this “patch” did not last long.  

Fall clean up: With fall weather now in full swing, access area staff members work diligently to keep access areas clean from debris and leaf litter. The cooler weather also is a good opportunity to get a handle on much needed pruning and weed eating before winter arrives and ends the growing season until spring. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Entangled deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey and Officer Lehr responded to a report of a fawn that had some fencing material wrapped around its neck. Aubrey was able to immobilize the deer and he and Officer Lehr removed the material from the deer. The deer was observed up and moving around quickly after the reversal drugs were administered. 

Providing Education and Outreach

High School Class Presentation: Biologist Bergh spoke to a Wildlife Biology class at Mountainview High School in Vancouver. She presented general information on wildlife management, WDFW, and her job, and gave examples of the work WDFW does on different wildlife species. 

Vancouver Wildlife League presentation: Biologist Bergh spoke at a monthly meeting of the Vancouver Wildlife League. She provided information on game species populations and their hunting seasons. She gave background on the purpose and importance of hunter reporting and the collection of biological samples as well as encouraged the group to participate in these two activities. The group had a lot of great questions and was particularly interested in mountain goats, which is always a fun topic to talk about.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Wilderness First Aid Training: Assistant Regional Wildlife Program Manager Hauswald along with Biologists Holman and Stephens attended two days of Wilderness First Aid Training. The course featured units on providing medical care in remote locations, equipment to be safer outdoors, and legal/administrative topics related to emergency response in these settings. Much of the course focused on how to best provide basic care to individuals in situations where higher-level care is likely hours or days away.  

Other

New Staff: We are very excited to welcome two new staff members to the WDFW Region 5 team.

Sierah Cain joins WDFW’s Wildlife Program as the new Shillapoo Wildlife Area Assistant Manager. She brings a wealth of experience in wildlife ecology and conservation to our team. A local of Washougal, WA, she has worked with various agencies and organizations throughout the western U.S. Her fieldwork has spanned diverse ecosystems, from the mountains to the coast, studying everything from small mammals to marine life. Sierah even spent a semester in Tanzania, gaining international experience in wildlife survey and management techniques. 

Mason Rozgowski joins WDFW as the new Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area Assistant Manager. With over four years of experience at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, he brings a wealth of knowledge in wildlife area management. His recent role as a Wildlife Area Technician on the White River and Lower Deschutes Wildlife Areas, honed his skills in habitat management, including weed control, shrub plantings, and vegetation and wildlife monitoring.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Cave Scouting: Biologists Wickhem, Ott, Bergh, Holman, and Stephens, with the help of Volunteers Petrie and Roe, spent several days in September finding and marking cave entrances in Skamania and Klickitat counties. Many of these caves have not been surveyed in 20 to 30 years and the GPS locations are not entirely accurate. Also, it can be very difficult to locate cave entrances when the access points are found in large rocky sinks and/or the entrances are small. During scouting efforts, the GPS points were verified or corrected, photos were taken of the entrances, and entrances were flagged when necessary. The caves will be revisited this winter, when the entrances can be even harder to locate under several feet of snow.

The goal of the winter surveys is to document the number and species of hibernating bats in each cave. Townsend’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii), one target of the surveys, are a Washington Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SCGN) and are a “subterranean-obligate species” meaning they rely on caves or mines to roost and hibernate. The surveys will also search for hibernating Myotis species and swab them for Pd (Pseudogymnoascus destructans), the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats.

Pika Scat Collection: Biologists Wickhem and Ott spent several hours scouring the mossy talus at a known pika site in Skamania County this month. The goal was to find and collect pika scat that will be sent to two different researchers; one in Michigan who will analyze the poo for genetic markers, and another in Colorado who will test the pellets for cortisol to assess stress levels of pikas living in these unique habitats. Other researchers and volunteer members are collecting scat throughout the Columbia River Gorge this fall. Pikas in the Gorge are the only known American pika (Ochotona princeps) population to live near sea level – most pikas in North America inhabit high alpine habitats where they can escape the summer heat. Gorge pikas can stay cool in the summer and fed in the winter thanks to the thick carpets of moss that often cover the talus slopes in these areas. Since the moss is available year-round, they also do not need to collect “haypiles” (piles of harvested vegetation to feed on during the winter months), which can save them a tremendous amount of energy.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Graffiti Abatement: Access area staff members took advantage of the warmer weather to paint over graffiti on the exterior walls of several restrooms. When painting large areas like this, unfortunately for access staff members, it requires a continual presence on site to ensure that the paint is dry before leaving. With any luck, the walls will stay graffiti free for a while. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Grouse wing barrel and elk hoof bin deployment: Biologists Holman, Stephens, Ott, and Bergh, along with Cowlitz Wildlife Area Manager Vanderlip and Assistant Manager Steveson, deployed grouse wing barrels and elk hoof collection bins across the region in advance of archery elk and grouse opening days. With the collected grouse wings and tails, the species, age, and sex of each harvested grouse can be identified. These data will allow us to assess population trends for each grouse species and manage harvest accordingly. Please see our forest grouse wing collection webpage for details on collection and the locations of the barrels.

The collection of elk hooves is for the hoof disease incentive program designed to encourage the harvest of elk with hoof disease. All western Washington general season and most special permit hunters have a chance to enter an exclusive draw opportunity by submitting hooves that display signs of elk hoof disease. Please see our elk hoof disease webpage for details on the incentive program and the locations of the collection bins.

Northwestern Pond Turtle Unknown Shell Disease (USD) Treatment Trapping: With the help of volunteer members and several U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFS) Columbia Gorge Scenic Area staff members, Biologists Bergh, Wickhem, and Ott trapped 24 northwestern pond turtles (NWPT). This was the first step in a biannual effort to treat USD, which is a major concern for Washington’s populations of northwestern pond turtles. While the disease is known to be fungal associated (Emydomyces testavorans), the cause of this disease is still unknown. In response, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) monitoring efforts have been ongoing since 2012, which has included the treatment of mild to severe cases of USD in NWPT. Turtles captured for treatment receive CT scans to determine presence and severity of shell disease before being admitted to the Oregon Zoo and PAWS Wildlife Health Center. The turtles then head to Cedar Creek Corrections Center in Washington, part of the Sustainability in Prisons Project, to be cared for until healing is complete and the turtles are ready for release back into the wild.

During this trapping effort, WDFW biologists also assisted Dr. Hernandez-Gomez, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Disease Ecology from New Mexico State University, in sampling both NWPT and painted turtles for use in an immunogenetics study. This study evaluates the role of pathogen prevalence, environmental quality, and host genetics on the prevalence of USD in NWPT throughout Washington. The study is partially funded by WDFW’s new Wildlife Diversity Grant Program and will inform future management and recovery of the species.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Kiosk Maintenance: Access staff members have seen an uptick of vandalism and abuse of sign kiosks at the Langsdorf Access Area in Vancouver. Most of the signage had been taken down. To help ensure that the signs stay where they belong, staff members placed several self-tapping screws along the border of each sign. In addition to the screws, bolts were strategically placed on each sign making it very difficult to remove without two people on either side to loosen the bolts. It may seem like overkill, but unfortunately it is necessary. 

Abandoned Boat: With the increased traffic at the Langsdorf Access Area, there has been an uptick in litter and abandoned equipment. Access staff members found an abandoned boat beached on the bank opposite of the boat ramp. Wildlife Area and Access Area staff members are working together to coordinate with the tides to get the vessel out of the area and to the local dump. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Bear Concerns 1: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen fielded multiple reports over the course of a couple weeks of a small black bear wandering around the streets of White Salmon. Fortunately, the bear was not getting into any human attractants or causing problems other than eating from the occasional fruit tree. Jacobsen will continue to work with the Bingen-White Salmon Police Department to monitor the bear’s activity in the area.

Bear Concerns 2: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen fielded a report from a landowner regarding a bear that had repeatedly attempted to enter his residence. The landowner would wash his front door daily and come home to find fresh muddy bear prints on the door near the door handle. Jacobsen and Officer Hughes had previously attempted to trap the bear last month after the bear entered the residence, raided the pantry, and killed the landowner’s cat. The bear did not show up while the trap had been set. Officer Hughes set the trap again at the residence.

Bear Concerns 3: A landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen to report a large black bear consuming fruit from his fruit trees and damaging the branches. Jacobsen explained that this was natural behavior for a bear but suggested that the landowner could erect electric fencing around his small orchard if he was insistent on keeping the bear out of the area. The landowner plans to construct an electric fence for next season.

Bear Concerns 4: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen handled a complaint regarding a black bear that repeatedly approached a landowner while she was working in her vineyard. On one occasion, the bear pursued the landowner’s dogs that were harassing the bear. Jacobsen provided advice as well as options for handling the conflict. The landowner decided to attempt to hunt the bear using their valid bear tag during the current, open bear season.

Wolf Sightings: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received multiple reports of a collared wolf wandering through pastures in central Klickitat County. Jacobsen was aware of the wolf and the reports of the wolf’s activity align with the data received from the wolf’s satellite GPS collar. The lone male wolf dispersed from the Lake Chelan area in the spring of 2024 and made its way down the Cascades, arriving in Klickitat County around early April. Jacobsen has been working closely with livestock producers in the area to prevent wolf-livestock conflicts.

Cougar Depredation on Goat: A property manager contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen after one of their goats went missing from the property. The goats are locked in a barn each night, but this goat disappeared in the middle of the day from a small, chain-link paddock while facility employees were nearby. Jacobsen responded to the scene but was unable to locate the goat. Jacobsen found muddy paw prints on the top of the fence and later, goat hair stuck to a log near a culvert. Based on this information, Jacobsen contacted a houndsman to help search the area for a cougar. An adult male cougar was located approximately 150 yards away. Jacobsen euthanized the cougar and necropsy of the cougar’s stomach revealed that the cougar had eaten a goat.

Cougar Depredation on Unsecured Alpaca: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Biologist Ott responded to a residence where a cougar had reportedly killed an alpaca. Although the landowner reported the incident two days after it happened, Jacobsen and Biologist Ott were still able to confirm that a cougar was responsible for the depredation. According to the landowner, the cougar was observed chasing another alpaca the night after the first alpaca was killed. As is the case in most livestock depredations, the landowner’s alpacas had been left out at night to graze unsecured in the partially wooded pasture. The landowner agreed to begin locking their remaining alpacas up at night to help prevent future depredations.

Mistaken Identity: A landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding what he believed to be a bobcat or a juvenile cougar that he captured on his doorbell camera. Upon reviewing the footage, Jacobsen was able to reassure the landowner that the feline in question was a domestic housecat. It is common for landowners with doorbell cameras to report domestic cats as cougars given the wide-angle nature of most of these camera lenses and the subsequent distortion of the animal’s size. However, closer inspection of body morphology and size relative to other objects in the camera’s frame can help clear up these cases of mistaken identity.

Coyote Depredation on Domestic Dog: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was contacted by an urban Clark County resident regarding a depredation on one of his domestic dogs. Based on the location and description of the attack, Jacobsen believed that coyotes were responsible for the depredation. Jacobsen provided advice to the reporting party.

Rattlesnake Capture: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was again contacted by the same landowner along the Klickitat River who reported a rattlesnake in her garage a couple of weeks prior. This time, the landowner had another juvenile rattlesnake along her garage. Jacobsen stopped by the residence on his way out of town and moved the young snake to the other side of the landowner’s large property. The landowner was thankful for the assistance.

Injured Deer 1: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of an injured deer in an urban neighborhood. Jacobsen located the deer and determined that the deer had a severely broken back leg as well as a likely infection with severe diarrhea. The deer was in poor overall body condition and needed to be euthanized. The deer had taken shelter under a large porch where the conditions were not conducive for Jacobsen to safely euthanize the animal. Jacobsen chemically immobilized the young deer using a dart gun and removed the deer from under the porch where he could then safely euthanize it.

Injured Deer 2: On the same day that Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to the injured deer under the porch, Jacobsen received another report of an injured deer in the ditch at a busy Clark County intersection. Jacobsen contacted the Clark County Sheriff’s Department with traffic control assistance. Jacobsen was able to safely euthanize the deer on the side of the road. According to the Sheriff’s Department, that was the third deer that day that had been hit by a car and needed to be euthanized at that same intersection. The Sheriff’s Department had handled the previous two injured deer calls there earlier that day.

Injured Deer 3: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was contacted by a landowner regarding what she believed to be an injured deer laying up against her house. After assessing the footage of the deer and its overall body condition, Jacobsen believed that the deer was healthy and just resting. Jacobsen couldn’t resist including a picture of this beautiful, mature, healthy black-tailed buck in his report.

Elk in Orchard: A landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen to complain about a group of elk in her non-commercial apple and pear orchard that were damaging her trees. Jacobsen loaned the landowner some Fox Lights as well as an inflatable waving tube deterrent to help keep the elk at bay for the next few weeks.

Elk in Hay: A landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen to discuss elk damage to his hay pasture. Jacobsen will meet with the landowner soon to renew his Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement.

Deer Damage to Vineyard: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen met with a vineyard manager to discuss deer damage to the grape vines in the vineyard. While there, Jacobsen observed a female deer and her fawn browsing on the vines. The manager had made a concerted effort to enclose the vineyard in temporary, plastic deer fencing but the deer still regularly manage to find a way into the vineyard. Jacobsen will work with the landowner on cooperative cost-share fencing project options for the vineyard.

Providing Education and Outreach

Wahkiakum Outdoors Blacktailed Deer Presentation: Biologist Holman gave a presentation titled “WDFW Black-tailed Deer Management in Southwest Washington” to approximately 25 members of the public in Cathlamet. The presentation featured a discussion of WDFW management strategies for black-tailed deer, population status, basics of black-tailed deer biology and ecology, such as breeding, birth, feeding and death; common deer diseases, as well as WDFW research past and present. Wahkiakum Outdoors regularly brings speakers on various outdoor and natural resource topics to the community.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Down Trees on Access Areas: Access staff members recently encountered several down trees in Klickitat County. All of the trees that were affected had been standing snags. Fortunately, access staff members only had to clear debris from one site. Along the road to the Stinson Flat Access Site, a dead pine tree fell across the road causing a hazard to vehicles. The tree had to be bucked up with a chainsaw to be removed. Access staff members took great care to only cut what was needed and hosed down the work area to make sure that no loose sparks kindled the dry fuels.

Access Improvements: Cowlitz Wildlife Area staff members constructed a new parking area on the west side of the Davis Lake Unit off Temple Road, improving access to almost one hundred acres of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife managed lands. The new parking area provides parking for up to six vehicles. Previously, the public had to park on the shoulder of the county road which created safety issues such as emergency vehicle access.

Illegal Dumping: Access staff members found several illegal dumps around the Vancouver Lake and Shillapoo Wildlife Areas. The dumping seemed to be occurring on a daily basis, causing access staff members to make several trips to the local dump. For the week of 8/26 - 8/30, access staff members removed approximately 1,000 pounds of garbage from this area alone. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) Partners Program Site Visit: Biologist Bergh joined USFWS staff members and staff members from the Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust to evaluate potential habitat improvement projects on land recently acquired by the Land Trust. The focal species for the work is the northwestern pond turtle, which has been proposed for listing as Federally Threatened. The USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides funding and technical assistance to private landowners to improve wildlife habitat on their lands. The Land Trust has received a USFWS Partners grant in the past and was very successful in improving turtle habitat at another one of their properties. It was exciting to see all that could be done on their new property.

South Cascades Mountain Goat Surveys: Region 5 Wildlife Biologists Holman, Stephens, and Bergh teamed with Region 3 Biologist Wampole, Ungulate Section Biologists Moore and Garrison, along with Wildlife Program Director Borrego from the Nisqually Tribe, to conduct aerial mountain goat surveys in the south Cascades. The Goat Rocks Wilderness, Mt. St. Helens vicinity, Tatoosh, Dark Divide, Smith Creek, Bumping, and Naches Pass mountain goat populations were surveyed during the five day effort. Survey results will be compiled, presented in the Game Status and Trend Report and used to inform management of the species. 

Thanks to Region 5 Customer Service Staff members Splitgerber, Rainwaters, and Kean for their assistance with flight following during the surveys. Thanks to Ungulate Section Manager Garrison and Contracting Specialist Luque for their assistance with the contracting aspect of this work. Finally, thanks to Pilot Pete Emerson of JL Aviation for his assertive but safe flying, spotting plenty of the goats, seamless logistics, and appreciation of the wildlife and comradery during the project. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Trapped Elk Calf: On Monday, August 12, Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of an elk calf that was trapped in a pasture in northeast Clark County. The young elk had entered the fenced-in pasture with a larger herd two days prior but was unable to find its way back over the fence when the herd left the pasture. The elk calf had spent much of the day Sunday running around the 20-acre pasture, ramming into the fence multiple times in a desperate attempt to rejoin the herd. When Jacobsen responded on Monday morning, the calf had isolated itself in the back corner of the pasture and its condition appeared to be deteriorating. Jacobsen made the decision to assist the calf by removing it from the pasture and transporting it across the road to a wooded area where elk regularly retreat during the day. Jacobsen successfully chemically immobilized the calf with a dart gun. With the help of two neighboring landowners and their UTV, the roughly 80-lb. calf was transported across the road. The calf was successfully released into a field, where it wandered into a wooded area for cover. Hopefully it will locate and rejoin the rest of the herd in this area.

Injured Deer : Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a sick deer that was lying up against a landowner’s fence. However, in the time that it took Jacobsen to respond, the deer had already expired on its own. Jacobsen disposed of the carcass.

Rattlesnake Capture: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was contacted by a homeowner who had discovered a rattlesnake in her garage. The homeowner had been just a few inches away from the snake when she looked down and discovered it. Jacobsen was able to safely remove the snake from the garage and moved the snake to the far end of the landowner’s property. This is the third time the landowner has contacted Jacobsen regarding rattlesnakes in her garage area over the last several years. For some reason, the landowner’s garage area seems to be quite the attractive spot for these neat critters.

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Injured Hawk: A landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding an injured juvenile red-tailed hawk on her property. Jacobsen located the injured hawk in a large patch of poison oak. Jacobsen was able to successfully capture the hawk which was taken to a refuge. Unfortunately, the hawk had suffered a broken wing, which was unrepairable, and the hawk had to be euthanized.

Injured Golden Eagle: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen fielded a report of an injured golden eagle. After assessing the situation, Jacobsen determined that the eagle was a young-of-the-year and was likely learning how to fly. The eagle had been hopping around on the ground for several days. Oddly, the landowner who reported the eagle noted that he had not seen any adult golden eagles bringing the juvenile food on the ground. On Jacobsen’s advice, the landowner began feeding the juvenile eagle raw chicken from the store. After several days, the eagle started to regain strength and began hopping up on brush and branches. A few days after that, the eagle was able to fly away on its own.

Bear in House: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Officer Hughes and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a black bear that had entered a house, destroyed food in the pantry, and killed a small kitten in an upstairs bedroom while the resident was away at work. Staff investigated and confirmed the report that a bear had gotten into the house. Jacobsen set a trap for the bear, but the bear did not reappear at the residence. The residence and property contained garbage, debris, and food that had likely attracted the bear to the area. Jacobsen discussed the attractant issues with the resident, who agreed to make changes to the property.

Bear in Garbage Cans: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a multi-family property that was experiencing issues with bears. This was the third time Jacobsen has had to respond to the property over the last several years regarding unsecured bear attractants (garbage and bird food). Again, the landowner had several garbage cans that were accessible to a bear, which had apparently been coming up onto the porch nightly for the past three weeks. Jacobsen issued the landowners a warning to secure all their garbage in the garage. Further bear issues at the residence would be investigated by WDFW Enforcement staff.

Bear in Garbage Trailer: A concerned landowner contacted WDFW after learning that a bear had been raiding her neighbor’s trash trailer and spreading the garbage all over her property. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was able to get in touch with the landowner with the garbage trailer. With the help of volunteer member Smith, an electric fence was conducted around the dumpster to cut off the bear’s supplemental food supply.

Urban Cougar: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen assisted WDFW Enforcement staff members over the weekend after a cougar was captured on multiple household security cameras in southwest Vancouver. WDFW staff members confirmed that the animal in question was a cougar. Jacobsen patrolled the area and monitored for sighting reports. At one point, hounds were used to search for the cougar after it was reported moving west on the Shillapoo Wildlife Area. The cougar was not located.

Mistaken Cougar Sighting: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was contacted by a landowner after the landowner captured what he believed to be a cougar on his security camera in urban Clark County. After reviewing the footage, Jacobsen confirmed the animal to be a domestic house cat.

Cougar Depredation on Unsecured Alpaca: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and several WDFW Enforcement staff members responded to a report of a cougar depredation on an alpaca. The alpaca had been left out at night in an unsecured pasture. Jacobsen investigated and confirmed that a cougar killed the alpaca. WDFW staff members set a live trap for the cougar and were able to catch the juvenile cougar later that night. Since the juvenile cougar was alone (and should have still been with its mother) and displayed some odd behaviors that the landowner had noticed that night, Jacobsen euthanized the cougar.

Cougar Depredation on Unsecured Goats: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of cougars depredating on goats. The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office had already been contacted and had killed two medium-sized (roughly 70 lb.) cougars before Jacobsen was contacted. Jacobsen confirmed the depredations as cougar caused. Jacobsen provided advice to the landowner on securing goats at night, as the goats had been allowed to wander a large, wooded property at night.

Reported Cougar Depredation on Horse: A concerned landowner contacted WDFW regarding injuries that she had noticed on two of her horses. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and WDFW Officer Bolton responded. After examining the horses, Jacobsen determined that domestic dogs were the most likely cause of injury to the horses. Jacobsen provided advice to the landowner on securing the horse pasture.

Elk Damage to Haystacks: A producer in east Klickitat County contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding elk damage to his haystacks. Jacobsen inspected the damage and will be working with the landowner on deterrent measures.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Water Access Areas: Access staff members encountered a large trash dump at the Three Mile access site in Washougal. Whoever did this not only pushed the trash out but threw most of it into heavy brush and briars making it difficult and time consuming to remove. It took access staff members a few hours and two full truck loads to the dump to remove. 

Mineral Lake: Access staff members encountered a break-in to a closed restroom Thursday morning at the Upper Mineral Lake access site. Fortunately, there was no evidence of vandalism. It appeared to be more of an act of curiosity.

Bees: As usual, during the summer bees and hornets are a constant issue around access area facilities, especially around the Vancouver Lake area. Many nests are being discovered in door jambs, and even a shoe that was stuck onto a telephone pole next to the Langsdorf restroom. Access staff members continue to mitigate these persistent and sometimes very aggressive pests on a weekly basis. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Public Engagement: Private Lands Biologist Gray attended the Small Forest Landowners Field Day in Longview, WA. Gray was available to interact with landowners at the WDFW table in the exhibitor area. Gray also spoke at an educational session regarding “Landowner Assistance Programs” along with Department of Natural Resources and Natural Resources Conservation Service. The event hosted up to seven learning stations, with ongoing topics cycling throughout the day. Each year field days are organized in different regions of the state.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Annual Band-Tailed Pigeon Surveys: Biologists Stephens, Wickhem, and Holman, along with Migratory Bird Specialist Hamer, completed band-tailed pigeon surveys in Region 5 between July 10th and 20th. Additionally, Holman teamed with Region 6 Biologist Novack to survey a site in the estuary of the Chehalis River that can only be accessed by boat. Nesting birds congregate at natural mineral springs throughout the summer to consume supplemental minerals, primarily sodium and calcium. The same mineral sites are surveyed each year by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists across western Washington. The results are combined with similar efforts in British Columbia, Oregon, California, and Nevada to monitor the population at the flyway level. Survey results affect the season and bag limits for band-tailed pigeons each year. 

• At the site in Clark County, Hamer counted 142 pigeons which is a slight increase over 2023.
• At the site in Skamania County, Wickhem counted 186 pigeons, which is lower than the historic numbers at this location.
• At one of the Cowlitz County sites, Stephens counted 307 pigeons, which is nearly identical to the results from 2022 and 2023. 
• At the other Cowlitz County site, Holman counted 106 pigeons, which is similar to the results of prior years. New forest management activities near this site now make conducting the survey easier. 
• At the Lewis County site, Stephens counted 313 pigeons, which is a moderate increase from 2023. 
• At the Gray’s Harbor site, Holman and Novack counted 212 pigeons, up slightly from the 2023 survey.

Bat Acoustic Monitoring: In July, Biologists Wickhem, Ott, and Stephens conducted acoustic monitoring for bats at six sites in Region 5. Every site is made up of four grids, with each grid containing an acoustic detector. To monitor the bats, an acoustic detector is left overnight at each grid and records the echolocation signatures of bat species who are feeding within proximity to the detector. This effort is part of the North American Bat Monitoring Program, a multi-agency coordinated effort across North America. This collaborative bat monitoring program is made up of an extensive community of partners across the continent who use standardized protocols to gather data that allows assessment of population status and trends, informs responses to stressors, and sustains viable populations. 

Bat Emergence Counts: In July, Biologist Wickhem conducted four bat emergence counts (three in Clark County and one in Skamania County) with the help of Biologist Ott and volunteers Robinson, Roe, and Weaver. Three of the locations had never been counted before and were either reported by members of the public or other staff members. Two of the locations proved to be thick with bats; a Forest Service bridge and a collection of private bat boxes supporting 788 and 888 bats, respectively. Another residential bat box contained 160 individuals. The landowner invited several friends and neighbors to join in the count. The final count at another residential property where bats were living underneath their raised home only came up with about a dozen individuals, despite finding massive piles of guano near some ideal roosting areas. In this case, the team thinks the pups were volant (able to fly on their own). This allows the colony to easily move and roost in nearby areas if desired. The bats that were still present were exiting through a different area that was not being monitored. An acoustic detector was deployed at each site during the surveys to record echolocation calls, which can be analyzed to determine which species are present. Those files will be analyzed by Statewide Bat Specialist Tobin. These surveys help biologists understand the species distribution and roosting habitats of bats in Washington. 

Bat Captures and White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) Vaccination Study: Biologists Wickhem, Biologist Ott, and Volunteer Flick joined volunteer members and biologists from the U.S. Geological Survey to capture bats on private property as part of a study to test a new vaccine for white-nose syndrome. WNS is a devastating disease caused by a fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans or Pd) that causes bats to repeatedly wake up during winter hibernation (which burns a lot of calories), and usually leads to death. WNS has led to massive bat die-offs in the Midwest and eastern United States. Either the disease or the Pd fungus have been detected within ten counties in Washington as of July 2023.

In this capture effort, bats were collected from funnel and harp traps that were attached to the openings of occupied bat boxes. Once removed from the trap, a hair sample was collected and the bats were weighed, measured, sexed, aged, given a wing health score, a wing band, a PIT tag, either the vaccine or control (placebo) dose orally, and then released. The team also captured several bats that have been caught, marked, and treated in previous years. Since this effort took place at a maternity colony, most of the bats captured were lactating females. The capture team worked into the wee hours of the night and the next morning to finish processing more than 100 bats. WNS has not been detected within this colony or anywhere nearby yet, but the group still abided by strict decontamination protocols that help prevent the human-spread of the fungus. Also, everyone that directly handled bats has a rabies vaccination. Thanks to our partners for an excellent trapping effort and the landowners for allowing us to work on their property and for assisting with set-up and take-down of our equipment!

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Mineral Lake Access Area: Access area staff members visited Mineral Lake Access Area to find it very clean given the amount of use it normally receives. This was a pleasant surprise, especially since the site was very busy when staff members arrived.

Kalama River Access Areas: Access area staff members worked on vegetation management at multiple sites along the Kalama River. Modrow Access Area and the road to Fisherman’s Loop Access Site had many maples growing low over the road that needed to be pruned back. In addition to work at these sites, staff members worked on pruning the blackberries along the trail at Kress Lake.

Onieda Access Area Boat Ramp: Access area staff members worked at filling a sink hole on the Onieda Access Area boat ramp. Understanding that this is a temporary fix, staff members are still hopefull that it will last throughout the upcoming salmon season. This area gets an extreme amount of use during the month of August. In addition, staff members finished mowing the field and parking area at the Onieda Access Area. Staff members hope with the recent improvements at this site, that it will be respected in the upcoming August fishing season.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Woodland Park Zoo Field Trip: Biologist Bergh gave a field trip at one of the Skamania County northwestern pond turtle sites to a group of students participating in a class put on by the Woodland Park Zoo. The adult students are spending a few days in the area to do some hands-on learning about conservation topics and had prepared ahead of time by visiting the HeadStart turtle program at the zoo. Biologist Bergh talked about all aspects of the pond turtle recovery and management program. The group hiked around the site to view habitat as well at the pond and painted turtles that inhabit the site.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Annual Band-Tailed Pigeon Surveys: Biologists Wickhem, Bergh, Holman, and Stephens began conducting their respective band-tailed pigeon surveys in Region 5. Additionally, Holman teamed with Region 6 Biologist Novack to survey a site in the estuary of the Chehalis River that can only be accessed by boat. Nesting birds congregate at natural mineral springs throughout the summer to consume supplemental minerals, primarily sodium and calcium. The same mineral sites are surveyed each year by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists across western Washington and the results are combined with similar efforts in British Columbia, Oregon, and California to monitor the population at the flyway level. Survey results affect the season and bag-limits for band-tailed pigeons each year and will be presented in future weekly reports.

Northwestern Pond Turtle Population Estimate: From June 5 through June 26, Biologists Wickhem, Bergh, and Ott, along with many helpers, deployed 41 turtle hoop traps at a site in Klickitat County and checked traps daily. The traps were spread across four water bodies that are historical northwestern pond turtle locations. Every year, the district staff members perform a mark-recapture trapping effort at one turtle site to generate a population estimate. All captured turtles are individually marked and the number of times each individual turtle is captured is recorded. The number of captures and recaptures is plugged into a model (along with other variables) which will generate an estimated number of turtles present at the site. This season, the crew caught 286 individual pond turtles and two individual painted turtles for a total of 805 captures (including recaptures). We will be anxiously waiting for Science Division staff members to calculate the population estimate. During the last trapping effort at that site (in 2018), there was a total of 511 captures and 207 were pond turtles. It appears that the pond turtle population has increased (HOORAY!). Also of note, the crew captured and marked 69 new wild-born turtles, three times the number of new turtles captured in 2018 (double HOORAY!). This large number of new turtles (indicating natural recruitment) confirms that the removal of invasive bullfrogs from this site is benefitting the pond turtles and many other native species. Special thanks to all the folks (20 people total!!) that assisted with trap setting, checking, and take-down.

Mardon Skipper Surveys: During the first two weeks of July, Biologists Bergh, Wickhem, and Ott, as well as the new District 9 Klickitat Wildlife Area Manager Cass Holman, assisted in modified peak count surveys for state endangered mardon skippers. These surveys are coordinated by the U.S. Forest Service as a part of a 3-year effort to visit sites historically occupied by mardon skippers across their range within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 

Mardon skippers require open meadows with ample sun, bunch grasses, and floral resources. Existing populations of mardon skippers are highly isolated and under threat due to habitat loss and/or degradation caused by forest encroachment, invasive plants, and fire suppression. These surveys will help inform appropriate localized and landscape scale habitat management for the species on U. S. Forest Service land. Although no sites assigned to WDFW staff members yielded positive detections of mardon skippers, the staff members thoroughly enjoyed the time spent walking in subalpine meadows identifying butterflies and collaborating with U.S. Forest Service staff members.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Oneida Access Area: Access staff members have started mowing some of WDFW sites including Onieda Access Area. Staff members mow certain areas to provide additional parking and to also try and keep fire danger down. Hot weather, tall grass, and hot exhaust pipes do not mix well. Onieda Access Area has two field parking areas that will be heavily used starting in August.

Fourth of July Aftermath: As expected, the week after the Fourth of July was busy. Many sites in Washougal, Kalama, and Mineral Lake were used heavily by the public. Unfortunately, many visitors didn’t “pack it in, pack it out.”

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Pacificorps Wildlife Habitat Management Lands: Biologist Holman joined Pacificorps staff members to visit multiple locations in the higher elevation portions of Pacificorps Lewis River Habitat Management Lands to evaluate ongoing enhancement efforts. U.S. Forest Service Supervisory Biologist Rich attended as well.

The group saw forest management projects such as pre-commercial thinning and reforestation, soil augmentations designed to increase pH, elk forage plot establishment, and weed control in wetlands. All projects on the habitat enhancement lands are on schedule. Pacificorp lands include approximately 16,000 acres of enhanced wildlife habitat in the North Fork Lewis River basin to partially balance the impacts of the hydropower system on the river. These lands are open to the public for non-motorized recreation including hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. 

Other

New Klickitat Wildlife Area Manager: We are very excited to announce that the Klickitat Wildlife Area has a new manager. Cassandra “Cass” Holman started her role with WDFW on July 1. It took over seven months to find the right person for the job, however Cass was a true standout from all the other candidates. We are very happy to have her as part of the Region 5 Wildlife Program team. 

Cassandra is a wildlife and conservation biologist with a focus on addressing ecological challenges in human-compromised or altered ecosystems. She recently worked in northern California implementing floodplain reconnection and habitat restoration projects in the Trinity River watershed. However, her career has also taken her to Alaska, Colorado, New England, Texas, and North Carolina. Originally from Rhode Island, Cass is excited to call Washington home for the long term. She has a strong background in grant writing, project management, and forming conservation partnerships with stakeholders to make a tangible difference. As the new manager of the Klickitat Wildlife Area, she is dedicated to meeting the state’s objectives for species conservation and habitat protection.