Region 5 (Southwest) | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

Biweekly report Sept16-30 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Year

2023

Dates

Sept16-30

Division/Region

Region 5 (Southwest)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Fish Removal: Biologists Wickhem and Bergh spent two days removing non-native fish from a lake inhabited by state-endangered northwestern pond turtles. The fish compete with the turtles for food and the larger fish eat hatchling turtles. The water in the lake was extremely low which caused the fish to be concentrated in small pools. The mud made it difficult to get around, but many five-gallon buckets of fish were removed.

A team removing fish during extreme low water — Fish removal during extreme low water.

Photo by WDFW

Columbian White-tailed Deer Population Monitoring: Biologists Holman and Stephens along with Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Risley joined U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Kruenegel to set cameras in habitat occupied by Columbian white-tailed deer in Cowlitz County. The camera sets are designed to generate data to determine the current relative abundance of Columbian white-tailed deer verses black-tailed deer in specific areas where the species are sympatric (occupying the same habitat and location). The photographs will be collected in the coming months and used to complement aerial surveys for the white-tails that will happen next February.

Columbia white-tailed doe — Columbian white-tailed doe at the study location in 2006.

Columbian White-tailed Deer Necropsy: Biologists Holman and Stephens joined U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Kruenegel and Assistant Refuge Manager Bonello to necropsy a Columbian white-tailed deer that was euthanized in Wahkiakum County. The deer was acting abnormally and very emaciated. The necropsy revealed worn teeth and further demonstrated the deer’s poor nutritional state (zero fat over the heart or kidney). No specific signs of disease were noted, and lung, liver and heart tissue all appeared normal. Evaluation of stomach contents failed to reveal atypical foods. Samples for Chronic Wasting Disease, ageing, and genetic testing were collected and retained by U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Columbia Gorge Pika Surveys: Biologist Wickhem completed four surveys for American pikas in the Columbia River Gorge this September. Wickhem was assisting with a long-term monitoring project run by the U.S. Geological Survey that tracks pika occupancy at many sites throughout the Gorge. This season, the project was focused on “edge sites” or areas that are considered either at the edges of the pikas' range in the area, or the edges of what is considered the Gorge habitat verses more traditional mountainous/alpine pika habitat. Throughout North America, American pikas are usually only found in higher elevations, but the Columbia River Gorge is the only place where American pikas occur at near sea level. Collared pikas, that live in northern Canada and Alaska, can live at sea level but are a different species. On these surveys, Wickhem confirmed pikas at three out of the four sites either by hearing calls or by finding fresh hay piles (pika food cache) and latrines.

Enormous talus patch on the northern edge of “the Gorge”, an excellent place for pikas.

Pika pellets found near rocks — Pika pellets (poo) tucked under the rocks. These round pellets are about the size of bees.

Klickitat Mule Deer Mortality Investigation: Biologist Wickhem investigated the mortality signal from a collared female mule deer this week. From the map of its recent locations, it appeared the doe had been hit by a car, but when Wickhem arrived it was obvious that she had been aggressively scavenged by coyotes for several days. It was impossible to tell if the coyotes had killed her next to the road, or if she had been hit by a car and found by the coyotes soon after. 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 were deployed in winter 2023. Most of the redeployments replaced study deer that died over the first two years of the study. We are nearing the end of the study so this collar will not be redeployed for this project. 

Mule deer carcass — All that remained of mule deer #400.

Patches of bloody grass with coyote scat — One of the several areas where the carcass was scavenged – complete with bloody grass, many piles of coyote scat and rumen contents.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

District 9 Calf Depredation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen followed up on a report from the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office of a cougar depredation on a domestic calf. The landowner had observed the cougar feeding on the calf carcass and called the Sheriff’s Office, who came out and located and killed the cougar with the use of hounds. Jacobsen arrived and confirmed the depredation as a cougar depredation. He will work with the livestock producer on filing a livestock loss damage claim if he is interested.

Injured Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was contacted by a homeowner who was concerned about a deer in his yard. The deer had an injury to its side and the homeowner believed the deer needed to be euthanized. After examining photos of the deer, Jacobsen advised the homeowner that the deer would likely survive and that it should be left alone. Jacobsen also reviewed with the homeowner multiple reasons why supplemental feeding of deer is actually harmful to the deer. The homeowner agreed to stop feeding the deer.

A deer with injury — Deer with injury, consuming supplemental feed placed there by the landowner.

Second Injured Deer: Region 5 Wildlife Program staff members were contacted by a homeowner regarding a deer with netting tangled around its antlers. Both District Biologist Bergh and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen attempted to contact the reporting party multiple times. It is unknown what became of the entangled deer.

A deer with netting tangled up in its antlers — Deer with netting tangled around its antlers.

Another Injured Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen spoke with a landowner who reported a sick or injured deer laying in her yard. Jacobsen reviewed the photos and agreed that the deer was in poor condition and likely needed to be euthanized. Sargent John authorized the landowner to euthanize the deer.

A sick deer laying in a yard — Sick/injured deer laying in the yard.

Fourth Injured Deer: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Dispatch contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding a deer that had been caught in a fence in Goldendale and that needed to be euthanized. Jacobsen adjusted his plans and met Goldendale Police Department staff members on scene. The deer was no longer caught in the fence but had incurred severe injuries from the incident and needed to be euthanized. Due to the deer’s location in a residential area, Goldendale Police Department staff members determined that it was not safe to discharge a firearm in the area and requested Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife assistance. Jacobsen successfully immobilized the deer with a dart gun and was able to transport the immobilized deer to a safer location to euthanize it. It is not uncommon for deer (especially fawns) to get caught in fences, particularly around residential neighborhoods. Homeowners should seek to install wildlife-friendly fencing (PDF)around yards to prevent deer from getting caught on fences as they try to cross.

Injured deer fawn laying against a fence in a residential yard.

Deer injury — Injury incurred by the deer after being caught in a fence.

Camas Bear Sightings: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen fielded multiple calls regarding a bear wandering around the Lacamas Lake, Camas area. It appears the bear made a few wrong turns and spent several days trying to figure out how to leave the urban area.

A wandering black bear behind a fence — Bear wandering around a residential area in Clark County.

Elk/Deer Fencing Project Inspections: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen completed several fence project inspections for elk/deer proof fencing. Over the past four years, the Washington Legislature has appropriated funding for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to enter into cost-share fencing projects with commercial agricultural producers who are experiencing substantial elk and deer damage to crops. So far, Jacobsen has completed 11 cost-share fencing projects totaling almost 5.5 miles of fencing around commercial operations, ranging from vineyards to produce to oat crops. Jacobsen spent time this week mapping out and obtaining quotes for additional fencing projects in District 9.

An elk fence around a vineyard — Completed elk fence around a vineyard

Deer fencing around a produce operation — Completed deer fence around a produce operation

Elk fencing around an ornamental horticulture/produce operation — Completed elk fence around an ornamental horticulture/produce operation

Sheep Depredation: A landowner contacted the Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding two sheep that went missing and one that he found dead in his pasture. Unfortunately, the landowner burned the sheep carcass the day prior, so it was not available for inspection. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, accompanied by Regional Operations Manager Varley, responded to the sheep farm. After walking the perimeter of the pasture and not finding any signs of the sheep, Jacobsen began exploring the woods and creek bottom across the street. Jacobsen located one of the missing sheep carcasses in the creek bottom. Jacobsen provided advice and hazing materials to the landowner, and strongly encouraged him to begin penning his livestock up at night.

A sheep carcass — Remains of cached sheep carcass located in the creek bottom

A sheep/llama farm — Remaining sheep and llamas at the farm next to the existing partial night enclosure.

Coordinated Resource Management Planning Meeting: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen attended a Coordinated Resource Management Planning meeting with Klickitat County livestock producers and land managers to discuss wolf-livestock range issues.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Eagle Island Unit: Approximately five weeks were spent this August and September treating Scotch broom and knotweed on the Eagle Island Unit of the Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area, located in the North Fork of the Lewis River. This island is normally only accessible by boat, but during the month of August, river flows are low enough that staff members can access the island by foot or UTV.

Treating knotweed is generally not very fun. These days are long, the weather is muggy, the bugs are plentiful, and the three gallon backpack sprayers feel excessively heavy at the end of the day. However, at the end of an intense knotweed season, staff members get the satisfaction of watching the knotweed turn crispy and brown. It is even more satisfying kayaking down the river, surveying the shoreline for any knotweed plants that have escaped herbicide treatment. Assistant Manager Risley and Technician Crane made this float in approximately three hours, treating knotweed and purple loosestrife along the way.

A small abandoned bird nest — An abandoned bird nest in a small clump of knotweed

Merrill Lake Unit: Just in time for hunting season, Technician Crane and Assistant Manager Risley visited each of the official campsites at the Merrill Lake Unit to replace signs that went missing this summer. Unauthorized campsites were disassembled, and trash was cleaned from every site. Well-worn trails to the falls indicate that recreational use of the unit has been very high this year.

Signage set up in the trees — Some refreshed signage at a Merrill Lake campsite

Beautiful in every season, Kalama Falls is arguably one of the most beautiful, and accessible waterfalls in southwestern Washington.

Simcoe Boundary Marking: Biologists Wickhem and Bergh spent two days refreshing the signs marking deer area 5382 Simcoe as well as marking the new property lines at the Simcoe Unit of the Klickitat Wildlife Area. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife recently acquired two new parcels, one on the south edge of the unit and one on the west edge of the unit. The new parcels are included on the map on WDFW’s Simcoe Unit webpage as well as on the Klickitat County Assessor’s online mapping tool.

Photo by WDFW

A private property sign on a tree — Marking the boundaries of the new acquisition on the Simcoe Unit of the Klickitat Wildlife Area

Providing Education and Outreach

Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area: Professors and students from the University of Nottingham’s Mt. St. Helens Field Course visited the Mudflow Unit to collect geographical data at multiple cross-sections of the North Toutle River flood plain. This is the 16^th year of data collection that the university has collected in their ongoing study of Mt. St. Helens and the sediment and debris flow since the 1980 eruption. Assistant Regional Wildlife Program Manager Hauswald and Assistant Manager Risley met up with the students and their professors during their lunch break to talk with them about the elk management and conservation work that is done by Department of Fish and Wildlife at the wildlife area.

Staff speaking to a group of students and professors at the Mudflow Unit — Assistant Regional Wildlife Program Manager Hauswald speaks to students and professors from the University of Nottingham at the Mudflow Unit at Mt. St. Helens.

Vancouver Wildlife League Presentation: Biologist Holman presented on southwest Washington elk management to a group of approximately 20 members of the Vancouver Wildlife League. The presentation featured the history of local elk spanning 1980-2023, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) work to better understand the effects of Hoof Disease, WDFW management efforts surrounding Hoof Disease, and population information. Thanks to the Vancouver Wildlife League for their involvement in hunting and fishing related activities and advocacy spanning nearly 100 years in southwest Washington. For more information on the group see their website here: About us (vancouverwildlife.org) Thanks as well to Regional Director Sallee for attending the presentation.

Read more about Biweekly report Sept16-30 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Biweekly report Sept1-15 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Year

2023

Dates

Sept1-15

Division/Region

Region 5 (Southwest)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Hoof Disease Incentive Program Collection Sites: Biologists Holman, Stephens, Wickhem, and Bergh as well as Cowlitz Wildlife Area Manager Vanderlip and Conflict Specialist Aubrey all contributed to setting up the Hoof Disease Incentive Program collection stations for this year. This is year three of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s program designed to incentivize hunters to remove elk showing visual signs of hoof disease. For information on the program see page 65 of the 2023 Big Game Hunting Regulations and/or visit the WDFW website.

Forest Grouse Wing and Tail Collection Sites: Regional wildlife biologists set up the collection stations for hunter submissions of forest grouse wings and tails. Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists statewide use the forest grouse wing and tail collections to evaluate grouse populations by determining the species, sex, and age of hunter harvested grouse.

A truck near a grouse collection station — Grouse collection station along State Route 4 in Cathlamet.

Northwestern Pond Turtles and Drought: Biologist Bergh followed up on a report by one of the bullfrog removal contractors who saw several pond turtle carcasses on the shores of ponds that have been drying up with this year’s severe drought. A total of seven pond turtle carcasses were found and most of the carcasses appeared to be somewhat fresh. Two of the ponds searched for carcasses were completely dry and one only had a small amount of water covering about a third of the pond’s area. After several successive years of drought, many ground and rainwater fed waterbodies have reached historically low levels.

A turtle carcass — Northwestern pond turtle carcass.

Hunter Harvest Wildlife Checks: Regional wildlife biologists, wildlife conflict specialists, and customer service specialists have made the initial hunter harvested wildlife checks of the fall season. 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 in order to be clear on checking requirements for various species. So far, cougars and bobcats have been inspected.

A harvest cougar — Cougar harvested in GMU 550 Coweeman.

A harvested bobcat — Bobcat harvested in GMU 578 West Klickitat.

Animal ID: A homeowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen about a feline in the yard that they believed was a lynx. The landowner took a great photo of the animal! Jacobsen confirmed the animal as a bobcat. It is not uncommon for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff members to receive reports of lynx in southwest Washington, though all end up being bobcats or domestic house cats. Less than 50 lynx are known to persist in Washington, with all of those residing in the North Cascades. Lynx were historically present to some degree in the South Cascades, though unfortunately not much evidence exists of their presence here past the late 1890s.

Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was contacted by a concerned homeowner after the homeowner noticed an unusual animal in his yard. The homeowner described the animal as “four times larger than a cat, pure white, with a tail that curls up like a dog, hair like a pig, that jumps like a cat, and likes his compost pile.” The homeowner believed that there were wildlife species hybridizing in the woods around him. Jacobsen advised the homeowner to try to get a picture of the animal and to set up a trail camera. A couple of weeks later, Jacobsen received a photo of the animal from the homeowner. Though the picture was taken at a substantial distance and the animal in question was blurry, Jacobsen believes that the animal was likely a raccoon with a skin/hair condition that caused it to lose much of its fur (though it also resembled a house cat in some respects). The homeowner wasn’t convinced.

An unidentified animal — Mystery animal.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Klickitat County Pheasant Release: Biologist Wickhem and Volunteer Morrison released farm-raised pheasants at three locations outside Goldendale ahead of the two-day youth hunting season. In total, 80 roosters were released at the Goldendale Trout Hatchery, the Gun Club, and Finn Ridge “Feel Free to Hunt” properties. All birds were good fliers and were excited to explore the wilds outside of their crates. Please remember that nontoxic shot is required at all pheasant release sites (PDF).

A pheasant being released — Finn Ridge release site with Mt Adams in the background.

Property Enrollments: Wildlife Conflict Specialist/Private Lands Supervisor Jacobsen enrolled 15 properties in various Private Lands Hunting Access programs for a total of 62,130 acres across Region 5. Jacobsen also posted several of the properties with Private Lands Program signage.

Hunt by Reservation sign near Skamania County — Little White Salmon Hunt by Reservation site in Skamania County.

Hunting by Reservation sign by Trout Lake — Hunt by Reservation signage on Little Mountain in Trout Lake.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Tangled Owl: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen fielded a report about an owl tangled in a soccer net at a Clark County Park. Jacobsen contacted county officials in the area and provided advice on untangling the owl.

A great horned owl tangled in a soccer net — Great horned owl tangled in a soccer net.

Cougar Concerns: A resident in Klickitat County contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen after his neighbor captured a cougar on a security camera near their respective homes. Jacobsen provided advice on living in cougar country.

A cougar caught on security camera — Cougar on security camera near a residence.

A Clark County resident contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding a dead deer that he had found in a field near his house. A substantial blood trail led through the backyard of a residence to where the deer lay in the field. The reporting party was concerned that a cougar had killed the deer and wanted to alert all the neighbors regarding the cougar’s presence. Jacobsen happened to be in the area the following day and stopped by to investigate the carcass. One of the neighbors had removed the carcass earlier in the morning but Jacobsen determined that the most likely explanation for the scenario was that the small buck had been hit by a car and had a broken leg. At some point, the buck was discovered by coyotes, who pursued the deer and killed it on the edge of the field.

A dead buck — Dead buck, killed and consumed by coyote.

A concerned member of the public contacted local police after she observed what she believed was a cougar near a local business. Police staff contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, who confirmed the animal in question as a bobcat.

A bobcat — Bobcat mistaken for a cougar.

A homeowner in Skamania County reported observing a cougar near her house a few days prior. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen examined the photo of the animal and confirmed that it was a cougar. Advice was provided to the homeowner regarding outdoor domestic cats and living in cougar country.

A cougar laying in a yard — Cougar laying in the yard at a residence.

Depredation on Gazelle: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Officer Way responded to a report of a cougar depredation on a Rhim gazelle (also known as a slender-horned gazelle) at an exotic farm in Klickitat County. Rhim gazelle are native to a handful of countries in northern Africa and are considered endangered in the wild. A Klickitat County Deputy and houndsman were already on-scene searching for a cougar when Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife staff members arrived. After investigating the kill site and conducting a full necropsy on the carcass (which included shaving and skinning the carcass), Jacobsen confirmed the depredation as a coyote depredation and provided advice to the farm manager on fencing to prevent future coyote issues.

A gazelle carcass — Gazelle killed by coyotes.

Orphaned Bobcat Kitten: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen fielded a report about a bobcat kitten that a landowner had trapped in his shed and later let go. The bobcat’s behavior in the report sounded unusual, so Jacobsen contacted the landowner and determined the bobcat was likely orphaned. The kitten had been hanging out near the landowner’s house for the past four days without any sign of an adult present. Jacobsen asked the landowner if he would be willing to set a live trap for the bobcat. The landowner went out and purchased a live trap and within 15 minutes of setting the trap, he had caught the bobcat kitten again. The landowner met Jacobsen and handed the bobcat off. Jacobsen, Furbearer Specialist Welfelt, and Rehabilitation Coordinator Mannas worked together to transport the kitten several hundred miles to PAWS rehabilitation center in Snohomish County, where it will reside with five other bobcat kittens currently in rehab.

Goat Depredations: Two different landowners in western Clark County contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding depredations on their domestic goats. In both instances, the landowners believed cougars were responsible, but they had already disposed of the carcasses by the time they contacted Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Based on the photographs submitted of the depredations and the locations of the farms, Jacobsen was confident that coyotes were responsible; however, one landowner was convinced that a cougar had killed his goats since his fence was extremely “secure” and didn’t believe a coyote could enter the pasture. The landowner lost 10 goats in the past couple of weeks. Jacobsen met with both landowners and provided advice on various non-lethal deterrent measures with an emphasis on fencing modifications to prevent coyotes from entering the various goat pastures.

Goat in a pasture — Remaining goats in a pasture where coyote depredations have been frequent.

A dilapidated gate to a goat pasture — “Secure” goat pasture. This was just one of numerous access points where coyotes could access the pasture.

Injured Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was on the phone with a Clark County deputy regarding an injured deer that had been reported when the deputy received another report of a second deer that had been hit by a car and was injured. Jacobsen responded to the scene and euthanized the juvenile buck while Camas/Washougal Animal Control provided traffic control assistance.

Orphaned Black Bear Cubs: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of two orphaned black bear cubs on Department of Natural Resources land in Clark County. Jacobsen set a trail camera up in the area but did not capture any videos of the cubs using the area.

Scat Identification: A concerned homeowner emailed pictures of some scat that she found in her yard to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, believing the scat was bear scat. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen identified the scat as raccoon scat and provided advice to the homeowner.

Wolf Concerns: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a report of two large canines, possibly wolves, that were observed in a pasture with cattle. Jacobsen responded to the area and checked a trail camera there. No photos of wolves were detected, but Jacobsen did capture this nice photo of a bear. Two large guard dogs frequent the pasture from a neighboring property, and it is likely that these were the canines that were observed by the reporting party.

A black bear — Black bear captured on trail camera

Trapped Opossum: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was contacted by a property manager regarding an opossum caught in a live trap that had been set for feral cats. The property manager wanted to know what to do with the opossum. Jacobsen advised the manager to simply let the opossum go.

Ungulate Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey continued to respond to reports of elk and deer damage to agricultural crops. Aubrey worked with landowners on signing a Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement and implementation of mitigation measures to lessen the damage.

Injured Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey responded to a deer that had been hit by a vehicle. The deer was no longer mobile and was euthanized.

Nuisance Porcupine: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey responded to a report of a porcupine “stuck” in the fence in a backyard. The porcupine was not stuck but was hiding in the only spot of cover in the yard. The homeowner had dogs that needed to be let out so Aubrey captured the porcupine and relocated it to a nearby wooded area.

Providing Education and Outreach

Land Trust Alliance Conference: Biologist Bergh joined staff members from the Friends of the Gorge Land Trust, Pacific Northwest Ecoservices LLC, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program to give a seminar at the national Land Trust Alliance Conference which happened to be in Portland, Oregon this year. The title of their seminar was called “State-endangered Turtles, Invasive Plants and Animals, and Partnerships to Improve Habitat”. The Friends of the Gorge Land Trust purchased a property they call “Turtle Haven” in 2016 and have been successfully restoring the property for the benefit of northwestern pond turtles. The seminar was well attended with many great questions.

WDFW staff members at the Land Trust Alliance Conference — Stefanie Bergh, Sara Woods, Lee Lynn Michel, and Nick George present at the Land Trust Alliance Conference.

Webinar on Bullfrog Removal: Biologist Bergh and Washington Department Fish and Wildlife Contractor Michel did a webinar titled “Bullfrog Removal to Benefit the Imperiled Northwestern Pond Turtle” as part of the Conservation and Adaptation Toolbox webinar series. Over one hundred people attended the webinar, many great questions were asked, and technical knowledge was exchanged.

Read more about Biweekly report Sept1-15 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Biweekly report Aug16-31 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Year

2023

Dates

Aug16-31

Division/Region

Region 5 (Southwest)

Report sections

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Injured Owl: Biologist Wickhem and Volunteer Downing responded to a report of an injured great-horned owl near BZ Corners in Klickitat County. The owl had been seen perched on private property with what appeared to be a broken wing. The pair found the owl tucked underneath several stacked pieces of thick, metal trailer decking. Volunteer Downing was able to gently coax the owl out from under the decking with a long stick and Wickhem easily captured the tired bird as it emerged. The owl was taken to Rowena Wildlife Clinic for assessment. Unfortunately, the veterinarian said the break was more than a week old and too much bone was exposed for the wing to heal properly, so she decided to euthanize the owl to spare it from any further discomfort.

Volunteer Downing utilizing a long branch to nudge the owl out of its hiding place.

Biologist Wickhem after capturing the owl.

Agricultural Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey met with landowners throughout District 10 experiencing damage to agriculture from deer and elk. Damage prevention cooperative agreements were drafted and signed.

Possible Cougar Sighting: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey placed a trail camera at a residence to monitor a potential cougar sighting.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Mowing at Shillapoo Wildlife Area. In preparation for fall and the arrival of migratory waterfowl, large scale mowing activities have begun at the Shillapoo Wildlife Area. The mowing of tall, mature grasses encourages new growth, providing excellent forage for the geese, ducks, and sandhill cranes that will begin arriving later this fall. In some areas such as Vancouver Lake, the mowing is done in phases to provide temporary habitat and cover for pheasants that are released by WDFW for hunting opportunities at Shillapoo Wildlife Area.

Mowing gross from the tractor — Assistant Manager Breitenstein and Assistant Manager Risley mowing in tandem at Shillapoo Wildlife Area.

Shillapoo and Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area: Purple loosestrife is arguably one of the prettiest weeds growing on WDFW lands, and it is also on the priority list of noxious weeds treated by wildlife area staff members. Well known to people in other parts of the county where purple loosestrife has taken over vast amounts of shoreline, purple loosestrife often goes under the radar here in western Washington. It is often overlooked as just an attractive wetland plant with purple flowers. Through the months of July and August, Shillapoo and Mt. St. Helens wildlife area personnel visited and revisited many purple loosestrife sites to ensure this noxious weed is controlled effectively and its spread is prevented.

Technician Crane looking for purple loosestrife — Purple loosestrife is an attractive and noxious weed.

Read more about Biweekly report Aug16-31 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Biweekly report Aug1-15 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Year

2023

Dates

Aug1-15

Division/Region

Region 5 (Southwest)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Klickitat County Bat Count: Biologist Wickhem conducted a bat count in Klickitat County with the help of Volunteers Flick, Hadley, and Robinson. A resident had reported a maternity colony (where numerous female bats give birth and rear their pups until they can fly) in the attic of a building on the property they manage. Earlier in the summer, the bats had deposited a large amount of guano in the attic. The bat team set up in strategic locations around the building to attempt to count the bats as they exited. Unfortunately, they only recorded one bat leaving the building during the survey. However, the team noted numerous bats flying past the building from what seemed to be a different, nearby location. It’s possible that the pups are now able to fly on their own and the bats recently moved into another roost on the property. The team did collect several recordings on an echolocation acoustic recorder that will be analyzed to determine what species were flying past the building. Wickhem will work with the landowner to determine where the bats are roosting now, and to schedule a follow-up survey next year, but earlier in the summer.

Volunteers Hadley and Robinson preparing for the survey — Volunteer Flick settles in before sunset.

Klickitat Mule Deer Mortality Investigation: Biologist Wickhem investigated two collared mule deer mortalities this week, the first with the help of Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen. The deer was completely intact (and very bloated) with minimal scavenging by raptors. The cause of death was not immediately clear, and it took a fair bit of investigating. A few superficial bite wounds were visible from the outset, but after shearing half of the carcass, the pair found dozens of bite wounds and scrapes all over the neck, tail, lower half of her torso, rear end and insides of the legs. While none of the bites broke the skin, collectively they appeared to have caused significant internal bleeding. Unfortunately, it was likely a slow and stressful death. Information on the situation was passed on to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) enforcement. The second deer died just on the northeastern edge of the Newell Rodd fire in Eastern Klickitat County but appeared to have been killed by a cougar.

These deer are part of a four-year study being conducted throughout Game Management Units (GMU) 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 in winter 2023. Most of the deployments for 2022 through 2023 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. 

Mule deer #414 in her final resting place.

After removing the hair with clippers, numerous pre-mortem bite and scratch wounds were found all over the carcass.

Mule deer #403 was found under these bushes, with the edge of the Newell Road fire in the near distance.

Bumble Bee Atlas Survey: Biologists Combs, Holman, and Stephens surveyed two one-hectare plots in a grid cell for the Pacific Northwest Bumble Bee Atlas. The grid cell was located on Department of Natural Resource (DNR) land in Cowlitz County. Biologists captured the bumble bees using nets and then placed the bees in a cooler to chill them which temporarily immobilizes them. While the bees are still, photos used for identification are taken from several angles. The bees are then released unharmed near the capture location. During the effort, the biologists caught a total of 25 bumble bees which included the yellowhead bumble bee, yellow-faced bumble bee, fuzzy horned bumble bee, and the yellow bumble bee. More information can be found at www.bumblebeewatch.org.

A suspected bombus flavifron (yellowhead bumble bee).

Biologists Stephens and Holman processing a recently captured bumble bee.

Goat Rocks Mountain Goat Survey: Biologists Stephens and Holman, along with Biologist Borrego from the Nisqually Tribe conducted an aerial survey for mountain goats in the Goat Rocks Wilderness Area. Twenty distinct groups of goats were observed during the four hour effort. A total of 134 goats were recorded and after the sightability model corrected for goats that may have been missed by observers due to being obstructed by vegetation or rocks, the total population estimate came to 141 with a kid to adult ratio of 28:100. This number is very similar to results from last year’s effort and marks the first year since 2015 that biologists have not observed a decline in this population.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Packwood Elk Immobilization: Biologists received reports of a bull elk with a chair on its head in Packwood. A few days after initial reports, the elk was photographed with a chair and a long piece of rope hanging from his antler. Biologists Stephens and Holman were able to locate the elk, immobilize him, and remove the chair and rope from his antler. It is suspected that members of the public attempted to remove the chair and that is how the rope became tied to his antler. Unbelievably, it was confirmed that this was the same animal who had gotten parts of a hammock entangled in his antlers last fall. Because of this, he was affectionately dubbed “Hammock Head” by the local community and gained some notoriety beyond Packwood and even beyond Washington State. After he shed his antlers this spring and the hammock parts remained, biologists immobilized him in May of this year to remove the hammock.

“Hammock Head” with a chair and a rope on his head.

Biologist Stephens with the anesthetized bull now free of his latest entanglements.

Read more about Biweekly report Aug1-15 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Biweekly report Jul1-15 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Year

2023

Dates

Jul1-15

Division/Region

Region 5 (Southwest)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Northwestern Pond Turtle Population Estimate: From June 8 through June 28, Biologists Wickhem and Bergh and Technicians Motiff and Leipold deployed 35 turtle hoop traps at a site in Skamania County and checked traps daily. The traps were spread across three water bodies that are known to contain both Northwestern pond turtles and Western painted turtles. Every year, the district performs 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 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 35 individual pond turtles and 193 individual painted turtles with a total of 482 captures (including recaptures). We will be anxiously waiting for Science Division staff members to give us the population estimate. During the last trapping effort at that site, we captured 52 pond turtles and 111 painted turtles. It appears that the pond turtle population has declined, and the painted turtle population has increased. The crew also euthanized six bullfrogs and numerous non-native fish, such as bullhead, pumpkinseed, and one giant common carp, that were incidentally caught in traps, and they opportunistically removed seven bullfrog egg masses. Bullfrogs are also non-native and are known for eating anything they can fit in their mouths, including turtle hatchlings. Some other interesting observations from the season include a gravid female pond turtle caught on the first day who weighed 60 grams less the next time she was captured, catching a turtle who had not been captured since 2010 when he was released at a site approximately 2.7 miles away, the capture of a wild-born hatchling for the first time at this site, several turtles who were missing legs, including two painted turtles that were each missing two legs, but otherwise seemed to be getting along just fine, and a painted turtle that was naturally shedding its scutes. Special thanks to all the folks that assisted with trap setting, checking and take-down, including Research Scientist Amburgey, staff members and volunteers from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and staff members from the Cowlitz Tribe.

Technician Motiff in a boat with a net — Technician Motiff skillfully holds the trap in place with her foot so she can remove turtles from the trap with both hands.

A clear pond with a basking trap — Checking for turtle presence at a nearby water body using a basking trap.

Biologist Fielding painting numbers on the shell of a turtle — Cowlitz Habitat Biologist Fielding painting a number on the shell of a painted turtle with nail polish, which is how the turtles are individually identified during the trapping effort.

Turtles being held in turtle holders while nail polish dries — Painted turtles waiting for their nail polish to dry while sitting on our PVC “turtle holders”.

Turtle trap team members — Turtle trap take-down crew! Thanks for all of your help.

Bat Survey Grids: Biologists Bergh and Wickhem conducted bat acoustic surveys at two grid cells as part of a larger national effort to document bat populations known as NABat. Acoustic detectors are set out in areas within the grid cells that are likely to have high bat usage (near water, in forest openings, etc.) and record the echolocation calls of bats during their active flying period between dusk and dawn. The calls are used to identify species and are used with other survey data to help to track bat populations at both the local and national scale.

A bat detector hidden behind a plant — The microphone for the bat detector affixed to a painter’s pole. The detector itself is locked in an ammo box below to prevent disturbance.

Klickitat Mule Deer Mortality Investigation: Biologists Wickhem and Bergh investigated a collared mule deer mortality this week. The deer had died on the eastern slope of Mount Adams on the Yakama Reservation. They were joined by several staff members from the Yakama Nation Department of Natural Resources. The team was treated to blue skies and excellent views on their drive and hike into the deer’s final GPS point. The carcass had been dragged a short distance and a majority of the internal organs were consumed. After skinning the neck of the deer, the crew found significant trauma to the neck, puncture wounds and internal bleeding, that indicate the deer was likely killed by a cougar. As they were packing up, Bergh even found what looked like the “shed” of a cougar claw! Thanks to the Yakama Nation staff members who assisted with access and retrieval of the deer collar and samples from the carcass.

These deer are 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 the winter of 2021, 81 collars were deployed throughout GMUs for this effort. Twenty-two collars were deployed in the winter of 2022 through 2023. In the winter of 2023, most of the deployments were redeployments that replaced 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.

A lake going into the Yakima Reservation

Photo by WDFW

A mountain in the distance going into the Yakima Reservation — Driving into the Yakama Reservation.

The remains of a mule deer — The remains of mule deer #2MD23.

A shed cougar claw — Cougar claw “shed”.

A view of a small lake — Lovely place for a hike.

South Cascades Fisher Survey: In June and July, Biologists Stephens and Holman removed 15 fisher monitoring stations that were deployed in the fall of 2022. Habitat Biologists Salter and Adams, Fisheries Biologist Olk, and Customer Service Specialist Kean assisted with the work as well. The stations feature a lure and bait combination set opposite to a motion-detection camera. They are placed ten-feet off the ground to allow for snow accumulation. In total, 107 of these stations deployed in the Southern Cascades between the Columbia River and Interstate 90, by staff members and partners from WDFW, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), U. S. Forest Service, U. S. National Park Service, Woodland Park Zoo, Conservation Northwest, and the Muckleshoot and Puyallup tribes.

Five of the 15 stations set and retrieved by Stephens and Holman captured fishers. Data for the project overall will be summarized by Wildlife Diversity Biologist Lewis and will provide insight into the success of the South Cascades fisher reintroduction effort. Specifically, the project will demonstrate how much of the landscape is now occupied by fishers, six years post-reintroduction. The cameras also collected images of many additional wildlife species. Enjoy some examples below.

A fisher at the base of a tree — Fisher on USFS managed lands in the South Cascades.

A cougar and three kittens at the base of a tree — Female cougar and three kittens attracted to the lure on DNR managed lands.

A bull elk — Bull elk after the conclusion of hunting season in GMU 556 (Toutle).

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Bears in Dumpsters: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, Officer Nelson, and Officer Myers responded to multiple reports of bears accessing attractants and in close proximity to humans in an Appleton neighborhood. One resident, who had been having issues with bears climbing in her large dumpster, attempted to chain the lid closed. Unfortunately, the bear had other ideas and crushed the lid and tipped over the dumpster. Jacobsen tried multiple times, unsuccessfully, to reach the garbage disposal company to discuss potential solutions. In the meantime, Jacobsen and Officer Nelson erected an electric fence around the dumpster to prevent access by bears.

An overturned dumpster — Ironic situation involving a dumpster and a box of paint. Nothing about this situation is “good” or “better.”

The side of a dumpster with bear paw prints — Bear paw prints on the dumpster.

An electric fence around a dumpster — Electric fence around the dumpster.

Trash and refuse collected in a pile — Other bear attractants in the neighborhood of the dumpster. Jacobsen addressed the issue with this landowner as well.

Bear Concerns: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen met with a landowner who had been having issues with a bear climbing in her dumpster. After providing advice on securing the dumpster, Jacobsen provided advice to the homeowner regarding several different attractants on her property. While there, Jacobsen noticed a bin of unsecured chicken feed next to an unsecured chicken coop. Jacobsen provided advice to the homeowner on properly securing the chicken coop with electric fencing and he offered assistance with installing the fence. The homeowner declined the offer for help but indicated she would put up a fence promptly. Two weeks later, a neighbor reported to Jacobsen that a bear had destroyed the unsecured chicken coop and killed several chickens.

Unsecured chicken coop — Unsecured chicken feed and chicken coop in bear country.

Bear-Proof Garbage Can Update: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Biologist Bergh have been working with the U. S. Forest Service (USFS) on bear-trash issues at local campgrounds within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Recently, USFS staff members installed bear-proof containers at multiple sites where bear conflicts have historically occurred.

A bear proof trashcan next to a building — New bear-proof container at campground within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Bear Sighting: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen fielded a report of a young black bear caught on Ring camera on a resident’s porch.

A bear caught on a ring camera — Bear caught on Ring doorbell camera.

Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of an injured yearling black bear in a neighborhood in Carson. Based on the situation, Jacobsen set a live trap in order to capture and assess the bear. However, the homeowner also had a large industrial dumpster on-site which was filled with household garbage and attracting the bear to the area. Jacobsen addressed this issue with the homeowner.

A dumpster with bear paw prints on the front of it — Bear paw prints on the side of the dumpster as it tried to climb in.

A yearling black bear — Injured yearling black bear.

Cougar Concerns: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a request for information regarding a cougar that was observed near the requestor’s house. Advice was provided.

Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was contacted by a concerned landlord regarding a dead deer his renters had found on his property. Based on the photographs of the deer, Jacobsen determined that the deer was likely killed by a cougar. Jacobsen provided information on cougar biology and advice on living in cougar country to the landlord.

The remains of a deer — Dead deer, likely killed and partially cached by a cougar.

Depredation on Sheep: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, Wildlife Conflict Technician Kolenberg, and Officer Tippets responded to a report of a sheep depredation in La Center. The landowner believed that a cougar was responsible for the depredations on two sheep. Jacobsen conducted a field necropsy and determined that the sheep were killed by coyotes. Jacobsen provided information to the landowner on how to secure the sheep at night when they are most vulnerable to depredations, just like Jacobsen did last summer when the same thing happened to a couple of sheep at the same residence.

Jacobsen examining a deceased sheep — Jacobsen examining one of the sheep.

Jacobsen shaving a deceased sheep to examine it — Field necropsy of the sheep, examining the carcass for puncture marks and lacerations.

Deer Damage to Christmas Trees: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was contacted by a commercial Christmas tree producer who had been having ongoing issues with bucks destroying his trees. Based on the amount of damage incurred, Jacobsen planned to enroll the producer in a Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement, pursue fencing options, and utilize public hunters to help address the deer damage.

Haystack Protection: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen met with a landowner who has been incurring damage from elk in his alfalfa and forage wheat fields. Unfortunately, the landowner waited until harvest was almost complete to report the ongoing damage. With the hay baled, the landowner was concerned that the elk would come down out of the hills and start consuming the stacked hay as they have in past years. Jacobsen toured the remaining damage and decreased yield in the fields and then installed fladry and a propane cannon around the landowner’s primary haystack to help deter the elk.

Haystacks protected with fladry and a propane cannon — Haystack protected with fladry (fencing with flagging) and propane cannon.

Grazing Season Producer Meeting: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen held a meeting one evening with over a dozen livestock producers and land managers regarding wolf updates as they pertain to the current grazing season.

Depredation on Domestic Duck: A concerned landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding a bobcat that she observed attacking her free-range ducks. Jacobsen provided advice on securing all fowl in a pen or run to protect them from the variety of animals that often prey on free-range domestic chickens and ducks.

Elk Damage to Hay: A livestock producer contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding elk damage to their hay crop. The producer had been frequented by several dozen head in the Amboy area and they were causing considerable damage to the growing hay as well as cut hay. Wildlife Conflict Technician Kolenberg deployed a propane cannon at the field where the damage was occurring until the hay can be baled and stacked, and Jacobsen will renew their Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement. The elk have not been back in the field since the cannon was deployed.

Deer Damage to Vineyard: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was contacted by a landowner who has been incurring deer damage to her commercial vineyard. Jacobsen plans to work on some cooperative fencing options for the producer and enroll the producer on a Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement.

Deer Damage to Residential Landscaping: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen fielded a complaint from a homeowner in the Ridgefield area regarding the number of deer congregating on his property. The Ridgefield area is experiencing an exponential degree of land conversion from farmland to housing developments, and deer are being forced into smaller and smaller areas of marginal habitat. Jacobsen advised the landowner that WDFW does not trap and relocate deer out of populated areas and advised the landowner that neither lethal removal nor non-lethal hazing with explosives or projectiles was an option due to local ordinances. Advice on scaring the deer away with coyote howls and coyote urine was provided.

Picking up and Painting new Bear Trailer: A few weeks ago, Wildlife Conflict Technician Kolenberg picked up a new bear trailer from Carnivore Specialist Beausoleil in Wenatchee and transported it back to Region 5. Conflict Technician Kolenberg spent time this past week painting the new trailer.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Controlling Invasives and Mowing Meadows at Cedar Creek Wildlife Area: As part of her initiation to the Wildlife and Land Management team, Technician Crane worked with Assistant Manager Risley to treat invasive weeds species on over 39 acres of meadow at the Cedar Creek Wildlife Area. Weed species on the target list were dalmatian toadflax, meadow knapweed, Scotch broom, and blackberry. Following herbicide treatments, Technician Crane and Assistant Manager Risley mowed the meadows to increase and enhance available fall forage for deer and elk at utilize the wildlife area. While onsite, several band-tailed pigeons were observed roosting in the trees that surround a natural spring water source that the migratory pigeons frequent during their time in the area.

A tractor mowing in a field — Technician Crane logs some hours on the tractor, mowing several acres of meadow habitat at Cedar Creek Wildlife Area.

Other

New Access Area Technician: We are excited that Brandon Celaya joined the Region 5 Access Area program. Brandon has a background in forestry and worked for California State Parks. Brandon recently moved to Western Washington with his family, and they are looking forward to exploring our local areas. He enjoys hiking and gardening and he is excited to be a member of our team and is very familiar with the type of work we do at our access areas. We are very happy to have him working with us.

New Mt. St. Helens and Shillapoo Wildlife Area Technician: We are excited that Madison Crane recently joined the Region 5 Wildlife Program team as the new natural resource technician for the Mount St. Helens and Shillapoo Wildlife Areas. Madison is originally from Connecticut and received her bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from Unity College in Maine. She is currently in the process of finishing her master’s degree from the University of Montana, where her thesis focuses on the resource selection and habitat delineation of pronghorn in Montana. Before starting her master’s degree, Madison worked in several temporary positions for the Bureau of Land Management in Montana, US Forest Service in Oregon and New Hampshire, and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks where her duties included surveying of greater sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, short-eared and burrowing owls, songbirds, bats, woodpeckers, raptors, and many vegetation and habitat surveys. She has also assisted in the trapping and marking of mourning doves, bears, and pronghorns. Some of her habitat management work has included collecting and mapping vegetation data, control of invasive species, maintenance of trucks and UTV’s, assisting with National Enviromental Policy Act (NEPA) reports and recommending habitat and wildlife management actions. Madison enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog Aldo. We are very happy to have her working with us.

Technician Crane in a truck — Technician Crane

Read more about Biweekly report Jul1-15 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Biweekly report Jul16-31 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Year

2023

Dates

Jul16-31

Division/Region

Region 5 (Southwest)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Annual Band-tailed Pigeon Surveys: This month, Biologists Wickhem, Bergh, Holman, and Stephens conducted their respective band-tailed pigeon surveys in Region 5 between July 10 and July 20. Additionally, Holman teamed with Region 6 Biologist Novack to survey a site in the estuary of the Chehalis 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 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.

At the site in Clark County, Wickhem counted 119 pigeons which is relatively low for that site. After the survey, Wickhem checked the mineral spring which appeared to be low on water, likely thanks to the regions dry spring and hot early summer.

At the site in Skamania County, Bergh counted 286 pigeons which is about average.

At one of the Cowlitz County sites, Stephens counted 289 which is down from high counts in recent years but settling back into historic averages for that location.

At the other Cowlitz County site, Holman counted 93 which is lower than surveys of prior years, but continued forest growth makes seeing the birds and accurately counting them at this location a real challenge.

At the Lewis County site, Stephens counted 249 which is nearly identical to the 2022 survey.

At the Gray’s Harbor site, Holman and Novack counted 179, setting the baseline for this location.

Clark County pigeon-counting command center.

Two pigeons perched above the mineral site in Skamania County. — Two pigeons perched just above the mineral site in Skamania County.

Biologist Novack recording data at the Chehalis Estuary site.

Approaching high tide at the Chehalis Estuary mineral site.

Band-tailed pigeon survey results at four locations in WDFW Region 5.

Bat Colony Emergence Counts: Biologist Wickhem conducted a bat colony emergence count at a site in Clark County with the help of Volunteers Flick, Hadley, Robinson, and Petrick. The colony is located on private property where the landowner has installed several bat boxes over the last 20+ years. Each observer counted “one-poles-worth” of bat boxes and houses and counted 978 total bats exiting the structures between 9:02 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. The individual structures contained 237, 227, 105, 190 and 215 exiting bats, respectively. After the bats finished exiting, the team members were able to peek inside a few of the boxes to see several bat pups that are not yet old enough to fly. The female bats will leave the bat houses to feed and return to nurse their pups until they are able to fly and catch their own food. The property has a healthy population of mosquitos, so there should be plenty of food for all 978 bats and their young for many months to come. Thank you to the volunteers for their expert counting and to the landowners for creating excellent bat roosting habitat and for continuing to let us work on their property!

One of the five structures on the property that support bat boxes.

Bats marked with PIT tags as part of a study with US Geological Survey. — Some of these bats have been marked with PIT tags as part of a study with US Geological Survey (USGS). The landowner has built a “PIT tag reader-pole” that allows him to effectively scan the bat boxes from the ground.

Biologists Stephens and Holman conducted concurrent emergence counts at two sites in Lewis County. Volunteer Salzer along with Customer Service Specialists Rainwaters and Kean joined in the effort as well. The Lewis County sites are both located on private property and the bats occupy various outbuildings. At one location, Stephens, Rainwaters, and Kean observed approximately 500 bats while Holman and Salzer got just over 100 at the other site. Additionally, Holman and Salzer were able to enter one of the buildings after the count and observe between 75 and 100 pups within the rafters. The two sites represent the only known locations of breeding by long-legged myotis. Thanks to the surveyors and the landowners who are collectively helping manage Washington’s bat populations.

Barn occupied by long-legged myotis in Lewis County.

Bat Captures and White Nose Syndrome Vaccination Study: Biologist Wickhem, Bat Species Lead Tobin, Technician Leipold, and Volunteers Flick and Hadley joined volunteers and biologists from the US Geological Survey, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bats Northwest to capture bats on private property as part of a study to test a new vaccine for white-nose syndrome (WNS). 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 and either the disease or the Pd fungus have been detected within ten counties in Washington as of July 2023. More information on the vaccine study can be found here: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/white-nose-syndrome-vaccine-update-and-research-host-protection-mechanisms?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=national-wildlife-health-center-newsletter--summer-2023--&utm_term=Title

In this capture effort, bats were collected from funnel 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 crew did not catch any new pups (baby bats), meaning they are not able to fly on their own yet, and remain in the boxes at night. The capture team worked into the wee hours of the night and the next morning to finish processing over 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 was up to date on their 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!

Technician Leipold removes a bat from the funnel trap.

Biologist Wickhem after removing a bat from the funnel trap.

Photo by WDFW

A processed bat with a brand-new wing band.

The processing (and vaccination tables diligently working on captured bats. — Vaccination tables diligently working on captured bats.

Volunteer Hadley preparing to release a bat after processing.

Bat Acoustic Monitoring: Biologists Stephens, Wickhem, and Holman conducted acoustic monitoring for bats at four sites in Region 5. This effort was part of the North American Bat Monitoring Program, a multi-national, 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. For more information on the North American Bat Monitoring Program: North American Bat Monitoring Program | United States | Canada | NABat (nabatmonitoring.org)

To monitor the bats, an acoustic detector is left overnight at each site and records the echolocation signatures of each bat species within proximity to the detector. Thanks to Sierra Pacific Industries who allowed WDFW access to their lands for the purpose of conducting this work. Also, thanks to Sierra Pacific Wildlife Biologist Tweedy for helping with access, navigation, and deploying the equipment.

Acoustic monitoring equipment placed over prime bat foraging habitat in Lewis County.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

District 9:

“Cougar” Sighting: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a report of a cougar sighting along a popular trail in Vancouver. The reporting party sent photos of the animal to Jacobsen, who confirmed that the photos were of a domestic house cat. The size, coloration, and striped tail were very indicative of a house cat. The reporting party was not convinced and believed the cat to be a very large specimen.

Brown and white house cat with a striped tail reported as a “cougar.” — Brown and white house cat with a striped tail reported as a “cougar” along a hiking trail.

Deer Damage to Christmas Trees: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was contacted by a landowner who had been incurring damage to his Christmas tree farm from a handful of bucks over the past couple of years. Jacobsen and Conflict Technician Kolenberg met with the landowner and inspected the damage. A hazing plan was developed and Conflict Technician Kolenberg assisted with paintball hazing efforts over multiple days.

Deer rubbing damage to a Christmas tree, photo from 2022.

Bear Complaint: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen fielded a complaint about a black bear near a residence after the homeowner caught the bear on their doorbell camera. Jacobsen provided advice on securing any attractants around the residence.

Bear in Blueberry Farm: A blueberry producer with a U-Pick blueberry farm contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding a bear that had been coming into his blueberry farm. The landowner was concerned about the safety of the berry pickers. This could be the same bear that visited the farm multiple times last year that WDFW was unsuccessful in trapping. Jacobsen requested that the landowner contact him promptly if the bear was observed again.

Bear in Garbage: A Klickitat County resident contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding a bear that had been accessing their garbage storage. The landowner kept their garbage in a semi-open shed until garbage day, then moved the garbage out to the curb every week. Unfortunately, a bear caught on to this routine and started visiting the shed. Some lightweight metal reinforcements that the landowners added to the shed did not slow the bear down. Jacobsen responded to the residence and quickly erected an electric fence around the storage shed for the landowners.

Simple electric fencing reinforcement. — Simple electric fencing reinforcement to discourage bears from accessing stored garbage.

Sick/Injured Deer 1: A landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding a sick deer in his yard. Based on the description of the deer and the fact that the deer was still mobile, Jacobsen and the landowner agreed to let the deer be to see if it could recover. The deer died the following day. Jacobsen assisted the landowner with the disposal of the carcass using his new headache-mounted winch. Further inspection of the deceased doe indicated that it died as a result of trauma incurred during fawning.

Sick/Injured Deer 2: A Goldendale landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen regarding a deceased buck in her yard. Officer Bolton had been contacted about the same deer the day before when he was a few blocks down the road and still mobile. The landowner was elderly and unable to dispose of the deer, so Jacobsen and Officer Nelson assisted in loading up and disposing of the deer.

Sick/Injured Deer 3: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a report of a deer with an injury to its front foot. The reporting party believed something was stuck on it, affecting the deer’s ability to walk. After inspecting the photos, Jacobsen confirmed that a foreign object was indeed wedged down on one of the deer’s hooves. Jacobsen will work with the reporting party to capture and assist the deer in the future, if possible.

Foreign object stuck on the deer’s hoof.

Sick/Injured Deer 4: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a report of a sick deer in a residential yard that likely needed to be euthanized. When Jacobsen arrived, the deer was already deceased. Interestingly, the deer had an abscess on its front leg that, according to the landowner, had been there and growing steadily for the past ten years. Jacobsen disposed of the carcass.

Deceased deer with injury/abscess to front leg.

Sick/Injured Deer 5: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a fawn in a landowner’s front yard that appeared sick. Jacobsen inspected the deer and determined that the fawn was alive but was unresponsive and had labored breathing. Jacobsen euthanized the fawn.

Elk Damage to Oats: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen met with a landowner in Glenwood regarding elk damage to forage oats. Approximately 30-100 head of elk (depending on the day) visit the various oat fields daily and have caused extensive damage. Jacobsen discussed the use of drones for hazing elk with the landowner. Jacobsen also coordinated with multiple Master Hunters to provide evening, nighttime, and early morning hazing activities to help keep the elk at bay. Thank you to the Master Hunter volunteers for their time, efforts, and support!

Elk running through the oat field after being hazed by a tractor.

Forage oat growth. — Forage oat growth in the portion of the field furthest away from timber where the elk have been hiding.

Poor oat production. — Poor oat production in the corner of the field where elk have been causing the most trampling and grazing damage.

Tree Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen met with a landowner in Klickitat County who had been incurring damage to dozens of pine trees on his property from some rodent species. More investigation is necessary to determine if the damage was caused by porcupines or Western gray squirrels.

Tree damage to a younger pine tree. — Tree damage to a younger pine tree not far off the ground.

Tree damage at the tops of a couple of trees. — Damage at the tops of a couple of trees.

Depredation Investigation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a report of a depredation on a domestic sheep in Clark County. The producer waited several days to report the dead sheep to WDFW, so the carcass was heavily scavenged and partially decomposed when Jacobsen arrived to investigate. After completing the investigation, Jacobsen ruled the mortality as an “unconfirmed cause of death.” Several pieces of evidence were present at the scene which suggested that the sheep died of causes other than depredation by wildlife, but this could not be confirmed.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Treating Noxious Weeds in Remote Areas. The Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area is comprised of 18 different units, each one hosting a unique variety of invasive and noxious weeds. Wildlife area staff members spend much of the spring, summer, and fall traveling to the different units attempting to address and treat the weeds at the various units, but some get little to no attention due to their remote locations and an inability of staff to access them, until now... A new boat was acquired by the Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area in June 2023. This boat will be immensely valuable in gaining access to units located in the Lewis and Columbia rivers, making it feasible for staff members to start tackling the weeds problems that exist there, as well as conduct regular monitoring and surveying of these sites. Manager Hauswald and Assistant Manager Risley have already visited the Nelson Unit once this summer and treated purple loosestrife.

Wildlife Area Manager Hauswald takes the helm of the new Mt. St. Helens boat.

beautiful weather at the Nelson Unit. — some beautiful weather made the task of finding purple loosestrife at the Nelson Unit enjoyable.

Technician Crane and Assistant Manager Risley got an early start and sprayed Scotch broom at the Mudflow Unit, covering approximately 200 acres by foot. The area traveled had been treated by Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) volunteers in 2022, but diligent survey of previously treated areas is necessary if the Scotch broom is to be kept suppressed. While treating the Scotch broom, this tansy ragwort was observed with several cinnabar moth caterpillars actively eating on the foliage. Tansy ragwort is another noxious weed present on the Mudflow and is particularly aggressive if left untreated. The cinnabar moth caterpillars are one of two biological control agents that are used in Washington State to control tansy ragwort. The help was much appreciated by wildlife area staff!

“We get by with a little help from our friends...” Cinnabar moth caterpillars actively and aggressively foraging on a tansy ragwort plant.

Providing Education and Outreach

Forest Youth Success Presentation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Captain Wickersham delivered a presentation to a group of youths involved in the Forest Youth Success Program regarding working in carnivore country. Forest Youth Success is a program run through the WSU Extension in Skamania County that employs young adults (ages 14-18) to assist with infrastructure and ecosystem management objectives on the south half of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Photo by WDFW

Underwood “Bear Aware” Presentation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Conflict Technician Kolenberg delivered a presentation to the community of Underwood in Skamania County regarding living with black bears. Roughly 30 people were in attendance.

Conflict Technician Kolenberg discussing bear identification.

Other

New Region 5 Assistant Wildlife Program Manager: We are very happy to welcome Daren Hauswald as the new Region 5 Assistant Wildlife Program Manager! Daren will be based out of the Ridgefield office and will start in his new role on Aug. 16, 2023.

Daren has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Environmental Science from Washington State University as well as completing several courses in Biology and Horticulture at Clark College. Daren has worked as the assistant manager (2006) and then the manager (2012) of the Mt. St. Helens and Shillapoo Wildlife Area Complex. His tenure at WDFW has been one of excellence as he has led his team and enhanced his wildlife areas with dedication and a very strong work ethic. Daren brings a comprehensive background to his new position and his extensive knowledge and experience will strongly benefit the Region 5 wildlife team. We look forward to partnering with Daren in his new role to provide leadership, support, and inspiration to our team. Daren enjoys the outdoors immensely whether its scaling Mt. St. Helens or spending early morning hours or late afternoons hunting and fishing. He is also a great cook and willingly shares the fruits of his harvest with his team.

Photo by WDFW

Read more about Biweekly report Jul16-31 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Biweekly report Jun16-30 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Year

2023

Dates

Jun16-30

Division/Region

Region 5 (Southwest)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

White-nose Syndrome Monitoring: Biologists Holman and Stephens collected bat guano at a known maternity colony site in Lewis County in order to have it tested for Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungus that is known to cause white-nose syndrome in bats.

Photo by WDFW

Bat Maternity Colony Counts: District 10 Biologists Holman and Stephens, along with Diversity Bat personnel and additional Region 5 staff members from Wildlife and Habitat programs, have conducted bat emergence counts at several maternity bat roosts in District 10. All of these roosts are in human made structures such as barns, homes, and sheds and these colonies have been reported by the landowners on WDFWs bat colony reporting form. WDFW biologists are grateful for landowners who take the time to report colonies and who allow us to come count bats on their property. Collectively, these partnerships are very meaningful for learning more about Washington’s bat populations. Two new colonies were counted this month, one of which had over 500 Yuma myotis and a second had over 1,000 bats which consisted of little brown bats, big brown bats, and Yuma myotis.

Biologist Smith sitting to count bats from a roof — Habitat Biologist Smith in position to count bats emerging from the roof of a barn.

Snowy Plover Survey: Biologist Stephens assisted Region 6 Wildlife staff members with a snowy plover survey on Midway Beach. The snowy plover is listed as endangered in Washington and is federally threatened. The survey went well with around 15 birds recorded, some of which were able to be individually identified by unique color band combinations.

Snowy plover through a lens — Snowy plover foraging.

Western Gray Squirrel Investigation: Biologist Holman teamed with U. S. Forest Service Biologist Jakubowski to investigate the location of the recovery of a western gray squirrel carcass outside of the species’ known home range in Washington. The western gray squirrel carcass was submitted to the U. S. Forest Service by a citizen squirrel savvy enough to recognize that it was a species outside of its traditional range and of conservation concern (State Threatened). The specimen was found in wet conifer dominated U. S. Forest Service managed lands in eastern Lewis County, at least 40 miles direct line distance from the nearest known populations in Klickitat County. The squirrel has been transferred to the University of Washington Burke Museum for safekeeping.

Holman and Jakubowski searched the area of the recovered squirrel for any signs of squirrel activity including locating nests, as well as listening and looking for western gray squirrels. Additionally, the duo set motion-activated cameras baited with nuts to see if more western gray squirrels might potentially be in the area. After approximately six weeks, the cameras only revealed Douglas squirrels, Jays, and bears taking advantage of the bait. The investigation will continue during the winter when food resources are more limited, and bears are hibernating.

A Douglas squirrel — Douglas squirrel taking advantage of the free food.

A bear digging food out of a camera trap — Bear digging peanuts out of the camera trap site.

South Cascades Fisher Survey: In May and June, Biologists Wickhem and Bergh, and Technician Motiff with the help of Volunteers Hanley and Flick, removed 13 fisher monitoring stations that were deployed back in October and November 2022. The stations are made up of a PVC “scent dispenser” bolted to a tree that regularly drips very stinky lure onto a cow femur (bolted to the tree below the dispenser). A motion-detection trail camera is placed on an adjacent tree facing the station to catch any critter that comes to check out the smelly set-up. In all, there were 107 of these stations deployed in the Southern Cascades between the Columbia River and Snoqualmie Pass by WDFW personnel and partners from Department of Natural Resource, U. S. Forest Service, U. S. National Park Service, Woodland Park Zoo, Conservation Northwest, and Muckleshoot and Puyallup tribes. The stations retrieved by District 9 staff members were located in Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat counties, primarily deployed within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest or on adjacent Washington Department of Natural Resources land. Of the 13 stations collected, one camera was stolen, one camera malfunctioned, and three stations captured fishers. As usual, the cameras also collected images of many other forest critters including tree squirrels, flying squirrels, birds, rabbits, weasels, coyotes, bobcats, cougars, bears, deer, and elk. The station equipment is placed in the trees at least ten feet up from the ground, and one station north-west of Carson experienced snow deep enough to nearly cover both the dispenser and the camera. We are excited to hear the results from the 94 stations and wish our counterparts in the North Cascades good fisher luck when they deploy their stations this fall.

A camera trap — Bobcat enjoying the stinky ground.

A bear trying to steal a bone — Black bear trying to steal our lure bone.

A fisher on a tree — Christmas Eve fisher.

Station 1192 buried in snow — Station 1192 completely buried in snow.

Technician Motiff and Wickhem — Technician Motiff and Biologist Wickhem picking up fisher stations in their snazzy fisher hats.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Cougar Kitten Capture: Wildlife Conflict Technician Kolenberg received a phone call on Friday, June 23 about a cougar kitten that began to show up on a resident's trail camera in Kalama. The individual believed that the cougar’s mother may have been killed a week and a half earlier in a depredation incident on a neighboring property. Technician Kolenberg followed up with the individual who was involved with the depredation incident and confirmed that the female was lactating at the time of the depredation. Technician Kolenberg conferred with Specialist Jacobsen and Carnivore Specialist Beausoleil and decided setting traps was our best option for the cougar kitten. Technician Kolenberg and the resident set three traps and spent some time calling for the cougar kitten on Friday afternoon. Over the weekend the resident provided updates and informed Wildlife Conflict Technician Kolenberg that on Saturday night a neighbor spotted two cougar kittens. On Monday evening, the resident called Technician Kolenberg alerting him that he and his neighbors had caught one kitten, and were in the process of capturing another. Technician Kolenberg arrived at the scene just around sunset and assisted with the capture of the second cougar kitten. It was a whole neighborhood effort as up to ten neighbors on the block were out assisting in this incident. Technician Kolenberg brought the two kittens back to Ridgefield and then transferred them to Specialist Jacobsen, who transferred them to Specialist Beausoleil in Toppenish. Specialist Beausoleil will keep staff members updated on what the future holds for these cougar kittens. Huge thanks to the neighborhood in Kalama that spent the time checking traps and assisting with the capture and welfare of the cougar kittens, as well as Specialist Jacobsen and Specialist Beausoleil for the guidance!

A cage trap being deployed. — Technician Kolenberg and one of the residents of this neighborhood setting a cage trap.

Technician Kolenberg with a trapped cougar kitten — Technician Kolenberg with a cougar kitten.

A group picture of the neighbors — All the neighbors were such a huge help! Super thankful for the time and assistance that they provided.

Cougar kitten caught in a cage trap — One of the captured cougar kittens in Kalama.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Removal of Derelict Fences on the Klickitat Wildlife Area: Master Hunter Volunteer Rudberg came to the Klickitat Wildlife Area to help Assistant Manager Hunt pack out spools of barbed wire that were cached in various remote locations from this year’s previous fence removal projects. The Klickitat Wildlife Area has several old fence lines that are no longer needed or maintained. These fences present unnecessary obstacles and can entangle the feet of animals and people, so it is best to remove them. Master Hunter Rudberg and Assistant Manager Hunt spent a full day packing out barbed wire and disposing of it at the Goldendale Transfer Station. Assistant Manager Hunt appreciated Master Hunter Rudberg’s dedication, resilience, and positive attitude during a tough day of off-trail hiking and hot summer temperatures.

Master Hunter Volunteer Rudberg with a truck full of barbed wire — Master Hunter Volunteer Rudberg assisting with packing out barbed wire.

Read more about Biweekly report Jun16-30 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Biweekly report Jun1-15 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Year

2023

Dates

Jun1-15

Division/Region

Region 5 (Southwest)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Blue Mountain Elk Captures: Biologists Holman traveled to southeastern Washington to assist District 3 and Game Division staff with calf elk captures in the Blue Mountains. The neonate elk are being studied to better understand the dynamics behind declining elk populations in the Blues. The work involves traveling to spotting locations on high ground early in the morning, spotting cow elk, locating their calves, watching until the calves bed, traversing to the exact location of the calf which is often one to two miles in the distance, hand capturing the calf, installing a GPS/VHF collar and taking biological measurements, then releasing the calf. The young elk are strongly precocial and are very capable of escaping capture when they reach no more than a few days of age.

Many individuals participated in the effort. These included University of Idaho Associate Professor Christensen, University of Idaho Student Interns Sam and Adan, WDFW biologists, researchers, and wildlife area managers from other parts of the state, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Biologist Kruenegel, along with others. A special guest and participant in the effort within GMU 175 (Lick Creek), was Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Anderson who spent two full days applying his field skills and energy to the project.

Thanks to District Biologist Wik and Ungulate Specialist Moore for their organization and dedication to the success of this project. Finally, special thanks and appreciation to Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Anderson for his willingness to spend long hours in the field with staff members, discussing the complexities of wildlife management, and sharing his stories of a lifetime of involvement in the management of Washington’s natural resources.

Elk calves spotted through a scope — There are 13 elk calves, and several adult females, in this image taken through a spotting scope from approximately one and a half miles distance, they are all too big to catch by hand.

A captured elk calf — Female elk calf at less than one day of age and just over 13 kilograms.

Three people with a captured elk calf — USFWS Biologist Kruenegel along with University of Idaho Student Interns Sam and Adan with a 19 kilogram male calf, he’s two to three days old.

Holman with an elk calf — Biologist Holman about to release a 21 kilogram male calf. The elk is approximately four days old.

Anderson looking for elk behind in scope — Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Anderson glassing for elk calves and mapping their locations in GMU 175 (Lick Creek).

Catching Turtle Hatchlings for Headstarting: For several days over the last two months, Biologists Wickhem and Bergh and Technician Motiff have dedicated a significant amount of time to catching hatchling northwestern pond turtles at a site in Klickitat County. The hatchlings were sent to the Oregon Zoo in Portland where they will grow in the safety of captivity during their most vulnerable life stage. Next spring, they will be released back into their native habitat at a size that allows them to escape predation more easily. Northwestern pond turtles are state endangered and unfortunately in the wild, hatchlings are often eaten by American bullfrogs and other non-native predators. The headstart program is one tool WDFW and partners are using to aid in the recovery of pond turtle populations in Washington. For more information on the headstart program, please visit the Oregon Zoo’s website.

A field of low-water aquatic vegetation — Low water and flourishing aquatic vegetation in the turtle ponds made hatchling-catching especially difficult this spring.

Sandhill Crane Monitoring: Biologist Bergh and Technician Motiff joined a landowner for a sandhill crane survey. The group spotted what looked to be a nesting crane and Technician Motiff came back the following day and confirmed the nest by observing a nest exchange (where the adults switch and take turns incubating the nest). Biologist Bergh and the landowner went out a month later to attempt to find the nest after the eggs should have hatched. When they neared where the nest should be they bumped into an adult crane. The crane then tried to get them to follow it. It was likely trying to protect a nearby colt, a newly hatched sandhill crane, but the landowner will be on the lookout to see if a colt is observed.

A field with a sandhill crane — Adult sandhill crane attempting to distract and lure the two humans away from a potential colt.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area: Over two days, volunteers from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the WDFW Master Hunter Program put in a solid 400 hours of labor to remove Scotch broom across 230 acres and cage 150 native trees and shrubs on the Mudflow Unit of the Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area. The efforts of these volunteers over the past several years has resulted in a significant reduction of Scotch broom on the Mudflow, greatly improving habitat for elk and other species of wildlife that utilize the Wildlife Area. Their efforts and dedication are greatly appreciated, not only by the Wildlife Program, but by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as a whole.

A field of scotch broom — A group of volunteers “dig in” to cut down a large patch of mature Scotch broom.

Bluebird Nest Box Survey: The bluebird nest boxes on the Soda Springs Unit were surveyed for occupancy. Most of the boxes were being used by western bluebirds, but other birds were present in some of them. Of the 26 serviceable boxes, 12 were occupied by bluebirds, two were occupied by tree swallows, two were being used by violet-green swallows, three contained mountain chickadee nests, and seven boxes were unused. All the nest boxes are located along the Grayback and Sheep Canyon roads or along the Glenwood Highway, where they can be observed by visitors to the Klickitat Wildlife Area.

Seasonal Burn Ban in Effect at Leidl Park, Stinson Flat, Mineral Springs, and Turkey Hole Campgrounds: On June 5, Klickitat County implemented a seasonal burn ban for the part of the county identified as Zone 2. The campgrounds along the Klickitat River follow the county’s Zone 2 burn ban schedule, and signs were posted to advise visitors of the seasonal restriction on campfires.

Read more about Biweekly report Jun1-15 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Biweekly report May16-31 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Year

2023

Dates

May16-31

Division/Region

Region 5 (Southwest)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

District 9 Sooty Grouse Surveys: Biologists Wickhem and Bergh each drove a different survey route for sooty grouse this month. The surveyor begins a half hour before sunrise and makes a stop every half mile to listen for hooting male sooty grouse. The goal is to perform at least 300 listening stops within each of the Western Washington grouse zones (North Puget Sound, Olympics, and Southwest), with biologists all over Western Washington participating in these surveys. With a sampling rate of 300 stops, we should be able to detect changes in sooty grouse populations, which have not been previously studied in Washington State despite being a popular game species. On their respective routes, Wickhem heard two males sootys, saw one female sooty, and heard two ruffed grouse while Bergh heard one ruffed grouse. Big thanks to District 10 for covering a few District 9 routes and we look forward to learning more about our sooty grouse populations.

A sooty grouse on the road. — Female sooty grouse on the road and after she flushed into a tree.

A sooty grouse perched in a tree. — A male began hooting at her shortly after she perched in the tree.

A view of Silver Star Mountain. — Snow covered Silver Star Mountain seen from the survey route.

District 10 Sooty Grouse Surveys: Western Washington WDFW Wildlife Biologists are 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 male sooty grouse during the early morning hours. The survey method is borrowed from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as well as 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. To date, Biologists Stephens and Holman along with Conflict Specialist Aubrey and Cowlitz Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Steveson have completed eight survey routes and done repeat surveys on three of these.

A sooty grouse. — Sooty grouse on industrial forestland in Game Management Unit 550.

Townsend’s Ground Squirrel Surveys: During April and May, Technician Motiff and Biologists Wickhem and Bergh conducted Townsend’s ground squirrel (TGS) surveys in Eastern Klickitat County. TGS are considered a species of greatest conservation need and a priority species by WDFW and their distribution is not well known in Klickitat County, with only a few historical points currently in our database. The trio, with the help of Habitat Biologists Ritter and Downes, were able to dig up environmental survey reports from several wind companies that were conducted in the mid-2000s, most of which had reports of finding TGS. Approximately 160 previously unknown (to WDFW) TGS locations were gathered from these reports, and the team was able to obtain landowner permission and survey 130 of those locations. Unfortunately, TGS presence was confirmed at only seven of those points, but that is still six more TGS colonies than were known to exist in Klickitat County before surveys began. The team looks forward to future TGS surveys and finding more of these elusive critters.

Photo by WDFW

A close up to a ground squirrel burrows entrance. — Active Townsend’s ground squirrel burrows.

Ground squirrel scat. — Townsend’s ground squirrel scat.

A ground squirrel in the distance. — A squirrel.

Headstart Turtle Notching: Biologist Wickhem and Technician Motiff visited the headstarted northwestern pond turtles at the Oregon Zoo this week. The turtles were brought to the zoo as hatchlings in May 2022. Under the care of zoo staff, they can grow larger in a safe setting and be released back into their natural habitat at a size that allows them to more easily avoid predators. Wickhem and Motiff assigned these headstarted turtles identification numbers and put notches in their shell scutes using a triangle file. These notches do not harm the turtles and will help staff identify these individuals the next time they are captured in the field. Wickhem and Motiff also took weights, shell measurements, and checked tags on all the headstarts. These turtles will be released at a site in Skamania County in late May.

Motiff filing notches into a turtle's shell. — Technician Motiff files notches into a turtle’s shell for identification purposes.

Klickitat Mule Deer Mortality Investigation: Biologist Wickhem investigated two collared deer mortalities in the second half of May. For the first, Wickhem and Yakama Nation Wildlife Technician Heemsah responded to a mortality signal from a collared mule deer doe that died on the Yakama Reservation. Unfortunately, when the pair arrived it appeared the doe had been dead for several days and all they could find was the collar, one ear tag, a bunch of deer hair, and a few bone fragments, making it impossible to determine the cause of death.

For the second deer, the collar began sending the signal over the long holiday weekend. After looking at its most recent GPS locations, it appeared the deer had not moved for several weeks. To reach the carcass, Wickhem side-hilled through poison oak in a side canyon of the Klickitat River and had the assistance of at least 12 ticks on her journey. Despite being dead for a significant period of time, what was left of the carcass (bones and leathery skin) was still partially buried in a cache, and an old drag mark and feline scat were found nearby, so the doe was likely killed by a cougar. These deer are part of a four-year study being conducted throughout Game Management Unit (GMU) 388 and GMU 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 the GMUs for this effort. Twenty collars were deployed in the winter of 2022 and 23 were deployed in the winter of 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.

A Yakama Indian Reservation sign. — Crossing onto the Yakama Nation Reservation.

Deer hair scattered around disturbed ground. — Deer hair scattered around disturbed ground where the deer was consumed by scavengers.

Remains of a mule deer. — The remains of mule deer 510, partially buried under an oak tree.

Bat Guano Collection: In mid-April, Biologist Wickhem installed bat guano collection trays at a residence in Washougal that has numerous well-used bat boxes. Using a new technique, biologists can test fresh guano for Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome. This method has proven to be effective, and collection does not disturb the bats, which can be a problem with some other sampling methods. In mid-May, Biologist Wickhem and Technician Motiff returned to the residence to collect the guano and remove the collection trays. The guano will be frozen and sent to the lab for testing.

A guano collection tray. — Guano collection trays (painter’s trays) installed below a bat rocketbox.

Turtle Barrier Construction: WDFW staff members, Master Hunter volunteers, and Underwood Conservation District staff members worked on construction of a barrier designed to prevent turtles from crossing a paved road with a 50-miles per hour speed limit. The project is on private land and was funded by WDFW as well as the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program. A trencher was used to dig a trench and hardware cloth was partially buried underground. Above ground, it was attached to U posts and included a “lip” at the top to prevent turtles from crawling over it on the side that would lead them to the road, but will allow them to crawl up and over and jump down on the side next to the road.

Several employees installing a turtle fence. — Turtle barrier fence construction.

Turtle Releases: Two different groups of northwestern pond turtles were released back into their ponds this week. One group of mainly adult female turtles was captured last August, received treatment for shell disease at the Oregon Zoo and PAWS last fall, and spent the winter rehabilitating at Larch Correctional Center. These turtles were assessed by the Oregon Zoo veterinarian to be ready for release and were returned to their ponds with the help of the Sustainability in Prisons Program turtle coordinator. The second group of turtles released this week were captured last May as hatchlings (about the size of a silver dollar coin) and sent to the Oregon Zoo to be headstarted to a size that can help them avoid predation by non-native bullfrogs. Normally these turtles would hibernate over the winter, but instead are cared for by the zoo. Video can be seen here.

Zoo apprenticeship program team releasing turtles. — One of the zoo apprenticeship program team members releases a headstarted turtle while the zoo photographer gets a good action shot.

Bat Exclusion and Bat House Placement: Biologists Holman and Stephens attempted to exclude bats from a shop used by Wildlife and Enforcement programs. In addition to the entrance of choice used by the bats, a bat house was mounted on the same side of the shop. Over the past couple of years, bats have been using the shop as a night roost in the summer months and the guano has made a mess on the equipment stored inside. Biologists are hopeful that the bats will find the new home to be a satisfactory replacement.

A bat house on the side of a building. — New bat house on the side of a WDFW shop. This four-chambered bat house can accommodate 300-400 bats depending on the species.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Memorial Day Weekend on the Klickitat Wildlife Area: Wildlife Area Manager VanLeuven and Assistant Manager Hunt visited with campers on the Soda Springs Unit on May 27 to provide information and check on compliance with rules. Surprisingly few people were recreating on the wildlife area compared to previous years. Reminders were given to people who did not have Discover Passes for their vehicles. Assistant Manager Hunt found evidence that someone has driven a motor vehicle into a nonmotorized assess area which has become a persistent problem recently. She also observed a camp that had an open fire in violation of the seasonal ban on campfires.

Klickitat Wildlife Area Soda Springs Unit Road Maintenance: WDFW’s road maintenance crew worked on the Klickitat Wildlife Area Soda Springs Unit, grading and adding rock to the surface of two main roads. Rain on the next day helped to settle the rock in place. They will work on the wildlife area for about one more week before they move on.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Cougar Depredation on Goat: A concerned landowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen to report a cougar depredation on his goat in Clark County. Unfortunately, the landowner waited several days to report the incident and had already disposed of his goat. Jacobsen provided advice on securing the landowner’s remaining goats in an enclosed night pen, setting up additional deterrent measures, and asked the landowner to call back if the cougar was observed again.

Residential Deer Damage: A homeowner contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen to complain about deer damage to his ornamental plants around his residence. The homeowner’s neighbors have been feeding the deer which was contributing to the problem. Jacobsen provided resources to the homeowner about deterring deer damage and how deer feeding is detrimental to deer. The homeowner plans to distribute that information to his neighbors and speak to the community council about the issue.

Farm Visit: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen followed up with a landowner who had captured a bobcat on camera near her livestock. Jacobsen performed a site visit and provided advice to the landowner on how to better secure her abundant livestock from cougars, bears, and bobcats.

Goats in a pen. — Goats at the residence, lacking a secure night pen.

Unsecured rabbit, poultry, and livestock feed. — Unsecured rabbit, poultry, and livestock feed at the residence.

Deer Damage to Vineyard and Chestnut Trees: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Technician Kolenberg met with two neighboring landowners who have been experiencing deer damage to vineyards and to a new planting of chestnut trees. Cooperative fencing projects were discussed.

Deer Damage to Cherry Orchard: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen was contacted by an orchard owner regarding deer damage to newly planted cherry seedlings. The owner recently invested $40,000 in new seedlings as part of his larger orchard. Jacobsen met with the landowner and will enroll the landowner in a Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement. Several deterrent measures were discussed and a cooperative deer fencing project may also be in the landowner’s future.

Bear Conflicts: Over the last several weeks, Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Technician Kolenberg have fielded and responded to dozens of bear conflict calls. Jacobsen has been noticing an increase in the frequency of “bear in chicken coop” calls compared to previous years, which may likely be due to an increase in the number of rural and suburban residents keeping unsecured chickens in their yards. While initially problematic, the vast majority of bear-chicken coop conflicts can be easily solved by changing how chicken feed is stored and by adding a few strands of electric fencing to existing chicken coops. Additional bear calls included scenarios related to bears accessing garbage, bird food, and outdoor grills. In all instances, Jacobsen and Technician Kolenberg provided advice on bear biology, securing additional attractants, and on proper and effective means of installing electric fencing.

Photo by WDFW

Bear on the edge of a yard. — Bear on the edges of a residential yard.

A bear on the edge of a yard. — Bear on the edge of another residential yard.

A chicken coop damaged by a bear. — Chicken coop recently damaged by a bear attempting to access stored chicken feed. The damage has since been repaired.

Jacobsen speaking to the landowner. — Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen discussing chicken coop security with a landowner.

A bear investigating a porch. — Bear investigating an outdoor grill on a porch.

An outdoor refrigerator damaged by a bear. — Bear damage to an outdoor refrigerator.

Photo by WDFW

Snake Concerns: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen fielded a phone call from a landowner who was concerned about a snake in her yard. The landowner believed that the snake was a western diamondback rattlesnake. The landowner sent a photo of the snake to Jacobsen, who confirmed it to be a Pacific gopher snake, also known as a “bull snake”. Jacobsen provided advice on living with snakes.

Livestock Carcass Disposal: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen hauled deceased livestock carcasses from cattle operations to the local landfill to help prevent scavenging by wolves near live cattle.

Injured Osprey: A concerned citizen brought an injured osprey to Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen’s residence after she picked it up off the side of Highway 14 in Klickitat County. Jacobsen assessed the osprey and determined that the extent of its injuries was too great to make it a candidate for rehabilitation. Jacobsen euthanized the osprey.

Fawn Kidnapping: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded after-hours on Memorial Day weekend to a report of a fawn that was picked up from alongside a road by a citizen, separated from its mother and sibling, and dropped off with a random person roughly 20 miles away. Jacobsen, along with Officers Myers and Way, spent a considerable amount of time trying to locate the original “fawnnapper” to determine where the fawn came from. The “fawnnapper” was too intoxicated at that point to drive to the location where he picked it up that morning, so he provided a rough description to Jacobsen of the location over the phone. Once the fawn’s origin location was determined, Jacobsen drove to the residence where the fawn was being held and took possession of the fawn. Jacobsen released the fawn in the approximate location where it was stolen from. The fawn’s chances of survival were low, given the amount of time that had elapsed from when it was stolen. Had Jacobsen not been able to determine the location where the fawn was stolen from, he would have had to euthanize the otherwise healthy fawn. There are currently no rehabilitation options for fawns in Klickitat County, which is one of the reasons why it is critical for citizens (regardless of what county they are in) to report their concerns to WDFW rather than attempting to help a fawn on their own by picking it up.

A newborn fawn struggling to stand up. — Newborn fawn struggling to stand on a slippery hardwood floor where it was being kept.

Jacobsen holding a fawn. — Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen taking possession of the young fawn.

Injured Bald Eagle in Kelso: Wildlife Conflict Technician Kolenberg responded to a report of an injured bald eagle in the reporting party’s yard off Rose Valley Road in Kelso. Kolenberg caught and secured the eagle. He transported the eagle to a rehabilitator.

Black Bear and Beehives in Southeast Chehalis: Over the past few weeks, there have been reports of a black bear getting into garbage and birdfeeders in southeast Chehalis. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey and Technician Kolenberg coordinated to visit the neighborhood where the bear damage was being reported. Technician Kolenberg knocked on doors and handed out literature pertaining to securing food attractants and living in bear country. Technician Kolenberg talked to nine homeowners. The next day, a report came in about a bear damaging two beehives in a nearby neighborhood. Technician Kolenberg responded to the homeowner and loaned and installed an electric net fence to protect the beehives temporarily until a permanent electric fence could be installed. Technician Kolenberg enjoyed his time installing the electric fence and talking to the homeowners' kids and grandchildren about living in bear country.

A beehive with portable electric fencing. — Beehives with portable electric fencing installed to protect from black bear in southeast Chehalis.

Deer Agricultural Damage in West Chehalis: Since April, Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey and Technician Kolenberg have been working with a landowner with deer damage to his grain crop. Conflict Specialist Aubrey provided landowner cracker shells to help haze deer out of the grain fields. Kolenberg loaned and installed the propane cannon adjacent to the grain field to haze the deer. Kolenberg checked in with the landowner over the course of a few weeks and picked up the propane cannon. The landowner said he did not need it anymore, and it was successful in keeping the deer away until his crop grew taller. The landowner said he was able to save 80% of his crop and was very thankful for our help.

Photo by WDFW

A hazing device for deer. — Landowner was able to save 80% of his grain crop from deer damage after hazing devices were deployed by Conflict Specialist Aubrey and Technician Kolenberg.

Injured Eagle: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey responded to a report of an injured bald eagle in Lewis County. After arriving at the reported location, Aubrey spotted the eagle on the adjacent property. The eagle was captured and observed to be blind in one eye. The eagle was taken to a rehabilitator for further evaluation.

“Fawnapping” Part II: Wildlife Conflict Technician Kolenberg responded to a call from the Cowlitz County Humane Society in Longview regarding a deer fawn that was dropped off. This call was almost identical to Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen’s deer fawn call later that day! The Humane Society reported that the deer fawn was dropped off that morning by an individual who appeared to be intoxicated. The person did not tell the staff where they found the deer and left the scene. Technician Kolenberg picked up the deer and had to euthanize it since no location was given where it was initially taken, and deer cannot be moved across regional boundaries.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Tour of Soda Springs Unit of the Klickitat Wildlife Area Forest Health Enhancement Project Units 4 through 9: WDFW Forester Mize led a tour of the planned timber thinning project area on the Soda Springs Unit. The tour was attended by representatives from the Yakama Nation Natural Resources Division, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Natural Resources, archaeologists from WDFW and the Yakama Nation, Forest Management Team Lead Richard Tveten, WDFW Forester Lauffer, and Klickitat Wildlife Area management staff. The tour began with a walk through one of the units thinned in 2018 so the group could see the results of that work five years after the treatment. Next, the group moved to Unit 4, which is one of the units to be thinned in fall 2023. This unit has a varied forest composition including some large legacy trees and old snags interspersed with oak woodlands. The areas of pure oak woodland are excluded from the thinning project. The group moved on to Unit 7, which is on a drier site and features smaller conifers mixed with oak. All the units are occupied by western gray squirrels, and the nest trees have been marked for retention along with a 25-foot diameter no-cut buffer around the nest trees to protect the most important habitat for squirrels. Units 1, 2, and 3 were thinned according to the same prescription in 2018, and the success of that work demonstrated the utility of the treatment in achieving the desired results.

Seasonal Burn Ban in Effect: On May 15, the seasonal ban on open fires went into effect on the Klickitat Wildlife Area. This annual ban is a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of fire escapement and uncontrolled wildfire. It extends from May 15 through Oct. 31. The exceptions to this burn ban interval are the Leidl Park, Stinson Flat, Mineral Springs, and Turkey Hole campgrounds along the Klickitat River, which are on the same burn ban schedule as Klickitat County Zone 2. The burn ban for Zone 2 begins on June 5 this year.

Klickitat Wildlife Area Master Hunter Volunteer Project: Three volunteers from the Master Hunter Program came to the Klickitat Wildlife Area to remove old, derelict fences on the Soda Springs Unit this week. These old fences are no longer needed or maintained and can pose a hazard to wildlife, so taking down the strands of barbed wire is an ongoing priority for the wildlife area. Assistant Manager Hunt scheduled two days of work and volunteers Ailanjian, Afflerbaugh, and Strange signed up for both days. The first day they worked near Old Headquarters and the Soda Springs Road to pull out 540 yards of wire, and on the second day they worked near the east property line south of the Soda Springs Road to pull out another 1,220 yards of three-strand fencing. All together this group removed a mile of old fencing. Wildlife Area Manager VanLeuven and Assistant Manager Hunt greatly appreciate the good work done by these gentlemen.

A master hunter pulling a fence. — Master hunter volunteers pulling old fence wire.

Private Lands Access Program Clean-up: Private Lands Biologist Gray organized the removal and site clean-up of an abandoned boat located at a property enrolled in the Private Lands Access Program. Department of Ecology helped to fund the clean-up effort and staff assistance was provided as a benefit of program enrollment. The landowner was pleased with the outcome.

An abandoned boat being removed. — Towing company loading up the abandon boat for removal.

Providing Education and Outreach

Agriculture and Forestry Presentation: Biologist Holman gave a presentation to “Class 44” of the Natural Resources Professional Group AgForestry at their triannual gathering in Cowlitz County. The title of the presentation was “Mt. St. Helens Elk 1980-2020, Relationships Among Forest Succession, Elk Habitat, Productivity and Disease”. Thanks to AgForestry for incorporating wildlife management into their natural resource leadership curriculum and inviting WDFW to present.

Threatened and Endangered Species Presentation: Biologist Stephens and Fisheries Biologist Olk gave a presentation to approximately 80 4^th grade students at Chinook Elementary School in Vancouver. The presentation centered on Washington State Threatened and Endangered Species, what threats cause species populations to decline, and how wildlife researchers and managers work to recover these species. The presentation kicked off a new learning module for the students and they had many great questions. Chinook Elementary will be sharing their final projects with WDFW.

Read more about Biweekly report May16-31 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Biweekly report May1-15 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Year

2023

Dates

May1-15

Division/Region

Region 5 (Southwest)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Banding Pigeons: In a game of Hurry Up and Wait, Wildlife Area Manager Hauswald and Assistant Manager Risley banded eight band-tailed pigeons near Woodland, Washington. The Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeon is managed as a migratory game bird in Washington. Its population is low for several reasons, but habitat loss is a significant contributing factor. Relocation of these banded pigeons may help Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) biologists identify important locations that can be added to a growing list of sites for monitoring along coastal and interior portions of Washington. Relocation data can also be used to learn more about migration timing, as well as winter use areas.

Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Risley clamps a band around the leg of an adult band-tailed pigeon.

Within minutes of being captured, the pigeons are released, unharmed, and sporting a new “accessory”.

Annual Mule Deer Meeting: Biologists Bergh and Wickhem attended the annual meeting for WDFW staff members who manage mule deer. The group discussed survey methodology and potential improvements, data management and improvements, disease, migration research, and habitat work.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Black Bear Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received multiple reports of a black bear breaking into sheds and chicken coops in a western Skamania County neighborhood. The bear recently consumed eight chickens in one coop. Jacobsen and Conflict Technician Kolenberg conducted a site visit to examine the damage and to determine what actions were necessary. Based on the nature of the incidents and time of year, Jacobsen decided to set a trap for the bear. Jacobsen and Kolenberg provided advice on securing attractants and electrifying chicken coops to the landowner. Trail camera surveillance and an empty trap indicated that the bear had not been back to the area over the following week, and the trap was pulled from the residence. Jacobsen received a report the next week of the bear raiding garbage cans, on garbage collection day, roughly one mile away. Jacobsen and Kolenberg will continue to monitor the situation and respond to any additional reports that come in from this area.

Chicken coop ripped apart by a bear. A plywood patch sheet now partially covers the hole that the bear created to enter the coop.

Bear trap deployed at a residence incurring damage from a black bear.

Raccoon Assistance: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a nearby residence in Klickitat County where a raccoon was caught in a live animal trap. The homeowner was attempting to catch feral cats but accidentally caught a raccoon instead. The elderly homeowner was not familiar with handling wildlife and, due to her concern of being bitten, requested WDFW’s assistance to release the raccoon. Jacobsen arrived at the residence and demonstrated to the homeowner how to release the raccoon from the trap so that she could do it herself in the future should the situation arise again. The homeowner, as well as the distraught raccoon, was very appreciative of the assistance.

Raccoon in a live trap just prior to release.

Bear Complaint: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen provided advice over the phone to a landowner who was watching a black bear in her yard from her house window. The landowner was concerned about the bear presence in the area. The landowner was able to successfully scare the bear away with a siren sound on her phone. After discussing the incident with the landowner, Jacobsen found out that the bear had previously discovered bird feeders at the residence and had helped itself to the bounty. The landowner had since secured her attractants, but the bear apparently came back to see if bird food was on the menu that day.

Black bear searching for bird feed. Photo provided by the landowner. — Black bear searching for bird feed.

Injured Bobcat: A motorist was driving through Klickitat County when she observed an injured bobcat along the side of the road near a popular hiking trail. She contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, who happened to be 15 minutes away at the time of the report. Jacobsen responded to the scene. Despite the fact that the bobcat didn’t even try to move when the motorist photographed it a short while earlier, it was no longer at the scene when Jacobsen arrived. Jacobsen searched on foot but was unsuccessful. Given the proximity to the popular hiking trail, which is advertised as a dog-friendly trail and is heavily used by two and four-legged recreationists, Jacobsen requested a local houndsman assist in locating the bobcat in the hopes that it could be immobilized, captured, and transferred to a rehabilitation clinic. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the houndsman was not able to locate the bobcat either, which likely means the bobcat was still fairly mobile and likely to recover from its injuries.

Injured Bald Eagle: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen received a phone call from a concerned citizen who had found an injured bald eagle. The eagle was in a grassy field at Beacon Rock State Park. Jacobsen responded to the location with Ranger Yeats and the reporting party. Jacobsen was able to successfully capture the eagle and transfer it to the Rowena Wildlife Clinic where its condition was assessed. The eagle turned out to be slightly emaciated and had an injury under one of its wings. It is now receiving treatment and is recovering at the rehabilitation clinic in Oregon.

Capture and Release of Elk with Portions of a Hammock Entangled in His Antlers: Biologists Stephens and Holman teamed up to capture an elk with portions of a hammock entangled in his antlers. The subject elk spends most of his time within the city limits of Packwood and first became entangled with the hammock in October 2022. At that time, Conflict Specialist Aubrey evaluated the elk and discussed its situation with district wildlife biologists. Consensus at that time was that since the animal could eat, move, and drink and because it was post-rut, the elk would both survive and be unlikely to become entangled with another bull. Furthermore, the situation would likely resolve itself without WDFW intervention when the bull shed his antlers during the following spring.

The elk subsequently survived several months. During that time, the elk generated a lot of interest among the citizens of eastern Lewis County. Media coverage including Tacoma and Centralia newspapers as well as Seattle’s King 5 News all ran stories on the elk. Thanks to Conflict Specialist Aubrey for fielding the many public contacts regarding this animal.

On approximately April 23, the bull shed his antlers but failed to free himself from the entangling material. District 10 staff members discussed the situation again and decided that a capture attempt was warranted. On May 2, Biologists Stephens and Holman successfully captured the elk, removed the entangled material, treated the underlying tissue for infection, and released the elk on site.

WDFW posted the story on Facebook.

Biologist Holman preparing to remove the entangled material.

Biologist Stephens ready to reverse the immobilization chemicals.

The elk post-capture and freed from the entanglement.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Planting Peas for Wildlife: Wildlife Area Manager Hauswald and Assistant Manager Risley planted an estimated eight acres of peas at the Shillapoo Wildlife Area. Peas are popular with migrating waterfowl in the fall and winter months, specifically Canada and snow geese. Once the peas have grown, matured, and dried, the peas are then “shattered” making them an attractive and accessible snack for the migrators.

View of pea planting operations from the tractor driver’s seat.

Removing Garbage from Access Program Land in Klickitat County: Private Lands Biologist Gray visited one of the WDFW Private Lands Access Program sites popular during the wild turkey hunting season to engage with hunters and get feedback on the program. While there, Gray stopped to drag large pieces of metal trash off the property and hauled them to the dump station to keep the property maintained.

Private Lands Access Program site clean-up effort.

Providing Education and Outreach

Program Presentation in Cowlitz County: Private Lands Biologist Gray attended the combined annual meeting of the Cowlitz Farm and Forestry Association and the Cowlitz Conservation District as a speaker at the event. She gave a presentation about the WDFW Private Lands Access Program to an audience of 50 farmland and small forest landowners regarding how the program could help fit the goals of their land.

Bear and Cougar Mailers: Every year, Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen maps bear and cougar complaints throughout District 9 to help determine priority areas for education and outreach efforts. Last year, the White Salmon area was a source of abundant bear complaints. This spring, Jacobsen sent out a targeted bear/cougar mailer to the region. Thanks to tremendous help of the Region 5 Customer Service team and Conflict Technician Kolenberg in preparing the mailers. The mailer effort was able to reach over 3,400 residents of the greater White Salmon area. Hopefully these efforts will lead to reduced bear and cougar conflicts in the future!

Outreach mail routes for the bear/cougar mailer in Klickitat County.

Conflict Technician Kolenberg with the 3,400 mailers at the White Salmon Post Office.

Wild About Nature 10 Series: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Conflict Technician Kolenberg delivered presentations at the 10^th annual Wild About Nature speaker series in White Salmon. Conflict Technician Kolenberg’s presentation focused on historic wildlife and landscape accounts of the Columbia River Gorge area pre-European settlement. Jacobsen’s presentation focused on observing wildlife with trail cameras. Roughly 55 members of the public were in attendance and the presentations were well received.

10th annual Wild About Nature presentation.

Photo by WDFW

Highlights from the two Wild About Nature presentations.

Photo by WDFW

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Immobilization Certification Course: Several Wildlife Program staff members from Region 5 attended WDFW Wildlife Immobilization and Capture courses held in Olympia and Ellensburg this week. This course is required for wildlife staff members every five years.

Read more about Biweekly report May1-15 2023 - Region 5 (Southwest)

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