Managing Wildlife Populations

Lynx Monitoring: Wildlife Biologists Prince and Turnock participated in two meetings about lynx monitoring in the Kettle Mountains of northeast Washington. A large effort for monitoring lynx occupancy and snowshoe hare abundance (still in the works) within the Kettles may begin this summer depending on funding and staff availability. Entities involved include the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, U.S. Forest Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington State University, and Conservation Northwest.  

Elk Damage: Natural Resource Technician Nizer and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris met with two producers in northeast Whitman County that were having elk damage on their crops. Nizer talked about the access program and how that could help mitigate the elk damage. Harris talked about the Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement (DPCA) and how it works well with an access agreement. Both producers were interested in the program. If they agree to a contract, it will add about 1,000 acres in the Hunt by Reservation Program and 300 acres in the Hunt by Written Permission Program for elk and pheasant hunting access. Nizer will follow up with landowners to see if they want a contract worked up.  

Elk: Biologist Brinkman and other biologists from Region 1 traveled to an elk feeding site outside of Ellensburg to participate in immobilization training with Wildlife Veterinarian Mansfield and other WDFW staff members that have extensive experience in capturing ungulates. The purpose of this training was to practice working through the department capture protocols and datasheet that will be used on moose captures next week.  

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Hunter Contact: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade was contacted by a quality elk tag holder. Wade assisted with locating potential areas to hunt during the 2023 muzzleloader season. The hunter reported that he sent teeth from his elk to a lab in Montana to be aged and wanted to share the results. Wade also answered several questions for the hunter regarding potential hunts for the coming year.  

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Radio Activated Guard Box (RAG) Check: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade traveled to the Grande Ronde to check on the RAG box that was deployed last week, in a feedlot that has had recent wolf activity. The RAG box was functioning properly, and all cattle observed were calm and feeding. 

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Photo by WDFW

Deer Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb received a complaint of deer damage to a cherry orchard in Walla Walla County. A site visit was conducted, and damage permits were issued in an effort to mitigate further damage.   

Conserving Natural Landscapes

W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area – Tree Planting: Wildlife Area Manger Dingman and Natural Resource Technician Tritt worked on planting ponderosa pine trees at the Rainbow Lake spoils site. The trees will replace the trees that were removed from the dam on the north end of Rainbow Lake. Two of the staff members at the Tucannon Fish Hatchery stopped by and helped plant the last 12 trees. 

Channeled Scablands Habitat Conservation - Outreach Kick-off Meeting: Wildlife Area Finch attended a meeting regarding the Channel Scablands habitat conservation. The purpose for the meeting was to discuss the next steps for wetland habitat conservation after the Waterfowl Spring Migration Survey and Report project in the eastern Washington Channeled Scablands. Everyone that attended the meeting was trying to come up with ideas for how to advertise conservation to private landowners. They want it to be appealing for landowners to develop their property for habitat conservation for waterfowl migration.  

Providing Education and Outreach

Bear Outreach and Education: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended the second Grizzly Bear Information, Education and Outreach Summit in Coeur d’Alene Idaho. The workshop included 120 participants from several state and federal agencies, two provinces, non-profits, businesses, county representatives, and community members.  

Public School Visit: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer conducted an annual visit to the Kettle Falls Elementary School, to teach 4^th grade students about wildlife interactions. The entire grade of about 50 kids was broken up into four groups: Eagle, Wolf, Cougar, and Deer, where they learned about their animal’s life history.  

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Photo by Kettle Falls Elementary School

4^th Grade Animal Experts: Wildlife Biologists Prince, Turnock, Bennett, and Palmer served as experts to 4^th graders at Kettle Falls Elementary School. They shared information and answered questions about bald eagles, cougars, white-tailed deer, and wolves.  

Waikiki Springs Eagle Scout Project: Access Manager Dziekan met with a boy scout to sign off on a project proposition so that the scout troop can begin working on it. This project has been in the works for some time now. With Dziekan’s signature agreeing to the project, the boy scout will begin building and installing an informational kiosk at Waikiki Springs Wildlife Area. This kiosk will be installed at the lower portion of the wildlife area to compliment the kiosk at the trail head, which was also an Eagle Scout project. The boy scout has the funding secured to purchase the materials. Once the scout has acquired everything that is needed, Dziekan will schedule a time for the scout and a trusted adult, since the scout is under 18, to meet at the WDFW Region 1 shop and use the workspace and tools to build this kiosk. 

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Equipment Maintenance: On Feb. 1, Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer turned over two old snowmobiles to the gentleman who bought them from state surplus. Palmer also changed the oil filter on one of the newer snowmobiles assigned to Sherman Creek Wildlife Area. 

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Photo by WDFW

Managing Wildlife Populations

Cougar Sealing: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand sealed a cougar for a hunter who harvested it in the Blue Mountains GMU 156.

Bobcat Sealing: District 8 Biologist Wampole sealed a bobcat harvested in Kittitas County.

Wolf Monitoring: District 8 Biologist Wampole set additional camera traps to monitor wolf activity in Kittitas County following the observations of tracks.

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Photo by WDFW

Rattlesnake Hills Elk Survey Completed: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra completed surveys for Hanford elk herd with the help of District 8 Biologists Wampole and Moore. Flight photographs of groups were taken and still need processed before herd numbers are updated.

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Photo by WDFW

Oak Creek Wildlife Area: The winter elk feeding program continues on the Oak Creek Unit and Cowiche Unit of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area. Elk are in seasonally good health and are monitored daily throughout the feed season. Winter weather has been mild through the beginning of February 2024. Elk are moving in and out of the feed site daily. Additionally, they are seen grazing away from the feed sites. However, Oak Creek staff members continue to feed approximately 2300 elk on the Cowiche Unit and 650 elk on the Oak Creek Unit daily.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Pelican Diet Study: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra joined Region 3 fisheries staff members and Olympia Diversity Program and Science Program staff members for discussions with the Yakama biologists regarding a diet study on white pelicans and interactions with salmon smolt and predatory fish.

Audubon Climate Watch Point Counts: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra assisted a local Audubon chapter on a morning of long-term point counts in Benton County. The work was part of the National Climate Watch project that tracks changes in bird species distribution related to climate change.

Eagle Carcass Testing and Avian Influenza: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra assisted with responding to three separate eagle mortalities in the Tri-city area. Avian influenza (AI) testing was conducted on two of the three birds with one positive and one negative result. AI has been an ongoing concern for wildlife in the area over the past two years.

L.T. Murray Darting Training: Wildlife Veterinarian Mansfield put on a large ungulate darting training at the L.T. Murray’s Joe Watt feed site. Several elk were darted, and samples were taken.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Wenas Wildlife Area All Trails Public Lands Program: Wenas Wildlife Area Lands and Recreation Specialist Frame are now working with All Trails via their Public Lands Program to help manage the recreational trails throughout the Wenas Wildlife Area.

This program was created by All Trails to work with land managers (federal, state, city, and private). With this program, the Wenas Wildlife Area will be able to give critical information regarding trails in the area such as, trail closures, emergency restrictions, seasonal closures, accurate trail descriptions, etc. The program will also help with data collection such as trail use and popularity.

Sheep Company Road Target Shooting Area Clean-Up: Wenas Wildlife Area Lands and Recreation Specialist Frame collected 510 pounds of trash and target shooting material. Most of the items were targets used incorrectly by the public. Items include wood pallets, cardboard, metal, brake rotors, and paper. Frame also removed a deceased and partially butchered domestic pig and three buckets of paint primer from the horse parking area on Sheep Company Road.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Kiosk and Parking Area Development: Wenas Wildlife Area Technician Janes and Assistant Manager Taylor laid out barrier rock just past the lower Buffalo Road gate and installed a kiosk this winter. This is a second parking area lined out for the road. Increased signage is needed because it is a popular area used for hiking. Wenas Wildlife Area Manager Gray coordinated with the Department of Natural Resources on the kiosk installation and barrier rock placement.

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Rattlesnake Hills Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand monitored for elk activity on the Hanford National Monument and adjoining private lands. Large numbers of elk continue to occupy low elevation areas near Highway 240 on the Hanford Monument.

Deer Damage and Youth Damage Hunt Opportunities: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand deployed youth from the Region 3 special permit roster to Kahlotus area landowners experiencing deer damage in their wheat fields. Hand continued coordination on hazing, permit issuance, and reporting. Additionally, a landowner along the Yakima River has requested youth hunters for hazing and removal efforts.

Possible Cougar Observation in Finley: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand assisted a local Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement officer with a call concerning a cougar observed near Finley. The area was canvassed for signs or evidence of cougars, but nothing was located. They provided the homeowner with information concerning cougar behavior and asked the homeowner to let them know if it returns.

Dumped Elk Carcass: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand assisted local Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement staff members with the investigation of elk parts and garbage that were dumped near Horn Rapids Dam.

Kittitas County Conflict: Conflict Technician Leuck and Conflict Specialist Wetzel hazed some elk from areas in Kittitas County. Elk ventured into areas in Thorp, Vantage, Kittitas, Badger Pocket, and Cle Elum. They were mostly visiting haystacks and domestic animal feeding areas. Elk have been hazed away from I-90 in some locations.

Wetzel also worked with a nuisance wildlife control operator on a skunk issue in the city limits of Roslyn.

Yakima County Conflict: Conflict Technician Leuck and Conflict Specialist Wetzel repaired elk fence in the Cowiche area where elk were in orchards outside the elk fence. Elk were hazed from Tampico and the Tieton areas as well.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Presentation to Wildlife Area Volunteers: District 8 Biologist Wampole presented to Oak Creek Wildlife Area visitor center volunteers on the status of Yakima elk and management challenges. In addition, Wampole showcased information on the on-going test and remove bighorn sheep study being carried out in the Selah Butte/Umtanum and Cleman Mountain herds.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Sunnyside Cleanup: Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Ferguson and Natural Resource Technician Cardenas cleaned up dumped mattresses and other trash and installed a new cable gate at a road pull-off that was being targeted for loitering and garbage dumping recently. Hopefully the new gate will prevent further illicit activities.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

L.T. Murray Parke Creek Culvert: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Blore and Manager Morrison worked with regional Habitat Program staff members to access a small culvert in Parke Creek that has failed in two spots.

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Education and Outreach

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Visitor Center: The Oak Creek Visitor Center continues to open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with feed site tours available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The visitor center is completely staffed and operated by a group of volunteers, The Friends of Oak Creek Wildlife Area. As of the first week of February, they had conducted 210 tours and had approximately 4097 people visit the center.

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Photo by WDFW

L.T. Murray Outreach: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Scientist Nass and Manager Morrison held two outreach events at the Joe Watt feed site for Thorp Elementary School students and home school students. Both groups played games for ecological education followed by group discussions.  

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Photo by WDFW

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Safety Stand-Up meetings: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra met with the Region 3 Wildlife Program supervisors as well as the Pasco Wildlife Program team to discuss safety and personal protective equipment. Several items were purchased to improve safety including personal floatation devices and supplies for vehicles.

District 8 Wildlife Capture Training: District 8 staff members, Wampole, Moore, and Wetzel participated in capture training of elk at the Watt and Robinson feed sites. Training was led by senior biology staff members and Wildlife Veterinarian Mansfield on safe capture operations to protect wildlife and human health and ensure data quality.

Other

New Staff Hired: District 4 finally has their first assistant district wildlife biologist! Biologist Hoffman started on Friday, Feb. 16 and will be helping to build capacity on Diversity Program projects for species including burrowing owls, ferruginous hawks, ground-squirrels, and other shrub steppe species. Blake attended the University of Montana for his BS in Wildlife and has nearly completed his master’s degree from Northern Arizona University on ringtail management at Grand Canyon National Park. Prior to this work for the National Park Service, he held various positions contributing to wildlife research in Idaho, Montana, and Colorado. His diverse background includes work with small and large mammal trapping, survey design, songbirds, bat mist-netting, chemical immobilization and veterinary experience. Having grown up enjoying the Washington outdoors in Chelan County, Hoffman is happy to be moving back to his home state with his wife. Please help WDFW in welcoming Biologist Hoffman as he settles into this new position based in the Pasco District 4 office.

Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area Truck Maintenance: Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Ferguson and Natural Resource Technician Cardenas installed new wooden side boards on wildlife area dump-bed truck International 4700, replacing broken boards. The truck is used for hauling gravel and other materials around the wildlife area for various projects.

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Photo by WDFW

Managing Wildlife Populations

Waterfowl: Biologist Clements attended the quarterly Washington Waterfowl Association Moses Lake Chapter meeting on Feb. 8. Clements gave a recap of the successful hen mallard nesting tube reconstruction project and offered another volunteer project of monitoring the tubes for any nesting activity starting in March.

Greater Sage-Grouse and Sharp-Tailed Grouse: Biologist Eilers mailed out letters to private landowners in Douglas County asking for land access permission to survey grouse on private property. Biologists will be searching for new greater sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse leks. They will monitor known leks across Douglas County to get population estimates of these species.

Douglas County currently has the greatest abundance of greater sage-grouse in the state of Washington. Unfortunately, populations are declining.

With the warmer temperatures and lack of snow this winter season, greater sage grouse are displaying at lek sites a few weeks early this year. Biologist Eilers and Hunter Education Coordinator Montanari completed the first lek counts in southern Douglas County near Alstown and the Badger Mountain area. The grouse lek near Badger Mountain has consistently been the most well-attended with up to 30 males displaying on some mornings in 2023, and it’s off to a good start this year with the highest count yet of 37 birds.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Sharp-Tailed Grouse Monitoring: Biologist Heinlen surveyed the winter habitats of sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) finding a total of 28 birds foraging in the water birch (Betula occidentalis) trees in the Siwash Creek area. This is five more birds than were counted during the area’s spring lek surveys last year. It’s probable that there is at least one unknown lek in the area we have yet to document. Water birch catkins (seeds) are a primary food source for sharp-tailed grouse in the district making them an important component of sharp-tailed grouse habitat.

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Photo by WDFW

Mule Deer: Biologists Jeffreys and Eilers retrieved two GPS collars from mule deer to down-load data stored onboard. Between 2020 and 2022, more than 60 does were collared in Chelan County as part of an ungulate movement and migration study being conducted in several Washington herds as well as across the western United States.

Biologists have used location data gleaned from these GPS collars to learn valuable information about timing and duration of migration, migratory corridors, stopover points, and winter and summer range use for mule deer wintering in the Wenatchee Foothills as well as the Nahahum Canyon, Burch Mountain, and Swakane areas. These collars were programmed to drop off in four years after deployment, so the last 12 collared does still standing since the January 2020 capture dropped their collars as scheduled last month. Many are still inaccessible due to snow cover and land access, and biologists will continue to retrieve them over the upcoming months. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will continue to receive GPS data from the 13 active collars in Chelan County for two more years.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Pygmy Rabbit Winter Surveys: Staff members started out the year carrying out pygmy rabbit surveys in the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area. With a mowing and prescribed burn project on the horizon, they took advantage of the limited snow and conducted burrow surveys to inform staff members of the best areas for land management. While there have been no pygmy rabbit sightings in the project area, staff members have flushed several sage grouse and short-eared owls. Wildlife staff members will continue to work collaboratively with the pygmy rabbit recovery crew assisting with surveys outside of the project area.

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Photo by WDFW

Pygmy Rabbits: Biologist Clements led a group of Washington Conservation Corps members and the pygmy rabbit team members finish up burrow surveys on a parcel known to have active pygmy rabbit sites. The team successfully completed the remaining transects, and despite the lack of snow making burrows easier to identify and muddy terrain, they were able to identify multiple burrows and collect fecal samples to send off to the lab for genetic analysis.

Bobcat Research Assistance: Biologists Fitkin and Heinlen assisted Biologist Welfelt with a multi-day deployment of several dozen remote cameras as part of an ongoing research effort examining bobcat and lynx seasonal habitat use dynamics. Cameras were deployed from the valley floor on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area to over 6500 feet on the divide between the Methow and Okanogan watersheds. Data collection will continue for another year, and in addition to bobcat and lynx, the cameras are gathering data on a variety of additional species of interest.

Additional thanks to retired Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Biologist Base for helping with this effort.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Water access staff members have been putting the newly acquired Bobcat mower arm to good use. Assistant Manager Steele, and Natural Resource Technicians Wilson and Blanchard have been able to mow previously hard to reach and access roadsides and tracks where traditional tractor mowing hasn’t been an option ahead of spring residual herbicide application. This was done at the Quincy Lakes Wildlife Area with both the Bobcat mower arm and the new Bobcat Mini Track 100 (MT 100). The mower and MT 100 were also used at the Lake Lenore fish trap for mechanical control of tall emergence vegetation. Steele and Blanchard also removed a fallen tree and repaired a damaged fence at Blue Lake in Grant County.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

West Foster Creek Beaver Dam Analogue Project: During late summer and early fall, wildlife area staff members installed around 50 beaver dam analogs on West Foster Creek near Bridgeport. These beaver dam analogs were revisited when staff members were alerted by Douglas County Public Utility Department Biologist Schilling that they had salvaged a large bounty of free Christmas trees. Wildlife area staff members repurposed 55 trees that were going to be discarded at Fred Meyer and another 60 from Home Depot.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Big Bend Restoration: When reflecting on accomplishments of the past year, staff members recall the all-hands-on deck effort to prepare seed, plant, and spray restoration fields at Big Bend in late fall. This work was across the Magers, Bissell Flat, and Back Rock Lake units. In total, staff members drill seeded 261 acres with native grass, 43 acres with native forbs, and planted 5-1/8-acre forb plug islands across another 30 acres. Each field was approached differently, with the most intensive restoration occurring at Back Rock. The Back Rock restoration fields required six staff members to work long hours mowing, harrowing, spraying, and drill seeding to complete the project before winter conditions took hold.

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Photo by WDFW

Other

Administrative Work: Biologists Dougherty and Clements attended the quarterly meeting with the Bureau of Reclamation to discuss updates within both agencies. Biologist Clements mentioned that she heard discussion of replacing panels within the canal near the Pinto Ridge Dam. She suggested that as parts are replaced, finding potential wildlife friendly options would be helpful to aid in deer that consistently end up stuck in that stretch of the canal.

Ground Squirrels: District staff members attended a meeting regarding the 2023 Washington ground squirrel survey efforts and to offer suggestions of future projects and next steps for this species.

Northern Leopard Frogs: District staff members began the process of selecting and interviewing candidates for scientific technician positions. When filled, these positions will assist in northern leopard frog recovery work. The new hires will be onboarded and ready to start the busy field season in April.

Shipping Container Improvements: The shipping container that is used to store seed for restoration fields has undergone significant improvements. Maintenance Mechanic Rios prepped the unit so that he could install a heater and air conditioning unit. This task ensures improved temperature control for seed and other materials stored in this unit.

Headquarters Reflooring: What was supposed to be a simple reflooring project at headquarters proved to be more exciting than anticipated. While peeling up the old flooring, Maintenance Mechanic Rios was surprised to find six gopher snakes deep in their hibernacula in a small space that had been created under the floor of an office space.

Assistant Manager Blake sought council from District Biologist Jeffreys and Fitkin who recommended she speak with Beck, a retired herpetologist and professor from Central Washington University. After seeking consultation, she decided to keep them contained in the correct environment to ensure they winter in the proper conditions.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by Fitkin

Managing Wildlife Populations

Marbled Murrelet Captures: Biologist Murphie assisted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife marine bird research team with their at-sea murrelet capture efforts. Samples collected at capture will provide information on the diet of these small sea birds. For this effort, the team was working near Port Townsend and Smith Island.

To catch these birds, capture teams drive small, rigid-hull, inflatable boats around at night using spotlights to find marbled or ancient murrelets. Once found, the boat maneuvers close enough to the marbled murrelet so that a crew member can catch them with a salmon-landing net. Biologist Murphie reported the team caught two ancient and three marbled murrelets on the nights he participated. Additional efforts continue.

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Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Forest Health Planning: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman visited the Tarboo Unit of the North Olympic Wildlife Area with Forest Specialists Tveten and Nequette and a student researcher from Green River College to plan upcoming survey work for forest health improvements in the unit.

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Photo by WDFW

Nisqually Fence: Technician Norris added to the fence line along an eroding shore at the Nisqually Unit to improve public safety in the area.

South Puget Sound Cleanup: Members of the Clover Park Rotary Club and local Eagle Scouts helped clean up brush piles at the South Puget Sound Unit in Lakewood, consolidating them into an area where they can more readily decompose. This will allow space for prairie restoration.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Safety Stand-up: Biologist Murphie participated in several activities associated with the agency-wide safety stand-up effort.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Bat Hibernacula Surveys: Biologists Wickhem, Stephens, Bergh, and Holman along with Private Lands Biologist Grey and Assistant Regional Wildlife Program Manager Hauswald joined with staff members from the U.S. Forest Service and several volunteers to conduct bat hibernacula surveys in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and adjacent private lands. The effort was organized and led by Wildlife Diversity Division Species Lead Tobin and Wildlife Diversity Survey Section Manager Cotten participated as well.

The teams skied, snowshoed, snowmobiled, and hiked several miles and surveyed many caves where they counted and identified species of bats roosting in each cave. When bats from the genus myotis were found within reach, the bats were directly swabbed to test for the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome. These surveys are part of a larger effort to survey a portion of the more than 600 caves within the Gifford Pinchot to see which support hibernating bats. They are especially interested in Townsend’s big-eared bats which are a Washington Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SCGN) and a Priority Species under Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Priority Habitats and Species Program.

Thanks to Biologist Tobin for her organizational focus, many outdoor skills, attention to safety as well as biosecurity to address potential transmission of white-nose syndrome, knowledge of all things bats, and overall leadership on this large-scale effort. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Dusky Canada Goose Surveys: Biologists Wickhem continued dusky Canada goose surveys on the Shillapoo Wildlife Area and surrounding lowlands of Clark County. Biologists Stephens and Holman continued the twice-monthly surveys in Cowltiz and Wahkiakum counties. During the early February survey, Regional Wildlife Program Manager Jonker joined the Cowlitz County survey.

Dusky geese are a sub-species of Canada goose that spend summers in Alaska and migrate through and/or overwinter in the lower Columbia River. Duskys are closed to recreational harvest due to low population levels. The purpose of the surveys is to count dusky geese observed and read alphanumeric codes on any red-collared duskys.

Wildlife managers survey the geese multiple times across their primary wintering grounds in southwest Washington and northwest Oregon, then use the data to generate survival estimates. Biologist Wickhem recorded 179 dusky geese and read 12 collars on her survey. Additionally, during this period Shillapoo Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Breitenstein was able to locate and read the neck collars of nine dusky geese. Dusky, cackling, western, and greater white-fronted geese as well as both tundra and trumpeter swans were all observed during this survey period.

Thanks to Regional Wildlife Program Manager Jonker and Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Breitenstein for their contribution to this effort. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Treponeme-associated Hoof Disease (TAHD) Hoof Collection: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey and Customer Service Specialist Splitgerber responded to a report of an elk tangled up in a fence line along the road. By the time the elk was reached, it had broken free from the fence, but was not able to stand up. Aubrey suspected the elk had TAHD. After observing for a few minutes, Aubrey determined the elk needed to be euthanized. Both back hooves were infected, and all hooves were collected and transported for Washington State University’s ongoing research on TAHD.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Silver Lake: Natural Resource Technician Celaya encountered a down tree in the Silver Lake parking lot. Fortunately, no serious damage was caused, and the tree was cleaned up within an hour, allowing ADA parking to be used unimpeded.

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Photo by WDFW

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Site Cleanup in Klickitat County: Natural Resource Technician Celaya encountered a tree that fell at the Mineral Springs access site. The tree was first found hung up on a nearby oak. Celaya determined it was unsafe to remove the tree without additional help at the remote site. On a later date, Celaya returned with the help of Biologist Risley to clean up the tree.

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Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

District 10 Terminally Ill Damage Hunt: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Aubrey worked with the Wildlife Program to find a hunting opportunity for a terminally ill hunter. Aubrey was able to send the hunter to a landowner experiencing damage to agricultural crops from elk. The hunter was successful in harvesting a cow elk on the first day at the property. It was reported to have been a limping elk, and after the hunter harvested the animal, he contacted Aubrey to ask if Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife needed the hooves. Aubrey met with the hunter to collect the hooves the following morning and transported them to Washington State University for ongoing research.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

The final Violet Prairie Section 6 Management Plan was delivered to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as a grant requirement under the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund. The property will be managed in perpetuity for the benefit of federal and state listed species, specifically the Yelm pocket gopher and the Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly.  Planning and Recreation staff members developed the plan in collaboration with the wildlife area manager, Region 6, and Diversity Division staff members. Management activities featured in this plan include prairie restoration, forest management, noxious weed control, grazing and recreation. Grazing, identified as a management tool in the plan, will be introduced on the unit this year.

The route inventory contract is currently up for bid and will close in March. Planning and Recreation Section staff members are holding a pre-bid conference for interested organizations on Feb. 14.

Providing Education and Outreach

The Ambassador Program contract is currently up for bid and will close in March. Planning and Recreation staff members are still working with the tribal liaison to design tribal acknowledgment monuments. We have also been working with Director of External Affairs Pamplin, Director of Tribal Affairs Woods, and others to re-word some things on the Plum Access Area kiosk that includes a narrative about the Snoqualmie Tribe. There are about 20 water access area kiosks in the design phase.

 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program Survey: Each year Biologists Evenson, Hamer, or Murphie conducts a survey of wintering waterfowl, marine birds, and marine mammals throughout the inland marine waters of Washington. Personnel fly more than 4,000 miles in December and January, and sometimes into February. Observers tally what they see, within a 50-meter strip on both sides of the aircraft, as they fly along 200 feet above the water at 85 knots (about 100mph). This survey has been completed for the season, data was transcribed, and submitted for analysis.

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Photo by WDFW

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Providing Recreation Opportunities

Water Access Work: The Water Access team removed downed trees, cleaned storm damage, repaired fencing, performed preventative maintenance, and managed lots of vegetation at several access areas around the region.

Jefferson County, Tarboo Lake: As a result of attempted wood theft, two conifer trees were felled and left across the access site. In the process of wood poaching, the unknown party felled the trees, blocking their vehicle behind the trees. The vehicle was also stolen. They attempted to escape by cutting a section of fence for access but could not manage to get the truck out. The responsible parties left the trees, truck, and damaged fence. WDFW Enforcement assisted the vehicle owner with recovering the truck. Access staff members cut up trees, chipped the limbs, and repaired the fence in two places.

Thurston County, Hicks Lake: The access crew repaired nearly 75 feet of chain link fence that was damaged by fallen trees during a storm. This project was no small undertaking. Much of the damaged fence needed to be removed and posts straightened or replaced, including 60 plus feet of top rail. This also required a lot of groundwork to fit, stretch, and hang the chain-link at the appropriate height.

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Photo by WDFW

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Mason County, Mission Lake: Access team with help from Washington Conservation Corps staff members and a local volunteer brushed out two long property boundaries and chipped all the debris at Mission Lake. In addition, they serviced the monofilament recycling bins in Mason County water access areas.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

North Olympic Wildlife Area: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman and Technician Morgan visited with the Clallam County Weed Board at units near Sequim to discuss noxious weed control in the area.

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South Puget Sound Wildlife Area: Technician Morgan continued to chip away at populations of invasive blackberries around the Western Turtle Pond habitat and at scotch broom throughout the South Puget Sound Unit in Lakewood.

Providing Education and Outreach

General Wildlife Inquiries: Biologist Murphie responded to inquiries received by phone, email, or in person related to a deer, three osprey, and a sportsmen’s show.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Aircraft Safety Instructor Prep: We have two courses coming up in February. Aircraft Safety Instructor Murphie has been spending time on preparing the presentation for this course.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Bat Hibernacula Surveys: Biologist Wickhem assisted Technician Leipold with bat hibernacula surveys in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest for two days this month. US Forest Service Technician Motiff and Volunteer Petrie also assisted in the effort. Together, the teams skied and snowshoed several miles and surveyed five caves where they counted and identified species of bats roosting in each cave. Two other caves were located but not surveyed because of access issues. When bats from the genus myotis were found and within reach, the bats were directly swabbed to test for the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome. These surveys are part of a larger effort to survey a portion of over 600 caves within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to see which support hibernating bats, especially Townsend’s big-eared bats which are a Washington Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SCGN) and a Priority Species under WDFW’s Priority Habitats and Species Program. In Biologist Wickhem’s two days on the survey, she recorded 157 Townsend’s big-eared bats, one myotis and got to explore some amazing caves.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Dusky Canada Goose Surveys: Biologist Stephens and Holman continue to conduct dusky Canada goose surveys in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties. The purpose of the surveys is to count dusky geese observed and read alphanumeric codes on any red collared geese. Wildlife managers survey the geese multiple times across their primary wintering grounds and use the data to generate survival estimates. The dusky geese are collared on their breeding grounds in Alaska every other year. Multiple species of Canada geese were located during the survey as well as Trumpeter and Tundra swans. Additionally, many wildlife species are incidentally encountered while conducting the goose surveys, especially in the relatively intact habitats of Wahkiakum County. These species included elk, Columbian white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, many duck species, egrets and herons, bald eagles, and three species of marine mammals just to name a few.

Biologist Wickhem also continued dusky Canada goose surveys in Clark County, primarily on the Shillapoo Wildlife Area and around the Vancouver Lake Bottoms. On this survey, Wickhem recorded 161 dusky Canada geese including one with a red collar. Snow geese are still flocking in the thousands at Shillapoo, and there are still many ducks utilizing the wildlife area. Other species observed included northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, herons, egrets, sandhill cranes, and a juvenile bald eagle surrounded by white feathers feasting on a bird carcass.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Klickitat Mule Deer Study: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen and Volunteer Lieberg worked to put out a satellite GPS collar on a female mule deer in central Klickitat County. This collar is one of a larger dataset of satellite collars, roughly 80, tracking female mule deer over multiple years as part of a federally funded mule deer migration project in Game Management Units (GMU) 388 and 382.

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Photo by WDFW

Treatment Turtle Transfer: Biologist Bergh picked up some of the northwestern pond turtles that had undergone treatment for shell disease at the Oregon Zoo and brought them to Cedar Creek Correctional Center near Olympia for their recovery. The turtles will be taken care of by three inmate technicians through the rest of the winter and released back into the wild this spring. This program is run by the Sustainability in Prisons Project out of The Evergreen State College and we are very grateful to the program and the technicians for their care of the turtles while they recover.

Mudflow Unit of the Mount Saint Helens Wildlife Area Elk Survey: Biologist Stephens and Customer Service Specialist Splitgerber conducted a survey of elk wintering on the mudflow in early February. They saw a total of 54 elk, which were classified as 30 bulls, 19 cows, and five calves. This survey is conducted twice a month between December and March.

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Abandoned Boat Removal: Private Lands Biologist Ferris was assisted by Private Lands Biologist Harris to retrieve an abandon boat dumped on an Access Program site in Wahkiakum County. Law enforcement investigation could not find a current registered owner. The boat had to be dragged several hundred feet to pavement where it could be placed on a flatbed trailer for removal. The Private Lands Access Program will fund the cost of this removal as a benefit of program enrollment.

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Eagle Complaint: A concerned livestock producer contacted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen to discuss options for eagle deterrents around his calving operations. The producer has had issues in the past with bald and golden eagles harassing, injuring, and killing newborn calves. Jacobsen suggested multiple different deterrent options to the livestock producer. Federal protections afforded to eagles substantially reduces the available options for livestock producers in these situations.

Elk Damage Hunt: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen deployed a youth hunter from the Region 5 Elk Damage Pool to a property in GMU 574 that was incurring damage from elk. The elk were damaging a newly planted hay seeding. Due to the unseasonably low (or nonexistent) snowpack in the area, the fields were more susceptible to damage than normal at this time of year. The youth hunter was able to successfully harvest an elk with symptoms of hoof disease on the first day of his hunt. Hopefully this hazing activity will keep the rest of the elk at bay and out of the fields.

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Photo by hunter

Elk Damage to Wheat: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen met with a Klickitat County landowner in GMU 382 regarding elk damage to his winter wheat. The hoof compaction damage to the wheat from over 50 head of elk was substantial, and the grazing damage was moderate. Jacobsen deployed a youth hunter to the property, who successfully harvested a cow elk on the first morning of his hunt. Jacobsen will continue to work with the landowner to deploy damage pool hunters to the property. Jacobsen will also work with the landowner to utilize a drone in their upcoming elk hazing efforts. The elk have become accustomed to cracker shells, so novel techniques are necessary in this situation.

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Photo by landowner

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Photo by hunter

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Out with the Old: Over several days, Assistant Manager Breitenstein, Assistant Manager Risley, and Technician Fox worked on removing old fencing at Shillapoo Wildlife Area. The existing fence is over 25 years old and has seen a lot of use and abuse over the seasons. The primary purpose of this fence is to contain the cattle that graze the pasture during certain parts of the year and prevent the cattle from gaining access to oak trees that were some of the first trees planted at Shillapoo for habitat reclamation and enhancement. Over the course of the next several weeks, new fencing will be put up, free of holes and rotten posts.

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Photo by WDFW

At the End of the Rainbow. Wildlife Area Manager Hauswald and Assistant Manager Risley surveyed for waterfowl at Shillapoo. These surveys are conducted twice weekly during the winter migration season to monitor habitat use by ducks, geese, swans, and sandhill cranes at the wildlife area. On this otherwise dreary day, a brightly colored rainbow made for some excellent photo opportunities.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Looking for Signs of Life and Tracks: Wildlife Area Manager Hauswald and Assistant Manager Risley ventured up to the Mudflow Unit of the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area to monitor survival rates of willow, wild strawberry, and big leafed lupine that were planted during spring 2022 for streambank stabilization along the Toutle River. Unfortunately, high water events over the past two months resulted in significant bank loss and much of the plantings were washed down river.

Fresh snow fall provided an opportunity to look for large predator tracks. Several coyote tracks were observed as well as a few bobcat tracks, but no large predator tracks were found. The Mudflow Unit is currently closed to the public and will remain so until May 1. This closure is to provide refuge and protection for the elk that over winter on the Mudflow. Wildlife area staff members do not visit the unit regularly during the closure, but when visiting the unit is necessary great efforts are made to avoid the elk so as not to cause stress to the animals.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Feline Hybrid: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen responded to a media request regarding the mythical “Klickitat ape cat” that has been hotly debated by locals in the watering holes of Klickitat County. Jacobsen provided information on melanism in wildlife as well as on the biology of large cats of the world. Enough said on this nonsense.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Bighorn Sheep Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae Testing: Results of disease testing from bighorn sheep captures in the Yakima and Cleman herd earlier this year found no confirmed cases of Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae (MOVI) in tested individuals.

Herd Surveys: District 8 staff began conducting aerial population surveys of the Cleman Mountain and Quilomene Bighorn Sheep populations and the Yakima elk herd. Populations are surveyed from a helicopter and district staff members count and classify observed animals. For elk, group sizes can vary from one to over a thousand animals. When large group sizes are found, an aerial photograph is taken, and counts are conducted from image files using digital processing tools.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Bat Box Installation: District 8 wildlife staff members met with county representatives to determine locations of bat box installations designed to host maternity roosts in a newly planned flood plain restoration area along the Yakima River in Ellensburg.

Sunnyside Agricultural Field Monitoring: Waterfowl Specialist Wilson and Biologist Bernatowicz took down monitoring cameras and walked the agricultural fields in the Snipes Reserve looking for signs of waterfowl use outside the view of the cameras. Few pictures of waterfowl were seen during monitoring and no sign of significant use was found on the ground.

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Photo by WDFW

Pre-season Bluebird Box Checks: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra worked with volunteers to check bluebird nest boxes installed last year. Two nests were found from last season, one with shell fragments. The species identify of the nest hasn’t been determined yet, but it was not bluebirds and may be house sparrow.

 

Burrowing Owl Artificial Burrow Maintenance Begins: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra coordinated a few volunteers and began maintaining artificial burrows prior to the breeding season. Several burrows had vegetation from wintering skunks or needed part replacements. Two burrowing owls were seen at the six sites visited this period and likely overwintered.

Winter Audubon Climate Watch Survey: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra spent a morning conducting point counts as part of a long-term Audubon Partner’s project related to climate change monitoring.

Elk Feeding: Elk numbers are back up after a brief respite following some warm weather and snow melt. The access road into the Robinson feed site has been pure ice for the last two weeks, making it necessary to continue feeding on the lower road. This makes accurate counting nearly impossible, but numbers are back up this week there as well.

Date	Site	Cow/Calf	Branched Bull	Spike Bull	Mortality	Total
Feb. 13, 2023	Watt	767	11	14	0	792
Feb. 13, 2023	Robinson	425 est.	15	4

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Photo by WDFW

Wet Moldy Hay Fire Hazard: Several smoldering bales were discovered in one of the haystacks due to a hole in the tarp and continued water seepage. The combination of wet moldy hay and tarps trapping heat nearly caused instantaneous combustion. The bales were removed, opened, and spread out away from the barn and haystacks. Re-tarping leftover hay every year may help prevent this happening in the future.

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Photo by WDFW

Sunnyside Unit Maintenance: Assistant Manager Ferguson and Natural Resource Technician Wascisin have taken advantage of the warmer weather recently to do some maintenance on the Sunnyside Unit including clearing cattails from the intake of the Giffin Lake pump and resurfacing the entrance road to the office and road to the Rice Paddies Wetlands.

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Manastash Ridge Trails Plan Implementation: Recreation Specialist Frame designed new signage for the Manastash Ridge Trails area. These signs will help inform users of wildlife area rules and regulations and provide trail etiquette and trail safety tips. Other signage will include a trails conditions sign, interpretive wildlife sign, and trail descriptions. Plans to post the new signage will begin in the spring of 2023. Members of the Manastash Ridge Trails Committee were heavily involved in the message displayed on the signs.

Wenas Target Shooting Clean Up: Recreation Specialist Frame removed three pickup loads of trash from multiple spots within the wildlife area, including Sheep Company designated target shooting area, Sheep Company road, and Roza road. These areas have seen an increase in trash burning and trash dumping. Habitat Specialist Miller also assisted in the cleanup.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Ice Harbor Deer: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand met with a manager of a large orchard, vineyard, and blueberry farm near the Snake River that is currently experiencing deer damage to several new plantings of trees. Non-lethal hazing had been implemented with diminishing results. A Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement and associated damage permits were developed as well as deployment of youth hunters off the Region 3 special hunt permit roster to assist in their hazing efforts.

Paterson Area Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand patrolled areas of south Benton County near the Columbia River that have historically received deer damage to mostly wine grape operations and orchards. Although some deer activity was observed, damage was very minor at this time. As warmer temperatures develop and plants come out of dormancy, deer activity and damage will become more prevalent.

Rattlesnake Hills Elk: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued to monitor for elk activity on the Hanford National Monument and adjoining private lands. Large numbers of elk continue to occupy low elevation areas near Highway 240 on the Hanford Monument.

Youth Damage Hunt Opportunities: Conflict Specialist Hand deployed youth from the Region 3 special permit roster to three landowners experiencing deer damage in their orchards and wheat crops in Game Management Unit (GMU) 381.

New Damage Permit System: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand began testing the new damage permit issuance and harvest reporting system being developed by WDFW Information Technology personnel. Several hurdles in accessing the system as well as navigation through the permit development process were experienced. Problem issues were documented, and testing of the system is continuing.

Hanford Elk Crop Damage Report: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand completed the required field report on a 2022 crop damage claim report from elk on winter wheat in the Rattlesnake Hills area.

Kahlotus Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continues to work with landowners in the Kahlotus area to minimize deer damage impacts to wheat crops in GMU 381. ATVs are being used to access difficult areas of crop fields to conduct hazing efforts. Large numbers of deer continue to be observed and moved out of crop areas.

Finley Sick Skunks: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand responded to a call concerning skunks in Finley that were acting strange. The caller reported that the skunks were walking in circles and had lunged at humans. Four skunks were killed and removed by the landowner, and one was collected for disease sampling.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Restoration Work: Assistant Manager Winegeart used an over the shoulder hand crank to seed two temporary water trough sites in the Vantage pasture. The area will be harrowed and monitored for weeds. Natural Resource Technician Blore checked the condition of Cayuse restoration area.

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Photo by WDFW

Vantage Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Grant Proposal: Assistant Manager Winegeart completed and submitted a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation wildfire grant proposal for the Vantage Highway Fire area. If funded, the grant will allow for aerial weed control across 1,000 acres, and aerial seeding on 200 of those acres.

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Photo by WDFW

Whiskey Jim Pasture Fence Repair: Natural Resource Workers Hamlin and Schneider repaired pasture and exclosure fence in Whiskey Jim pasture. New barbed wire was added to a previously non-functioning section of fence between Whiskey Jim pasture and Upper Parke pasture.

Habitat Plantings on Private Lands Hunting Opportunities: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Hulett, Private Lands Technician Manderbach, and Pheasant Forever Farm Bill Biologist Hennings installed 400 sagebrush and bitterbrush plants on two properties enrolled in the Private Land Access Program. Each shrub planting was also flagged for the upcoming herbicide treatments.

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Photo by WDFW

Habitat Planting at Thorton Unit: Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area staff members borrowed a ten foot no-till Great Plains drill seeder from the South Yakima Conservation District for a wildlife food plot project in the Thornton Unit. The site was mowed, harrowed, and sprayed prior to seeding. The food plot mix containing don falcata alfalfa, delar small burnet, yellow sweet clover, appar blue flax, and Eagle western yarrow will provide forage for native wildlife populations including elk, mule deer, various upland birds, and pollinator species. The food plot is located within a Conservation Reserve Program section of the unit and will enhance forage availability for wildlife throughout the year. The seeder was a very efficient tool for this project. Private Lands Biologist Seth Hulett was very helpful with his instruction on calibrating and operating the seeder.

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Photo by WDFW

Bryon Unit Trash Removal: Assistant Manager Ferguson and Natural Resource Technician Wascisin removed a pile of several mattresses and couches that were dumped at the Byron Unit earlier this winter. The excavator worked out to be a great trash compactor for the items.

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Education and Outreach

Ferruginous Hawk Outreach Presentation: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra presented to an audience of over 80 people at the Washington Ornithologists Society this month. The presentation covered Department of Ecology and some WDFW science results from movement studies and addressed the surmounting threats and declining population of ferruginous hawks. It was well received and publicly available on the Washington Ornithologists Society’s YouTube channel.

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Photo by WDFW

Birds & Blooms Magazine Spotlights the Black-chinned Hummingbird: Wildlife Biologist Fidorra responded to an agency interview request on black-chinned hummingbirds for the nationally distributed magazine. Fidorra provided information on range, identification, and basic ecology of the species for an upcoming article.

Pronghorn Report Draft Complete: Wildlife Biologist Fidorra worked with District 9 staff members to draft the 2023 survey report for the south-central Washington Pronghorn survey. The draft is circulating through Yakama Nation partners before being finalized and published on the WDFW website.

Bateman Island Causeway Recreation Meeting: Region 3 personnel met with concerned members of some of the recreation interest groups at Bateman Island to discuss their concerns related to breaching the causeway and future access to the island. Overall, the groups support the restoration goals of the project but want recreational access to the well-used public space maintained.

Recreation, Facility and Management Panel: Manager Hughes attended an education panel for members of the public developed from the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce. Guest speakers from WDFW, Washington State Parks and the Bureau of Land Management each presented information about the mission of their agencies, local projects being conducted, and what their job consist of. Hughes did an overview of the Wenas Wildlife Area touching base on future shooting range development, trail management, habitat projects focused on forest thinning, and plans to seed historic agricultural fields back into shrubsteppe habitat in the fall of 2023.

Presenting to Landowners: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Hulett presented at the Benton County Wheat Growers meeting highlighting the Private Lands Access Program to landowners.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Wenas Contract Management: Habitat Specialist Miller has started to review the new Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) contract. This starts the process of ensuring that the proper documentation is submitted to fulfill statements of work outlined in the contract. A large portion of the operating and maintenance budget for the Wenas Wildlife Area is funded by the BPA.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Elk Habitat: Natural Resource Technician Janowski submitted a grant proposal for review for a forest enhancement project in Stevens County.

Trespass Snowmobilers: Sherman Creek Wildlife Assistant Manager Palmer requested assistance from enforcement, concerning trespass snowmobiles and their potential for disturbing big game on Bisbee Mountain. Fish and Wildlife Officer Schrader encountered two snowmobilers at the bottom of Trout Lake Rd on Scotch Creek Wildlife Area on the weekend of Jan. 28 and Jan. 29. The two men claimed they didn’t see any signs, but knowingly went around the locked gate at the bottom of Trout Lake Road. Officer Schrader educated them and gave them a warning. Palmer and Combs, the managers of Sherman Creek Hatchery, were glad to find out that Schrader had caught them. They monitor the area as often as they can, but they haven’t caught anyone. Until now that is, thanks to Officer Schrader.

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Photo by WDFW

Lynx camera check: Wildlife Biologist Turnock, Wildlife Area Manager Palmer, and Wolf Biologist Roussin checked cameras deployed in the Kettles for lynx monitoring. Cameras were checked for correct viewshed, batteries replaced, and new SD cards installed. The photos will be sent to Washington State University for species detections and WDFW will use photos for the annual wolf report and for Wildlife Survey Data Management.

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Photo by WDFW

Elk: Assistant District Biologist Vekasy counted and classified multiple groups of elk in the Stateline area. Vekasy identified 314 elk with a calf to cow ratio of 25 calves to 100 cows. This segment of the Blue Mountains elk herd has been stable to growing in contrast to the rest of the Blue Mountains herd area.

District Biologist Wik met with the new district biologist for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in Wallowa County. Discussions focused on elk surveys, elk movement, bighorn sheep movement, surveys, disease, capturing, and coordinating flights in areas of mutual overlap.

Chronic Wasting Disease Sample: Natural Resource Technician Barron submitted a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sample collected from an elk harvested with a kill permit in Game Management Unit 121.

Natural Resource Technician Janowski collected two CWD samples from elk harvested using landowner kill permits in Stevens County.

Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman collected a CWD sample from a road killed deer. Heitstuman continues work regularly with landowners in the Cloverland area to prevent damage to crops by hazing elk. Some night work is being required to keep the elk from damaging the crops at night.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Second Cougar Tag: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb assisted a hunter who had questions about the availability of a second cougar tag for the Blue Mountain game management units.  After speaking with local enforcement and licensing staff members in Olympia, Kolb passed the relevant information along to the hunter. Additional information about the hunt opportunity was shared with District 3 staff during the quarterly meeting.

Hunter Access: Biologist Baarstad completed a draft Feel Free to Hunt Contract for a private timber company in District 1 and sent it out for review. Baarstad was contacted by a turkey hunter from Alabama regarding District 1 spring turkey hunting opportunities and will be sending information out to him in the next few days.  

Columbia Plateau Wildlife Management Association Landowner Hunting Permit Program: Private Lands Biologist Gaston coordinated more information between the WDFW customer service staff members and the Columbia Plateau Wildlife Management Association Landowner Hunting Permit organization. Hunters who were drawn for the Landowner Hunting Permit hunt now have access to purchase their permits.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

4-O Ranch Wildlife Area Haystack Moving: Wildlife Area Manager Dice discovered a haystack on the 4-O that was left outside of the fence surrounding the upper hayshed, had been discovered by elk a little over a week ago. The hay was left by WDFW’s agriculture lessee and was supposed to have been removed from the wildlife area last August. The elk, mostly mature bulls, were eating the hay and not leaving the area making them vulnerable. With the lessee, Dice and Natural Resource Technician Meisner moved a tractor to the 4-O along with a bale spear and grapple and moved the haystack. All the hay was cleaned up and the elk should move off to appropriate wintering areas where they will be safer.

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Photo by WDFW

Elk Damage to Infrastructure: Hundreds of elk continue to move back and forth across the state line near Walla Walla. The constant road crossings have exposed buried fiber optic internet cable conduit in at least four separate areas within the state. Internet services in the area currently remain functional.  

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Photo by WDFW

Wildlife Services Contact: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade was contacted by the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services with a few questions regarding private landowners’ ability to remove coyotes with the use aircraft. Wade offered some information and provided him with contact information for WDFW enforcement officers in his area of operation. Wade also followed up with Officer Sabo regarding the questions.

Cattle Producer Contact: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade reached out to the Asotin County Cattlemen’s Association (ACCA) president to give him an update on current wolf activity and staff work. Wade also asked if ACCA president had any information or sighting to report.

Onion Creek Pack: Natural Resource Technicians Barron and Janowski and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill deployed a radio activated guard box in a private pasture in the Onion Creek pack territory. Barron and Janowski loaned foxlights out to two landowners in the pack territory.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

4-O Ranch Wildlife Area Lands Check: Biologist Woodall and Natural Resource Technician Rimmelspacher traveled to the 4-O Ranch to check gates, ground conditions, and any sign of public use, and illegal motorized entry. They found little walk-in public use, no illegal snow mobile entry, gates were secured. There was deeper snow at the highest elevations, but the river breaks and lower benches were mostly snow-free with forage available for ungulates.

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Photo by WDFW

Forest Enhancement: Natural Resource Technician Janowski finalized and submitted a forest enhancement project proposal to WDFW’s ungulate specialist. If approved, the funding would go towards a tree planting project on a private property enrolled in Hunting Only by Written Permission.

McDonald Bridge Unit: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Access Technician Heimgartner took the dump trailer to the McDonald Bridge Unit and picked up the tires and litter that were cleaned up by the Whitman College volunteers over the weekend.

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Photo by WDFW

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Regional Conservation Partnership Program: Private Lands Biologist Gaston worked with Palouse Conservation District (PCD) staff to review an inter-agency agreement regarding Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The agreement will be finalized with PCD soon and then sent to WDFW for review and their signature to join and assist with RCPP opportunities in the Palouse.

Administrative Duties: After completion of the interview process, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Finch has been selected as the new manager for Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, its satellites, and the Revere and Reardan Audubon Wildlife Areas. He will also be responsible for the access areas in District 2, so will be supervising Access Manager Dziekan when Dziekan is working at District 2 sites. This hiring will complete the separation of the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area from Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, which were complexed about fifteen years ago. Current Complex Manager Anderson will stay with Sherman Creek Wildlife Area. Finch has over 28 years of experience as the assistant manager at Swanson Lakes, is a lifelong resident of Lincoln County, and has farmed his family property there since the 1980s. Congratulations Mike!

Regional Conservation Partnership Program Meeting: Natural Resource Technician Nizer and Private Lands Biologist Gaston attended a meeting with PCD to talk about partnering with PCD and contributing our time and resources to the RCPP grant they received from the Federal Government. Through the meeting we discussed the projects that qualified as contributions and how to keep track of work done as well as how to input that into PCD’s submission portal on their website. 

Wildlife Area Manager Finch finished installing the new front utility terrain vehicle (UTV) tracks on one of the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area’s UTVs. The back tracks should be done soon. These tracks on the UTV will allow winter travel each year, over areas of Swanson Lakes that would otherwise be inaccessible due to heavy and drifted snow.

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Photo by WDFW

Other

Training: Private Lands Biologist Hadley participated in a Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Habitat Pertaining to Small Urban Farms and Community Spaces meeting offered by the Xerces Society.