Managing Wildlife Populations

Deer Management: Biologist Dougherty assisted Private Lands staff members with assessing and determining changes to local LHPs (Landowner Hunt Program) for the upcoming hunting seasons.

Spring Mule Deer Surveys: Biologists Fitkin and Heinlen completed spring mule deer ground surveys classifying almost 1,600 mule deer. The raw counts yielded a fawn to adult ratio of 32 to100, which is close to the long-term average. 

Trapped, Sick and Injured Wildlife: Biologists Dougherty and Clements were notified of sick and dead snow geese at Potholes Reservior. After coordination with the reporting parties, the biologists went to the site and recovered serveral carcesses. Samples were collected and will be sent off for disease testing.

Ground Squirrels: Biologists Dougherty and Clements are continuing efforts to capture Washington ground squirrels in an effort to asses genetic diversity across the range. Dougherty and Clements took a break from baiting and trapping efforts to focus on other tasks, but pre-baiting and trapping will continue in the coming weeks.

Ferruginuous Hawks: Biologists Dougherty and Clements have been deeply invested in completing the first round of 2025 hawk surveys. After many phone calls and plenty of hiking and driving, the first round has been completed. Only two of the surveyed territories were found to be occupied by ferruginous hawks. However, Dougherty and Clements are planning return survey trips to some of the territories later in April. 

Other

Managing Wildlife Populations

Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area: Spring has arrived at the Sunnyside Unit and along with many migratory birds returning and plants coming back to life, many of the resident wildlife are out and about, enjoying the warmer weather.

District 8 Beaver Relocation: District 8 staff members relocated a beaver from the edge of a busy road in Yakima to the Yakima Nation relocation facility located in Klickitat. This was the first beaver to be received at the facility. At the facility, a smolt tank is utilized as an artificial habitat, where the beaver can be monitored for several days and rinsed of any potential chitrid fungus prior to relocation nearby.

Parke Creek Elk Conflict Study: District 8 Biologist Wampole and Technician Ogburn deployed 20 cameras in the Parke Creek area with the assistance of local landowners. These cameras will be used to monitor elk movement in association with the Elk Conflict Pilot Project.

District 8 Townsend Ground Squirrels: District 8 Wildlife staff members and L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart detected two new colonies on the L.T. Murray Wildlife area. District 8 Wildlife Biologist Wampole successfully captured and isolated ground squirrel calls as a first step to researching a novel approach of detecting and monitoring ground squirrel occurrence. 

District 8 Lek Search: District 8 Wildlife staff members conducted lek searches on local wildlife area lands to assess potential presence. No grouse were detected.

District 4 Burrowing Owl Transmitter Recovery: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra retrieved a transmitter attached to a burrowing owl. The transmitter had been placed on the juvenile owl in 2023 at its hatch site near Pasco. In 2024, this male bred in Washington, successfully fledging at least six young. The transmitter was still attached to the owl, which had died for undetermined reasons in an agriculture field.

District 4 Bobcat Jaw Collection: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra coordinated with several trappers who reported bobcat and otter harvest to get pelts sealed by the spring deadline as well as to comply with the new jaw submission guidelines for bobcat sampling. Many folks were given guidance on how to submit better samples next year.

District 4 Opportunistic Amphibian Monitoring: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra was training U.S. Fish and Wildlife seasonal technicians on ferruginous hawk survey protocols when he made an impromptu stop at a roadside seasonal puddle to check for amphibians. Two pairs of Great Basin spadefoot toads were quickly detected, both in amplexus (where males grasp onto females for extended time during breeding). One pair was quickly captured to confirm species ID, then released still attached. Data was submitted via the staff Incidental Observations survey tool.

District 4 Artificial Burrows installed for Burrowing Owls: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra coordinated installation of 18 new artificial burrow sites near Pasco as part of a burrowing owl conservation project. Staff members from the wildlife area, Wildlife Diversity Program, Habitat Program, Private Lands Program, and Capitol and Asset Management Program Archeology assisted with digging and monitoring the sites. These burrows were installed to replace some artificial burrows that have been lost over the past several years to development or conversion at locations where they had been voluntarily hosted by private landowners. 

Wenas Wildlife Area- Elk Fence Check: Wenas Wildlife Area staff members conducted elk fence checks for fence repairs or maintenance.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Whiskey Dick Unit Road Maintenance: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart submitted a PAM for a temporary extension of the current vehicle exclusion rule for the Pump House and Cayuse roads for public safety during construction. The Corrals access site to the Whiskey Dick unit will open to public vehicle travel on the usual May 1st opener. The Cayuse and Pump House roads are expected to be closed through the end of June.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Kittitas County Field and Stream Club Test and Remove Presentation: District 8 Wildlife Biologist Erin Wampole presented to the Kittitas County Field and Stream Club on the Tri-State Test and Remove Bighorn Sheep study. Members gained knowledge on WDFW efforts to manage pneumonia outbreaks in local bighorn sheep populations and on-going coordinated research.

Kittitas County Conflict: Elk are migrating in significant numbers westward following significant green up in the past two weeks. Elk are hanging out in some private land areas and have been more difficult to move.

WDFW Sergeant Johnson and District 8 Conflict Specialist Wetzel gave Carnivore Biologist Beausoleil’s bear information presentation to Suncadia staff members.

Yakima County Conflict: Elk in the Tampico area have been outside the elk fence in several areas. The elk have begun to stay above and west of the elk fence and have followed significant new green up in the last two weeks. The fence was repaired in several areas.

A beaver came down the concrete irrigation spillway in Yakima and became trapped at the trash gate. District wildlife staff members were able to catch it and transfer it to a translocation area.

Colockum Wildlife Area Green Dot Roads: Colockum Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Hagan began showing Colockum Wildlife Area Manager Gray around the Colockum. One of the items they looked at together was the condition of green dot roads. Manager Gray began reviewing previous lists made regarding road conditions and documenting needs for future road maintenance on the Colockum.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Vegetation Management: Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Ferguson and Natural Resource Technician Cardenas have been busy mowing upland habitats with weed infestations in preparation for spring spraying. Each year, Sunnyside staff members pick several areas to focus on for restoration and so far, they’ve worked on getting about 25 acres ready for spraying weeds followed up with native grass seeding in the fall.

Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Wetland Management: Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area staff members have begun spring drawdown of the moist soil units on the east side of the wildlife area in preparation for summer maintenance. Staff members continue to monitor water levels and maintain water control structures as necessary.

Wenas Wildlife Area- Shrub Planting: Wenas Wildlife Area Habitat Biologist Miller and Lands and Recreation Specialist Frame planted 250 plugs of inland saltgrass. This native grass will provide feed and cover for wildlife and support soil health. 

Wenas Wildlife Area- Firebreak and Parking Area Herbicide Spraying: Wenas Wildlife Area staff members sprayed firebreaks and parking areas for kochia, Russian thistle, and tumble mustard. Herbicide application will increase throughout the wildlife area for other noxious weeds as the season continues.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area- Forest Seedling Post-Fire Planting: The forestry team, including Statewide Specialist’s Forester Pfeifle and McRae, met with a planting contractor and facilitated the planting of approximately 20,000 ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and western larch tree seedlings. The area was commercially thinned in 2022 and damaged severely in the Retreat Fire of 2024. This was done to establish trees in the area to serve as a future seed source before grasses and brush develop post-fire.

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area - Whiskey Dick Unit Restoration: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart assessed survival of 40ci sagebrush plants that were planted along transect lines last fall at photo point sites. Three plants had been pulled out of the ground but of the remaining 52 planted evaluated, the survival rate was 92%.

Providing Education and Outreach

Wenas Wildlife Area- Kittitas Field and Stream Club Durr Rd Target Shooting Range Clean Up: 14 members of the Kittitas Field and Stream Club participated in a cleanup of target shooting trash and littered target building material at the Durr Rd Target Shooting Range. Kittitas Field and Stream Club has conducted this cleanup for many years at this shooting site and will hopefully continue to do so.

Wenas Wildlife Area- Wenas Valley Muzzleloaders Club Sheep Company Target Shooting Range Clean Up: Eight members of the Wenas Valley Muzzleloaders Club participated in a clean-up of target shooting trash and littered target building material. Wenas Valley Muzzleloaders Club has conducted this clean-up for many years at this shooting site and will hopefully continue to do so.

Wenas Wildlife Area- Pheasants Forever Shrub Planting: Eight members of the Yakima Pheasants Forever chapter joined Wenas Wildlife Area staff members in planting approximately 1,200 shrubs in the Black Canyon Fire burn of fall 2024. Species consisted of bitterbrush, big sagebrush, and golden currant.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Colockum Wildlife Area Seasonal Staff Hiring: Colockum Wildlife Area Manager Gray went through the process for direct hiring a four-month seasonal worker. Natural Resource Worker Cuellar will begin on May 1st. Some of the main duties he will be working on include maintaining boundary fence, noxious weed control, picking up illegal dump sites/litter, and general maintenance on infrastructure.

Other

Colockum Wildlife Area Temporary Road Closure: Colockum Wildlife Area Manager Gray coordinated with the Wenatchee Heights Reclamation District regarding the need for using a section of green dot road, two miles of Orr Creek Road, as a haul route for an emergency repair on Upper Wheeler Reservoir. The dam had a landslide that occurred this past spring on it and the Reclamation District is working on fixing this issue. The local community relies on water in this Reservoir to support their orchards/agricultural land. Approximately two miles of Orr Creek Road will be closed during haul operations 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday. This work is anticipated to last through the end of April.

Gray and Assistant Manager Hagan posted signs for the closure. Gray additionally worked with Communications Specialist Johnson regarding outreach for the temporary closure.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Road Clearing: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Venema and Natural Resource Worker Floyd cleared the Oak Creek Road of winter blowdown following the winter. Many fires weakened trees from the 2024 Retreat Fire had fallen across the road.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Ferruginous Hawks: Biologist Brinkman completed an occupancy survey of ferruginous hawk nesting territories in Whitman County, outside of Lacrosse. Historic nest sites were investigated, and two of five were found to be active with both the male and female ferruginous hawk observed at each of those active sites. The three unoccupied nests were within the same territories as the active nests, so a follow-up occupancy survey will not need to be conducted at those sites. Productivity surveys to determine hatching and fledging success will be conducted at the active nests in June. 

Biologist Lowe conducted a ferruginous hawk occupancy survey at the nest alongside the highway where Biologist Brinkman had observed a bird last week. She took photos of a ferruginous hawk incubating in the nest which confirms the active status of this site. 

Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Winter Gates Opened: WDFW staff opened gates on the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area that are closed from December 1st to April 1st annually to restrict motor vehicle access into ungulate winter range. Acting Wildlife Area Manager Palmer and Natural Resource Technician Graves opened the gates on Bisbee Mountain Road, Trout Lake Road, and the Old Game Range Road. Next, staff members cleared downed trees from the roads and cleaned out culverts. The photo below shows Graves cleaning the head end of a culvert on the Old Game Range Road. 

Bullfrogs: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Natural Resource Technician Tritt had a Teams call with Fish and Wildlife Biologist Janquart about options to try to reduce or control the bullfrog population on the WT Wooten Wildlife Area. There is a “large” population of bullfrogs in Spring Lake, Rainbow Lake, and the wetland adjacent to Rainbow Lake. Wildlife area staff members will be trying some of Biologist Janquart’s suggestions as they get time this summer.

Preparing for Sharp-tailed Grouse Release: This week Wildlife Area Manager Finch, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner, and Natural Resource Technician Duclos placed the grouse release boxes in position to prepare for the first translocation of sharp-tailed grouse (STG) next Monday. Placing these boxes in position early helps with the resident grouse getting familiar with the new out of place items. While out placing the boxes in position at Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, staff members met with Region 1 District 1 Wildlife Biologist Lowe on site to collect fecal and feathers from resident STG so genetic testing could be done. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

WT Wooten Wildlife Area Lakes: Natural Resource Technicians Jensen and Tritt checked the lakes daily and adjusted as necessary. They picked up trash around the lakes. They finished hauling tailings to fill the potholes in the access road between Rainbow Lake and Deer Lake. Tritt and Jensen walked the Deer Lake inlet channel and cleared debris to improve water flow to the lake. 

WT Wooten Wildlife Area Campgrounds, Parking Areas, and Shooting Range: Natural Resource Technician Jensen checked the campgrounds and parking areas and cleaned up trash. He removed the old paper signs from inside the outhouses and the expired signs from the kiosks.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Turkey Hazing: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris responded to a report of wild turkeys in a Spokane business complex. The complex has previously had issues with turkeys causing damage to vehicles in the parking lot. Harris located a small group of toms in the parking lot and hazed them off the property with a paintball gun. 

Turkey Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris hazed a tom that was relentlessly attacking its reflection in the window of a Spokane business. The tom did not cause damage to the window, but did inflict minor injuries to itself in the process. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Shrub/Tree Planting: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson assisted Biologist Nizer in Whitman County with planting trees and shrubs along the edges of a wheat field to increase forage opportunities and habitat for wildlife such as pheasants.

Cougar Creek Fire Reseeding Effort: Biologist Woodall and Natural Resource Technician Peters spent much of the work week applying seed to internal roads used for hauling logs and log deck sites. Woodall also coordinated and oversaw an aerial seed application using a helicopter. They applied 12,000 lbs. of a native seed and clover mix across the most heavily burned sites that have seen little to no regrowth. 

Pampa Pond Access: Access Area staff members began the process of catching up on many years of deferred maintenance at the Pampa Pond Access Area in Whitman County. During site inspections in late winter, staff members discovered the property has hidden picnic tables, and even one intact grill (which will be removed prior to fire restrictions). The tables were hidden amongst grass that was several feet tall. Natural Resource Technician Brant began the process of knocking the tall grass down with a string trimmer, and Natural Resource Specialist Dziekan follows Brant’s work with a lawn mower, mulching up the tall grass, leaves, and other debris and leaving behind a nice-looking area. The tall grass and unkempt areas made for a good habitat so after string trimming, and prior to mowing, Dziekan walked the areas to ensure he would not be running his mower into anything that it is not designed to cut. While doing the pre-mow inspection Dziekan discovered a baby rabbit. After a more detailed inspection, the rabbit’s siblings alerted Dziekan to their location and he was able to locate the warren. Dziekan made quick work of returning the rabbit to its nest and covering the warren back up. As he walked away, he noticed the female rabbit was close by, very well camouflaged, watching the entire process take place. No rabbits were harmed in the improvements of Pampa Pond!

One of the last priority tasks for Pampa Pond is getting the toilet under control. When Dziekan and Brant visited the site last year, they found the most atrocious looking toilet conditions the pair had ever seen. That prompted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) into entering a management agreement with the property owners. Countless instances of graffiti, along with stains from human waste, left the inside of the restroom entirely unappealing for use. New white paint was applied to the interior walls, and new grey paint applied to the floor. The floor paint was finished with sand, which will aid in traction when the floor is wet. 

Culvert planting: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson assisted the Habitat Program by using an auger to dig holes and plant various vegetation around a new culvert near Danville. The species included were western larch, ponderosa pine, and willow.

Plants: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley partnered with Corps of Engineers on a habitat project at Bennington Lake. Thorne Hadley supplied several hundred ponderosa pine trees, woods rose, fourwing saltbrush, and rabbit brush plants that were planted by volunteer members.

Habitat Project: Private Lands Biologist Nizer, Natural Resource Technician Itrich, and three other volunteer members completed a tree and shrub planting at a hunt by written permission property near Lamont. The habitat will be extending an existing fence line for game bird and big game habitat cover. Nizer and Itrich plan on coming back out to seed 25 acres into a grass stand.

Revere Wildlife Area Shrub Plot: This week Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner and Natural Resource Technician Duclos went to the Revere Wildlife Area to help volunteer members from the Spokane Chapter of Pheasant Forever deliver over 1,500 shrubs from Plants of the Wildlife directly to the work site. A temporary enclosure will be setup to protect the shrubs from deer and elk until the project starts.

Approximately 57 volunteer members showed up at the Revere Wildlife Area to brave the cold and windy weather to plant over 1,600 shrubs with three large shrub plots enclosed with 7.5-foot deer fence. This project was prepped in advanced by the Private Lands program who laid the matting as a field instruction day. The volunteer members were served a wonderful fried chicken, bean, salad, and brownies for dessert by a Spokane Chapter Pheasant Forever members. There were three separate Pheasant Forever chapters who showed up for this project along with Washington State University students and volunteer members from the Spokane Audubon. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Black Bear: Natural Resource Technicians Edmondson and Keeling brought Bear Aware pamphlets and informational material to the Northport hardware store to be handed out to residents and tourists that pass through town.

Inland Northwest Wildlife Council Disabled Hunter Open House: Wildlife Area Manager Palmer participated in the Disabled Hunter Open House hosted by the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council on April 12th. Palmer presented disabled hunter opportunities on Sherman Creek and Rustlers Gulch Wildlife Areas.

Bear Aware at Camas Center: Biologists Prince, Johnson, and conflict staff members Keeling and Edmondson conducted a Bear Aware event for the daycare kids at the Camas center. This included talking to the kids about grizzlies, how they differ from black bears, and ways to stay safe while recreating. The kids did multiple activities to learn more about things we do to keep bears from getting human food and keeping a clean campsite. It was an exciting day for the kids and a great start to our many outreach events planned this year.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Grant Proposal: This week Wildlife Area Assistant Wagner wrote a proposal for a $20,000 grant used for enhancing habitat for turkeys and other upland game birds. This grant benefits the habitat and increases the game bird population for better hunting experiences. The proposal that Wagner wrote outlined a partnership with Pheasant Forever and volunteer members.

Wagner recently received an email that his grant proposal was accepted for funding!

Red Card Wildland Fire Safety: Wildlife Area Manager Dice and Acting Wildlife Area Manager Woodall traveled to Spokane and met up with other WDFW staff members to complete their Red Card safety training for wildland fires. Hopefully, we do not have another year of fires but if so, we are fully prepared.

Managing Wildlife Populations

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

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

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

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

Managing Wildlife Populations

Klickitat Wildlife Area Spring Road Survey: Biologists Wickhem and Bergh, Assistant Wildlife Area Manager Roy, Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, Regional Wildlife Program Manager Jonker, and Volunteer VanLeuven took part in the annual spring road survey. They counted and classified mule deer on and around the Klickitat Wildlife Area. These routes have been surveyed each spring for more than 40 years! This season, the team counted 262 deer and classified 251. These results are on the lower side compared to recent years, but not bad considering the morning routes were plagued by fog and low clouds. The crew recorded 54 fawns for every 100 does, which is slightly above the 10-year average of 50 fawns for every 100 does. This “average” ratio was expected after a relatively mild winter.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Klickitat Mule Deer Mortality Investigation: Biologists Wickhem and Ott investigated one mortality (death) signal from a collared female mule deer this week. Unfortunately, the carcass had been heavily scavenged by the time the pair arrived, making it impossible to definitively determine the cause of death. However, the pair did find signs of bear, cougar, and coyote in the surrounding area. 

This deer was part of a 4-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 a tracked animal dies, which has proven to be difficult. In winter 2021, 81 collars were deployed for this effort. Twenty-two collars were deployed in the winter of 2022 and 23 were deployed in the winter of 2023. Most of the 2023 deployments were replacing study deer that died over the first two years of the study.  We are nearing the end of the study, so no more collars will be redeployed for this project.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Improving Private Land Access: Private Lands Biologist Gray worked with a landowner enrolled in the Private Lands Access Program in Klickitat County to improve access over a property fence where a gate wasn’t an option. Volunteers worked to build this staircase to allow for safer access over the barbed wire fence. All properties enrolled in the access program are walk-in access only.

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Photo by WDFW

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Necropsy Training: Biologists Wickhem, Bergh, Ott, Holman, Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, and Assistant Wildlife Manager Risley attended necropsy (animal autopsy) training held in Region 5. The class was taught by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Veterinarians Mansfield and Haman and Washington State University Veterinary Pathologist Oliveira. Staff members are often required to conduct necropsies on a variety of wildlife species to determine cause of death, take veterinary samples, and track wildlife disease outbreaks. The class consisted of a lecture portion and hands-on experience.

Staff members from around the state saved carcasses of animals that were either found or euthanized by WDFW. This gave attendees the opportunity to necropsy an elk, cougar, bear, porcupine, river otter, beaver, a few coyotes, several birds, and multiple deer. All of the necropsy specimens were collected opportunistically, and no animals were killed specifically to be used for this training.

The elk and the bear had unknown illnesses that led to their euthanization, so instructors and attendees were tasked with determining what each animal was afflicted with. Numerous samples were taken from the bear for later analysis at the pathology lab. Eventually, they found a huge abscess below one of the elk’s antlers that likely caused the unnatural behavior (walking in circles, disorientation, approaching humans) that led to its euthanization. Thanks to veterinarians Mansfield and Haman as well as pathologist Oliveira for the instruction.

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Photo by WDFW

Firearms Recertification Training: Biologists Holman, Bergh, and Wickhem along with Conflict Specialist Jacobsen completed required firearms recertification training. Policy requires in person demonstration of safe handling, shooting proficiency, and general familiarity with state-issued firearms every three years for non-enforcement Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members who carry firearms. Firearms are used by WDFW biology staff members to euthanize injured animals, haze wildlife away from agricultural or residential areas, and to collect specimens for examination. Thanks to Wildlife Program Firearms Instructor Dazey for running the recertification practicum.

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Photo by WDFW

Managing Wildlife Populations

Cleman Mountain Bighorn Sheep Survey: District 8 Biologist Wampole, Assistant Biologist Moore, Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Frame, and Tulalip Tribal Biologist Collins conducted lamb/ewe counts of the Cleman Mountain bighorn sheep population to inform lamb recruitment. This information is used for the continued population monitoring following the experimental protocols for Test and Remove. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Yakima Canyon Bighorn Sheep Survey: District 8 Wildlife Biologist Wampole, Assistant Biologist Moore, Conflict Technician Leuck, Conflict Specialist Wetzel, and Ungulate Assistant Biologist Kyle, and tribal biologists from the Tulalip and Yakama Tribes collaborated to conduct lamb-ewe counts for the Yakima Canyon bighorn sheep population. These counts are crucial for understanding lamb recruitment and are part of ongoing population monitoring efforts following the experimental protocols for Test and Remove.

Bat Box Installation: District 8 Wildlife Biologist Wampole and Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked to install bat boxes to replace recently disbanded barns. The barns were removed as part of a larger land restoration plan, but they were identified as a summer maternity roost in the previous years. Bat boxes were installed this spring to provide returning bats with opportunity for a secure roost site. Biologists will monitor boxes for activity and work to install additional sites. 

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Photo by WDFW

Motus Tower Installation: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra assisted with the installation of a new Motus tower in Benton County. Fidorra met with the partner in flight biologist and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff members to install the new tower. The tower is a first in District 4 and one of only two in all of eastern Washington. The Motus system can be used to track wildlife as small as butterflies. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife intends to develop more studies using the system for bats and bird monitoring in the future. 

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Photo by WDFW

Ferruginous Hawk Nest Platforms: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra checked for occupancy at six nest platforms installed for ferruginous hawks in District 4. Two platforms were removed prior to the breeding season at the request of a wind development project. None of the platforms had signs of use this season.

Bluebird Nesting Boxes: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra made a quick check on a volunteer project installed in Benton County. Fidorra checked 20 nest boxes, installed for swallows and bluebirds, for nests from last season. It might take some years for the site to become established by target species. For the second year in a row, one of the boxes appeared to be used by ash-throated flycatchers, an uncommon Washington breeding bird. 

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Photo by WDFW

Ferruginous Hawk Data: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra was part of a team working to address data collection at historical ferruginous hawk nesting sites. The team worked to develop a method for documenting and differentiating sites where nesting structure was missing, where nests were destroyed or missing, or where habitat within the vicinity had been permanently converted.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Wenas Wildlife Area Sheep Company Shooting Range: Wenas Wildlife Area staff members chemically treated the Sheep Company Shooting Range. This treatment includes the shooting lanes, berms, walkways, as well as the parking lot. Such treatments help to ensure that fire danger is kept to a minimum while helping to keep noxious weeds at lower levels in disturbed portions of the wildlife area. This has the benefit of providing a well-kept recreation site for the popular practice of target shooting on the wildlife area.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Wenas Wildlife Area Spring Fence Checks: Wenas Wildlife Area staff members checked over 20 miles of elk fence on the boundary of the wildlife area to look for any winter damage. Damage to the elk fence will be fixed promptly to prevent elk from going onto private lands outside of the fence. This will help prevent wildlife conflict on the wildlife area.

Rattlesnake Hills Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand had contact with landowners on Rattlesnake Mountain concerning elk activity, damage occurrence, and damage permit issuance. Late night hazing activities were employed with a few small groups of bull elk returning back onto the Hanford Monument.

Trail Camera Deployment: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand deployed a trail camera in an area on Rattlesnake Mountain that elk have historically used to leave the Hanford Monument for winter wheat crops. Small groups of young bulls have been showing up on camera during nocturnal hours and retreating back to Hanford prior to sun-up. Information is being relayed to landowners to assist with their hazing activities.

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Photo by WDFW

Plymouth/Paterson Deer Patrols: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand monitored several large wine grape operations along the Columbia River between Paterson and Crow Butte for deer damage. Very minor deer activity is occurring in the vineyards currently.

Silver Dollar Livestock Producer Check-Ins: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued to check in with landowners in the Silver Dollar and Blackrock areas concerning predation during calving operations. No major problems or concerns have developed this year and mild winter weather conditions were beneficial.

Kittitas County Conflict: District 8 Conflict Technician Leuck and Conflict Specialist Wetzel hazed some elk from areas in Kittitas County. Elk ventured to areas in Thorp, Vantage, Kittitas, Badger Pocket, and Cle Elum, mostly they were following migratory routes and visiting some crop fields. Elk have been hazed away again from I-90 in some locations, however some elk have been struck on I-90.

Conflict Specialist Wetzel tasked an agency range rider to work on wolf issues from the Lauderdale to Kittitas area of the old Naneum Pack territory.

Yakima County Conflict: District 8 Conflict Technician Leuck and Conflict Specialist Wetzel checked for elk in the Tampico and Cowiche areas and inspected fences in those locations. The elk appear to have moved up and away from the winter damage areas.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Weed Control: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Charlet and Natural Resource Technician O’Brien begin control of noxious weeds on the Oak Creek and Cowiche units. Efforts focus on the control of Scotch thistle but also include a wide variety of noxious weed species. 

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Photo by WDFW

Wenas Wildlife Area – Spring Weed Treatment: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technicians Stoltenow and Janes sprayed the firebreaks along the southern portion of the wildlife area elk fence. This is in an effort to reduce the fuel load in those areas and help control the spread of potential wildfires. Technicians Janes and Stoltenow also began spot spraying for Scotch thistle in the wildlife area. In addition, wildlife area staff members sprayed around parking lots and kiosks throughout the wildlife area to prevent weeds from growing.

Wenas Wildlife Area – Spring Planting: Wenas Wildlife Area Technicians Stoltenow and Janes finished planting the last of the plugs that will be planted this spring. These plants went in along riparian areas in Black Canyon and McCabe. 

Byron Unit Shrub Planting: Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber, Assistant Manager Ferguson, and Natural Resource Technician Cardenas continue to plant shrubs for the Byron Unit fire restoration shrub planting. They are receiving help from Private Lands Biologist Manderbach, a volunteer from the fish program, and occasional other volunteers. The planting should be completed soon. All of the shrubs that have been planted this season look great so far. They will continue to be monitored and possibly watered as the summer heat comes on. 

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Photo by WDFW

Wapato Exit Fire: Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber and Natural Resource Technician Cardenas checked the location of a fire near the Wapato exit to monitor the regrowth of cottonwood trees within the area. So far, the cottonwoods are showing great regrowth and will be monitored throughout the year. The cottonwoods that grow in the riparian areas of the Yakima River are important because they provide wildlife habitat and shade the river keeping it cooler for rearing and migrating salmon. Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area staff members will treat the area for Scotch thistle, poison hemlock, and houndstongue in upcoming weeks. 

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Providing Education and Outreach

Presentation to Field and Streams Club: District 8 Wildlife Biologist Wampole presented an update on the Colockum Elk Herd population, current knowledge of the Kittitas mule deer, and the on-going Test & Remove bighorn sheep study.

Salmon Summit: April 15 through April 16 was the annual Salmon Summit at Columbia Park in Kennewick. Approximately 6,000 students, teachers and parents gathered to release fall chinook fry that they have raised from the egg stage to fry. Students released fish into the Columbia River and then spent the remainder of the day learning about many aspects of the salmon life cycle, PIT tagging, and natural resources. 

Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber, Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach, and Fisheries Technician Meehan scooped fish and handed them out each day. Kaelber and Manderbach also worked the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife booth teaching students about the types of animals that live in Washington. The students enjoyed seeing and touching a variety of animal pelts, skulls, horns, and antlers. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Firearms Training: District 8 Wildlife Biologist Moore attended and completed a two-day agency-approved firearm safety course as required by the position description under Policy 7011.

Washington Waterfowl Advisory Group (WWAG) Meeting: District 8 Wildlife Biologist Moore assisted the Waterfowl Section in hosting the advisory group meeting at the Yakima Arboretum. The meeting had a focus on onboarding the eight new WWAG members. The section delivered thorough presentations on the many ongoing waterfowl research and monitoring projects. There is more information about the Washington Waterfowl Advisory Group on our website. 

Washington Waterfowl Advisory Field Tour of Sunnyside Unit Wetlands: Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber led a field tour with the Washington Waterfowl Advisory Group, regional staff members, and statewide waterfowl specialists. The group toured the Brady Wetland which is the location for a wetland restoration project that is being funded by state duck stamp funds. The group was also shown a short demonstration of the amphibious Marsh Master machine that is used throughout the wetlands for maintenance activities. 

Grandview Wastewater Treatment Facility and Byron Unit Tour: A site tour of the Grandview Wastewater Treatment Plant and Byron Unit of the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area was attended by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff members, Ducks Unlimited, and Yakima Audubon. The tour showed the existing ponds that are pumped from the treatment facility to the Byron Unit. The future operations of the treatment plant may call for these ponds to dry up. There is potential for an alternate out flow of treated water that would keep water flowing through the Byron Unit and create additional wetland and pond acres. This site has historically been very productive for nesting waterfowl and provides habitat for a diverse variety of wildlife. 

Other

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart checked all herbicides being used on the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) bulletins for new restrictions related to potential accidental take of endangered species. No new restrictions were found. 

Natural Resource Technicians Blore and Winegeart conducted a survival survey on the 2023 fall Vantage Highway fire restoration sagebrush planting. They counted 296 10ci plugs and 154 40ci plugs. Fifty-five percent of the 10ci plugs counted were alive, but many seem to be missing from known planting locations due to high winds, rodents, or ungulates and many will probably not make it through the dry summer months. Survival of the 10ci plugs will most likely be much lower. Ninety-three percent of the 40ci plugs counted were alive and appeared much healthier than the 10ci plugs and stand a greater chance of surviving the summer. 

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Photo by WDFW

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L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Hay Delivery: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Blore and Assistant Manager Winegeart helped with the delivery and tarping of 275 tons of new high-quality hay at the Joe Watt elk feed site. 

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L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Automated External Defibrillators: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Blore and Assistant Manager Winegeart set up two new Automated External Defibrillators (AED). One will be set up at the wildlife area shop and one in the Ellensburg office that can also be checked out for field projects such as remote volunteer events. 

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Automated External Defibrillators: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Natural Resource Worker O’Brien set up a new AED in the Oak Creek shop providing easy access to wildlife area staff members in the case of an emergency.

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Quilomene Unit Grazing: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Worker Blore worked with the Quilomene Unit grazing lessee to repair pasture fence ahead of cows coming on the first week of May. 

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Invasive Annual Grass Workshop: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach attended an all-day virtual workshop titled ‘Defending and Growing the Core by Breaking the Cycle of Invasive Annual Grasses’ put on by University of Wyoming’s Institute for Managing Annual Grasses Invading Natural Ecosystems (IMAGINE) along with Working Lands for Wildlife and many other agencies and organizations. There were multiple presenters from multiple states and agencies who all provided useful information. Cheatgrass, ventenata, and medusahead were the main topics and landscape wide efforts to prevent or reduce invasion was a main strategy, among others.

Blackrock Greenstrip Fuel Break Pilot Project: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach checked out the Blackrock greenstrip planting off of Highway 241 from 2021 ahead of an upcoming meeting with the greenstrip fuel break team. The greenstrip on the west side of the highway is very green right now and will hopefully remain that way throughout the dry summer months. The planting on the east side of the highway unfortunately did not take as well and will likely need to be reseeded.

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Photo by WDFW

Managing Wildlife Populations

Wolf Management: Biologist Heinlen investigated the mortality signal from a Beaver Creek pack female’s radio collar that the wolf crew found while conducting their annual survey/capture flights. The drop off device was activated, but no sign of a carcass was found. The animal is presumed to still be alive. In addition, public reports suggested the Beaver Creek pack was still using their traditional areas over the winter and early spring, and a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife wolf biologist was able to confirm at least two animals are still in the territory.

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Photo by WDFW

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Spring Mule Deer Surveys: Biologists Fitkin and Heinlen completed spring mule deer surveys classifying over 1500 mule deer. The raw counts yielded a ratio of 44 fawns to 110 adults. This is above both the 5-year and long-term averages and indicates better than average post-winter fawn recruitment this year.

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Rattlesnake Den Monitoring: Biologist Fitkin assisted retired U.S. Forest Service Biologist Rohrer in refining the location of and monitoring a northern Pacific rattlesnake hibernacula on the Methow Wildlife Area. In addition to counting around three dozen snakes, two live pit-tagged snakes were detected that were translocated to the general vicinity of the den last fall. This technique of moving unwanted snakes from private property to known den sites when snakes are entering their hibernacula has proven very successful over the years as an alternative to lethal removal.

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Photo by WDFW

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Grouse Area Search Grids and Grouse Lek Surveys: Private Biologist Braaten continues early morning sage and sharp-tailed grouse lek count surveys in Douglas County and is completing grouse area search grids.

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Photo by WDFW

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Sage Grouse Surveys: Biologist Morris will finish sage grouse searches this week. He will be searching grids in Grant and Douglas counties without known sage grouse leks, searching for birds and new leks. Morris saw some great sunrises, picturesque landscapes, and sandhill cranes foraging in fallow wheat fields while doing the surveys.

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Lek Counts: March marks the beginning of lek counts, and wildlife area staff members have started the yearly early morning task of observing grouse lek sites on the Sagebrush Flat and Big Bend wildlife areas. Staff members attended a brief virtual training on data collection and have been using this new information to log survey data in Field Maps.

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Bridgeport Bar Preparation: With spring setting in quickly, wildlife area staff members are working to prepare irrigation infrastructure and equipment in the Bridgeport Bar’s many agricultural fields and shrub rows. Technicians Haney-Williamson and Ruiz have been prepping irrigation, maintaining pivots at Washburn Island, and taking soil samples to prepare for spring seeding. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Wolf Non-Lethal Deterrence Outreach: Wildlife Conflict Specialists’ Bridges and Heilhecker, Supervisor Rickel, Regional Program Manager Haug, Regional Director Hoenes and other Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff members participated in a meeting with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service staff members to discuss coordination on wolf issues in the federally managed wolf area of Region 2 that is located west of Highway 97. Recent incidents have highlighted the need to be coordinated for future events so management and staff members met to discuss how to coordinate best and identify what and who will be the main points of contact for the various tasks. This timely meeting will facilitate a common approach to wolf related issues in the federally managed wolf area of Region 2.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Habitat Plots: Biologist Morris evaluated two recently planted habitat plots. The shrubs that he planted this spring are growing well so far. There are some weeds in both plots that he needs to spray, but overall they are doing well.

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Shrub Planting: Technicians Blanchard and Wilson, and Biologist Cook planted 150 shrubs along the base of a small coulee to increase diversity and increase shrub establishment. This site had been previously planted in 2021, but the following spring was very dry and many of the shrubs did not survive. This was another effort to establish more shrubs in this area. The bottom of the coulee was seeding with native bunchgrasses and further weed control and native forb seeding will follow, hopefully in fall of 2024.

Prescribed Burn in Sagebrush Flat: Wildlife area staff members burned Russian thistle that piled up in a fire break on the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area. This month, three staff members completed their red card certification and are looking forward to using what they learned to help with future burns.

Providing Education and Outreach

Shrubsteppe Ecology Field Trip: A group of students from a wildlife ecology class at Washington State University came out to the shrubsteppe and learned about local ecosystems. Biologists Peterson and Blake along with Schroeder, Crowell and Gallie spoke to students about shrubsteppe ecology and the sensitive species that live there. Students learned about pygmy rabbits, sharp-tailed grouse, and sage grouse and how they interact with the landscape. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff members made sure to highlight the management activities that they focus on in this area and what their efforts accomplish. 

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Wild Turkey Hunters: Private Lands Biologist Braaten fielded many hunter access questions to hunters interested in the upcoming wild turkey seasons.

2024 Private Lands Work Party: Twelve private lands biologists from around the state attended the 2024 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Private Lands Work Party in Electric City. Supervisors and Private Lands Section Manager McCanna, as well as Region 2 Regional Program Manager Haug also attended. Hosts Braaten and Baarstad designed the three-day event to focus on safety, equipment use training, habitat project initiation and completion, as well as team building. 

The group visited a 16-year-old planting in Douglas County and discussed project objectives, how to work with landowners, and how to plan and execute projects. They also installed a few hundred fence markers around fencing of a habitat plot for a landowner to help reduce bird collision with the fence. On the second day, staff received training on several pieces of agriculture equipment typically used for completing habitat projects. Staff members received training from experienced staff members on how to safely use and operate equipment. All participants were grateful for the opportunity provided through the work party. 

Upon completion of the two-day work party, approximately 500 trees and shrubs were planted, and two acres of food plots were seeded.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Association (WAFWA) Washington Grouse Conference Field Trip Planning: Private Lands Braaten completed the field trip route and tour bus booking for WAFWA Grouse Conference in Wenatchee in August 2024.

Other

Incidental Observations: Spring has sprung, and babies are already on the ground for some critters.

Road Maintenance: This month wildlife area staff members have been tackling various road maintenance tasks. They added material to roads across the wildlife areas that were eroded over the winter months, strengthening them, and making them safer. Other wildlife area staff members have focused on spraying roads on various wildlife areas for annual grasses and broadleaves. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Gopher Snake Release: Gopher snakes that staff members found in hibernacula underneath the floorboards during the headquarters remodeling were released earlier this month. After unearthing these snakes during a reflooring project in the office, Assistant Manager Blake sought council from Beck, a retired herpetologist and professor from Central Washington University. Blake followed his recommendations and kept the snakes contained in the correct conditions through the winter. With the warmer weather and start of spring, wildlife area staff members were happy to release them back outside. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Managing Wildlife Populations

Golden Eagle Mortality: Biologist Brinkman coordinated with the wildlife program manager from the Spokane Tribe that found a deceased golden eagle with a GPS transmitter on the Spokane Reservation. This coordination also included Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Biologist Vekasy, Wildlife Research Scientist Watson, and a biological consulting organization to determine the owner of the transmitter and learn about the history of the bird. They discovered the bird was marked in 2017 and provided five years of location data before the transmitter stopped functioning. Samples will be submitted to examine lead exposure levels.

Moose Mortality Notification: The moose team received a mortality notification for one of the cow moose collared in February. Biologist Brinkman met with three other WDFW biologists from the moose team to investigate the location of the mortality signal. The cow moose carcass was found intact with no evidence of predator activity. The team of biologists conducted a full field necropsy and collected samples that will be sent to the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab (WADDL) for analysis and determination of cause of death. 

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Access Areas: North Region 1 Water Access Area Manager Dziekan and Natural Resource Technician Brant have been busy cleaning access area restrooms in preparation for spring fishing and boating season. The work included picking up litter and cleaning restrooms, and they used backpack blowers to clear the parking areas of pine needles and other debris that accumulated during the winter. Backpack blowing is very much a routine task, but this scale of backpack blowing takes a lot of time. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Controlled Burning: Wildlife area staff members conducted controlled burns of agricultural fields on Smoothing Iron Ridge. They burned wheat stubble off food plot fields in preparation for weed control and spring plantings. They also burned off a perennial grass field due to increasing ventenata and to stimulate new perennial grass growth for the elk. This project was not completed due to the rain so staff members will need to finish it up once nicer weather arrives.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Weed Control: Biologist Woodall sprayed parking and access sites on Cloverland and Meyers Ridge roads. He also coordinated with a contractor who completed an aerial spray project for Mediterranean sage.

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Photo by WDFW

Tire Cleanup: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman contacted Columbia County Road Department about disposing of approximately 40 tires and a dryer that were picked up along Hartsock Grade by wildlife area staff members. The county covered the transfer station cost to dispose of everything since it is a county road and right-of-way. Tritt hauled the full dump trailer to the Columbia County transfer station and disposed of the tires and dryer.

Noxious Weed Control: Natural Resource Technicians Jensen and Tritt started spraying the field along Oliphant Road for yellow star thistle and houndstongue. They also sprayed weeds in the area of the Rainbow Lake spoils pile and the field by Campground 2. Tritt repaired one of the all-terrain vehicle spray tanks so all three sprayers are now functioning. Wildlife Area Manager Dingman sprayed weeds around the headquarters fields. Dingman set up some monitoring plots in upper Tumalum Creek for future monitoring of noxious weed infestations.

Habitat Planting: Natural Resource Technician Moberg assisted Private Lands Biologist Thorne-Hadley in planting 120 shrubs on private land that is enrolled in an access agreement program. The landowner tagged along and showed us an additional site with a water guzzler that would be an ideal candidate for future habitat work.

Hunting Access Programs: Natural Resource Technician Moberg and Private Lands Biologist Thorne-Hadley investigated a 2,000+ acre property whose owner has expressed interest in joining the private lands access program. Moberg also met with a representative of Puget Sound Energy to learn more about the Columbia County Windfarm Recreation access program. 

Habitat Plots and Plantings: Private Lands Biologist Nizer met with a landowner to mow a food plot with the tractor and prepared another site for a planting. Nizer also led a crew to plant 1,700 trees for turkey roosting habitat. In total, there were five volunteers for the Saturday project. Nizer also met with Private Lands Biologist Baarstad to plant 1,000 shrubs on a Hunt by Written Permission property.

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Education and Outreach

Trent Elementary: Biologist Brinkman gave a presentation to fifth grade students at Trent Elementary School about moose biology and management in Washington.

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Photo by WDFW

Eagle Scout Project: Wildlife Area Access Manager Dziekan worked with a local boy scout troop to complete an eagle scout project. They installed a personal flotation device loaner station at the Williams Lake Water Access Area.

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Photo by WDFW

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Riparian Shrub Planting Project: This past week a freight company delivered eight rolls of deer fence that the Spokane Audubon Society purchased for the upcoming riparian winter shrub habitat project at Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area. The Spokane Audubon Society will also be purchasing all the shrubs for the project which makes their total donation over $8,200. The Spokane Chapter of Pheasants Forever will also be involved with their volunteers and funding. There will be approximately 780 trees and shrubs planted and then enclosed with deer fence to protect them from deer and possibly trespassing cattle.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Oregon Spotted Frog: Biologist Tirhi completed collecting and entering data for one of three spotted frog breeding sites where habitat restoration is ongoing. Assistant District Biologist Butler collected on the other two. Only those known sites having ongoing habitat restoration were counted in 2023. The balance of this year’s frog time was spent searching for new locations where spotted frogs may be breeding. Water levels were low across all habitats in District 11 this season, which may have affected the number of egg masses that were laid at several sites.

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Sooty Grouse Population Monitoring: Biologists Butler and Tirhi spent a day scouting and establishing their assigned sooty grouse survey routes. District 11 has five routes to establish and monitor for 2023, all of which are on Weyerhaeuser property in GMU 667. Tirhi is working with Weyerhaeuser to complete the necessary permits. Meanwhile, Tirhi spent one day, Butler spent one day, and the two together spent a third day beginning to establish the first four routes beginning at the assigned start point. One difficulty they experienced was the late snow conditions across the Cascades Range. The team brought the district’s tracked all-terrain vehicle (ATV) up one day and used it to successfully get above the snowline and establish one full route. Each route has 15 to 30 listening stations, spread one mile apart.

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Photo by WDFW

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Elk Monitoring: Biologists Butler and Tirhi along with Nisqually Tribe’s Wildlife Program Manager Borrego completed a 4-hour survey of GMU 654 and part of GMU 653 in the North Rainier Elk Herd. GMU 654 has not been surveyed by air in over 30 years and while it was suspected of having fewer elk than surrounding GMUs, the reality was unknown. GMU 653 is known to support the highest number of elk in the herd. The flight team successfully surveyed the entire planned survey area with the available funds. Only 68 elk were observed during the flight, with the majority of those located in the portion of 653 that was flown. This confirms the suspicion that GMU 654 supports fewer elk compared to surrounding GMUs, regardless of the numbers of animals harvested in the fall. These results will allow Biologist Tirhi to better evaluate hunting season levels, the population target in the herd management plan, and provide a valuable missing piece of information in analyzing the herd population trends in GMU 654. WDFW greatly appreciated the United States Forest Services’ Mt. Baker and Snoqualmie national forests who contributed $2000 towards this survey effort.

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Streaked Horned Lark: Biologist Tirhi represented WDFW at the annual Larks and Airports Working Group meeting hosted by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at the Portland Airport. The meeting included presentations and discussions from various airports in Oregon and Washington that either contain breeding larks or have the potential habitat to support and attract breeding larks. Tirhi presented on the finalization of a Best Management Practices (BMP) document that Tirhi spearheaded with the working group beginning in 2018. The BMPs contain management recommendations addressing all aspects of airport maintenance and development while minimizing impacts to breeding larks.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Maintenance and Access Projects: The access team performed a wide variety of maintenance tasks with extra emphasis placed on hazardous tree removal, access area driveways, and parking conditions. Gravel and cold patch asphalt were distributed at several sites across Mason, Pierce, Thurston, Kitsap, and Jefferson counties. The access team has also been preparing seasonal lakes for the trout opener on April 22.

Pierce County, Horseshoe Lake: The paved entrance was severely damaged from rainfall nearly three yards of asphalt was needed to bring the Horseshoe Lake approach back into shape.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Pierce County, Jackson Lake: The access team fell two hazardous trees at Jackson Lake, one fir that was heavily leaning over the parking area and a large dead madrone that was a potential hazard over the boat ramp area. Gravel was also placed in washed out areas of the gravel lot.  Firewood from the trees was given to the Kitsap Sportsmans Club. Their clubhouse is also located on Jackson Lake.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Kitsap County, Buck Lake: The access team repaired the roadway with gravel, cold patch asphalt, and brushed out the shoulders of the access road.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Jefferson County, Triton Cove: Asphalt repairs were made on the entrance and exit approaches at Triton Cove and Pleasant Harbor’s entrance road and parking area.

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Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Marrowstone Unit: Technicians Havens and Anderson from the Fish Program assisted Wildlife Area Manager Laushman in installing new signage on Rat Island, part of the North Olympic Wildlife Area, to help discourage summer disturbance of nesting terns and pupping harbor seals.

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Bell Creek Unit: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman attended a volunteer event at the Bell Creek Unit of the North Olympic Wildlife Area where volunteers removed protective caging from a large-scale Garry oak restoration project.

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Photo by WDFW

South Puget Sound Unit: Technician Morgan mowed about 12 acres of scotch broom at the South Puget Sound Unit in Lakewood, clearing trails and fields that were crowded in by older plants.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Elk Forage Field Maintenance: With the weather becoming more favorable every week, the Olympic Wildlife Area staff members began the annual task of removing broken limbs and branches from the elk forage fields. Using primarily a tractor and chainsaw, Assistant Manager Gallegos and Technician Martinez spent the past several weeks clearing fields in the Wynoochee Mitigation Sites and Olympic Units. Removing the broken limbs and branches is just the first step in the annual maintenance of these fields and allows for more efficient operations the rest of the year, including their cultivation, mowing, and fertilizing. Several of the fields had an abnormally high amount of material, as this task was kept to a minimum last year due to vacant staff positions.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Education and Outreach

Rat Island Volunteer Training: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman coordinated a training for volunteers from the Friends of Fort Flagler, who will serve as docents in the summer months to help educate visitors about nesting Caspian terns and harbor seal haul-outs on the Marrowstone Unit of the North Olympic Wildlife Area. Presentations were given by Research Biologist Pearson, Watchable Wildlife Coordinator Hansen, and Volunteer Coordinator Tilton.

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General Wildlife Inquiries: Biologist Murphie responded to inquiries received by phone, email, or in person related to:

• Missing birds.
• Mountain quail.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

2023-2024 Work Planning: Biologists Tirhi and Butler participated in the Region 6 Wildlife Program/HQ planning meeting. This meeting is held annually to decide what tasks regional district biologists will be doing, how much time will be allocated to each task, in which months, and which funding source will be used. This is done for both game and diversity species work.

Biologist Murphie completed several tasks related to routine operations:

• Vehicle maintenance and upgrades completed this period.
• Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly survey training and prep.
• Elk plan meeting and prep.
• Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program (PSEMP) survey data error checks.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Injured Bald Eagle: Biologist Wickhem responded to a report of an injured mature bald eagle along Highway 14 in Skamania County. Wickhem was joined at the location by the reporting party, who happened to be an experienced raptor-catcher. The eagle was not in a great spot. It was on a small patch of land between railroad tracks and the Columbia River. When the pair approached with their “catching gear", the eagle was able to muster a few stealthy hops and fly about 30 feet to perch on a tree branch over-hanging the river. With the eagle being somewhat mobile and in an impossible place to access, the pair decided to leave it be and hope for the best. Hopefully it will recover on its own without human intervention!

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Winter Mudflow Elk Count: Biologist Stephens conducted a count of elk on the Mudflow Unit of the Mount St Helens Wildlife Area. This survey is done each month from December to April. A total of 193 elk were observed on the mudflow which included 60 bulls, 89 cows, 26 calves, and 18 elk that were unable to be classified.

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Willapa Hills Elk Survey: In March, biologists from Regions 5 and 6 conducted an aerial survey of the Willapa Hills Elk Herd. Given the large size of the herd area, normally the south half and the north half of the herd area are surveyed in alternating years. This year there was funding to survey both the north and south halves. The survey is a stratified random sampling design and a sightability estimate is applied to the data collected. The estimate for the north portion of the Willapa Hills Elk Herd area came to 1,441 and the estimate for the south half was 2,841. Both of these estimates are very similar to previous year’s estimates which indicate a stable population.

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Oregon Spotted Frog Surveys: Biologists Wickhem and Bergh and Technician Motiff have spent many days since mid-March surveying for federally threatened Oregon spotted frogs at two sites in Klickitat County. Throughout the survey period, the trio were assisted by Herpetologist Hallock, Customer Service Specialist Splitgerber, Administrative Assistant Pool, Volunteers Castagnoli and Hanley, and Washington Department of Natural Resources Natural Areas staff members. The survey consists of walking transects through wetlands looking for Oregon spotted frog egg masses. Each egg mass represents two frogs which creates a population estimate for each site. The population count in Trout Lake Valley appears to be similar to last year, however the Glenwood Valley population estimate more than tripled compared to last year! A very welcome outcome after many years of declines in that area.

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Conserving Natural Landscapes

Diversifying the Habitat: Manager Hauswald, Assistant Manager Breitenstein, and Assistant Manager Risley put in a long day to plant 1,100 native trees and shrubs at the Alder Creek Unit of the Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area. These trees and shrubs were planted in areas that previously hosted dense stands of Douglas fir trees and little else. The Alder Creek Unit was thinned in 2018 to create more open habitat for elk and other wildlife species. Planting cottonwood, bitter cherry, elderberry, and vine maple in these thinned areas will further enhance the habitat by creating a more diverse, mosaic forest type that is more characteristic of a healthy Pacific Northwest temperate forest.

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Providing Education and Outreach

Wild About Nature Presentation: Biologist Wickhem and Mesocarnivore Specialist Lewis presented at the opening night of the tenth Wild About Nature speaker’s series at the White Salmon Library. Wickhem spoke about northwestern pond turtles and Lewis presented about the reintroductions and monitoring efforts of Pacific fishers that have occurred throughout the state. The series is organized by a local artist and nature enthusiast and the White Salmon Library. It usually occurs once a week every April. This is the first series since events were suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic. As usual, the room was packed and attendees asked a lot of great, thoughtful questions. Wickhem is looking forward to upcoming talks by other WDFW staff members including Wolf Biologist Spence, Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, and Wildlife Conflict Technician Kolenberg.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by White Salmon Community Library