August 1-15

Biweekly report Aug1-15 2024 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Year
2024
Dates
Division/Region
Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Prairie Grouse: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman attended the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 34th biennial Sage and Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Workshop in Wenatchee. Lowe and Brinkman assisted with setup and staffing the registration desk during the first two days of the meeting. Both biologists joined during the field trip day to tour the area around Wenatchee where the group visited various habitat restoration sites. Attendees learned about different programs available to landowners for maintaining sage grouse habitat, viewed known lek sites for both sage and sharp-tailed grouse, and checked out a riparian restoration project on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property near Jameson Lake.

Attendees at a WAFWA Columbian sharp-tailed grouse workshop.
Photo by WDFW
WDFW Director of External Affairs Pamplin welcomes attendees to Washington for the WAFWA 34th biennial sage and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse workshop. Washington last hosted this workshop in 2004. 
Habitat discussion in Douglas County.
Photo by WDFW
Private lands biologist Braaten discusses restoration of habitat on private land in Douglas County 

 

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Efforts: Acting Private Lands Biologist Heitstuman responded to the CWD Hotline and recovered a sample reported by the Washington Department of Transportation. Heitstuman relayed information to other employees for CWD sampling opportunities in their areas of responsibility. Heitstuman reviewed the current plan for management of CWD with the recent positive case in the Spokane area. 

Chronic Wasting Disease: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris attended the Chronic Wasting Disease tactics meeting to discuss CWD operations in District 2. Harris also spoke on the phone with a Spokane landowner regarding a sick deer on their property. Harris directed the landowner to fill out and submit a CWD report on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website. Harris submitted a CWD sample that was collected by a hunter that harvested a cow elk with a damage tag in GMU 124. 

County Fair Circuit: Natural Resource Technician Moberg registered WDFW booths at the Walla Walla, Columbia, and Garfield County fairs to provide outreach on the Chronic Wasting Disease program. The Walla Walla County fair will be August 28 - September 1, the Columbia County fair will be September 6 - September 8, and the Garfield County fair will be September 13 - September 15. 

Deer Surveys: Biologist Brinkman conducted a pre-hunt roadside deer survey in Spokane County. This was the first of many roadside deer surveys that will be conducted over the next two months by WDFW staff and volunteer members. These surveys are conducted for around two to three hours in the morning or evening when deer are most active. The surveys consist of driving routes through different parts of the district, recording the number of individuals and composition of each group of deer observed (i.e., ratios of buck to does and fawns to does). When compared with previous years’ surveys and combined with harvest data, these surveys can help indicate population stability or upward/downward trends. 

Malnourished Deer: Private Lands Biologist Nizer and Natural Resource Technician Rumiser received information from a local that he had a sick looking deer on his property. Nizer and Rumiser went to the property to look for deer but there was no sign. The reporting party sent a photo of the deer and Nizer showed Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris to see what could be done. Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done for the deer and nature will have to take its course. 

Chronic Wasting Disease Sampling: Natural Resource Technician Edmondson and Keeling went to collect a whitetail doe head from a landowner who had harvested the deer via a damage tag near the Daisy Boat Launch and brought the head back to the Colville office to collect a CWD sample. 

Natural Resource Technician Edmondson accompanied Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill to meet with a landowner just outside of Colville to collect two cow elk heads that had been harvested earlier in the week via landowner kill permits. Those heads were brought back to the Colville office and CWD samples were collected. 

Grizzly Bear: Due to concerns related to grizzly 1068 milling around the same stand of timber (per GPS) and in relative proximity to human structures, Natural Resource Technician Keeling and Edmondson assisted Wildlife Conflict Specialist Bennett with locating the bear. Keeling and Edmondson learned the basics of tracking via telemetry and were able to locate two scat piles while assessing the habitat on foot. In addition to thimbleberries and Oregon grape being plentiful, the scat showed no presence of human foods or garbage and appeared to almost completely consist of berries. While examining the scat, the bear’s signal was heard on the telemetry equipment, prompting the team to return to the truck and leave the area. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Rainbow Lake Algae Bloom: Rainbow Lake continues to have an algal bloom. Bluish plaques appeared again this week and photos were sent to the Columbia County Health Department. Wildlife Area Manager Dingman continued researching treatment options and worked to get an internal meeting set up to discuss how to move forward.

Rainbow Lake algae.
Photo by WDFW
Photos of the blue-green algae in Rainbow Lake.
Photo by WDFW
Natural Resource Technician Tritt took photos of the blue-green algae in Rainbow Lake on the WT Wooten Wildlife Area. 

Water Access Areas Management: North Region 1 Water Access Area Manager Dziekan met with Mr. Prettyman of Prettyman’s Septic Service at Fan Lake and Loon Lake Water Access Areas, to empty the vault toilets. It took about an hour at each site. The process started with removing garbage with litter pickers, shovels, and rakes. Bob then pumped the vault liquid level down a bit, which freed up more trash that was trapped at the top of the vault and the pair then pulled that garbage out. During the process, about a dozen bags of garbage totaling 300 pounds came out of the two vaults. This trash was promptly taken to the dump, then Dziekan bleached and washed the dump trailer. It’s sad and frustrating that the public sees Water Access Area toilets as a convenient place to dump all sorts of garbage. 

Rainbow Lake Stump Removal: The Yakima Construction Shop was on-site this week to complete the stump removal from the dam on the north end of Rainbow Lake. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

KXLY Interview: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris met with a reporter from KXLY to interview for a story on being bear aware and safe recreation practices while huckleberry picking. 

Asotin Aggressive Hawk: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade received a report of five redtail hawks attacking a city of Asotin homeowner’s dog. The reporting party (RP) explained that the five hawks attacked their small dachshund every time the dog is let out. Wade discussed some possible deterrents that may help address the issue and the RP’s constitutional right to protect their property. Wade will follow up with the RP next week and see if any of the deterrents were effective. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

New UTV Sprayer: Wildlife Area Manager Finch and Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner picked up a new custom-built sprayer from Ag Enterprise in Cheney, Washington for the other UTV at the wildlife area. Finch and Wagner also went to the Reardan Audubon Wildlife Area to hoe some larger weeds in the parking lot, replace the toilet paper in both bathrooms, and pick litter. Wagner also took the sprayer up to spray weeds along the trail and parking lot. 

Forest Habitat Regeneration: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer checked on the half-section parcel of LeClerc Creek Wildlife Area this week. He noted that it’s nice to see the fruits of all the forest restoration work done at West Branch LeClerc Creek Wildlife Area in the last several years. Various portions of the parcel were commercially thinned to remove lodgepole pine and grand fir, treated with prescribed fire, and subjected to mechanical removal of lodgepole pine. The portions were then replanted to western larch and western white pine. Natural regeneration of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir has occurred, and evergreen ceanothus has really taken off this year. Much of this improvement is a great response to the prescribed burning from a few years ago. 

Tree regeneration at LeClerc Creek August 2024.
Photo by WDFW
Tree regeneration at LeClerc Creek August 2024 

Duck Stamp: Private Lands Biologist Nizer Natural Resource Technician Rumiser mowed a marsh with the marshmaster to accomplish goals for the Duck Stamp funded project. 

Fishtrap Toilet Damage: This week Area Manager Dziekan and Natural Resource Technician Brant made the rounds in District 2. A stop was made at Fishtrap Access Site to find someone had backed into the toilet enclosure so hard that it moved one of the toilets up off the base. Dziekan reached out to the locals to see if anyone saw anybody that could have caused this damage. 

Chief Joseph Wildlife Area Foodplots: Elk continue to heavily use irrigated food plots at the Chief Joseph Wildlife Area. The alfalfa has been grazed right back to the ground. The sorghum/sunflowers are also being heavily used by elk. Numerous small birds are using the sorghum where there are heads forming that have not been eaten by elk. 

4-O Ranch Wildlife Area Gates: Wildlife Area staff members began gathering materials and tools to repair burned and damaged gates on the 4-O Ranch Wildlife Area. Though still officially closed, it won’t be long before the public will be allowed to travel Couger Creek and Grouse Flats roads where our damaged gates are at. On Thursday, Natural Resource Technician Nielsen, Wildlife Area Manager Dice, and Natural Resource Technician Hammons spent all day installing a new 10” x 10” steel post to re-hang the McNeill gate on. The post was set in concrete. The rental mixer that was brought down failed to operate and concrete had to be mixed by hand in five-gallon buckets and an old salt tub found in one of the nearby barns. It took nearly a full pallet of concrete to finish the job. The next step is to weld the gate to the post and set the other post where the lock and pin will be installed. Several other gates need the same type of repair. All repairs and replacements will be done with all steel materials.  

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

General Facilities and Equipment Maintenance and Repairs: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area staff members kept sprinklers running and lawns mowed at headquarters. Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer swept out dirt and cobwebs at the Wildlife Area headquarters, for a fresh, clean facility with which to greet new employee Graves later this month. 

Other

Fire at Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area: This week a fire was reported by the fence crew at the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area. Both Wildlife Area Manager Finch and Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner were in Cheney, Washington when the page went out from the sheriff’s office. Finch stayed in contact with local fire fighters and was advised that the fire would soon be under control due to the road location and the direction of the wind. The fire started along a WDFW fence-line and moved to the south towards the road which burnt, mostly on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Only a few square feet of property were burnt on WDFW land. 

Newman Lake Issue with Floating Docks: Access Manager Dziekan received a report this week of a person who fell between a large gap in between the docks. Dziekan and Natural Resource Technician Brant went out to Newman Lake to identify the issue with the wide gap in between the docks. As was suspected by Dziekan, there were bolts missing that held the docks together therefore widening the gap between the docks. Dziekan and Brant brought a magnet with them on a rope and were successful at retrieving one of the bolts and nuts but had to make a trip into Spokane to a company called “Fasteners” to get the additional hardware to bolt the docks back into place. 

Repairs at Newman Lake dock.
Photo by WDFW
Newman Lake Dock Repair.

Biweekly report Aug1-15 2024 - Region 5 (Southwest)

Year
2024
Dates
Division/Region
Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

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

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

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

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

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

 

A young elk lying on a blue tarp with an eye cover. Two men are nearby, one crouched next to the elk and one standing nearby leaning towards it.
Photo by WDFW
Landowners assisting with the elk rescue.
Young elk with a yellow ear tag standing in a grassy field.
Photo by WDFW
Elk successfully moved to another pasture (without a fence!)
Bone stuck around deers leg above its hoof.
Photo by WDFW
Bone stuck on the deer’s lower leg.

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

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

Rattlesnake coiled in the garage.
Photo by WDFW
Rattlesnake coiled up in the garage.
Rattlesnake being transferred into a bucket.
Photo by WDFW
Rattlesnake being loaded into a bucket for relocation.

.

Rattlesnake being released from a bucket.
Photo by WDFW
Rattlesnake release!

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

Up-close photo of red-tailed hawk standing on the ground, looking startled at the camera.
Photo by WDFW
Red-tailed hawk hiding amongst the poison oak.

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

Juvenile bald eagle perched on a fence post in heavy brush.
Photo by WDFW
Juvenile golden eagle.

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

Piles of garbage on side of building.
Photo by WDFW
One of the many piles of garbage outside the residence.
Open storage unit full of accessible canned food.
Photo by WDFW
A storage container full of accessible food at the property.

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

Three unsecured garbage cans outside at a residence.
Photo by WDFW
Unsecured garbage cans at a residence.

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

Electric fence installed around a trailer full of garage.
Photo by WDFW
Electric fence successfully installed around a garbage trailer.

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

Cougar captured on a home security camera.
Photo by WDFW
Cougar captured on home security camera. Screenshot of video provided by the reporting party.

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

Domestic house cat on home security camera mistaken for a cougar.
Photo by WDFW
Domestic house cat mistakenly identified as a cougar.

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

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

Cougar-catch goat carcass in underbrush.
Photo by WDFW
Cougar-cached goat carcass in the underbrush.

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

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

Elk damage to haystack.
Photo by WDFW
Elk damage to haystacks.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

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

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

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

Providing Education and Outreach

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

Biweekly report Aug1-15 2024 - Region 3 (South Central)

Year
2024
Dates
Division/Region
Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Region 3 Pre-season Duck Banding: District 8 Wildlife Assistant Biologist Moore, District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra, and Statewide Waterfowl Specialist Wilson have deployed swim in traps. This aims to capture and band ducks for harvest management and to gather information on survival and distribution. The information from recaptured and reported waterfowl bands is used to model harvest, recruitment, and survival, which impact hunting regulations and sex-specific limits.

Wenas Wildlife Area—Fence Repair: Wenas Wildlife Area Technician Janes and Lands and Recreation Specialist Frame worked with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildland firefighters to repair holes in the elk fence which had been cut while firefighters worked to contain the Black Canyon Fire. 

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Elk Fence Repair: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Charlet has started repairing elk fence that was cut and removed while firefighters were working to protect critical infrastructure from the Retreat Fire.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Wenas Wildlife Area—Durr Rd Shooting Benches: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technicians Janes and Stoltenow prepped and installed several shooting benches and tables at the Durr Rd shooting range. These tables included handicap accessible tables at both the long and short ranges. 

Wenas Wildlife Area—Sheep Co. Shooting Range Repair: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technicians Janes and Stoltenow replaced target stands that had been made unusable by bullet impact. New stands were welded in their place and put lower to avoid impacts in the future.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Wenas Wildlife Area—Durr Rd Boundary Signs: Wenas Wildlife Area staff members installed boundary signs surrounding the impact zone of the Durr Rd shooting range. These signs warn those of the potential danger when entering the impact area.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Closure Signage: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Charlet developed and implemented updated emergency closure signs and maps for the Oak Creek units which were closed due to fire danger associated with the Retreat Fire. 

Map of Fire Closures in Oak Creek WLA.
Photo by WDFW

Yakima County Conflict: District 8 Conflict Specialist Wetzel received several calls from the Cowiche area reporting elk in orchards. Permits and contracts were developed for that area.

Kittitas County Conflict: District 8 Conflict Technician Leuck night hazed elk this month in the Park Creek, Poison Springs, and Badger Pocket areas.

Helicopter flights were used to herd elk from Park Creek, east Kittitas, and the Badger Pocket.

An elk was euthanized after being struck by a vehicle. Three different deer fawns were reported as struck by a vehicle and injured, but all died. A deer was reported to be tangled in a fence and unable to move. The deer was immobilized, freed from the fence, and released. Numerous bear calls were received in upper Kittitas County.

Rattlesnake Hills Elk Hazing: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued to spend time hazing elk out of winter wheat crops near the top of Rattlesnake Mountain.

Rattlesnake Mountain Wheat Harvest: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand worked with wheat harvest operations to document crop damage impacts from Hanford elk. Many of the fields are yielding above average bushels per acre and the wheat kernels have good protein levels. Damage from consumption, bedding, and trailing is severe in areas adjacent to the Hanford border. 

Rattlesnake Hills Master Hunter Season: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand worked the opening day of the Master Hunter season and assisted with one elk harvest retrieval. Very warm weather conditions made hunting difficult, as concerns of meat spoilage becomes more likely.

Corral Canyon Injured Deer: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand responded to a call concerning an injured buck deer near Whitstran. The deer appeared to have been struck by a vehicle and died while enroute.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Restoration: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Blore treated the five-acre fallow Ragland field for weeds. Hopefully, the wildlife area crew will be able to drill seed grasses this fall, and the following year plant shrub/tree plugs and forbs. 

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Vantage Highway: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Manager Morrison, Assistant Manager Winegeart, and Natural Resource Technician Blore visited the corrals and pump house restoration sites in preparation of fall shrub planting. The 2024 spring favored weed development in this area. This coupled with the fact that this is the second spring after the Vantage Hwy Fire, led to thick stands of tansy mustard and tumble mustard in some of the deeper soil sites. These annual weeds will probably have little effect on the survival rate of the 40ci plugs that will be planted. 

Tall dry vegetation in the foreground and several wind energy turbines on the hills in the background
Photo by WDFW
Heavy mustard stands in a Vantage Hwy Fire restoration area.

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Cole Creek Bridge: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart and Natural Resource Technician Blore placed ecology blocks across an illegally created road on the Yakima River Unit that takes vehicles through the creek to bypass the collapsed Cole Creek bridge. Winegeart and Blore planned to block access to the bridge, but vehicles crossed the bridge multiple times while they were there. This led Winegeart and Blore to believe others could still be on the other side of the creek and they didn’t want to block the vehicles exit.

L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Vence Tower Installation on The Wildhorse Wind Farm: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart and Natural Resource Technician Blore supported the WLA Grazing CRM by helping install a Vence Tower on the Wildhorse Wind Farm. This tower increases the ability to track cows and provides a better virtual fence coverage of public lands.

Vence Tower install.
Photo by WDFW
NRT2 Blore helping with the tower installation on the Wildhorse Wind Farm.

Wenas Wildlife Area Weed Control: Wenas Wildlife Area staff members have continued spraying for weeds throughout the wildlife area. The primary targets this time of year are Canada thistle, Russian thistle, and kochia. Currently, the main target weed control is the feed site and surrounding areas. 

Sunnyside-Snake River Wetland Management: Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area staff members continue to mow wetlands in preparation for reflooding in the fall. Staff members have mowed several hundred acres and are on target to meet their goal of maintaining a 50:50 ratio of open water to vegetation within the wetlands. The coyotes also enjoy the yearly wetland mowing as it provides an opportunity for rodent hunting! 

Johnson Wetland Harvest: Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber coordinated with the Sunnyside Unit agricultural lessee to harvest the grass in the Johnson Wetland. The lessee cut and baled the grass, which greatly reduced the vegetation debris to improve open water conditions. 

Other

L.T. Murray Government to Government Training: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Blore attended a Government-to-Government training in Olympia which covered tribal historical perspective, legal issues, tribal sovereignty, and tribal government. 

LT. Murray Wildlife Area Corrals Kiosk: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Blore made repairs to the corral’s kiosk on the Whiskey Dick Unit.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Manager Mackey continues working with various agencies and the California Incident Management Team 14 to manage various aspects of the Retreat Fire, including suppression, fixing of infrastructure, rehabbing dozer lines, wildlife area closures, public safety, and public information. As of August 19, 2024, the Retreat fire has burnt 45,601 acres and is considered 85% contained. 

Biweekly report Aug1-15 2024 - Region 2 (North Central)

Year
2024
Dates
Division/Region
Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Lynx Surveys: Biologists Fitkin and Heinlen conducted 30-day checks of remote cameras deployed for lynx as part of the Cascades Carnivore Monitoring Project. Early returns include detections of the target critter, unusual photos, and photos of other species of interest. Cameras will be retrieved in another month or so.

Lynx spotted on trial camera at night.
Photo by WDFW
Lynx.
Piebald black-tailed walking in the forest.
Photo by WDFW
Black-tailed deer.
Wolf on a rocky hill side.
Photo by WDFW
Wolf. 
Weasels on camera at nighttime.
Photo by WDFW
Herd of weasels (can you find all six?) 

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Western Washington University intern Steinshouer spent a day in the field with Biologist Heinlen learning more about what a WDFW Biologist does. Intern Steinshouer was a fast learner and quickly spotted a western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis) foraging on Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus). The western bumble bee is one of three SGCN bumble bee species WDFW documents when observed.

Western Bumble bee on a pink flower
Photo by WDFW
Western Bumblebee foraging on Snowberry .

Pygmy Rabbits: Biologist Morris helped the pygmy rabbit crew with trapping in one of the semi-wild breeding enclosures. They were lucky and excited to catch 24 rabbits. Due to the number of rabbits and the hot dry temperatures, many of the rabbits were in poor body condition. Biologists in charge of the pygmy rabbit recovery project will decide what needs to be done to try and help as many rabbits as possible to survive the summer.

Pygmy rabbit on a trail in sagebrush
Photo by WDFW
Recently released pygmy rabbit under a sagebrush plant.
A pygmy rabbit hopping away from the camera into some brush.
Photo by WDFW
Recently released pygmy rabbit hops away. 

After a long wave of high temperatures, the pygmy rabbit recovery team was able to conduct another round of trapping. Trapping took place both inside and outside of a temporary breeding enclosure within Beezley Hills. A total of over 30 individual pygmy rabbits were captured, seen, or detected with the large PIT-tag scanner.

The main enclosure in the area was expected to contain around 12-15 individuals. However, the team successfully captured 24 pygmy rabbits including several unmarked kits born earlier this year and two adult rabbits that had not been captured prior to 2022.

Due to the success of the breeding enclosure, the next step will be to select young rabbits with the best overall body condition to be relocated a short distance to a second breeding enclosure. This will allow for more space and foraging among the rabbits until lead biologists determine which rabbits will be kept in breeding enclosures or which will be released into the wild in the future.

Northern Leopard Frog Releases: Technician Force assisted with the soft release of captive-reared northern leopard froglets on the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. These frogs were raised from egg masses by two different zoos to boost their chances of survival. After spending a week in soft release pens to further protect them from predation, the froglets will be released into a pond where extensive bullfrog management has taken place. This will hopefully establish a new breeding population of this state endangered species within their native range.

Pygmy Rabbit Captures: Biologists Turnock and Gallie, and Technicians Hara and Force assisted with pygmy rabbit captures in the Beezley Hills area. These captures yielded 27 wild and semi-captive rabbits, who were then vaccinated for rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus as part of a trial to test the efficacy of two different vaccines for this disease. These captures also provided an opportunity to evaluate breeding success and body condition of rabbits within the enclosure. The Beezley Hills enclosure currently has approximately 30 rabbits, and most are juveniles from this year’s breeding efforts. With a high number of rabbits in the enclosure and drought season at its peak, the rabbits have been receiving fresh greens to supplement their diet. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Private Lands Hunting Opportunities System: Biologist Cook participated in demonstrating the current methods for managing Private Lands Hunting Opportunities to a team of contractors running a feasibility study for creating a replacement program. Cook helped show the system from the private lands biologist, hunter, and landowner perspective and discussed its current limitations. Cook further participated in several feedback sessions where private lands biologists, section managers, and WDFW IT staff members discussed the future requirements and needs of a replacement system.

Potential Waterfowl Habitat and Access Properties: Biologist Cook and Technician Blanchard marked the agriculture fields with corn growing currently to create a plan for outreach to landowners to provide field hunting opportunities for geese and possibly ducks. The number of sites will depend on the remaining funding from a VPA-HIP (Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program) grant that WDFW previous was awarded.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Depredation Investigation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Heilhecker, along with enforcement officers, investigated an injured calf within the Sullivan Creek pack territory. It was confirmed the injury was caused by a wolf. U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) was notified of the determination. A WDFW contracted range rider continues to work in the area. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Habitat Project: Biologist Morris and Technician Blanchard mowed weeds on a habitat improvement project on private lands in Grant County. The area has been sprayed in the past, and there is very little cheatgrass. However, the Russian thistle and annual kochia had grown quite large. Mid to late-summer mowing generally works well to control these weeds. Since there wasn’t much cheatgrass, the kochia and Russian thistle are still green. Fire danger was lower than it normally would be at this time, making it possible to mow. Morris and Blanchard kept a water tank on-site and were able to safely mow the weeds.

Providing Education and Outreach

2024 WAFWA Grouse Workshop (Wenatchee, Washington): Private Lands Biologist Braaten gave a tour stop presentation on the importance of private landowner relationships and the design of the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Conservation Reserve Program Farm Bill program. Braaten discussed the realities of conservation to landowners in Douglas County. Braaten also brought along the new Private Lands Program tree/shrub planter to show tour participants the kind of equipment WDFW uses in habitat restoration projects. The field trip portion of workshop was a big hit, providing a great opportunity to connect and share knowledge with partners.

WAFWA grouse workshop: Biologist Turnock, Technicians Hara, and Force attended the biennial Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Sage and Sharp-tailed Grouse workshop in Wenatchee. This conference included attendees from a variety of western states who are all working on grouse research and management. Talks included topics such as habitat use, translocations, genetics, raven management, and renewable energy. Overall, the conference emphasized the numerous threats faced by sage and sharp-tailed grouse, but also showcased the research efforts vital to the conservation of these species.

Other

EV: During August, Biologist Morris is testing out an all-electric pickup truck. Morris’ experience driving the electric vehicle (EV) will help WDFW determine how electric vehicles fit the business needs of the agency and private lands biologists.

Running spider carrying a fly it caught.
Photo by WDFW
Jumping spider carries a fly it just caught on an EV charging station. 

Biweekly report Aug1-15 2023 - Region 3 (South Central)

Year
2023
Dates
Division/Region
Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Sunnyside Wildlife Area Bats: Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber, Assistant Manager Jahns, and Natural Resource Technician Manderbach conducted an emergent bat count at Sunnyside Headquarters. In total, 230 bats were observed exiting four different roost boxes after sunset.

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Sunnyside bat roost boxes
Photo by WDFW
Sunnyside bat roost boxes.

Burrowing Owl Research: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra investigated a transmitter failure from this spring’s burrowing owl tagging study. A transmitter had stopped sending data, but the male owl was still observed alive on site. Fidorra recaptured the owl and removed the non-working harness to unburden the animal and determine cause of tag failure. The tag will be sent to the manufacturer for study.

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Recaptured burrowing owl with solar transmitter intact and properly fitted but non-functional
Photo by WDFW
Recaptured burrowing owl with solar transmitter intact and properly fitted but non-functional. While he wasn’t happy to be captured, he didn’t complain about the device being removed.
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Solar transmitter removed from burrowing owl to determine device failure
Photo by WDFW
Solar transmitter removed from burrowing owl to determine device failure.

 Monarchs Return to Washington: Several monarch butterflies have been seen this month in District 4 and 3.

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A female monarch butterfly resting on McNary National Wildlife Refuge
Photo by WDFW
A female monarch butterfly resting on McNary National Wildlife Refuge.

Waterfowl Banding: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra and Natural Resource Technician Manderbach and Scientific Technician Kleinhenz installed duck traps on the Sunnyside Wildlife Area and McNary National Wildlife Refuge trap sites. The late cold spring likely set birds back a bit, but we are starting to see good numbers of hatch year mallards now coming to our main site with 70 birds captured on the first day of banding. Several district staff members and volunteers will help bait sites and band ducks through mid-September.

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Sunnyside Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Jahns poses with a banded female mallard ready for release
Photo by WDFW
Sunnyside Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Jahns poses with a banded female mallard ready for release.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Wenas Wildlife Area Durr Road Target Shooting Area Clean Up: Natural Resource Technician Frame collected 250 pounds of dumped trash and target shooting trash at the Durr Road target shooting site. Items consisted of plywood, a television, and miscellaneous target shooting material.

Wenas Wildlife Area Manastash Ridge Trails Inventory: Natural Resource Scientist Frame has been conducting a trails inventory on the north and south side trail systems. This includes mapping new unapproved user-built trails, ensuring existing trail maps are correct, searching for unauthorized trail maintenance, and reviewing approved sections of trail for future maintenance projects. Larger trail maintenance projects are in the planning stage for the approved trails on the north side of the ridge.

Wenas Wildlife Area Sheep Company Shooting Range: Biologist Miller treated the Sheep Company shooting range for weeds, specifically Russian thistle. Keeping weeds out of the developed shooting area is crucial to preventing fires at the shooting site. It in addition, it provides a nicer area for people to recreate in.

Private Land Access Programs Prepare for Season Openers: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra and Private Lands Technician Manderbach contacted landowners and updated access properties for the upcoming Sep. 1 deer archery and dove season openers. Manderbach mowed parking areas and checked/installed signs at several properties.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Rattlesnake Hills Elk Hazing: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued to spend time hazing elk near the top of Rattlesnake Mountain. Animals are continuing to leave the Hanford site to forage in winter wheat crops on the southern exposure of Rattlesnake Mountain mostly during nocturnal hours. Fox lights were checked and are in working order.

Corral Canyon Wheat Harvest: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand worked with wheat harvest operations to document crop damage impacts from Hanford elk. Rain showers occurred for several days which has delayed harvest operations. Fields are continuing to produce near or above average bushels per acre.

Horn Rapids Deer Damage: Hand continued to work with a large wine grape operator near the Yakima River to address deer activity and damage within several areas of their vineyard. Non-lethal hazing has been ongoing, and a couple of damage permits were recently issued.

West Richland Deer: Hand is working with a owner of several small corn fields that have been damaged by an increasing number of deer near the Yakima River. In addition to hazing, plans are to implement some Master Hunter opportunities from the Region 3 list next week.

Finley Skunk: Hand received and responded to a homeowner in Finley concerning a skunk that has been living under a crawl space at their residence. Several deterrence strategies were discussed as well as trapping techniques for skunk removal.

Rattlesnake Hills Master Hunter Hunts: Hand coordinated with Hunt Coordinator Erickson on master hunter activity and elk movements on Rattlesnake Mountain. During a weekend patrol Hand checked one Master Hunter with a harvested cow elk and contacted another Master Hunter driving on private property without proper landowner permission.

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Master Hunter with a cow elk
Photo by WDFW
Master Hunter with a cow elk.

Rattlesnake Mountain Sick Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand coordinated with a Master Hunter who put down a very old sick cow elk on private property near Hanford. The animal could not stand and was in extremely poor condition.

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 Sick Hanford elk
Photo by WDFW
Sick Hanford elk.

Sunnyside Wildlife Area Sick Deer: Hand responded to a call of a sick deer walking in circles at the Sunnyside Wildlife Area with wildlife area and enforcement staff members to collect samples for disease testing. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate the deer.

Kittitas County Conflict: District 8 Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk complaints were reported in Badger Pocket, Kittitas, Peoh Point, Park Creek, and the Teanaway area. Natural Resource Technician Leuck has been working nights at those locations hazing elk. Two light plants were installed at one field to deter elk in the Badger Pocket.

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Light plants at Badger Pocket
Photo by WDFW
Light plants at Badger Pocket.

Yakima County Conflict: Wetzel worked with several hay and orchard growers who were having problems with elk in crops. Elk complaints have come from the Naches River and the Nile, most of which are small hay operators.

Other: Wetzel investigated a repeat sheep depredation at one location.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

L. T. Murray Wildlife Area 2022 Vantage Fire Restoration: Cultural Resource Specialists Major, Shellenberger, and Yamamoto, Environmental Planner Merg, and the L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Manager Morrison made field visits to the 2022 Vantage fire scar to discuss the Phase 1 planting schedule, methods, and cultural resource needs in the culturally and ecologically rich Whiskey Dick and Quilomene units. With cultural review currently in motion, restoration planting of roughly 500 acres of upland sagebrush steppe habitat is scheduled to begin by the week of Oct. 16.

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Vantage fire restoration project managers discuss the plan in the field near Corrals on the Whiskey Dick Unit
Photo by WDFW
Vantage fire restoration project managers discuss the plan in the field near Corrals on the Whiskey Dick Unit.

L. T. Murray Vegetation Management: While controlling non-native plants, L. T. Murray Natural Resource Scientist Nass found Solanum triflorum or cut-leaf nightshade at the Corrals parking area. Though commonly viewed as an agricultural pest or weed, this is a native plant to parts of the western United States and found in disturbed habitats like the new fire scar at Corrals. Traditionally, native tribes would use it medicinally for gastrointestinal issues and occasionally eat it as food, but it isn’t as desirable as other traditional foods. You never know what you can find out there!

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Cut-leaf nightshade found in situ at Corrals
Photo by WDFW
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Cut-leaf nightshade found in situ at Corrals
Photo by WDFW
Cut-leaf nightshade found in situ at Corrals.

Sunnyside Snake River Wetland Management: Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber, Assistant Managers Jahns, and Ferguson continued to prep wetlands within the Windmill Ranch and Sunnyside Headquarters Unit. Windmill Ranch’s Phase 3 wetland has been mowed and seeded with buckwheat. The Rice Paddies Wetlands are also being mowed in preparation for reflooding this fall. Natural Resource Technicians Manderbach and Jahns also mowed phragmites within the Clark Pond Unit with the Marsh Master to prevent further spreading of the invasive plants on neighboring private property.

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Windmill Ranch wetland buckwheat thriving after last week’s rain
Photo by WDFW
Windmill Ranch wetland buckwheat thriving after last week’s rain!
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Mowing Clark Pond phragmites with the Marsh Master
Photo by WDFW
Mowing Clark Pond phragmites with the Marsh Master.

Wenas Wildlife Area Weed Control: Wenas Wildlife Area Biologist Miller has been surveying and treating weeds in the NJK acquisition on the Wenas Wildlife Area. This area has minimal infestations so early treatment is important to prevent further spread of noxious weeds. Primary target species have been houndstounge and Canada thistle. Biologist Miller has been preparing for the fall spraying of knapweed by prioritizing areas of previous treatment as well.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Weed Control and Monitoring: Oak Creek Assistant Wildlife Area Manager Charlet and Natural Resource Technician Boggs conducted herbicide control of Canada thistle within a high elevation meadow near Bald Mountain. This has been a multi-year effort and significant reduction in germination was seen this year. However, significant motorized off-road disturbance was documented this year, resulting in a volunteer fencing project during this same reporting period to eliminate further disturbance. Oak Creek staff members also monitored previous treatment areas for efficacy and surveyed new areas where future noxious weed control will be prioritized, including a new infestation of yellow star-thistle.

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Oak Creek yellow star-thistle
Photo by WDFW
Oak Creek yellow star-thistle.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Volunteer Fencing Project: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Manager Mackey met with 23 volunteers affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) to construct no-dig buck and rail fencing along an adjacent road to a meadow in the Bald Mountain area of the Rock Creek Unit. This meadow has seen repeated disturbance over the years with motorized traffic driving off-road and rutting and disturbing the meadow in which we have actively been managing Canada thistle in-growth. The new fence will hopefully discourage off-road driving along this section. The fence was constructed with treated posts and natural railing sourced nearby. Twenty-four individuals participated in this event that took approximately 12 hours including travel time. The group was later than expected getting back, but the majority of participants wanted to continue until the project was completely finished. RMEF provided hydration and lunch while Oak Creek provided tools and materials for the project. It was a great success!

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Oak Creek Wildlife Area, Rock Creek Unit: Completed buck and rail fence to deter off-road impacts near Bald Mountain
Photo by WDFW
Oak Creek Wildlife Area, Rock Creek Unit: Completed buck and rail fence to deter off-road impacts near Bald Mountain.
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Oak Creek Wildlife Area, Rock Creek Unit: Partial group picture of RMEF fencing volunteers (Mt Rainier in background)
Photo by WDFW
Oak Creek Wildlife Area, Rock Creek Unit. Partial group picture of RMEF fencing volunteers with Mt. Rainier in background.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Elk Fence Damage and Repair: Oak Creek staff members repaired a small section of elk fence that was destroyed by users traveling a closed road and crossing onto private property. WDFW enforcement officers are investigating the matter.

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Oak Creek Wildlife Area, Cowiche Unit: A portion of the damaged fence resulting of unauthorized travel down a closed road
Photo by WDFW
Oak Creek Wildlife Area, Cowiche Unit. A portion of the damaged fence resulting of unauthorized travel down a closed road.
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Oak Creek Wildlife Area, Cowiche Unit: Temporary repair of damaged fence complete
Photo by WDFW
Oak Creek Wildlife Area, Cowiche Unit. Temporary repair of damaged fence complete.

Providing Education and Outreach

Pack it in, pack it out: Pumphouse Road and Watt Canyon kiosks on the L. T. Murray now have litter bags for public use! Dispensers have only been up for roughly a week, but we anticipate good pack-in and pack-out use.

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Bag dispensers ready for use
Photo by WDFW
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Bag dispensers ready for use
Photo by WDFW
Bag dispensers ready for use.

Other

Sunnyside Snake River Monarch Butterflies: Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area staff members have observed monarch butterflies in large patches of milkweed within the Windmill Ranch Unit.

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Monarch butterfly captured by Sunnyside/Snake River
Photo by WDFW
Monarch butterfly captured by Sunnyside and Snake River.

Biweekly report Aug1-15 2023 - Region 2 (North Central)

Year
2023
Dates
Division/Region
Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

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Two form bumble bee visiting a snowberry
Photo by J Eilers
Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis) getting ready to take off after processing.

Bumble Bee Survey: Biologists Jeffreys and Eilers and Scientific Technician Pavelchek completed bumble bee surveys in two more Chelan County grid cells, one in the Mills Canyon area of the Swakane Wildlife Unit and one near Fish Lake. Fortunately, there were plenty of bees to be caught, and biologists captured 20 bumble bees, including at least six species, at the Mills Canyon survey site, and 28 bees, of at least three species, at the Fish Lake site. Habitat data were collected for each grid including identifying and photographing flowering plant (food source) species. The increased bee species diversity encountered at Mills Canyon may in part have reflected the greater diversity of flowering plants available at this site.  

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Central bumble bee getting ready to take off after processing
Photo by J Eilers
Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis) getting ready to take off after processing. 

The data collected from this survey were entered into the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Bumble Bee Atlas online database. The PNW Bumble Bee Atlas is a collaborative effort between Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to track and conserve the bumble bees of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.

Biologist Heinlen conducted bumble bee surveys within District 6. These surveys address bumble bee distribution, health, and habitat needs across Washington.

They note any detections of the three Species of Greatest Conservation Need: the Morrison’s, western, and Suckley cuckoo bumble bee. Biologist Heinlen did detect the western bumble bee. More information about WDFW Species of Greatest Conservation Need can be found here in the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

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Western bumble bee. A WDFW Species of Greatest Conservation Need
Photo by J Heinlen
The Western Bumble Bee (Bombus occidentalis). A WDFW Species of Greatest Conservation Need. 

Bat Monitoring: Biologists conducted emergence counts at three more known bat colonies in Chelan County: a barn on Entiat River Road, Lake Chelan State Park housing, and a United States Forest Service warehouse near Lake Wenatchee. The Entiat and Lake Chelan sites have been monitored the previous two summers, and counts were down this year. However, chattering was heard in the roof of the house at Lake Chelan State Park even after the exit appeared to be over, and much chattering was heard in the warehouse by Lake Wenatchee, as well. As these are maternity roosts, this suggests pups here may not be volant (able to fly) yet, which could be the reason for the smaller numbers of bats seen exiting this year. Although counts were conducted in the same time frame as last summer, it’s possible that this year’s cool, wet spring and early summer may have delayed parturition. Biologists will return to these sites in early August to determine whether numbers of exiting bats have increased as one would expect when pups are able to fly. The Entiat barn hosts a colony of big brown bats (Eptescus fuscus), while it appears that the warehouse by Lake Wenatchee hosts a multi species colony like that occupying Lake Chelan State Park housing, a mix of little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) and Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis).

Ptarmigan: Research Scientist Schroeder and Biologist Heinlen spent two days in the Pasayten Wilderness monitoring the Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura rainierensis). We documented several ptarmigans including one hen with three chicks, three previously banded males (one that is five years old, two that are three years old), and we banded a female. A remote camera was placed to monitor ptarmigan use of snow fields, as has been done over the past couple of years. This work informs management of ptarmigan in Washington which are currently proposed for federal listing. Information about the life history, habitat needs, and status of this subspecies of Ptarmigan can be found here at the United States Fish and Wildlife Services Species Status Assessment.

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Research Scientist processing a female Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan
Photo by J Heinlen
Research Scientist M. Schroeder processing a female Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan.

Washington Wolverine Survey: The Washington wolverine survey is part of a western multi-state effort to determine current baseline distribution, occupancy, and genetic characteristics of wolverines. The survey consists of setting up remote cameras in the fall with an automated dispenser that releases scent throughout the survey and gun brushes to passively collect hair for genetic analysis. Biologist Heinlen and Volunteer Fischer pulled sets near Windy Peak and Thunder Mountain in District 6. Even though no wolverines were detected at these two sites several other species including other rare carnivores were detected, including lynx, wolf, and fisher. You can find out more about this project at Western States Wolverine Conservation Project: results of the Washington Wolverine Survey, Winter 2016-2017 | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

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Lynx detected during the Washington Wolverine Survey
Photo by WDFW
Lynx detected during the Washington Wolverine Survey.
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Wolf detected during the Washington Wolverine Study
Photo by WDFW
Wolves detected during the Washington Wolverine Survey.
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Fisher detected during the Washington Wolverine Study
Photo by WDFW
Fisher detected during the Washington Wolverine Survey.
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Marten detected during the Washington Wolverine Study
Photo by WDFW
Marten detected during the Washington Wolverine Survey.
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Black bear detected during the Washington Wolverine Study.
Photo by WDFW
Bear detected during the Washington Wolverine Survey.
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Moose detected during the Washington Wolverine Study
Photo by WDFW
Moose detected during the Washington Wolverine Survey.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Sinlahekin Campground Renovations: Sinlahekin staff members finished up the campground upgrades by installing gravel on some of the access roads to the campgrounds that were in much need of repair, along with adding gravel to many of the camping pads at the various campgrounds. Staff members also installed parking bumpers and gravel around the picnic tables that were installed at some of the sites. This has been part of the Recreation and Conservation (ROC) campground renovations grant. Many of these sites are used regularly and are a big hit with campers. We have received many thanks from the public on the upgrades.

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Finished camping pad with packed gravel, bumpers, and fire ring
Photo by N Wehmeyer
Finished camping pad with packed gravel, bumpers, and fire ring. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Range Riding: Specialist Heilhecker met with a rancher to sign a new damage prevention cooperative agreement. The agreement cost-shares range riding activity in the Beaver Creek territory.

Deer and Elk Exclusion Fencing: Specialist Heilhecker continues to work on ordering fencing materials for signed cost-share fencing agreements. Prices for steel T-posts and woven wire from the vendor on state contract are unreasonably high so she is getting bids for fencing materials to justify purchasing off-contract. The wood posts were delivered to a central location in Okanogan County. The vendor will arrange to have the wood posts delivered to each landowner’s property.

Elk Damage: Specialist Heilhecker received a call regarding elk damage. The landowner stated he hazes the elk each evening, by riding his motorcycle and chasing the elk until they go back onto national forest. He also provided three links to YouTube videos of elk and elk signs on their property. There is an active damage prevention cooperative agreement for the property. Specialist Heilhecker issued him a landowner kill permit.

Osprey Young Recovery: Specialist Heilhecker spoke to a landowner who found an osprey nest on the ground. The landowner stated the pin feathers on the three young were mostly gone. His neighbor found a list of rehabilitators on the WDFW website. They found a rehabilitation facility willing to take the osprey and will drive the birds to the westside of the state.

Reducing Deer and Elk Damage to Crops: Specialist Bridges continues to work with a multitude of landowners in assisting with attempts to decrease damage from deer and elk.

Preventing Dangerous Wildlife Encounters: Specialist Bridges has spent a considerable amount of time working with the City of Leavenworth and various non-governmental organizations (NGO) to begin reducing a major wildlife attractant, garbage cans at the school. Funding continues to be challenging, but Bridges is working with NGO partners to secure needed resources. Specialist Bridges met with the Leavenworth’s public director to discuss fencing designs, permitting, and fencing functionality of design for compatibility with garbage pickup trucks.

Sheep and Goat Fencing Project: Specialist Bridges has been working the last five months to address domestic and big horned sheep disease concerns by working with a private landowner, Wild Sheep Foundation, and the Asotin County Conservation District. Fencing work to keep domestic sheep from interacting with wild sheep began on the July 25 and should take three to four weeks to complete.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

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Unauthorized trail mowing
Photo by WDFW
Unauthorized trail mowing at the Methow Wildlife Area.

Unauthorized Trail Mowing on Methow Wildlife Area: Assistant Manager Repp confirmed the illegal mowing and contacted Officer Day. His investigation revealed that a neighboring landowner had been doing the mowing. Officer Day contacted the landowner. Coincidently the landowner is in the process of selling part of his property and the real estate company is advertising the unauthorized trails.

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Screen shot of unauthorized trails
Photo by WDFW
Screenshot of unauthorized trails.
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Network of unauthorized trails on the Methow WLA
Photo by A Repp
Network of unauthorized trails on the Methow Wildlife Area. 
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Scotch thistle infestation on the Chiliwist Unit
Photo by N Weymeyer
Scotch thistle infestation on the Chiliwist Unit. 

Sinlahekin Wildlife Area Noxious Weeds: Sinlahekin staff members have been treating noxious weeds on the Chiliwist Unit. They have been using a variety of methods to treat the weeds from herbicide to hand pulling. This continued treatment has made a noticeable change in the amount of Scotch thistle on the unit. Staff members will continue to treat the Scotch thistle throughout the summer. Some of the plants have started to bolt, staff members will be clipping seed heads and spraying rosettes.  

Scotch Creek Wildlife Area Noxious Weeds: Staff members started their annual control efforts of musk thistle on the Chesaw Unit. The infestation is widespread across the unit with plants in varying stages of maturity. Control efforts are currently focused on the south slopes at the lower elevations. Staff members also spot treated annual and perennial weeds in a native grass seeding planted in 2015. The seeding was mowed last fall to prep for the spot treatment.

Methow Wildlife Area Noxious Weeds: Staff members spot treated 26 acres for houndstongue primarily in the Rendezvous Unit. They will continue treatments in June weather permitting. They received a complaint that someone had been mowing miles of unauthorized trails in the Little Cub area of the Rendezvous Unit.

Scotch Creek Riparian Restoration Project: Staff trimmed the grass around most of the newly planted shrubs in the project area. Trimming prevents the grasses from shading out the newly planted shrubs.

Habitat Plots: Biologist Cook applied herbicides to a failed irrigated food plot to prepare for planting again this summer. Cook applied herbicides on another habitat site to control weeds prior to planting this fall with native grasses. The herbicide appears to be working well.

Biologist Cook also visited food plots planted this spring. Two of the three plots are not growing well, and irrigation failures may be the primary factor. Low germination of a seed batch may be another factor because some species are growing better than others.

They also planted triticale in a wildlife food plot that had poor establishment earlier in the year. Wildlife food plots provide standing forage in the fall and winter that can help support a wide variety of wildlife, including big game, small game and upland birds, and non-game birds and small mammals.

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Aspen, water birch, choke cherry and hawthorne planted in the project area by the Tonasket and Oroville 5th graders
Photo by B Dupont
Aspen, water birch, choke cherry and hawthorne planted in the project area by the Tonasket and Oroville 5th graders. 
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Food plot with good germination and growth from sunflowers but limited growth from corn seeds Grant County
Photo by N Cook
Food plot with good germination and growth from sunflowers but limited growth from corn seeds. Grant County. 

Okanogan Lands 20/20 Project Submittals: Okanogan Lands Operations Manager Haug submitted five applications for acquisitions in Okanogan County. The projects protect critical shrub-steppe and riparian habitats and increase recreation opportunity in the area. The applications will be reviewed later this month and then presented to staff members in Olympia for approval.

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Weeds showing signs of dying after herbicide application. Site to be planted with native grass in fall 2023
Photo by WDFW
Weeds showing signs of dying after herbicide application. Site to be planted with native grass in fall 2023. Grant County

Habitat Project Maintenance: Private Lands Biologist Braaten mowed around trees and shrubs on the Rice Alling project site.

Douglas County Wildfire: Private Lands Biologist Braaten was called by landowners about wildfire in Ragged Butte area in Douglas County. It was put out by fire fighters after it burned around 500 acres. This area was very ruffed and rocky but was adjacent to critical habitat for sage grouse and State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields.

SAFE-CRP: Private Lands Biologist Braaten met in person and called several landowners who have showed interest in signing up into SAFE. Douglas County Farm Service Agency (FSA) is waiting to find out if there are any acres available for SAFE and asked Biologist Braaten to let landowners know there may be an opportunity and to call and get on list.

In Douglas County, Wildlife Programs Biologist Morris worked on a conservation plan for SAFE-CRP that is being re-enrolled this year. This included assessing the existing vegetation in the landowner’s fields for wildlife habitat value, determining if changes need to be made to the enrolled fields, and planning what implementation and management actions need to be done to maintain high wildlife value on the field. This work will directly benefit wildlife by keeping agricultural land in high quality native vegetation that provides forage, cover, and pollinator habitat that supports a more healthy and diverse wildlife population.

Providing Education and Outreach

WDFW Staff Member Tour with Methow Conservancy: Methow Wildlife Area Staff Troyer, Repp, and Wottlin, along with Prescribed Burn Lead Eberlein and Lands Operations Manager Haug, met with the Methow Conservancy to tour forest health treatments in the Ramsey Creek area. The tour consisted of conservancy staff members, Womens Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) members and interested citizens who wanted to learn more about prescribed burning and forest health. Also helping on the tour was University of Washington Research Scientist Pritchard who provided technical knowledge regarding fire ecology. WDFW staff members provided information on fuels treatments, prescribed burn info and an overview of agency interest in forest health. Reviews of the tour were very positive with participants expressing how much they learned over the half day adventure.

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Group shot of the tour near the Ramsey Creek Campground
Photo by WDFW
Group shot of the tour near the Ramsey Creek Campground.

Douglas County Waiver Listening Session: Congresswoman Schier hosted a listening session in Marysville to discuss a CRP waiver issue. Private Lands Biologist Braaten contacted a few landowners to be participants, offer support, and discuss. One landowner attended.

Responding to Hunters Questions: Specialist Bridges has been responding to numerous calls from successful special permit holders for the Peshastin and Malaga hunts.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Sinlahekin Assistant Manager Onboarding: Assistant Manager Riley completed his training to get his wildland red card certification. The next step to get his full certification is completing the pack test which he has scheduled. All staff members on the Sinlahekin will be red card certified and ready for the wildland fire season. Hopefully they won’t need to use their training this year.

Pheasants Forever Meeting: Biologist Cook and Morris attended parts of the local chapter of Pheasants Forever to discuss potential collaboration and field work WDFW might do with some habitat improvement projects. Cook had the opportunity to meet with a Pheasants Forever Biologist to discuss further collaboration and assistance.

Private Lands Workshop: Private Lands Biologists Braaten, Morris, Cook and Rickel attended the Private Lands workshop in Ellensburg with staff members from around state. They met to receive training and discuss issues related to the Private Lands program. Biologist Morris and Cook gave a presentation and led a discussion on using GIS for Private Lands, Biologist Braaten led a discussion on New Techniques/tools/equipment/herbicide and other biologists gave presentations/discussions on various topics including seed mixes, equipment to use, etc. The discussions were very beneficial for sharing ideas and learning.

Other

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Moose on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area
Photo by WDFW
Moose on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area.
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Towee drying off near the Dave Brittell Trail on the  Sinlahekin WLA
Photo by J Haug
Towee drying off near the Dave Brittell Trail on the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area. 
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Bighorn sheep on a natural mineral lick near Blue
Photo by WDFW
Bighorn sheep on a natural mineral lick near Blue.
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Summer morning landscape and wildflowers on the Chiliwist Unit
Photo by WDFW
Summer morning landscape and wildflowers on the Chiliwist Unit.
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Chiliwist wildflowers and fence
Photo by WDFW
Chiliwist wildflowers and fence.
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Newly planted grain hay field on the Charles and Mary Eder Unit
Photo by WDFW
Newly planted grain hay field on the Charles and Mary Eder Unit.
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Mule deer doe and fawn
Photo by C White
Mule deer doe and fawn. 
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Turkey vulture on the Charles and Mary Eder  Unit
Photo by WDFW
Turkey vulture on the Charles and Mary Eder Unit.
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Strawberry Lake on the Chesaw Unit
Photo by WDFW
Strawberry Lake on the Chesaw Unit.
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Happy Hill water birch planting. Planted fall of 2021
Photo by WDFW
Happy Hill water birch planting. Water birch is an important food source for sharp-tail grouse in the winter when snow limits their ability to forage on the ground. Planted fall of 2021.
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Stormy sunset in the shrubsteppe over Tonasket
Photo by WDFW
Stormy sunset in the shrubsteppe over Tonasket.
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Sun through rain shower over the Tiffanys
Photo by WDFW
Sun through rain shower over the Tiffanys.

 

Biweekly report Aug1-15 2023 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Year
2023
Dates
Division/Region
Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Pikas: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman had a meeting with an employee of Washington State Parks to discuss American pika on Mount Spokane. We discussed previous survey efforts and identified locations where pika have been observed on the park in the past 20 years. The park is evaluating the potential for implementation of a volunteer survey effort to search areas of suitable habitat for pika. 

Chronic Wasting Disease Sample: Natural Resource Technician Harris collected a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sample from a cow elk that was harvested in Game Management Unit (GMU) 121 with a depredation kill permit.  

Chronic Wasting Disease Operations: Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman checked local pits for CWD samples. A sample was collected from the Clarkston pit. The laptop for sample data malfunctioned and another is being ordered. 

Grizzly Bear Survey: Wildlife Biologists Prince and Turnock picked up one hair corral in Pend Oreille County. Only black bears were detected. In addition, they deployed a new corral in the same general area.  

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Wildlife Biologist Turnock collects hair samples from a corral
Photo by WDFW
Wildlife Biologist Turnock collects hair samples from a corral.

Bat Survey: Wildlife Biologists Prince and Turnock conducted an exit count bat survey in Ferry County this week. The homeowner reported the colony through Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) online reporting tool and biologists followed up to determine species using the space and number of bats present. Only 26 bats were observed. However, the week prior the landowner observed 148 using the same technique.

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Biologist Prince awaits the impending darkness
Photo by WDFW
Biologist Prince awaits the impending darkness.

Elk Calf Survival Study: Biologist Vekasy worked with field crews coordinating mortality investigations and updating tracking spreadsheets. With a number of failed transmitters and shed collars again being an issue, particularly in GMU 175. Active collars are now down to 58 from a total of 115 deployed. As in the past, cougar predation has been the main cause of mortality, running slightly lower than previous years at 66% of all mortality causes.  

Bumble Bee Surveys: Biologists Wik and Vekasy completed bumble bee surveys in a high priority cell in north Walla Walla. Although floral resources were still available at the selected survey locations, bumble bees were scarce, with only one seen at the first sight and seven captures or seen at the second sight. Vekasy also completed a survey at another partially sampled cell and found an assortment of species using a community garden in the Walla Walla area. 

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Bumble bee found near Walla Walla
Photo by WDFW
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Bumble bee found near Walla Walla
Photo by WDFW
Bumble bees found near Walla Walla.

Small Bat in a Tight Spot: On Thursday, Aug. 10, Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Manager Anderson heard a thunk on an office window, as something small and dark hit the metal grid over the window. Inspection found a bat (appeared to be a little brown bat) had crawled through the grid and wedged itself between the grid and the window. Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Natural Resources Technician Zueger assisted Anderson to loosen the bolts holding the corner of the grid to the window, and propped it open a bit. The bat dropped down below the sill to hang, still behind the grill. They left the grid corner propped over the weekend for the bat to easily escape. 

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Small unidentified bat
Photo by WDFW
Bat found in between metal grid and window.

Chronic Wasting Disease Samples: Natural Resource Technician Harris collected a CWD sample from a roadkill deer in GMU 121.  

Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer took samples from two roadkill mule deer in Whitman County.   

Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman checked local pits for CWD samples. Two samples were collected. Better notification was discussed on sampling opportunities.    

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Trail Clearing: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer and Natural Resource Technician Zueger used a mini-excavator, power tools, and hand tools to clear out portions of the Columbia River trail that runs south from Sherman Creek Wildlife Area headquarters past Sherman Creek Hatchery and down to Haag Cove.   

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Trail clearing photo
Photo by WDFW
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Trail clearing photo
Photo by WDFW

Blue Green Algae Blooms: Rainbow Lake is currently having a blue green algae bloom. Wildlife Area Manager Dingman is working with the Columbia County Health Department to get the water tested for toxins. Warning signs were posted at all access points to the lake. Watson Lake and Spring Lake are experiencing algal blooms and are being monitored for blue green algae.   

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Blue green algae bloom in Rainbow Lake and sign warning the public
Photo by WDFW
Blue green algae bloom in Rainbow Lake and sign warning the public.

ADA Hunting Access: Natural Resource Technician Harris spoke with a disabled hunter looking for ADA hunting access for moose hunting in GMU 117. Harris provided the hunter with information about the Mitchell Mountain disability hunter access and contacts for Colville National Forest and Inland Northwest Wildlife Council Disability Access Committee. Upon request, Harris forwarded the hunter’s contact information to district biologists for more information regarding moose populations in GMU 117.  

Turnbull Hunt by Reservation: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated with the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge by getting the agreement signed for this upcoming season.   

Terminally Ill Hunter: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb conducted coordination with a terminally ill hunter issued a permit from WDFW for the GMU 149 Prescott. Kolb spoke with landowner on behalf of the hunter who will be traveling from out of state to conduct the hunt.    

Youth Mentor Hunt: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated with Jason Cushman with Pheasants Forever to coordinate the youth mentored hunt that will be taking place this fall for the youth opening weekend hunt. Properties in the reservation program are being coordinated to be reserved for this hunt. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Depredation Investigation: WDFW staff members responded to a report of a dead calf being found on a United States Forest Service allotment. The calf was located partially submerged in a pond. WDFW staff members documented the area and removed the calf carcass from the pond to conduct a necropsy. They documented injuries constituent with a probable wolf depredation. Wolf tracks were documented roughly half a mile from the carcass and collar data showed that the collared animal from the 139 group had been in the area for several days. The investigation determination was probable wolf depredation

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Calf carcass as it was found
Photo by WDFW
Calf carcass as it was found.

Potential Contract Range Rider Calls: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade reached out to two potential contract range riders this week. Both said they would call back to discuss the program and their potential interest when time allowed. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Bureau of Land Management/Ducks Unlimited Project Tour: On Wednesday, Wildlife Area Manager Finch met with staff members from the Spokane District Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Ducks Unlimited (DU) Engineer Heck and DU Biologist Blewett at BLM’s Oliger property along Telford Road to discuss opening up a wetland area with a concrete flood control structure that was built around 2000 but had silted in to just a small stream running down the property. The discussion was to determine where to stack the spoils that had been already culturally cleared by the BLM archologist. The other discussion was to use the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area staff members, already funded through an existing BLM agreement, to accomplish the work.

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BLM/DU Wetland Project site tour
Photo by WDFW
BLM and DU Wetland Project site tour.

Conservation Reserve Program: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer assisted Rock Lake Conservation District in mowing a site for weeds next to a creek area. This site was recently planted with native shrubs this last fall by WDFW staff members and seeded with perennial grasses. 

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Conservation Reserve Program site before mowing took place
Photo by WDFW
Conservation Reserve Program site before mowing took place.
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Conservation Reserve Program site after mowing took place
Photo by WDFW
Conservation Reserve Program site after mowing took place.

Turkey Proposals: Private Lands Biologist Hadley received information for project proposals from WDFW and the National Wild Turkey Federation to pass on to partners that may be interested. Hadley discussed a potential project partnership with the Corps of Engineers and will follow up next week with more details.   

4-O Ranch Wildlife Area Bucannon Field Restoration: Biologist Woodall spent the week traveling to the 4-O Ranch and mowing weeds out of the Bucannon field. In spring 2023, this field was planted with orchard grass. This field has been a hotbed of weed infestations. We chose orchard grass to compete against weeds and provide good forage for elk. 

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View from the cab
Photo by WDFW
View from the cab.
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View in the rearview mirror
Photo by WDFW
View from the rearview mirror.
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Elk enjoying the young, tender grass
Photo by WDFW
Elk enjoying the young, tender grass.

Habitat Improvement Planning: Natural Resource Technician Harris met with a Hunting only by Written Permission cooperator to discuss potential habitat improvement projects for waterfowl, deer, and upland game species.   

Sourcing Seed and Plants: At the request of the Private Lands Biologist Baarstad, Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman was able to source and secure a minimum of 200 pounds of fall canola seed for planting. The seed will be delivered to the St. John office on Aug. 15 where it will be picked up and taken to the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area for planting. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb set up venue locations for a September Hunter Education traditional class and a separate online class field day.  

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation 2023 Rendezvous: Wildlife Area Manager Dice put together a Power Point presentation on Lick Creek fire recovery projects and past Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) volunteer activities on the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area and presented it to RMEF members at their 2023 Rendezvous at White Pass on Saturday. The presentation went well and was appreciated by the members.   

National Hunting and Fishing Day Preparation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty assisted with organizing presenters for the National Hunting and Fishing Day that will be held in District 1 per request of Volunteer Coordinator Dazey.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Pasture Ride Along: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb conducted a ride along with a producer on private pasture in Touchet pack territory. Kolb assisted the producer with trail camera set up as well as documenting wolf signs in different areas of the pasture.     

District 3 Draft Lethal Removal Recommendation Meeting: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna facilitated a meeting to start the draft lethal removal recommendation process for the WA139 wolf group. McCanna made assignments for staff members to start filling in portions of the recommendation. McCanna will call another meeting if we have another confirmed wolf depredation.  

Cattle Producers of Washington Board Meeting: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna attended a special board meeting to discuss the new Department of Agriculture grant received. We then met with the range riders to review and sign new contracts, discuss WDFW expectations for their handwritten logs, and install the new software upgrade on their InReach devices.   

Other

Weather Event: On Monday, a severe thunderstorm rolled through the area and knocked out the power for over four hours and dropped rainfall over one inch. In some locations, rainfall measured closer to two inches. 

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Severe thunderstorm
Photo by WDFW
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Severe thunderstorm
Photo by WDFW
Severe thunderstorm.

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

Year
2023
Dates
Division/Region
Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

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

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Volunteers Hadley and Robinson preparing for the survey
Photo by WDFW
Volunteer Flick settles in before sunset.

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

These deer are part of a four-year study being conducted throughout Game Management Units (GMU) 388 and 382 to track the annual movements of female mule deer and locate important migration corridors. Staff members are also attempting to determine cause of death when an animal dies, which has proven to be difficult. In winter 2021, 81 collars were deployed throughout GMUs for this effort. Twenty-two collars were deployed in the winter of 2022 and 23 in winter 2023. Most of the deployments for 2022 through 2023 were redeployments replacing study deer that died over the first two years of the study. We are nearing the end of the study so these collars will not be redeployed for this project.  

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Mule deer #414 in her final resting place
Photo by WDFW
Mule deer #414 in her final resting place.
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After removing the hair with clippers, numerous pre-mortem bite and scratch wounds were found all over the carcass.
Photo by WDFW
After removing the hair with clippers, numerous pre-mortem bite and scratch wounds were found all over the carcass.
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Mule deer #403, cached by a cougar
Photo by WDFW
Mule deer #403, cached by a cougar.
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Mule deer #403 was found under these bushes, with the edge of the Newell Road fire in the near distance.
Photo by WDFW
Mule deer #403 was found under these bushes, with the edge of the Newell Road fire in the near distance.

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

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A suspected bombus flavifron (yellowhead bumble bee)
Photo by WDFW
A suspected bombus flavifron (yellowhead bumble bee).
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Biologists Stephens and Holman processing a recently captured bumble bee
Photo by WDFW
Biologists Stephens and Holman processing a recently captured bumble bee.

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

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Mountain goat on the side of a cliff
Photo by WDFW
Mountain goat on the side of a cliff.
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A group of elk in the Goat Rocks
Photo by WDFW
A group of elk in the Goat Rocks.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

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

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“Hammock Head” with a chair and a rope on his head.
Photo by WDFW
“Hammock Head” with a chair and a rope on his head.
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Biologist Stephens with the anesthetized bull now free of his latest entanglements
Photo by WDFW
Biologist Stephens with the anesthetized bull now free of his latest entanglements.

Biweekly report Aug1-15 2023 - Lands Division

Year
2023
Dates
Division/Region
Report sections

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Trail Inventory Projects: Browning and Andersen continue to manage trail inventory projects in Quincy Lakes, L. T. Murray, and the Methow wildlife areas. The Quincy Lakes project is in the final stages and a report is being written by the contractor. Re-routes around culturally sensitive areas have been mapped. Browning and Andersen are preparing a contract with Methow Valley Trails Collaborative to do a trails conditions assessment of the Pipestone area in the Methow Wildlife Area.  

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Skagit Wildlife Area Planning: The Skagit Wildlife Area Advisory Committee meeting was held on Aug. 15. The focus of the meeting was to collect comments on the draft management plan. The draft plan was also sent to the tribes on July 24. The plan is expected to start the SEPA 30-day public review by early September. A SEPA public workshop will be held at Padilla Bay on Sep. 5. 

State-Tribes Recreation Impact Management: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) is working with federally recognized tribes and other state agencies to develop a framework for managing recreation impacts on state lands. A second meeting of the Steering Committee will be held on Aug. 17. 

L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Planning: The State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) review has concluded on the plan. The final draft was sent to regional and statewide program managers for internal review. The final plan will be submitted for the director’s signature in September.  

Cowlitz Wildlife Area Planning: Planning, Communications and Public Engagement (CAPE), and GIS staff members with the assistance of Braeden Van Deynze are developing a recreational user survey. It will be available to the public over the next year starting this fall.  

Providing Education and Outreach

Public Lands Visitation Study: The Department, along with other state natural resource agencies including the Department of Natural Resources, State Parks, and the Recreation and Conservation Office, partnered with Earth Economics to determine public visitation and the economic contribution of outdoor recreation on state-managed public lands and measure how spending circulates within the state’s economy. The report found that visitation on state public lands increased by 12% from 2019 to 2020. This includes a 7% increase on WDFW managed lands, and it supported $5.9 billion in spending on goods and services. This spending supported more than 37,000 full and part-time jobs, $1.65 billion in wages, and more than $435 million in local and state tax revenue. 

For more information on the study, see WDFW’s recent blog post

You can read the final report online here: Outdoor Recreation on State Lands in Washington 

The Ambassador Program: The ambassador program has completed six weeks of programming. The most meaningful interactions with visitors have been at Lewis Butte in the Methow Valley. Visitors were excited to learn about wildlife and recreation best practices from the ambassadors. The ambassador program will be testing out new sites in Scatter Creek and Fir Island in September when visitor numbers tend to be quite high. 

Lands Advisory Group Strategic Planning: To diversify participation and increase support from local communities, the strategic plan will provide statewide improvements and identify opportunities to enhance the roles of advisory committee members. These recommended changes will benefit staff members and community experiences while increasing public involvement in land management practices. Staff members will engage internal and external stakeholders in this planning process which is expected to continue through 2025.