Aug16-31 | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

August 16-31

Biweekly report Aug16-31 2023 - Region 3 (South Central)

Year

2023

Dates

Aug16-31

Division/Region

Region 3 (South Central)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Signs: New signs which complement the L. T. Murray Wildlife Area green dot management map were ordered for the elk winter closure area. The signs, containing two informational signs and a map, were relatively inexpensive to replace and will be much easier for a single employee to handle.

New signs set up next to a green dot management map — A couple of the old signs being replaced.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Elk Fence: Oak Creek Wildlife Area annual fence checks and maintenance began on approximately 40 miles of elk fence. This fence stretches from the Cowiche Unit to Cleman Mountain and the boundary with the Wenas Wildlife Area. This fence aims to reduce elk conflict during the winter by limiting movement of elk onto agricultural lands.

Duck Banding Underway Around Washington: Statewide Waterfowl Specialist Wilson assisted District 8 Assistant Wildlife Biologist Moore with waterfowl banding at the Sunnyside Wildlife Area and Bureau of Reclamation property. Swim in traps have been deployed to trap 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. Wilson assists with waterfowl banding projects throughout the state.

Hatch year male, American green-winged teal.

Biologist Moore with a northern shoveler.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Landowner Hunting Permit Coordination: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand met with the owner of one of the Silver Dollar ranches participating in our Landowner Hunting Permit program to coordinate special permit holders hunting opportunities. Special permit hunters were also contacted and provided hunt scheduling and contact information for the owner.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Elk Viewing: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Charlet and Natural Resource Technician Boggs installed a new ADA accessible viewing telescope at the Oak Creek elk feeding station.

An ADA accessible telescope for viewing elk — ADA accessible viewing telescope for watching elk at the Oak Creek Wildlife Area.

Wenas Wildlife Area Lower Buffalo Access: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technicians Trahern and Stoltenow, along with Assistant Manager Taylor, removed the ineffective cattle guard and installed a new gate post at the Lower Buffalo entrance. Wenas staff members will make a new gate, using a new latch system and install it next week. They are going away from chain and hook latches on gates and moving to spring loaded latches.

Wenas Wildlife Area Manastash Ridge Trail Name Signs: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Specialist Frame installed white carsonite posts with trail names on approved trails in the Manastash Ridge Trails area. These will help new users keep on the trails that they intend to be on. These signs come as a part of a larger signing effort through the Manastash Ridge trail management plan.

Casonite trail names — Carsonite trail name signs.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Rattlesnake Hills Elk Hazing: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand monitored elk activity and pressured elk away from crops along the Hanford National Monument border and near irrigated tree fruit and vineyard areas. Fox lights have been removed after wheat harvest ended.

Corral Canyon Wheat Harvest: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand worked with wheat harvest operations to document crop damage impacts from Hanford elk. Wheat harvest concluded on Aug. 20 with varied crop yields. Severe elk damage was observed in spring wheat crops at higher elevations.

Cold Creek Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand assisted a tree fruit and wine grape operation near Hanford with hazing a bull elk out of their orchard and checking their exclosure fencing for repairs.

West Richland Deer: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued working with a owner of several small corn fields that have been damaged by an increasing number of deer near the Yakima River. One master hunter and three archery general season hunters were deployed for a hunting opportunity.

Kittitas County Conflict: District 8 Conflict Technician Leuck and 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 Teanaway areas. Technician Leuck has been working nights at those locations hazing elk.

Three light plants were installed by Technician Leuck at one field to deter elk in the Park Creek area. Elk are getting habituated to the lights.

A truck on a road just past a sign — Badger Pocket elk crossing.

Yakima County Conflict: District 8 Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several orchard growers who were having problems with elk in crops.

Wenas Dam Deer: District 8 Conflict Specialist Wetzel assisted Sergeant Schroeder to free three deer that were stranded at Wenas Dam.

Two deer stuck at Wenas Dam — Deer stuck at Wenas Dam.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Fire: The Hutchins Fire (started in the current thinning project area from unknown cause) was contained at under an acre the evening of Aug. 17 by local Department of Natural Resources staff members. The fire scar was monitored for a few days as red flag conditions pushed through the weekend. Dozer line and bucket drops along with hand crew and engine work got the job done.

L. T. Murray Unit, one acre of the Hutchins Fire area — L. T. Murray Unit, one acre Hutchins Fire.

L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Grazing: L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Manager Morrison and Assistant Manager Winegeart visited the Quilomene Unit’s Whiskey Jim pasture with Washington State University Professor of Rangeland and Livestock Management Hudson. The group looked at issues related to water sources, fencing, and heavily grazed areas in the canyon bottom. No immediate solutions for dispersing cattle utilization, such as higher elevation watering sites, were found but all agreed that this site could benefit from using virtual fence cattle collars.

Wildlife Area Manager Morrison contemplating deep incision in lower Whiskey Jim pasture.

Hudson and Morrison in deeply incised Whiskey Jim Creek — Washington State University Professor of Rangeland and Livestock Management Hudson, and Wildlife Area Manager Morrison in deeply incised Whiskey Jim Creek.

L. T. Murray Weed Control: L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Blore sprayed purple loosestrife on Whiskey Dick, Quilomene, and Brushy Creek. This was a coordinated effort with Kittitas County Weed Board as they sprayed the wildlife area along the Columbia River shorelines.

Hoover Acquisition Stock Fence Removal: Wenas Wildlife Area personnel prepped around two miles of abandoned fence to be rolled. Removal of derelict fencing reduces impacts on wildlife in the area.

Cottonwood Shooting Area: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Trahern and Assistant Manager Taylor installed gate posts for a gate going into the cottonwood fields. This will allow access for staff members and fire responders, while preventing members of the public from entering and dumping trash.

Wenas Wildlife Area: Wenas Wildlife Area Biologist Miller started planning for fall aerial herbicide applications on the wildlife area for cheat grass control. Miller has also started to plan for plug planting in the Evans Canyon and Cow Canyon burn scars.

Sunnyside/Snake River Access Sites: Sunnyside/Snake River Assistant Manager Ferguson and Assistant Manager Jahns prepped all access sites for the start of the dove hunting season. Kiosks were restocked with registration cards and all wasp nests were sprayed and removed from registration sites. Parking lots and roadways were also mowed.

Sunnyside/Snake River Wetlands: Sunnyside/Snake River Manager Kaelber, Assistant Manager Ferguson, and Assistant Manager Jahns continue to prep wetlands for fall reflooding. Approximately half of the wetlands in the Sunnyside Headquarters Unit have been mowed. Water was diverted towards the Johnson Wetland last week so it is anticipated that it will be reflooded in three to four weeks. Buckwheat and millet continue to grow in the Phase 1 and Phase 3 Wetlands in the Windmill Ranch Unit. These crops were planted as a food source for migrating waterfowl. The goal is to reflood these wetlands by Oct. 1.

A field of buckwheat — Phase 1 buckwheat enjoyed the recent rainfall.

Providing Education and Outreach

Pack It In, Pack It Out: The Oak Creek Wildlife Area now has litter bags for public use at the Tim’s Pond kiosk. We anticipate that this dispenser along with signage will help reduce the abundance of trash cleaned up along the trail, pond, and parking lot each year.

A kiosk at Tim's Pond with a garbage bag roll installed — Pack it in, pack it out garbage bag dispenser at Tim’s Pond kiosk.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Disabled Hunter Access: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Boggs developed a written guide for disabled hunters to locate three disabled hunter access gates on the Oak Creek Wildlife Area. These three access gates are part of the ADA Road Access Entry Program in which persons with disabilities may apply for an access permit. If drawn, a disabled hunter is issued an access permit allowing them to drive a motorized vehicle into a closed and gated area where other hunters must walk in.

Disabled hunter guide — Example of disabled hunter gate access guide.

Read more about Biweekly report Aug16-31 2023 - Region 3 (South Central)

Biweekly report Aug16-31 2023 - Lands Division

Year

2023

Dates

Aug16-31

Division/Region

Lands Division

Report sections

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Travel Management: Andersen and Browning continued having discussions with land managers about conducting trail inventories on wildlife areas. Browning wrote a request for proposal (RFP) for an inventory project on Wooten, Cowlitz and Scatter Creek wildlife areas. The Quincy Lakes trail conditions assessment contract is in its final stages. TREAD is writing the report that includes recommendations for trail use.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

State-Tribes Recreation Impact Management: [GA(1] [C(2] Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is working with federally recognized tribes and other state agencies to develop a framework for managing recreation impacts on state lands. The Steering Committee met on Aug. 17. The meeting focused on developing a structure and scope for the work and discussion of contracting third party facilitation. The next steering committee meeting is scheduled for Sep.7.

Providing Education and Outreach

The Ambassador Program: The Ambassador Program has completed two more weeks of programming. There was greater visitation at the LT Murray Wildlife Area due to the coming of hunting season. There are three weeks left, and Browning and Washington Trollers Association (WTA) are pivoting the program to new locations on the west side where there is more visitation.

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.

States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) Symposium: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife co-sponsored and attended the SOBA symposium held in Tacoma during the last week of August. Lands Division was represented by Belson. Other WDFW attendees and presenters included Region 6 field operations, Real Estate Services, and Capital and Asset Management Program (CAMP). The director gave a welcome speech to attendees on the opening day.

Read more about Biweekly report Aug16-31 2023 - Lands Division

Biweekly report Aug16-31 2023 - Region 4 (North Puget Sound)

Year

2023

Dates

Aug16-31

Division/Region

Region 4 (North Puget Sound)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Mariposa Copper Survey: Biologists Anderson and Combs surveyed for mariposa copper butterflies in The Cascade Range. A study is underway looking at different populations and genetics of the mariposa/Makah copper complex. WDFW is partnering with Xerces and academic partners to examine this for Species of Greatest Conservation Needs and consideration in relation to the State Wildlife Action Plan. More can be found here.

Biologist Anderson with a male mariposa copper.

Bumble Bee Survey: Biologist Anderson surveyed for bumble bees at high elevation sites as part of the collaboration of WDFW and Xerces Society. The surveys are part of the Pacific Northwest Bumble Bee Atlas.

A black-tailed bumble bee sluggish due to being chilled for pictures.

Probiotic Bat Capture in Darrington: Biologist Licence participated in a second round of captures at a Yuma myotis and big brown bat roost in Darrington. These captures are associated with a white-nose syndrome research project aimed at determining the efficacy of a probiotic treatment (among other things) to this devastating disease.

A grouchy Yuma myotis is processed by the Darrington capture team.

Biologist Licence co-lead a capture effort with Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Haman targeting red foxes on San Juan Island. This project was initiated to conduct a baseline health assessment of the San Juan foxes for comparison to the endangered Cascade red fox population. Additionally, this provided an opportunity to optimize an immobilization drug dosing protocol and provided experience for a University of Washington PhD student currently planning a research project to conduct similar work on Cascade red fox. Outwitting a fox proved to be as challenging as one may guess, but the team did not leave empty handed and gained some valuable information and relationships. Many thanks to the participants that made this effort possible.

Photo by WDFW

A yearling female red fox is processed by the capture team on San Juan Island.

Bat Recon on Whidbey Island: Biologist Licence met with a north Whidbey Island landowner and Washington State Parks biologist to survey a bat roost in their attic and provide recommendations for supporting the local bats in this urban landscape. The visit generated great ideas and good will that appears to be formulating into a volunteer project with numerous roosting sites and bat boxes installed throughout the area.

State Parks Biologist Morse assists with a bat exit count on Whidbey Island.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Access Meeting for GMU 418 Elk Hunters: Private Lands Biologist Wingard and District Wildlife Biologist Waddell hosted a meeting for archery and muzzleloader hunters who successfully drew a Quality Bull special permit in Game Management Unit (GMU) 418. For several years, Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) has partnered with WDFW to allow free motorized access to specific areas on SPI lands for GMU 418 elk hunters. Hunters attending the meeting were provided with details about the North Cascades elk herd, access rules, and a key to unlock specific SPI gates during their hunt. The Department is grateful to Sierra Pacific Industries for this partnership and the tremendous access opportunity they provide to our special permit elk hunters.

Providing Education and Outreach

Biologist Licence coordinated with community members of the City of Langley to provide brochures on the harms of feeding wildlife. Brochures will be mailed to the community with monthly utility bills and will aid in discussions to investigate implementation of a local ordinance against feeding wildlife in the city.

Read more about Biweekly report Aug16-31 2023 - Region 4 (North Puget Sound)

Biweekly report Aug16-31 2023 - Region 1 (Eastern)

Year

2023

Dates

Aug16-31

Division/Region

Region 1 (Eastern)

Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Bighorn Sheep Monitoring: District Biologist Wik and Assistant District Biologist Vekasy traveled to Oregon to recover a bighorn sheep collar that had sent a mortality alert. The collar on a yearling ram was shed on a fence line. Placement of collars on older lambs, particularly rams, has yielded important new information on dispersal movements, highlighting an increased risk of contact with domestic sheep. Multiple rams have now traveled through domestic sheep grazing allotments that had previously not been recognized as being in bighorn sheep range.

Upland Game Birds: Biologist Brinkman recorded observations of upland game birds while conducting deer surveys and submitted these observations as part of a larger scale effort to document breeding productivity of upland birds statewide.

Ring-necked pheasants observed during a deer survey in Whitman County. Observations of these birds are being gathered to inform distribution and breeding productivity of upland game birds statewide.

Elk Calf Survival Study: Scientific Technician Moberg continued monitoring collared elk calves in the Blue Mountains. She conducted five mortality investigations, of which three were shed collars caught on fence lines and two were likely cougar predations. Field necropsies on carcasses, along with predator DNA sampling, help to support predation evidence.

Habitat Development Activities: Biologist Baarstad contacted seed vendors, co-workers, and volunteers to begin planning fall habitat development work. Several projects are planned for implementation over the next two months.

Deer Surveys: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman conducted deer pre-hunt ground surveys that will be used to estimate buck to doe ratios for white-tailed deer in District 2. These surveys are conducted for around two to three hours in the morning or evening when deer are most active, and the surveys consist of driving routes through different parts of the district and recording the number of individuals and composition of each group of deer observed (i.e., how many does, fawns, and bucks). Mule deer are often encountered during these surveys, and composition of these groups are also documented.

White-tailed deer buck observed while conducting a deer survey in Spokane County. This buck recently shed the velvet from its antlers which is evident from the dark coloration with reddish tinge and wet look to the antlers.

White-tailed deer doe and fawn — A white-tailed deer doe and fawn observed while conducting a deer survey in Spokane County.

Chronic Wasting Disease: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer took Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) samples to the Spokane regional office for processing. Nizer also checked Department of Transportation pits for deer carcasses. Nizer also checked in with Pacific Pride/Java Bloom to ensure having a check station at that site would still be ok this fall.

Private Lands Biologist Hadley worked with W. T. Wooten Wildlife Area Wildlife Area Manager Dingman to create a CWD poster for the Rainwater Wildlife Area to be put out for hunters to see. Private Lands Biologist Hadley printed and laminated several posters and coordinated to meet with Dingman next week.

Chronic Wasting Disease Operations: Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman checked local pits for CWD samples. Several road-killed deer were also recovered and disposed of due to advanced decomposition.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Fire Damage: The Gray Fire, which started late in the week west of Spokane, swept through the West Medical Lake Access Area and burned down the fiberglass toilets. This occurred when Dziekan and Brant were off for the weekend. They may be unable to closely inspect the site until the fire is completely extinguished. Swanson Lake Wildlife Area Manager Finch will be working with Dziekan to fill out the damage report and complete follow-up work, including replacing restrooms and posting signage onsite and online. Statewide Access Area Manager Belson and Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Manager Anderson will assist as needed.

Badger Lake Gate: Access Manager Dziekan removed half of the gate at Badger Lake last spring and brought it back to the shop to reinforce it with some new welds. The gate is perfectly functional, but adding additional metal should prevent unauthorized access to the boat launch area when the gate is locked for the season. There have been issues with vandals cutting the lock off the gate so they could get into the access area. Dziekan covered the top of the gate with a new round plate and added some more metal to the sides as an extra measure. The bottom is still open, it needs to be open to allow access the lock, but there isn’t enough room at the bottom to open bolt cutters and cut the lock hasp. It was tested in the field before it was secured.

A gate lock — New gate lock at Badger Lake.

Tucannon Lakes: Natural Resource Technicians Tritt and Jensen continued checking the lakes and fish screens to make sure everything is working properly. They cleaned up trash around the lakes and cut trees down in the Blue Lake overflow area. Tritt and Jensen completed installation of the new spotting scope at the ADA accessible pad at Rainbow Lake. They used the tractor to move some large boulders to protect the spotting scope from being backed into.

Photo by WDFW

Turnbull Hunt By Reservation: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer and Natural Resources Technician Rumiser met with the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge manager to post hunt by reservation and boundary signs for the new 1,883 turkey access site. While posting the property Nizer and Rumiser stumbled across a bull moose. This access site will provide great access for turkey in the future and for viewing beautiful wildlife.

A bull moose in the far distance — Nizer captured a picture of a bull moose on the new Turnbull hunting access site.

Cummings Creek Road: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Natural Resource Technician Tritt took the all-terrain vehicles to check Cummings Creek Road. There are several places where the trees are leaning over the road, making it difficult for horseback riders. Completing clearing of the road is a priority before the upcoming hunting seasons.

Landowner Hunting Permit Application: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer worked with Columbia Plateau Wildlife Management Association to submit their Landowner Hunting Permit application for the three-year seasons. Nizer also reached out to Officer Copenhaver to see if he would be willing to attend a meeting that they will be having on Sep. 14. This will allow them to get familiar with the officer that covers their area.

Mentored Youth Hunt: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated with Jason Cushman with Pheasants Forever of Spokane to organize the mentored youth hunt on Sep. 16. The sites were reserved for the youth hunt and birds will be held back to release at the designated sites.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Contract Range Rider Check-In: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb conducted a check-in with a contract range rider. Jacobson was also informed of a contract range rider who may be interested in riding in his area of responsibility.

Potential Contract Range Rider Calls: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade spoke with two potential range riders and provided them with information regarding the program.

Wolf Activity and producer Contacts Anatone Area: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade worked to contact multiple producers to gain access to their private property for wolf related operations this week. Wade worked to inform the District 3 wolf team of private lands access for the operations. Kolb, Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman, and Wade met with an Anatone area producer to deploy a radio activated guard (RAG) box on their property. Heitstuman and Wade returned later in the week to build an enclosure around the RAG box to prevent damage from cattle and wildlife in the area. The RAG box was deployed in response to a confirmed wolf depredation in the pasture. Wade also discussed grazing rotations with another producer who is running out of viable pasture outside of the W139 activity center.

A RAG box enclosure — RAG box and enclosure.

Wolf Depredation: Natural Resource Technician Harris, Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill, and Officer Thoma met with a producer to investigate an injured cow that was discovered on a grazing allotment in the Smackout pack territory. Staff members confirmed that the cow was injured during a confirmed wolf depredation event. The cow will stay at the producer’s homeplace for the remainder of the grazing season while it recovers from its injuries.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Project Proposals: Natural Resource Technician Harris worked on writing proposals for habitat restoration projects to be conducted in 2024. Harris also met with two landowners that were interested in carrying out riparian area restoration projects on their land.

Asotin Creek Boundary Stock Fence: Wildlife Area Manager Dice looked at 1,000 feet of stock fence built by wildlife area staff and University of Idaho interns at Cook Ridge. The fence closed a hole left by the contractor who didn’t finish his job and has now left the area. Dice also locked the gate going into WDFW land at Cook Ridge and posted agency signs. The contractor sent a crew over to finish cleanup work in order to get paid. Their work wasn’t exactly what we were looking for but will have to do.

A steel stock fence — All steel stock fence constructed by wildlife area staff and University of Idaho interns at Cook Ridge.

Steel stock fence — Wildlife area staff fence construction at Cook Ridge.

Medical Lake Gray Fire: The Medical Lake Gray Fire that started on Aug. 18 destroyed several homes also did some damage to WDFW West Medical Lake access area. The fire destroyed four fiberglass outhouses along with countless signs, fences, and several large ponderosa trees will need to be cut down. Access Manager Dziekan used plywood to cover the open toilet pits after removing the outhouse debris over the openings to make the area safer for the public. Dziekan took many photos and documented the damage in a report that was submitted to Wildlife Area Manager Finch.

This week, Budget Analyst Nelson, Camp Engineer Hansen, Dziekan, and Finch met on teams to discuss the damage caused from the Gray Fire and estimate the cost to repair the damage. Nelson will be submitting a funding request soon to cover the damage repairs. Dziekan is also documenting the hours doing cleanup work.

An outhouse construction site — West Medical Lake outhouse location before covering the tanks.

Outhouse locations after covering tanks — West Medical Lake outhouse locations after covering the tanks.

Habitat Proposal: Natural Resource Technician Harris wrote and submitted a funding proposal for a riparian restoration project on the Vetter Farm in Stevens County. Harris met with Biologist Stetson at the project site to discuss the project.

Providing Education and Outreach

Mentored Youth Deer Camp: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Samsill helped to coordinate and plan the upcoming Third Annual Chris Christensen Memorial Youth Deer Camp. The camp will take place at the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area the weekend of Aug. 24 through Aug. 27.

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb continued coordination throughout the week on hunter education support for future classes.

Chronic Wasting Disease Billboard: Wildlife Biologists Prince and Turnock, Ungulate Research Scientist DeVivo, Access Manager Dziekan, and Chronic Wasting Disease Technician Brant installed a CWD billboard south of Chewelah. The billboard space was provided by the Northeast Washington Wildlife Group and the sign will be in place from now until mid-December.

A chronic wasting disease billboard — CWD billboard south of Chewelah.

Northeast Washington Fair: Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty managed a booth with Assistant District Biologist Turnock at the Northeast Washington Fair.

Natural Resource Technician Harris staffed the WDFW booth at the Northeast Washington Fair in Colville.

Spokane Interview: Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty spoke with a reporter that was experiencing squirrel damage to his potted tomato plants and wanted to write a newspaper article on squirrel damage in urban areas.

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb contacted newspapers in Walla Walla and Columbia County about up-coming hunter education opportunities in the area in the event the editors want to share the information with their readers.

Another Unauthorized Field Camp: Fish and Wildlife Officer Thoma successfully got a set of unauthorized residence campers on the western end of Sherman Creek Wildlife Area to clean up and leave their site last week. Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer spotted a new camp, near the previous one along the south fork of Sherman Creek. This new camp appeared to belong to a single person but was unoccupied and in disarray. Palmer cleaned up the site and threw the debris in the dumpster at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area headquarters.

Columbia County Fair Booth: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Fish Manager Trump put the WDFW Fair booth together.

Photo by WDFW

The theme of the fair this year is “Fair Dreams in a Small Town.” Dingman added “Forest” and included photos of real wildlife dreaming of themselves doing “county fair” activities.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Lethal Removal Recommendation: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna spent a considerable amount of time writing the WA-139 wolf group lethal removal recommendation. The District 3 wolf team provided edits and comments. McCanna worked with the Attorney General office for final edits and comments. McCanna sent final recommendation to Region 1 Director Kuttel and Director Susewind.

The Sherman Creek Wildlife Area office received a new heat pump heating and cooling system on Friday. This replaces an old electric baseboard for heat and opened windows and a fan for cooling.

Outdoor compressor on the back of the building — Outdoor compressor on back of building.

Technicians installing a blower unit — Technicians installing indoor blower unit.

After Action Review: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna facilitated an after action review after a depredation in District 3. The cause of death was non-depredation.

Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna facilitated an after action review for the WA-139 group recommendation and lethal removal operation. Notes from the meeting can be found at After Action Review.

Read more about Biweekly report Aug16-31 2023 - Region 1 (Eastern)

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