Managing Wildlife Populations

Cave Scouting: Biologists Wickhem, Ott, Bergh, Holman, and Stephens, with the help of Volunteers Petrie and Roe, spent several days in September finding and marking cave entrances in Skamania and Klickitat counties. Many of these caves have not been surveyed in 20 to 30 years and the GPS locations are not entirely accurate. Also, it can be very difficult to locate cave entrances when the access points are found in large rocky sinks and/or the entrances are small. During scouting efforts, the GPS points were verified or corrected, photos were taken of the entrances, and entrances were flagged when necessary. The caves will be revisited this winter, when the entrances can be even harder to locate under several feet of snow.

The goal of the winter surveys is to document the number and species of hibernating bats in each cave. Townsend’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii), one target of the surveys, are a Washington Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SCGN) and are a “subterranean-obligate species” meaning they rely on caves or mines to roost and hibernate. The surveys will also search for hibernating Myotis species and swab them for Pd (Pseudogymnoascus destructans), the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats.

Pika Scat Collection: Biologists Wickhem and Ott spent several hours scouring the mossy talus at a known pika site in Skamania County this month. The goal was to find and collect pika scat that will be sent to two different researchers; one in Michigan who will analyze the poo for genetic markers, and another in Colorado who will test the pellets for cortisol to assess stress levels of pikas living in these unique habitats. Other researchers and volunteer members are collecting scat throughout the Columbia River Gorge this fall. Pikas in the Gorge are the only known American pika (Ochotona princeps) population to live near sea level – most pikas in North America inhabit high alpine habitats where they can escape the summer heat. Gorge pikas can stay cool in the summer and fed in the winter thanks to the thick carpets of moss that often cover the talus slopes in these areas. Since the moss is available year-round, they also do not need to collect “haypiles” (piles of harvested vegetation to feed on during the winter months), which can save them a tremendous amount of energy.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Graffiti Abatement: Access area staff members took advantage of the warmer weather to paint over graffiti on the exterior walls of several restrooms. When painting large areas like this, unfortunately for access staff members, it requires a continual presence on site to ensure that the paint is dry before leaving. With any luck, the walls will stay graffiti free for a while. 

Managing Wildlife Populations

Is it a bird, a plane, a monkey??? Not quite: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Biologist Anderson, at the request of Bat Specialist Tobin, retrieved a fruit bat species (yet to be identified) from Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The bat, already deceased, was found at a local WSDOT rest area in south King County. Unfortunately, various non-native species, including bats, attempt to, or do, make it through customs at various ports (e.g. SeaTac International Airport, etc.). 

The very next week, after obtaining the bat specimen for further examination, a “monkey” was reported at the Boeing 737 plant in Renton. The “monkey” was found deceased in cargo received from Australia. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services called Anderson, relaying that Boeing was needing direction and that the deceased “monkey” needed removal. Several calls and emails were exchanged amongst WDFW, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Washington Department of Health, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS). Anderson was then sent off to Boeing to obtain better pictures and to remove the animal.

Upon arrival, the deceased animal was quickly identified as “not a monkey” and determined to be a brush-tailed possum that had likely stowed away at the point of origin. This is a very common species that is known to do this now and then (like our native yellow-bellied marmots that can be quite good at hiding in vehicles and cargo). Anderson then worked with all entities to gain appropriate direction of removal, clean-up, and disposal.

Often, these non-native animals are coming through ports as an accidental stowaway, or may possibly be related to cultural practices. Luckily, port authorities and inspection services often catch these instances. In this case, both specimens were deceased and after initial examination and confirmation of animal species/type - no human health concerns were identified.

Please support captive bred exotic pets and similar captive wildlife situations, rather than harvest of wild stock for various legal and illegal markets.

Grouse Wing and Tail Collection Barrels: All Region 4 wildlife districts have deployed their annual grouse wing and tail collection barrels with the start of the grouse season on September 15th. The goal of this collection effort is to build estimated population trend datasets for each species to evaluate harvest changes. Other factors will also be evaluated, including wildfire and weather patterns that may contribute to changes in harvest and overall populations at the species level.

Providing Education and Outreach

Safety during hunting season on Lopez Island: Regional and WDFW enforcement staff members participated in a meeting with San Juan County Council, leadership representatives from local enforcement, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and San Juan County Land Bank (SJCLB). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss community concerns centered around deer hunting seasons. It was a productive conversation of information sharing and community engagement planning. The same group will be participating in a community meeting on Lopez Island on October 8th to answer questions and discuss hunting safety and values. 

Additionally, District 13 staff members are coordinating with the Master Hunter Program, BLM and SJCLB to build and deploy large orange kiosks at public hunting access trailheads. The kiosks will be used for storing sign-in/sign-out sheets for hunters, loaner hunter orange vests, and to serve as an indicator that hunting season has begun on the properties. This same group will also be staffing a hunting and recreation information booth during the early and late general deer seasons near the access area for BLM’s Chadwick Hill hunting area. Staff members hope these efforts will ease concerns about hunting on public lands in the community and garner support for maintaining or expanding local public hunting access to help achieve deer population reduction goals for this management zone.

Other

Volunteer of the Year Award Adam Black: After missing the Region 4 awards ceremony because of a personal commitment, Adam Black was excited to finally receive the North Puget Sound Region’s Volunteer of the Year award! He was surprised and thankful for the recognition and reaffirmed his interest in supporting conservation and Department efforts well into the future.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Connell Hunt By Written Permission: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach has been working with two landowners in Connell in Franklin County on a Hunt by Written Permission contract. Most of the land in this new contract had been in Feel Free to Hunt up until a few years ago, but due to large crowds and safety concerns the contract was not extended. The landowners still wanted to allow public access, so they agreed to Hunt by Written Permission to schedule hunts on the property and allow for safer opportunities for the public. Most of the property is Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands, with one large sagebrush patch and a few good draws, totaling over 2,000 acres of access. Signs have been posted in preparation of modern firearm deer season, and it should be active on the Private Lands website before the season starts.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Wenas Wildlife Area – Durr Road Shooting Range: The Durr Road Shooting Range is finally complete! Construction of all phases for this project was finished at the end of September. The range includes a 100-yard rifle range, 25-yard pistol range, and shotgun range. The site was selected with input from the local community including the Wenas Target Shooting Advisory Committee. Several funding sources were used to make this happen including a Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) Firearms and Archery Range Recreation (FARR) Grant received and additional state funding. The site is now open to the public for target shooting from sunrise to sunset. The purpose of the project is to provide the public with a safe place to recreate that meets agencies standards and reduces the risk of wildfires with backstops and side berms in place. The public is still allowed to disperse shoot throughout the wildlife area if they are following WAC 220-500-140.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

L.T. Murray Restoration: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart met with Yakama Nation archaeologists on site to discuss the continued restoration of the 6.8-acre Ragland fallow field. Winegeart’s assertion that pulling a seed drill over the field would not constitute soil disturbance was met with positive feedback. Hopefully, wildlife area staff members will be able to drill seed the entire field with native grasses this fall to provide soil stability and protect the sites archaeological integrity. The site is currently a dirt field that borders Taneum Creek at a successful Yakama Nation large, engineered log jam project site and needs to be converted into healthy habitat now. 

Oak Creek Wildlife Area - Reynolds Creek Fuels Reduction Project: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Charlet put out to bid a 217-acre fuels reduction project within the Cowiche Unit of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area. This project aims to reduce the fuel load in this area and help to release Oregon white oak trees that are overcrowded with ponderosa pine trees and consequently have stunted oak growth. 

Mesa Lake Pacman Wetland Development: The Pacman Wetland development project with Ducks Unlimited is nearing the construction phase. In preparation to break ground in November, Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Jahns mowed the site to improve visibility for project contractors and reduce fire hazard.

Sunnyside/Snake River Fall Wetland Preparation: Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area staff members continue to prep wildlife area wetlands for reflooding this fall. To meet the wetland management goals of maintaining a 50:50 open water to vegetation ratio, staff members have been busy mowing wetlands in the Sunnyside Headquarters, Mesa Lake, and Windmill Ranch Units. 

Wenas Wildlife Area—Weed Control: Wenas Wildlife Area staff members have continued to focus on Russian and diffuse knapweed for weed control. Wenas staff members along with a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) spray crew from the west side of the state have been focusing in the Roza Creek drainage for knapweed control.

Providing Education and Outreach

La Salle Intern Field-day: On September 27, several juniors and seniors from La Salle High School joined Statewide Waterfowl Specialist Wilson, District 8 Assistant Wildlife Biologist Wilson, and District 4 Assistant Wildlife Biologist Hoffman in the field to learn about the WDFW Wildlife Program, as well as common wildlife monitoring techniques. These included methods for trapping and banding game birds (e.g. doves and ducks), wing ID for common waterfowl species, aging techniques for bighorn sheep and carnivores, and an introduction to radio telemetry that concluded in students triangulating the location of a hidden radio-collar. La Salle students will be joining other WDFW programs throughout the fall to learn more about careers in conservation. 

Sacagawea Heritage Days: Natural Resources Technician Pizzini assisted with a table at the Sacagawea Heritage Days, partnering with Benton/Franklin Conservation District education staff members. Hundreds of elementary students from the area came through and participated in the seedball making booth. Seedballs made from compost, clay powder, water, and a mix of pollinator forb seeds were made and dispersed in an area at Sacagawea Park.

Other

Oak Creek Wildlife Area – Retreat Fire Closure: The Retreat fire land closure, including sections of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area Oak Creek Unit impacted by fire, has been extended until October 23, 2024. A variety of public agencies are still assessing hazards within the fire perimeter. Due to current safety concerns, it is anticipated that closures will remain in effect through the winter.  

L.T. Murray Whiskey Dick Unit Roads: L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Manager Morrison and Assistant Manager Winegeart visited the Whiskey Dick Unit to look at the results of cloudburst that released enough water to wash trenches in the Cayuse and Jackknife Ridge roads. This has caused motorist to create trails around the washouts. Options for avoiding additional habitat damage due to road braiding and water erosion are being considered. 

Wenas Wildlife Area—Wire Roller: Wenas Wildlife Natural Resource Technician Janes completed the construction of the wire roller that will be shared by wildlife areas in Region 3.

Sticker Burr Roller: Region 3 Private Lands Biologist Manderbach and Private Lands Natural Resources Technician Pizzini purchased a “Sticker Burr Roller” to help maintain private lands access parking areas and habitat plantings that have been overrun by puncturevine. The device has worked well so far and will be a great tool to have in addition to spring herbicide applications at the parking areas.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Deer Management: Biologists Dougherty and Clements are assisting Region 1 staff members with collecting Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) samples from hunters in District 5. Biologist Clements collected the first voluntary sample from a hunter at the beginning of September. Biologists sent out an information letter to permit holders for GMU 290 (Desert) encouraging hunters to set up a time to get a sample collected to aid in expanding the surveillance within the state.

Northern Leopard Frogs (NLF): District staff members released all of the NLFs that were reared at Oregon Zoo and Northwest Trek in August, and since then they have been conducting weekly visual encounter surveys (VES) at Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and north potholes. VES are used to count the number of frogs that staff members see around the pond as well as providing staff members the ability to capture and swab random frogs for disease, collect morphometric data, and more. Later this month a large and concerted effort will be conducted with several staff members to collect each frog encountered within the release site to gather more in depth data on each frog including snout-vent length, weight, swabbing for disease, and more. 

Waterfowl: Biologists Clements and Dougherty were able to make quick work of waterfowl banding this season and deployed 659 bands throughout the district in a total of 20 trapping days. Additionally, District Biologists are working to complete all the environmental compliance on several Washington State Waterfowl Habitat funded projects. 

Grebes: Biologists Dougherty and Clements teamed up to retrieve grebe nesting platforms that had been deployed on Banks Lake. These nesting platforms were deployed and covered in surrounding vegetation to encourage nesting and to avoid abandoned nests once water levels on Banks Lake began to fluctuate as the summer progressed. Biologist Dougherty reached out to various experts to determine any appropriate methodology for transmitter attachment to grebes in order to further mitigation efforts at Banks Lake.

Northern Bog Lemming Survey: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Region 2 Diversity Biologists Turnock and Hara with Technician Force assisted Biologist Heinlen conducting surveys for the northern bog lemming (Synaptomys borealis) within District 6. This species is found only in subarctic climates from the northern tree line south into Washington, Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, and New England where it lives in wet meadows, fens and forests with moss or sedge understories. Due to these species-specific habitats, the total area occupied within Washington is thought to be relatively small. This species is identified as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) under the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) with an assessment of a current lack of distribution data. These surveys will help fill in that distribution data gap.

Lynx Surveys: Biologists Fitkin and Heinlen and project volunteer members have retrieved most of the remote cameras deployed for lynx as part of the Cascades Carnivore Monitoring Project. Cameras continue to detect lynx in a few surveys cells and document a wider array of species across the whole survey grid. Final retrievals and data compilation will conclude next month.

Forest Grouse Management: Biologist Heinlen set out the five forest grouse wing collection barrels in Okanogan County in preparation for the forest grouse opener on September 15th. Grouse hunters can help WDFW manage these important species by depositing one wing and the tail of each grouse harvested into these collection barrels or by bringing them to the closest WDFW District or Regional office. More information can be found at: Forest grouse wing and tail collection | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Upland Hunting: District 5 staff members have assisted with releasing pheasants on various areas of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area in preparation for the youth hunt weekend in eastern Washington.

Pheasant Release: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Riley assisted Biologist Heinlen release pheasants (PDF) for the youth hunt September 14-15, 2024. More information about the Eastern Washington Resident Game Bird seasons can be found on the WDFW website.

Pheasant Release: Biologist Cook released pheasants at Chiliwist Unit and carried additional birds for release at other Okanagan County locations prior to the Youth Hunting season.

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Elk Issues: Specialist Heilhecker received several calls from landowners regarding elk damage to agricultural crops in GMU 204. Each landowner has an active damage prevention cooperative agreement and requested a kill permit. 

Deer Damaging Orchard: Specialist Heilhecker received a call from an orchardist near Orondo who was experiencing deer damage. The orchardist was interested in nonlethal techniques and possibly fencing materials. Since this area is outside Okanogan County, she gave the orchardist contact information for the area’s wildlife conflict specialist. 

Carcass Dumping: Specialist Heilhecker spoke with a Reporting Party (RP) regarding a butcher dumping remains on his neighbor’s property. The landowner believes the dump pile has attracted wolves and consequently the neighbor is then shooting wolves. Specialist Heilhecker loaned several cameras in an attempt for the RP to document wolf activity, since there are no collared wolves in the area. In the past month, the cameras have not captured any wolf photos. The reporting party remains concerned that the neighbor is creating a nuisance by attracting carnivores to the area.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Weed Management: Wildlife area staff members have been conducting further herbicide sprays of rush skeleton weed on the Chelan Butte, where significant improvements over the last year have been made and controls of bull thistle where forest thinning has occurred. 

Irrigating Agricultural Fields: Wells Wildlife Area staff members have continued to focus on irrigating crop fields, which involves moving hand lines, setting up wheel lines, and monitoring and repairing pivots.  

Water Birch Enclosure Fence Work: Technicians Balderston and Garcia have been working to repair fences protecting water birch enclosures across the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Area. Several fences were so severely damaged during the Pearl Hill fire that the remaining fence is being removed so a new more durable one can be put in its place. Managers and staff members are considering options for a longer-term solution that would require less consistent repair.  

Spraying Invasive Weeds: Wildlife area staff members have focused spraying efforts this month on houndstongue near headquarters and rush skeletonweed in the Sagebrush Flat Wildlife Are. Staff members noticed a reduction in the presence of both houndstongue and rush skeletonweed because of last year’s spray effort.

Preparation for BDA Installation and Maintenance: To prepare for Beaver Dam Analogs (BDA) installation, staff members have carefully mowed the area for easy access and trimmed weeds around piles of BDA posts and weaving material. The team will begin BDA work in September.  

Xerces Pollinator Plots Preparation: The office secured two habitat garden kits from the Xerces Society earlier this year, and in October staff members will pick up the kits and plant them on the Bridgeport Bar. To prepare for the planting, Technician D. Haney-Williamson and S. Balderston have flagged the site and are thinking through how irrigation will need to be set up and necessary site prep.  

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Setting Up Hunter Registration Booths: To prepare for fall hunting, Wells Wildlife Area staff members have been updating and preparing the hunter registration booths and parking lots. These tasks included brushing off hunter registration booths, weed trimming parking lots, replacing any old signage, eradicating yellow jackets, removing trash, and restocking hunter registration cards.  

Swakane Shooting Range: The Swakane shooting range was cleaned up so that it is ready to be used once fire restrictions are no longer in place. 

Fire Restrictions for Public Notice: To better inform the public about fire restrictions, and hopefully prevent any incidents, new and larger signage is starting to go up around high traffic locations of the wildlife area.

Habitat Plots: Biologist Morris continued planning for his habitat project that will plant sagebrush and other shrubs in a shrubsteppe area affected by fire in 2017 to improve the habitat for mule deer, upland birds, and pygmy rabbits.

Providing Education and Outreach

Coordination with USFWS: Specialist Heilhecker spoke with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff members regarding depredation investigations and meeting with producers in Okanogan County.

Grizzly Bear Meetings: Specialist Bridges attended three public meetings hosted by Chelan County Commissioners on Grizzly Bear Reintroduction efforts to take place in the North Cascades over the next 10 years. Specialist Heilhecker attended an internal grizzly bear management and conservation meeting

Other

Vehicle Checklist: Staff members have been inventorying all motor pool and agency vehicles to ensure that each one has safety equipment.

Interviews for Natural Resource Technician in Training: We are in the process of recruiting new employees in the coming months.  

ATV/UTV Training: Staff members attended ATV and UTV training at the Methow Wildlife Area in July. All who attended successfully completed the course and received Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association certifications of completion. 

Found Bees in Big Bend: Managers Peterson and Blake came across a species of ground nesting bees while working in the Big Bend Wildlife Area. They reached out to Biologist Julie Combs who informed them that these bees are solitary bees in the Anthophora species, commonly known as Miner or Digger bees. Combs informed an expert who will attempt to ID at the species level.

New Employee: Assistant Wildlife Area Manager, Meierotto, has started this month and is learning the ropes.

Managing Wildlife Populations

Deer Surveys: Private Lands Biologist Nizer, along with Technicians Nance and Rumiser, completed the second round of deer surveys in Whitman County on Sept 17th and 19th. These surveys help wildlife managers by gaining a better understanding of the composition of the deer herd in Whitman County including buck-to-doe and doe-to-fawn ratios, along with understanding the buck quality on the landscape.  

Sharp-tailed Grouse GPS Collar Recovery: Wildlife Area Manager Finch and Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner went to private property north of Creston to recover a Sharp-tailed Grouse GPS collar that quit moving. Finch and Wagner did locate the collar within 5 feet of the last reported location. It appeared to have been predated on by a coyote. The next morning Finch and Wagner took a UTV to a different private property owner north of Creston just above the breaks of the Columbia River. This Sharp-tailed Grouse appeared to be moving, so staff members were looking for that grouse in company with other grouse. Finch and Wager walked for almost two hours looking for signs of grouse activity with no luck. It is possible for them to go back next week to check again.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): Wildlife Area Manager Dingman took the leftover flyers from the fair booths to the Last Resort. She organized for the CWD trailer to be returned to Spokane next week by Region 1 Safety Officer Moynahan. Dingman organized for an 11-yard dumpster to be placed at the Last Resort Campground during the general deer season for the public to dispose of the bones, hides, and animal parts that cannot leave Region 1. 

Bog Lemming Surveys: Wildlife Biologists Prince and Johnson conducted surveys this week for bog lemmings at two locations in District 1. Surveys include kneeling down, parting grass, and looking for tiny green rodent scat. The scat is then analyzed to species for DNA confirmation. 

Chronic Wasting Disease: Acting Private Lands Biologist Heitstuman relayed calls from the Washington Department of Transportation regarding roadkill to employees closet to the collection sites. Heitstuman met with local Washington State Department of Transportation Supervisors to secure the Clemans Site to use this fall on a short-term basis at no charge. 

Final Deer Survey: This week Finch and Wagner went on their last deer survey of the season running the same route but this time in reverse to check out the same areas at different times. This week the count was over 180 deer over a 78-mile route. There were a handful of white-tailed deer, but primarily mule deer. 

Deer: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman continued to conduct preseason road-based surveys in GMUs 124, 130, and 139 to collect deer herd composition data. The areas surveyed in September are similar to those in August but focused on collection of fawn-to-doe ratios to estimate fawn production. 

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Hunter Access: Private Lands Supervisor Baarstad replaced signs on two Feel Free to Hunt properties totaling approximately 4,000 acres of hunting access in the Wilbur and Creston areas of Lincoln County. Baarstad met with Private Lands Biologist Braaten to pick up supplies needed for hunting access. Baarstad took five calls this week from landowners needing enforcement assistance and hunters with questions about a variety of hunting opportunity around the region. Baarstad and regional private lands staff members completed the hunter access information for the status and trend report and sent it to Private Lands Section Manger McCanna. 

Mentored Pheasant Hunt Clinic: Private Lands Biologist Nizer worked with Hunter Ed Coordinator Garcia to setup a mentored first pheasant hunting clinic on December 14th. Nizer was able to secure 60 to 80 pheasants for the clinic and kept certain properties off the reservation calendar so they will be available to the clinic. Nizer will coordinate where hunters can stay overnight for the clinic. 

Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Duck Blind: Private Lands Biologist Nizer met with the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council ADA Committee to install an ADA duck blind. The installation took about three hours and was installed on a hunt by reservation property.

Pelt seals/harvest inspections: Biologist Brinkman met with a hunter to inspect and seal a cougar taken in GMU 117 this week. Brinkman also inspected a mountain goat harvested by a youth hunter in Goat Rocks West. Biologist Lowe assisted a hunter with removing a tooth from a harvested bear. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Bull Elk Stuck in Elk Fence: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade responded to an afterhours report of a bull elk that had become entangled in an elk fence in the Bakers Pond area of Garfield County. Wade coordinated with the property owner to identify where the elk was located and to determine the best way to access the area. Wade and Sargent Mossman responded to the location and determined that the bull would need to be chemically immobilized to free it from the fence wire. Officer Mosman and Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade, with the assistance with the property owner, were able to free the bull from its predicament. 

Deer Removal: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris and Sergeant Leonetti responded to a report of a deer covered in papillomas (warts) in Spokane. Although they do not typically impact the animal's health, this deer had several papillomas covering its eyes, causing it to be partially blind. Staff members determined that humane euthanasia was necessary. The carcass was removed for proper disposal after a CWD sample was collected. 

Injured Moose: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff members responded to a report of an injured cow moose on Eastern Washington University’s campus. After a wildlife veterinarian assessed the animal’s injuries, staff members determined that euthanasia was necessary due to the severity of the injuries.

“Injured” Crow: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Harris and Wildlife Biologist Brinkman responded to a report of an injured crow at a Spokane elementary school. Staff members reported that they observed the crow hoping around the playground and coming up to some of the students. After observing the crow fly, Brinkman and Harris determined that the crow was not actually injured, but instead habituated to people.

Wildlife Conflict: Private Lands Biologist Nizer and Natural Resource Technician Nance responded to a moose conflict after calls from members of the public that were concerned about their safety. Nizer and Nance located three moose, (a cow, calf, and bull) that showed no fear of humans in a creek directly behind a row of homes. Nizer and Nance were able to haze the three moose from behind the homes and down the creek. 

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Habitat Improvement: Natural Resource Technicians Nance and Rumiser disced a field on private land which will be seeded to improve wildlife habitat. 

Aeration Repair: This week Wildlife Area Manager Finch and Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Wagner worked on the aeration system, calling private contractor and aeration designer Wiley from the site to help troubleshoot the computer error that is preventing it from turning on. After testing and checking voltage it was determined by Private Contractor Wiley that more than likely the air compressor is froze up. Wagner pulled the compressor out of the box so it can be taken for repairs. Also, Private Contractor Wiley gave a contact number for the company that makes the compressor. Finch has been in contact with this company and will be working with their service department to come up repair or replacement for the compressor motor. Wildlife Area staff members also found out other maintenance tips that will help the compressor extend its life with regular service and maintenance. 

Providing Education and Outreach

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb assisted with a traditional hunter education class in Waitsburg. Sixteen students passed and were certified as hunter education graduates. 

Water Festival: This annual event, coordinated by the Lake Roosevelt Forum, brings several area elementary school classes to the Sherman Creek Hatchery, adjacent to Sherman Creek Wildlife Area, and the National Park Service marina at Kettle Falls. This year on September 17th and 18th, Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Graves and Wildlife Area Manager Anderson hosted their customary station, titled “Who’s For Dinner,” at the hatchery. Visiting classes learned about upland predators and prey in northeast Washington, and how you can tell one from another by their physical features. The kids got to handle skulls, antlers, and pelts. 

Washington State University Wildlife Techniques Lab: Conflict and Private Lands staff members from Region 1 assisted with the teaching of various techniques used to trap wildlife. Two different days were spent demonstrating some of the equipment utilized to deal with nuisance wildlife. Students assisted with setting up and deploying a 40- foot by 60-foot rocket net as well as shooting a net gun at a decoy. 

Camp Wooten Group: Wildlife Area Manager Dingman and Natural Resource Technician Moberg spent Thursday teaching 6th graders at Camp Wooten ELC. Dingman and Moberg took hides, skulls, and antlers to the camp and talked about predators and prey. The talk went well and most of the students were very engaged. 

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Drone Modification: The last few weeks Wildlife Area Manager Finch has been doing some research on what can be done to prevent bird attacks on drones. After doing plenty of research, Finch found that with the use of high red reflective tape, red propellers, and strobe lights, the chances of bird attacking went down considerably. The bird of prey now sees the drone as something outside of nature and will mostly likely stay away. Finch has lost one drone by a Red-tailed hawk and has had several episodes where birds of prey go after the drone in flight. Reflective tape, colored propellers and strobe lights are cheap insurance for the cost of the drone. The strobes lights are just another added safety feature as well.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Dungeness Hunting Point: Wildlife Area Manager Laushman and Biologist Ament prepared the River’s End site of the Dungeness Unit for waterfowl hunting season and refreshed safety signage at the Helen’s Pond site.

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Osprey On Cell Towers: Biologist Tirhi worked on three permit requests for osprey nest removals on cell towers in Olympia, Lake Tapps, and Vaughn. Companies can legally remove nests from cell towers outside the active nesting season, on inactive sites, or sites finished for the season using a permit issued by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Conserving Natural Landscapes

South Puget Sound Prairies: Biologists Tirhi participated in an all-day workshop hosted by Washington State University extension (Thurston County) and held at Thurston Conservation District to discuss conservation easements for remnant prairies of South Puget Sound. Conservation easements are a tool widely used in habitat conservation whereby private lands are retained by the landowner, but certain uses of that land are bought so that those uses cannot be implemented on the site. Uses usually include removing the ability to convert the habitat to other uses like pavement, buildings, and infrastructure but might also dictate activities like grazing, farming, and water use.

The workshop was geared at introducing Northwest Rangeland Trust, a rancher-lead non-profit land trust based in northeast Oregon. This land conservancy currently owns two conservation easements in Thurston County and may be available to purchase more, particularly on working lands having remnant prairie. Significant funds will soon become available for remnant prairie land acquisition (including conservation easements) and listed prairie species enhancement through the Thurston County Habitat Conservation Plan and Department of Defense, Joint Base Lewis-McCord (JBLM) Readiness and Environmental Integration (REPI) program.

Read more about the Habitat Conservation Plan here and the JBLM REPI program here. Other local land trusts are also poised to participate in expanding their capacity and acquisitions through this funding. Trusts such as Capitol Land Trust, Community Farm Land Trust, and South of the Sound Community Farm Land Trust have a long history of successful land conservation in the South Puget Sound and do exceptional work. One thing is certain, it will take all partners working together to conserve remnant prairie and recover listed prairies species in the South Sound region.

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Photo by WDFW

Providing Education and Outreach

Theler Wetlands Restoration Public Meeting: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group held a public meeting at the Salmon Center in Belfair to present future restoration work at the Theler Wetlands. Plans for removal of a breached levee, restoration of the natural estuary, and a future boardwalk to connect the walking trails were presented, followed by a question and answer session. The next public meeting will be on Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the North Mason Timberland Library in Belfair.

South Puget Sound Wildlife Area Work Party: A volunteer opportunity is coming up for interested participants at the South Puget Sound Unit in Lakewood, on Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Activities will include planting native plants, pulling Scotch broom, preparing a restoration area for plantings and signage, and pruning trees. Contact Katie Laushman with any questions.

Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Nisqually Indian Tribe Co-management: Biologist Tirhi arranged a collaboration meeting with Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Regions 5 and 6 Wildlife Program staff members, Nisqually Indian Tribe Wildlife Program Manager Borrego, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partners, and WDFW Wolf Specialist Lead Maletzke to discuss and plan wildlife co-management opportunities between Nisqually Indian Tribe and WDFW. Wolf monitoring was the main emphasis.

Camp Murray Integrated Natural Resources Management Planning: Biologist Tirhi represented WDFW at the Camp Murray Integrated Natural Resources Management Planning (INRMP) workshop held at Camp Murray, Pierce County. Camp Murray is located adjacent to and is home to the Washington Army National Guard, Washington State Guard, and the Washington Air National Guard. It has been a military post since 1855. Camp Murray encompasses approximately 295 acres containing American Lake shoreline, oak woodlots, conifer forest, remnant prairie soils, Murray Creek, buildings, and infrastructure.

The Sikes Act requires most military installations within the United States to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for natural resource conservation and management (for example, fish and wildlife, forestry, land management, outdoor recreation) on the installation. The INRMP requires both federal and state representation and signatures. Tirhi reviewed the current draft INRMP and participated in the full day planning meeting. WDFW appreciates the dedication shown by the Washington Army National Guard, Washington State Guard, and the Washington Air National Guard in preserving legacy wildlife and habitats on the installation and planning for their conservation and enhancement.

Region 6 Senior Staff Visit: The Wildlife Program senior staff group visited the Nisqually Unit of the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area, which is shared with the Luhr’s Landing Water Access Area and the Nisqually Reach Nature Center. Staff members from the Nature Center gave a tour of their facilities to the group. The Nature Center is open to the public on the weekends and provides summer camp opportunities in the summer.

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Photo by WDFW

Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visit: Staff members from Regions 4 and 6 toured the boardwalk at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to learn about engineering successes and challenges involved in tidal boardwalk trails, to inform potential boardwalk designs at WDFW wildlife areas.

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Managing Wildlife Populations

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

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Photo by WDFW

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

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

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

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Photo by WDFW

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Klickitat Mule Deer Mortality Investigation: Biologist Wickhem investigated the mortality signal from a collared female mule deer this week. From the map of its recent locations, it appeared the doe had been hit by a car, but when Wickhem arrived it was obvious that she had been aggressively scavenged by coyotes for several days. It was impossible to tell if the coyotes had killed her next to the road, or if she had been hit by a car and found by the coyotes soon after. This deer is part of a four-year study being conducted throughout GMUs 388 and 382 to track the annual movements of female mule deer and locate important migration corridors. Staff members are also attempting to determine cause of death when an animal dies, which has proven to be difficult. In winter 2021, 81 collars were deployed throughout GMUs for this effort. Twenty-two collars were deployed in the winter of 2022 and 23 were deployed in winter 2023. Most of the redeployments replaced study deer that died over the first two years of the study. We are nearing the end of the study so this collar will not be redeployed for this project. 

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Photo by WDFW

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Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

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

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

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

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Photo by reporting party

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conserving Natural Landscapes

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

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

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

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

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

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Photo by WDFW

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Providing Education and Outreach

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

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

Managing Wildlife Populations

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 associate with a white-nose syndrome research project aimed at determining the efficacy of a probiotic treatment (among other things) to this devastating disease.

 

Red Fox Trapping on San Juan Island: 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! However, the team did not leave empty handed, and gained some valuable information and relationships. Many thanks to the participants that made this effort possible.

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Photo by WDFW

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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 goodwill that appears to be formulating into a volunteer project with numerous roosting sites and bat boxes installed throughout the area.

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Non-native Species Management: Biologist Licence collected multiple individuals of non-native species for documentation, sampling, and removal from the environment. A unique example is the detection of an eastern United States species, Bombus impatiens (common eastern bumble bee), at a nursery and greenhouse near La Conner. This is the first it has been detected between Bellingham and Seattle, and it has started to invade into Washington from Canada because of Canadian efforts to import this species to support crop production. Similarly, a snapping turtle was found in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, it was removed with the help of a local veterinarian and swabbed for Emydomyces testavorans, a turtle shell disease fungus.

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Photo by WDFW

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Providing Education and Outreach

Ebey Island Pheasant Release: Wildlife Area Manager Boehm meets and greets early morning hunters during the pheasant season opener at Ebey Island. A fog-free morning set the stage for a great day of hunting. Manager Boehm answered questions, explained safety factors, and greeted new and returning hunters to the start of another season. The parking area was full and busy throughout the day.

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Photo by WDFW

Managing Wildlife Populations

Oak Creek Wildlife Area Big Horn Sheep Surveys: Oak Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Charlet and Natural Resourse Technician Boggs assisted Ungulate Specialist Moore and various Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife staff members with a fall Cleman Mountain bighorn sheep population composition survey. This composition count will help estimate lamb to ewe ratios and inform a larger bighorn sheep study currently being conducted across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. This tri-state study is investigating the “Test and Remove” methodology for the management of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (Movi) in bighorn sheep.

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Photo by WDFW

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Bighorn Sheep Survey: Private Lands Technician Manderbach assisted with bighorn sheep counts on the Oak Creek Wildlife Area.

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Photo by WDFW

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Burrowing Owl Mitigation: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra worked with City of Pasco consultants identifying potential artificial burrow sites for burrowing owls on city lands and confirming the status of burrows on a site slated for development. Burrowing owls breed in natural burrows on the site, and new artificial burrows should be constructed before the next breeding season.

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District 4 Waterfowl Banding Complete: District 4 Wildlife Biologist and Natural Resource Technician Manderbach removed waterfowl traps. Fidorra compiled waterfowl banding data and a summary report for the district efforts. The primary goal of Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife waterfowl banding is to contribute to the Pacific Flyway and state models regarding harvest, movements, and survival. Eighteen trap days occurred, with 802 bands placed across seven species. Age ratios of Hatch-year to After Hatch-year birds was higher than the past two years but still below average, suggesting poor productivity. This pattern was true for mallards at both trap sites, and similar observations were made at the Yakima and Ephrata sites. This year the eastern Washington breeding survey was the lowest in over ten years. Duck trends may lag two years when poor conditions are encountered, meaning the 2021 drought conditions might still be responsible for this year’s low productivity.

Providing Recreation Opportunities

Silver Dollar Landowner Hunting Permit: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand visited ranches enrolled in the Landowner Hunting Permit program to check on hunt opportunities and special permit harvest. Good numbers of elk have been observed recently and most of the special permit holders have tagged out or are scheduled to hunt soon.

Wenas Recreational Trail Planning: Wenas Wildlife Area Manager Hughes has been working closely with recreational planning staff members to discuss trail management strategies throughout the wildlife area. The process for updating the ten-year management plan will be coming up in about a year and part of this will involve recreational management. Before starting the process for recreational planning there must be a solid inventory for all trails and roads. The wildlife area currently keeps an inventory of trails and roads and Lands and Recreation Specialist Frame spends significant time updating data for the wildlife area.

Hughes worked with Recreational Planner Anderson, Recreational Planner English, and Recreation Specialist Browning to line out areas for future inventory needs and discuss the management tactics already in place for recreation on the Wenas Wildlife Area. Additionally, Hughes continued working with GIS staff to make sure they have the most recent trail inventory data for the Wenas Wildlife Area. The Wenas is one of the more popular wildlife areas and receives a high level of recreational use. The wildlife area has been managing recreation for decades and management tactics have developed as needed to address issues and provide the best opportunity for the public while protecting fish and wildlife.

Cottonwood Shooting Area: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resources Technicians Janes and Stoltenow installed a wire gate at an access point for the Cottonwood shooting area to help prevent members of the public from accessing the area and potentially leaving trash, while allowing WDFW employees and fire responders access.

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Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Rattlesnake Hills Elk: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand monitored elk activity and fall wheat planting success. Most fields that were in summer fallow rotation have been seeded and show good germination which will likely draw increasing numbers of elk. Very few of the no-till fields have been seeded as shallow soil moisture has been low, but with recent rain events seeding should commence in the next couple of weeks. Hand assisted one of the disabled special permit holders for the Corral Canyon elk hunt where numerous elk were observed. The hunter harvested a nice bull elk.

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Plymouth Deer Damage: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand responded to a deer damage complaint in a wine grape vineyard along the Columbia River in southern Benton County. The vineyard has a history of deer leaving the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge to forage on grape plants and especially the fruit when sugar levels are elevated. Multiple non-lethal hazing techniques are currently being employed as well as archery hunting pressure. A couple of damage permits were issued to assist with deer hazing and removals.

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Kahlotus Area Deer: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand patrolled the Kahlotus area to monitor deer activity in newly seeded wheat fields. Many of the seeded fields are showing good green-up and little deer activity was observed. Landowners have already contacted us concerning damage permit issuance to assist with deer damage impacts.

West Richland Deer: District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand continued to coordinate with an owner of several small corn fields that have been damaged by deer near the Yakima River. Two additional Master Hunters have been deployed from the Region 3 list.

Lower Buffalo Access: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technicians Janes and Stoltenow installed the newly made gate at the entrance to the Lower Buffalo portion of the wildlife area. In addition, they completed the fencing on either side of the gate by stretching and wrapping the wire around the newly installed posts.

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District 8 Kittitas County Conflict: Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with hay growers and landowners who were having problems with elk in crops and yards. 

Wetzel worked with several landowners who were having problems with bears. A bear trap was set near Easton.

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District 8 Yakima County Conflict: Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked with several hay and orchard growers who were having problems with elk and deer in crops. One has requested cost share fencing.

District 8 Deer: Conflict Specialist Wetzel worked on invoices for range riding costs. Several injured deer and deer tangled in netting and fencing were reported. Several deer with arrows were reported, as well as injured fawns or fawns with no doe observed.

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Wenas Wildlife Area Fall Spraying: Wenas Wildlife Area Habitat Specialist Miller assisted Manager Hughes in planning a fall aerial herbicide application on the wildlife area for cheatgrass and knapweed control. This application covered 214 acres of the Wenas Wildlife Area. The herbicides used for this treatment were focused on controlling cheatgrass and knapweed in areas that have developed native grass stands as well. This was a new mix used on the Wenas that has shown success in other parts of eastern Washington and western states. Sites will be monitored in spring and throughout the next few years to review rates of success.

The wildlife area has been working on fall treatment for knapweed. Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Stoltenow continued to spray along roadsides to control knapweed. In addition, Stoltenow worked with Wenas Wildlife Area Habitat Specialist Miller, Natural Resource Specialist Frame, and Natural Resource Technician Janes to spray knapweed in the Roza portion of the wildlife area.

Wenas Acquisition/Conservation Easement Meetings: Wenas Wildlife Area Manager Hughes, Property Acquisition Supervisor Woodruff and Region 3 Lands Agent Carbary met with a few landowners in the Wenas Valley to discuss conservation options on their property and provide updates on potential acquisitions.

They are working on adding .59 acres to The Cleman – Mountain Acquisition that already went through for over 1000 acres. This adjustment is being done in order to properly build a boundary fence and to protect a marsh area.

They also met with the Black Canyon Acquisition landowners, and they provided updates regarding the potential acquisition of 150 acres of shrubsteppe habitat. There is the potential to exchange 40 acres of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife ground that does not serve valuable habitat nor recreational opportunities. After the meeting it was discussed that the 40-acre exchange would continue to be pursued with this acquisition. The property will be appraised soon as a next step.

The third group of landowners visited were part of the Miracle Mile Acquisition/Conservation Easement. This project is still being decided on.  They are trying to determine what method of conservation the landowners are interested in pursuing. This includes approximately 440 acres of valuable habitat for mule deer, upland birds, and songbirds. Shrubsteppe and riparian habitat in Wenas Creek fall within the acres being discussed for conservation.

WDFW hopes to continue working with all of these landowners on conserving their property in the best way that works for both parties.

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Feeding Site Mowing: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technician Stoltenow mowed the feed site to prepare for winter feeding and make it easier to drive through the area while feeding.

Gate Placement: Wenas Wildlife Area Manager Hughes and Habitat Specialist Miller surveyed placement of two gates on a non-green dot road on Clemans Mountain. This will start the Cultural Resource survey process to ensure that sensitive areas are protected.

Barrier Rock on the L. T. Murray Wildlife Area: L. T. Murray Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Winegeart and Manager Morrison moved barrier rock from a gated off camp site on a tributary to S. F. Manastash Creek to the new gate location at Frost Meadows. Winegeart and Natural Resource Technician Blore rearranged barrier rock and added two ecology blocks to the north gate on Shadow Creek. Someone used a grinder to open the north and south gates and created a road around the north gate.

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Photo by WDFW

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Oak Creek Wildlife Area Post Fire Monitoring: Natural Resource Technician Boggs completed post fire surveys on the Oak Creek Wildlife Area Cougar Canyon prescribed fire units. 235 acres of broadcast burning was completed in the spring of 2021 and fall of 2022. Yearly habitat surveys allow us to monitor current vegetation conditions and compare conditions to pre-fire survey data.

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Photo by WDFW

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Beaver Dam Analogs on the L. T. Murray Wildlife Area: Manager Morrison met with the Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group to look at restoration efforts and took part in a short interview on the Teanaway Valley Unit. Several beaver dam analogs have been installed in the upper meadow and the restoration is nearly complete, with some forest thinning remaining.

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L. T. Murray Fence Markers: Natural Resource Technician Nass installed fence markers on the L. T. Murray’s Whiskey Dick Unit wing fences.

Sunnyside/Snake River Wetland Preparation: Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Jahns continued to mow wetlands in preparation for fall reflooding in the Windmill Ranch and Mesa Lake Units.

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Sunnyside/Snake River Noxious Weed Treatment: Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Manager Kaelber met with the Yakima County Weed Board to discuss a treatment plan for Clematis orientalis that was discovered growing in the I-82 Ponds Unit. Manager Kaelber followed up the next day with an herbicide treatment.

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Photo by WDFW

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Conducting Business Operations and Policy

Pasco District 4 Office Mailbox: District 4 Wildlife Biologist Fidorra and Habitat Lead Planner Ritter beautifully installed a new locking mailbox at the district office to reduce mail theft.

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Photo by WDFW

Other

Fabrication and Repair at Headquarters: Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Technicians Stoltenow and Janes replaced parts and did some maintenance on the drill seeder in preparation for fall seeding projects. They also resumed building the wire roller that will be used in the region.

Region 3 Wildlife Area Staff Quarterly Meeting: Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area staff members attended the quarterly regional wildlife area meeting hosted by the Colockum Wildlife Area staff members. The meeting included a boat tour of culturally significant sites within the Colockum, as well as informative meetings with WDFW habitat and cultural resources staff.

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Photo by WDFW

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Managing Wildlife Populations

Grizzly Bear Monitoring: Wildlife Biologist Prince assisted a Kalispel tribal biologist with removing their last two 2023 hair corrals from within the Selkirk grizzly bear recovery area. Wildlife Biologist Turnock was assisted by a Kalispel tribe biologist with removing two Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) hair corrals from the Selkirk grizzly bear recovery area. 

Deer: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman continued the second round of fall deer surveys. These roadside surveys cover similar routes to those driven in August, but the results are used to estimate fawn-to-doe ratios instead of buck-to-doe ratios which were calculated in August. The surveys are conducted for two to three hours around dawn or dusk, during the cooler times of the day, as this is typically when deer are more active. Locations are recorded for each group of deer observed, and composition of the groups are also documented (i.e., how many does, bucks, and fawns in each group).

Deer Survey: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer and Natural Resource Technician Rumiser completed two deer surveys near Hay and Dusty areas for District Wildlife Biologist Lowe. The most deer were seen on the second survey outside of Dusty with a total of 126 deer seen in 38-mile stretch.

Elk Calf Survival Study: Scientific Technician Moberg continued monitoring collared elk calves in the Blue Mountains. She conducted one mortality investigation, which was likely a cougar predation. Field necropsies on carcasses, along with predator DNA sampling, help to support predation evidence.

Chronic Wasting Disease: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb retrieved samples for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing throughout the week. 

Natural Resource Technician Heitstuman checked local pits for CWD samples. One ungulate reported injured was put down and was sampled for testing then disposed of in the Washington Department of Transportation pit. Additionally, three reported road killed deer were recovered, sampled for testing, and disposed of in the Department of Transportation pits.

Wildlife Area Manager Dingman collected CWD samples from a roadkill doe along Patit Road and a buck at the Delaney Department of Transportation pit. Natural Resource Technician Tritt collected a CWD sample from a deer at the Delaney Department of Transportation pit on his way to pick up the CWD trailer from Garfield County Fairgrounds where it had been over the weekend. Dingman and Tritt participated in the CWD Check Station Logistics meeting. Tritt participated in the CWD Technician meeting.

Bird Survey Transects: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Palmer and Wildlife Area Manager Anderson met with Spokane Audubon Society’s Dr. Thorburn and Haggen on Thursday. Thorburn and Haggen are planning expansion of breeding bird survey efforts at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area, which help staff members compare bird use in different habitat types and before and after habitat treatments. Palmer mapped out six transect routes (five plus the existing route) with five “stop and listen” points per each one-mile transect. The four drove all six routes together and made minor adjustments to the listening point locations. Starting in 2024, Audubon members will be surveying two transects per year, completing the entire set every three years.

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Providing Recreation Opportunities

Access Program: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer met with two landowners that are deciding to join the Hunt by Written Permission Program. One of the landowners is in Albion (Whitman County) along the South Fork of the Palouse River and has about 100 acres of land that provides hunting for big game, upland, and waterfowl access. Nizer is planning habitat work on land that used to grow alfalfa, and the landowner wants to transition it to a native grass stand. Nizer coordinated with Private Lands Biologist Baarstad to use a native seed mix he has available for the project. They also planned tree plantings on the site in the coming spring. Nizer met with another landowner in Lamont that has about 3,500 acres that he wants to enroll in the Hunt by Written Permission Program. Wildlife Conflict Specialist McCarty, Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer, and Natural Resource Technician Rumiser met with the landowner to discuss the options and benefits of the program. The landowner plans to send maps of the property. He plans to sign a contract within a couple weeks, hopefully before modern deer season.

Nizer met with an existing landowner outside of Uniontown that wanted to enroll 200 more acres into a new contract. Nizer created the new contract with maps and submitted for approval. Nizer and Rumiser posted the property with access signs.

Access Site Tours: This week Wildlife Area Program Manager Robinette, Access Manager Dziekan, Region 1 Real Estate Specialist Stallinga, Access Habitat Technician Brant, Wildlife Area Assistant Manager Rimmelspacher, and Wildlife Area Manager Finch took a walking tour of the Waikiki Springs Access Area and they visited the Chapman Lake parcel, the proposed Department of Natural Resources trade to WDFW. Dziekan led a very detailed tour of both sites and explained the plans for the development of the Chapman Lake parcel. The group then went to the Waikiki Springs Unit and Dziekan explained all the habitat work that has been done over the last few years and the management issues to consider for that unit.

Waikiki Springs Volunteer Project: Inland Northwest Land Council (INLC) hosted a volunteer project at Waikiki Springs Wildlife Area. Access Manager Dziekan and Natural Resource Technician Brant were on-hand that day to represent the agency and help with the clean-up. Dziekan and Brant met with INLC and a group of 12 volunteers, half of which were parents and children in the Girl Scouts, on Saturday, Sep. 16 for a volunteer work project at the Waikiki Springs Wildlife Area. The volunteers picked up litter along the switchback trails. The date of the work project was picked because it was World Cleanup Day, an event aimed at promoting litter cleanup using volunteer service. In total, the group filled six large trash bags to the brim with litter, and a tire. Volunteers spent two hours on Saturday picking up the litter and left with a sparkling clean switchback trail without a piece of litter in sight. There were lots of small children, but no photos of the kids were taken since no releases were signed prior.

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Photo by WDFW

Access Program: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer coordinated with a landowner in Albion to enroll in the Hunt by Written Permission Program. Nizer created the landowner's contract and is waiting for approval to have it signed. The property is about 100 acres and is prime habitat for deer, waterfowl, and upland bird. This property will be a highly sought after piece as it is in an area where a lot of hunters drive by.

Contracts: Private Lands Biologist Hadley contacted and met with landowners to extend existing WDFW access contracts expiring soon. Also, he contacted landowners enrolled in WDFW’s Voluntary Public Access Program (VPA) to extend their program an additional year. 

Providing Conflict Prevention and Education

Producer Check-In: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb conducted check-ins with producers in the Touchet pack territory and informed them of a recent collaring effort. Wolf Biologist Spence successfully deployed a GPS collar within the Touchet pack. Producers with existing data sharing agreements are now able to view the collar data to aid in range rider deployments and other non-lethal applications.  

Depredation Investigation: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Wade and Wildlife Conflict Supervisor McCanna conducted an investigation of two injured calves this week. Both calves were determined to be non-depredations.  

Conserving Natural Landscapes

Shrub Order: Private Lands Biologist Hadley coordinated with Private Lands Biologist Baarstad and Plants of the Wild and Wild Lands to complete shrub orders to complete planting plans for this fall and next spring planting projects in Columbia and Walla Walla counties. 

Habitat Projects: Private Lands Supervisor Earl met with the local Conservation Districts to discuss potential joint projects. Earl also worked with the Regional Private Lands staff members to put together a large, combined order for trees and shrubs. Earl met with Private Lands Biologist Baarstad to transfer a seeder from Pomeroy to be used on projects in Lincoln County. 

Conservation Reserve Program Enhancement: Acting Private Lands Biologist Nizer and Natural Resource Technician Rumiser visited a Conservation Reserve Program site that is enrolled in the feel free to hunt access and conducted weed management by spraying for invasive weeds with the tractor.

W. T. Wooten Wildlife Area Shooting Range: W. T. Wooten Wildlife Area staff members finished rebuilding the fence at the entrance to the Wooten Shooting Range and got the new gates hung. Natural Resource Technician Tritt and Jensen built rests for the gates to sit on while open and placed a large boulder near the corner of one of the gates to keep people from driving into it.

 

 

Providing Education and Outreach

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb assisted with the coordination, teaching, and delivery of more than 24 total hours of instruction for hunter education. Over the course of a one-week period, Walla Walla instructors taught both a traditional class and an on-line class and successfully certified 30 students in hunter education which included an in-depth live-fire field day evolution.  

Water Festival: Each year, the Lake Roosevelt Forum sponsors Water Festival, two days of kids’ field trips, where natural resource professionals provide hundreds of area schoolchildren with information about what they do. As they did last year, Sherman Creek Wildlife Area staff members gave a presentation titled “Who’s for Dinner.” Natural Resource Technician Zueger and Wildlife Area Manager Anderson taught about 150 kids from several different schools about upland predators and prey, and the adaptations that ensure their success. The crew had assistance from four high school student assistants (two each day), and on the second day from Chronic Wasting Disease Technician Duncan. The students and Duncan were very helpful and happy to actively participate in presenting information. 

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Photo by WDFW

 Bear Safety: Biologist Brinkman participated in a bear safety event with local hiking groups at the new library in Spokane Valley. This event reached approximately 60 people and focused on techniques for staying safe in bear country, including a demonstration on the proper use of bear spray using inert canisters.

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Photo by Donna Walker of Inland North West Hikers

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Photo by Donna Walker of Inland North West Hikers

National Hunting and Fishing Day: Biologists Lowe and Brinkman participated in the National Hunting and Fishing Day event at Diamond Lake. The event was intended to introduce youth to hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. It included activities such as catching fish from the dock, shooting firearms and bows, visiting a backcountry camp setup, and talking to falconers that brought live raptors to their booth. Biologists Lowe and Brinkman assisted at the art tent where kids could make their own fish prints using a form of art known as gyotaku, take a plaster cast of animal tracks, build butterfly houses, and draw/color on various coloring sheets. Approximately 600 kids were registered for the event.

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Photo by WDFW

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Photo by WDFW

Hunter Education: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb, Hunter Education and Volunteer Coordinator Dazey, and Chief Hunter Education Instructor Hall presented an appreciation plaque to the Walla Walla County Fire District 4. They have provided unwavering classroom support to recent hunter education classes which has made a substantial difference in how classes are delivered to students.

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Photo by WDFW

Camp Wooten: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Kolb and Wooten Wildlife Area Manager Dingman taught a full day of classes to 6^th grade students at Camp Wooten. The classes covered Blue Mountain wildlife species the students could see during their stay at Camp Wooten.