1

Wildlife Program Week of August 7 – August 13, 2017

WOLF ACTIVITIES

Wolf Report Check: Biologist Moore followed up on a video of single wolf taken by a trail

camera. The camera set captured two nice videos, about a month apart, of the single animal. The

area was checked about a month after the report to see if any evidence could be found that a

single or multiple wolves were still in the general area. No tracks or scats were found during the

search.

REGION 1

GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE

Common Loons: Wildlife Biologists Dana Base and Annemarie Prince completed productivity

checks for common loons on lakes within District 1 that had documented nesting. Recruitment

of juvenile loons was documented at the following lakes for the 2017 breeding season: Swan

Lake – 2; Long Lake – 1; Ferry Lake – 1; Pierre Lake – 2; and Black Lake – 1 juvenile.

Common Loon adult and 10+ week old juvenile

photographed on Swan Lake

Deer Herd Composition Surveys: Biologist Lowe

conducted a survey in GMU 139, the first of several road-

based deer surveys to count and classify does, fawns, and

bucks prior to hunting season. The annual surveys will

continue through August and will be repeated in September.

Mule deer observed during herd composition survey in western Whitman County

2

Northern Leopard Frog Survey: Biologists Lowe and Divens conducted a survey for Northern

leopard frogs on the southern end of Clear Lake in Spokane County. Prior to last fall when two

individuals were identified at this location, the State Endangered species had not been

documented in the area since 1970. One individual was found while searching shoreline habitat

on this survey, and the biologists watched it catch and consume a catfish fly. With access from

private landowners, more extensive surveys next spring and summer will be planned.

Habitat Biologist Divens searching for Northern leopard frogs near Clear Lake in Spokane

County; one frog was found on the survey

GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-

RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERICAL EXPERIENCES

Hunt by Reservation Only: Private Lands Biologist Gaston met with the new landowners who

purchased the Palouse Prairie fields adjacent to Steptoe Butte State Park. The landowners

expressed their desire to remain in the Hunt by Reservation Only program and will work with

Private Lands Biologist Gaston to draw up a new contract to allow hunting on the property.

After a new contract is created, the hunting dates will be entered into the system.

Hunting by Written Permission (HBWP): Natural Resource Technician Wade worked to

complete a HBWP contract for a property in Garfield County. The property will create 360 acres

of public access and help address damage issues in the area.

GOAL 3: PROMOTE A HEALTHY ECONOMY, PROTECT COMMUNITY CHARACTER,

MAINTAIN AN OVERALL HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, AND DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Stevens County Fladry Deployment: Natural Resource Technician (NRT) Weatherman, NRT

Seitz, NRT Fish, Assistant District Biologist Prince, Habitat Biologist McClellan, Wildlife

Conflict Specialist (WCS) Westerman, and WCS Bennett placed fladry around a different

pasture as cattle were moved to reduce interactions with wolves. Over four miles of fladry was

placed by the help of four different programs.

3

Pumpkin Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist (WCS) Westerman spoke to a new producer of

pumpkins that is having deer damage the pumpkins. Westerman talked to him about all the non-

lethal options including hazing and fencing. The producer is already doing several non-lethal

deterrence activities to keep the deer out (to no avail). The property is not conducive to being

open for hunting and he was looking for any other non-lethal methods that he could do.

Westerman talked to him about long term planning, and fencing being the best option to keep

deer out. Westerman also gave him tips and techniques for harassing the deer.

GOAL 4: BUILD AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT ORGANIZATION BY SUPPORTING

OUR WORKFORCE, IMPROVING BUSINESS PROCESSES, AND INVESTING IN

TECHNOLOGY

Waikiki Springs / Fairwood Trail: Rob Allen, Daniel Collins, and Chris Zeller, volunteers

living in the Fairwood neighborhood in Spokane, organized and staffed an informational booth at

the Fairwood Farmers Market. The purpose of the booth was to inform neighbors about work

plans along the Fairwood trail at Waikiki Springs, and to recruit volunteers. In four hours, they

gathered over 20 signatures from neighbors who are interested in volunteering to help keep the

trail system clean. Dziekan worked the first shift with Daniel Collins, later they walked the trail

system together and identified trouble areas and talked through projects. The first work party,

taking place mid-August, will be focused on removing litter, much of which has been thrown off

the side of the trail into brush along the

hillside. The second work party, planned for

later this fall, will be focused on preventing

future erosion caused by cutting the

switchback trail. The current plan is to plant

native shrubs in areas where cutting the

switchbacks is occurring, restoring vegetation

and providing a barrier to keep people on the

path.

Volunteer Chris Zeller getting information

for volunteer work to pick up litter along the

Fairwood trail system in Spokane

REGION 2

GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDIFE

Grant County Monarch Butterflies: Biologist Rowan worked with Butterfly Technician Brad

Gill to complete surveys for larvae at eight locations where feeding activity had been noted

during 2016 survey. Leaf damage was found in numerous sites, but only one larvae was found at

4

one site. Numerous adults were seen foraging during surveys at most sites. Other species found

using milkweed include two types of beetles and ants consuming the leaves. Also, a praying

mantis and a treefrog were seen using the large leaves as shaded resting spots.

Monarch Instar and

Pacific Tree frog

seen during butterfly

surveys – Photos by

Brad Gill

Pygmy Rabbit Captive Breeding Population Monitoring: Our crew with the assistance of UI

research team continued intensive census trapping, mark/recapture and flush counts to assess the

size and demographics of the remaining captive population. Despite grueling temperatures, we

had successful efforts in each enclosures this week. Our efforts provided very similar results as

the first round, with about 30 rabbits in the large enclosure, ten rabbits in the small enclosure,

and 28 rabbits in the dormeir enclosure. We will utilize mark/recapture estimates next week to

provide some confidence intervals to these estimates and develop a formal roster of individuals

and demographics.

The good news is that it appears we have sufficient number of individuals, in particular kits who

will be the most productive breeders next year, that out-of-state translocations is not necessary.

But, also that we do not have enough for any additional release this year.

Sinlahekin Ecosystem Restoration Project (SERP) - Phase 2 Wrap-up: Manager Haug

drafted and submitted the SERP Phase 2 final report to

Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

The grant allowed the Wildlife Area to continue to remove

fuels and implement prescribed burning. At the

completion of Phase 2, a total of 275 acres of high-

density, mostly ponderosa pine was commercially

harvested, approximately 60 acres of overstocked

ponderosa pine were thinning by hand and 495 acres were

prescribed burned. An additional 76 treated acres were

planned to be burned in the spring of 2016, but were

consumed by the Okanogan Complex Fires in August of

2015 (1000 acres of the 1100-acre project area burned

during the Okanogan Complex Fire). Phase 3 of the

restoration project is currently underway with commercial

harvests already finished and prescribed burns planned for

this coming fall.

5

GOAL 3: PROMOTE A HEALTHY ECONOMY, PROTECT COMMUNITY CHARACTER,

MAINTAIN AN OVERALL HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, AND DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Diamond Creek fire: The Diamond Creek Fire has grown to over 23,000 acres (see map below)

advancing well south of the Billy Goat Trailhead and likely taking out at least one, and maybe

two recently deployed lynx cameras. Find the

latest updates on the InciWeb site at:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5409/# .

Diamond Creek Fire shortly a few days after

it started – Photo by Scott Fitkin

Columbia Basin WLA Vegetation

Management: Assistant Managers Cole and

Bechtold treated purple loosestrife at

Evergreen Reservoir, and spot treated

loosestrife and phragmites at Burke Lake. Assistant Manager Bechtold also completed a rush

skeletonweed treatment at the Road 10 Farm Unit. Assistant Manager Cole treated kochia and

Russian thistle roadside and parking area breakthrough in the Seep Lakes, Upper Goose Lake,

and Lind Coulee accesses. Assistant Manager Cole followed up on two Grant County Weed

Board postings in the Seep Lakes. Worker Davis clipped Scotch thistle seed heads in the Seep

Lakes, this effort will be followed by fall and spring spot treatments of rosettes. Skeleton weed

will also be treated this fall. Biologist McPherson sprayed two acres of Russian olives at the

Winchester Regulated Access Area. Assistant Manager Cole continued treating breakthrough

kochia and Russian thistle along roadsides and in parking areas, and began preparations for the

upcoming aerial phragmites and Russian olive treatments.

REGION 3

GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDIFE

Oak Creek Wildlife Area - Manager Greg Mackey: Forester Hartmann is progressing with the

boundary layout of the NCT Contract in the

Milk Creek drainage of the Rock Creek Unit

(Sections 5, 7 & 9). Preliminary “special

treatment areas” (hazard fuel piling, skips &

gaps etc) have been scouted and flagged in some

units, with more to come pending a review with

the habitat biologists & wildlife area

manager. Prescriptions are being considered

that will allow the stands to progress to their

desired future condition given each site’s unique

attributes, which will be fine-tuned following the

stand survey.

6

Fire charred Douglas-fir snag in Section 5, on the south slope of

the Manastash Ridge. Subalpine firs at the base were cored and

aged to around 100 years, giving a rough indicator of the last

stand-replacing fire event (if establishment occurred the next

growing season). Subalpine fire regimes are more difficult to

accommodate into forest management due to the high severity

typical of the burns, but are important to consider in how the

stand will be shaped over time.

Stream Restoration: Manager Mackey and Forester Hartmann

visited the active stream restoration thinning occurring in the Oak

Creek Drainage. Felled trees were being skid with a rubber-tired

skidder from a WDFW thinning unit and being staged along SF Oak

Creek for placement later this

month.

Mid-Columbia Fisheries Forester

Dahlgreen within Oak Creek

Wood Replenishment Thinning

Unit

Grant: Manager Lopushinsky met

with Chelan County Natural

Resource Department staff to

discuss the US Forest Service grant

received to do fuels reduction work

in the Stemilt Basin. Work

planned on WDFW and Chelan

County property includes treating

more than 880 acres across the Basin with a combination of shaded fuel breaks, stand

improvement, pre-commercial thinning and commercial thinning to reduce fuel loads and

improve stocking levels in prioritized areas to address forest health issues.\

District 4 Wildlife Biologist- Jason Fidorra: District Wildlife Biologist Fidorra continued to

coordinate with Biologist Vekasy on response to dead water birds at a wetland complex near

Burbank. Fidorra conducted hazing and carcass pickup and over 380 ducks and shorebirds have

been collected since July 14. Botulism type C was confirmed as the cause of the die off and

poses no health risk to humans. The number of bird kills on site has been greatly reduced over

the past week through efforts to clean up contaminated carcasses. Fidorra continues to

coordinate with WDFW staff and partners to determine how to best address the issue in the short

and long term, as botulism can recur in subsequent years.

Sage Grouse Technical Team Meeting: District Wildlife Biologist Fidorra coordinated and

attended the WA Sage Grouse Technical Team meeting with DFW staff and partners. The team

met to discuss priorities for Washington sage grouse conservation. The team identified action

items in five areas to address in the short term. These include: Conduct fire response and

7

coverage assessment for management areas, conduct lek site hazard assessments, better develop

population augmentation strategy, develop Washington predator management strategy, and

advance restoration efforts by potentially hosting another restoration workshop. Plans were also

discussed for the 2018 Sage grouse working group meeting in November which Fidorra will also

be organizing.

Waterfowl Traps: District Wildlife Biologist Fidorra, Private Lands Biologist Stutzman, and

Wildlife Area Staff Kaelber and Lotz set up three swim in traps for waterfowl trapping on the

Sunnyside Wildlife Area in Franklin County. Trapping and banding will begin next week.

Dove Trapping: District Wildlife Biologist Fidorra attempted dove trapping at the Ringold

Hatchery but no doves were present. A total of 64 doves have been captured thus far but it

seems District 4 will not capture many more doves before the late August cut-off.

District 8 Dove Banding: Biologist Bernatowicz attempted to band at Sunnyside. Large

numbers of birds had accumulated around a mowed field, but hawks found the area. The doves

were still roosting, but seemed to stop feeding in the area. Trapping was attempted one evening

and morning. The few birds (collared doves) trapped, were killed by hawks. Trapping was

moved to back to Union Gap only to have a house cat find traps. For the week, only 31 new

doves banded. Trapping is now done for the year with about 225 birds banded in the district.

Waterfowl Banding: Early in the week, there was no water in the Rice Paddies and the pump

was out for repair, so Biologist Bernatowicz searched for alternative trapping areas. A good

numbers of ducks were found on Bureau of Reclamation property and the process of getting

permission started. The Rice paddies pump was installed late in the week. Bernatowicz cleaned

the screen on the intake one day and checked for ducks. Few birds have been seen on Sunnyside

this year.

Monarch Butterfly and Milkweed Survey: Biologist Bernatowicz surveyed a few milkweed

patches for monarch adults and larvae areas on the Sunnyside Wildlife Area. No sign of

monarchs found. Bernatowicz had been watching while doing other work on the wildlife area

periodically throughout the summer. Nectar sources have declined recently as many plants have

gone to seed in the hot weather. Also, Biologists Moore spent a day surveying for monarch

butterflies and milkweed patches. Milkweed was easily found but there was no evidence of

monarchs. Most of the milkweed was in smaller clusters, although a couple areas where large

patches could develop were being mowed for weed control.

8

A small remaining patch of showy

milkweed in the Reecer Creek Floodplain

Restoration Project that was missed

during a weed control mowing effort

A large patch of showy milkweed that was mowed

and is now attempting to flower late in the season

GPS Collar Check: Moore checked up on all of the collared elk and bighorn sheep in the

District. The sheep are doing well, but one of the elk collars hasn’t updated for about 12 days.

This collar will be checked next week if it doesn’t update soon.

GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-

RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCES

Wenas Wildlife Area-Manager Condi Confer Morris: Biologist Longoria continued to enter

the data collected by Aaron Garcia and his volunteers on shooting range use on the wildlife area.

Also, Longoria prepared a more detailed sample of the analysis that could be performed on the

car counter information at Sheep Co. shooting range considering number of shooting hours.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area-Manager Greg Mackey: Assistant Manager Berry and Natural

Resource Worker Sevier installed wildlife boundary signs in checkerboard ownership of Tieton

Township.

GOAL 3: PROMOTE A HEALTHY ECONOMY, PROTECT COMMUNITY CHARACTER,

MAINTAIN AN OVERALL HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, AND DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY

CUSTOMER SERVICE

District 4 Wildlife Conflict Specialist - Don Hand: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand spent the

majority of the week coordinating with multiple landowners and independent crop adjusters on

documenting and evaluating elk damage in several wheat fields on Rattlesnake

Mountain. Access to difficult to reach areas was accomplished by riding in the combine or other

harvesting equipment, which also provided an elevated observation platform to document

damage.

9

Wheat Damage from

Elk viewed from the

Combine

Deer Damage Complaint: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand received a deer damage complaint

from an orchardist in the Basin City area in Franklin County. Heavy browsing on newly planted

apple trees has occurred in a 15-acre block mostly during nocturnal hours. The landowner has

tried some electrified fencing and hazing with pyrotechnics with only minimal effectiveness. At

this time the landowner will try to improve on the fencing before limited lethal alternatives are

deployed.

District 8 Deer and Elk Issues: Conflict Specialist Wetzel discussed elk hazing strategies with

landowners with hay fields in the Reecer, South Branch, Kittitas, Lower Peoh Point, Badger

Pocket, and Park Creek areas this week. Some master hunter activity and some landowner

permits will be used after hazing techniques have been tried. Elk are almost exclusively

nocturnal at this time.

Conflict Specialist Wetzel and Officer Nasset responded to a call about a deer fawn caught in a

fence in the Highway 10 area. The deer had two broken legs and was euthanized.

Conflict Specialist Wetzel was called by a hay grower in Badger Pocket that reported 80 elk next

to the fence in TA 1 of the Yakama Training Center.

Big Horn Sheep: The mayor of Vantage called Conflict Specialist Wetzel to discuss bighorn

sheep that have been staying in town during the day and eating recently planted tree

seedlings. Non-lethal hazing techniques were discussed and will be employed in the area to try

to deter the sheep from staying in town.

GOAL 4: BUILD AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT ORGANIZATION BY

SUPPORTING OUR WORKFORCE, IMPROVING BUSINESS PROCESSES, AND

INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY

Colockum Wildlife Area: Colockum staff spent most of the week working to install an

underground sprinkler system in the headquarters yard. The existing system is not adequate to

keep the area green in the heat of the summer and help protect against fire.

10

REGION 4

GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE

Sea Duck Molting Survey: District 13 staff coordinated with the Waterfowl and Sea Duck

Specialist on revisiting molting scoter sites and searching for harlequin duck molting sites. One

day of surveying was conducted along the west shore of Whidbey Island; additional days of

surveying were thwarted by vessel engine issues.

Harlequin Duck molting site

Western Toad Surveys: District 13 staff

followed up on confirming citizen reports of

western toad toadlets at a private pond.

White-nose Syndrome Monitoring, bat health

and bat conservation: Biologist Anderson this

week continued collecting guano for collaborating

federal entities as part of a weekly and monthly

examination of potential Pd presence in roosting sites.

Mountain Goat: District 13 staff continued working on creating digital layers for mountain goat

aerial survey blocks in areas that do not currently have blocks identified.

Nooksack Unit Dike Repairs: Manager Kessler coordinated with

Whatcom County’s River & Flood division managers on the

repairs to the Nooksack River dike on our Nooksack Unit. It is

now looking like the needed repairs will not be completed this

year. Whatcom County’s engineer in charge of the project moved

to a new position, and a replacement has not been hired as yet.

This project is a cooperative cost share between Whatcom County

and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Stillwater Elk Forage: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Manager Brian

Boehm reports signs of a very active elk herd and black bear

Bull Elk in the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area

11

feeding on crops and fruit trees at the Stillwater Unit. Manager Boehm observed three bull elk

while mowing this past week, and had reports from archery hunters of seeing up to ten bulls on

the unit. Black bear have been leaving signs of enjoying the plentiful cherry and plum trees on

site as well.

Ebey Island Unit: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Manager Boehm coordinated with WDFW

Enforcement, Snohomish County Sheriff and Parks, and Washington State DOT to remove a

quickly growing homeless encampment and dumping ground near the Ebey Island West Unit.

The coordinated effort removed piles of debris while Snohomish County Sheriff addressed the

people responsible for the illegal activity.

Leque Island Estuary Restoration Project: The WDFW construction crew continued

construction of Phase 1 of the project, which involves excavating new channels and filling old

agriculture ditches and borrow areas.

The crew is making good

progress excavating new

channels at Leque Island

The “ooze” shown in this photo

was excavated from the bottom

of a pond. This material is

spread out to dry before it can

be reused elsewhere on the site.

12

Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project Workshop (PSNERP): Projects

Coordinator Brokaw participated in a workshop with Habitat Program staff, the group of

scientists who authored many of PSNERP reports. The purpose of the workshop was to transfer

information from people who worked on PSNERP in the past to new employees.

GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-

RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCES

Avian Influenza/Waterfowl Captures: Biologist DeBruyn started trapping ducks as part of a

nationwide scheme to assess mallard survival and recruitment for use in managing hunting

seasons and bag limits. District 14 staff will

also be testing the ducks for avian influenza

under the direction of The U.S. Department of

Agriculture.

Duck trap at Wiser Lake This was where High

Path Avian Influenza was first found in this

country

Special Permit Hunter Meeting: Conflict

Specialist Witman participated in the meeting

for special permit holders for GMU 418 and

Elk Area 4941. The hunters were provided

general information on where to hunt and agency contacts for placement on private properties

receiving elk related damage within Elk Area 4941.

Lake Terrell Pheasant Pen Repairs: Manager Kessler coordinated with a Master Hunter

volunteer to repair and improve the pheasant pens, in preparation for this year’s pheasant hunting

season. Reed canary grass and weeds were mowed raked and removed from the pens. The

watering system was cleared and checked. An inventory of the needed netting support boards

was taken and materials will be purchased to complete the repairs.

Friends of Tennant Lake & Hovander Park Monthly Meeting: Manager Kessler attended the

monthly meeting of the non-profit group the Friends of Tennant Lake & Hovander Park. He

provided the group with an update on projects affecting the Tennant Lake Unit.

Skagit Headquarters: Natural Resources Technician Cosgrove disked and cultivated an area of

reed canary grass at the Headquarters Unit as part of a multi-year project to eventually plant the

area with beneficial vegetation. Biologist Meis and Manager Rotton assisted North Sound Weed

Crew and Earth Corp Crew with cutting purple loosestrife plants and then spraying them at the

Headquarters Unit and areas off Freshwater Slough.

Island Unit: Natural Resources Technician Cosgrove finished disking and culti-packing low

areas in four fields on the Island Unit. Cosgrove mowed an area of cattails and reed canary grass

in Lorenzen field.

13

Leque Island Unit: Biologist Meis mowed new channel areas in the middle portion as part of

the Phase 1 Leque Restoration Project before CAMP personnel begin digging those channels.

Seasonal Mowing: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Manager Brian Boehm completed mowing at

Stillwater Unit in preparation for the hunting season. The middle access road (1/2 mile) was also

repaired with gravel to allow Enforcement, agricultural, and pheasant program staff to traverse

the area during the fall season.

Crescent Lake Unit: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Manager assisted the Sky Valley Tractor Club

(agricultural lease holder) with the final preparation and set up for the annual Sky Valley Tractor

Club tractor show this past weekend. This show highlights the agricultural history and culture of

the Snoqualmie Valley, an antique tractor show and pull, community comradery and just plain

fun for the local community.

Proceeds from the Sky Valley Tractor Club show supports local food banks, women’s shelters,

and similar programs by providing fresh garden produce and donations while promoting the

rich agricultural heritage of the area

418 and 4941 Special Elk Permit Pre Hunt Meeting: District Biologist Yarborough, Wildlife

Conflict Specialist Witman, Private Lands Biologist Wingard, and Officers Ludwig and

Valentine presented at the 418 and 4941 Special Elk Permit pre-hunt meeting. Partner

landowners also presented to the hunters. This annual meeting was well attended and well

received by the hunters.

Samish River Fishery: Supervisory Private Lands Biologist Caldwell, Private Lands Biologist

Wingard, and Skagit Wildlife Area Manager Rotton worked with various private landowners in

14

the lower Samish River watershed on access, garbage, and pollution issues associated with the

fishery. Plans have been made to strategically located SaniCans and potentially dumpsters in

areas that have experienced problems in the past.

Whidbey Island Pheasant Release Sites: Private Lands Biologist Wingard met with partner

landowners and pheasant release volunteers to discuss plans for the upcoming pheasant season.

Grazing and harvesting schedules at the site were discussed and plans were made for efficiently

planting pheasants.

GOAL 3: PROMOTE A HEALTHY ECONOMY, PROTECT COMMUNITY CHARACTER,

MAINTAIN AN OVERALL HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, AND DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Anacortes Critical Areas Ordinance: District Biologist Yarborough worked with City of

Anacortes to review their Critical Areas Ordinance update.

Ungulate Management: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Witman met with a berry producer in

Whatcom County that is experiencing deer damage to newly planted raspberry plants. The

landowner was provided damage permits to address the problem along with a set of hunting

regulations for public access. The property owner agreed to allow access during archery,

muzzleloader and modern rifle season.

District 12 met with landowners concerned with deer on properties in the Redmond and Granite

Falls areas. Fencing design, hazing tactics, general season hunting and landowner damage

permits were discussed. D12 also met with landowners concerned with elk damaging vegetable

crops during overnight hours in the Green Valley area. D12 coordinated with Mount Rainier Elk

Foundation personnel to attempt hazing activities (using Master Hunter volunteer labor) in the

area. D12 also discussed elk general season hunting and landowner damage tags with

landowners in the Enumclaw area.

Depredation Investigation: Conflict Specialist

Witman was contacted by a producer in the Acme area

of Whatcom County that has been experiencing

depredation to sheep for several years. The producer

has been very tolerant of the depredations which has

now reached an unacceptable level. Four sheep were

killed in a week and many others over the course of the

last two months. Some of the depredations were

witnessed to have been caused by bobcat. After

examining the carcasses that were preserved, it

appeared. Soay Sheep Depredation

15

bobcat was likely the cause of the new depredations. The producer moved the sheep closer to

her residence and barn structures. Specialist Witman removed and disposed of the carcasses and

provided information for Wildlife Control Operators in the area.

Fir Island Farm: Manager Rotton and Weed Program Manager Dave Heimer surveyed portions

of the vegetation in the restoration area. The site is quickly being colonized by non-native cat-

tail.

Skagit Headquarters Unit: Natural Resources Technician Cosgrove posted new speed limit and

pedestrian crossing signs at the Headquarters Unit. Manager Rotton met with Jude Apple the

Lead Research Scientist at the Padilla Bay Reserve. The meeting covered the current research

and monitoring efforts on the reserve and the upcoming projects that expand outside the

boundaries of the reserve such as the Blue Carbon Project.

Spencer Island Unit: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Manager Brian coordinated with Snohomish

County Parks on a joint Eagle Project opportunity. The project cleared the Snohomish County

portion of the trail that leads to WDFW

boundary and installed a new

“Snoqualmie Wildlife Area” sign at the

Unit entrance. The Snohomish County

portion of the trail has been an

impediment to mechanized trail

maintenance of the WDFW trail. This

effort is a first of its kind to provide

assistance to Snohomish County Parks

while enhancing WDFW’s ability to

maintain their portion of the trail.

Snoqualmie River Hunting: Private Lands Biologist Wingard followed up with a concerned

landowner near Carnation who has experienced duck hunters near their horse barn and riding

arena at high water events. Limited options are available to exclude the hunters as they are

floating. Signage indicating the close proximity of horses was discussed as a potential solution.

REGION 5

GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE

Mount Saint Helens Aerial Mountain Goat Survey: Biologists Holman, Stephens, and Bergh

along with JL Aviation’s pilot Emerson conducted an aerial survey of the mountain goats in the

habitats on and near Mt. Saint Helens. During the survey, three units were flown and all goats

observed were counted and classified as either an adult or a kid. Additionally, vegetative and

terrain obstructions were recorded for each group. In total, 46 groups of goats were observed

totaling 226 individuals. The raw survey data is then input into WDFW’s sight ability model for

Washington’s mountain goats. The sight ability model accounts for habitat variables and

16

generates an estimate for goats that weren’t seen on the survey. The resulting population

estimate for mountain goats on Mt. Saint Helens and in the Mt. Margaret Backcountry is 250.

The aerial portion of this year’s survey was made possible by a generous donation from the

Southwest Washington chapter of Safari Club International. The undertaking was additionally

coordinated with partners from the Cowlitz Tribe of Indians and the U.S Forest Service. Thanks

to our conservation partners and for their various contributions. Finally, thanks to pilot Emerson

for his safe and expert flying.

Mt. Saint Helens Aerial Mountain Goat Survey

Mount Saint Helens Ground-Based Mountain Goat Survey: Wildlife Biologists Holman,

Stephens, and Bergh teamed with Staff from the Cowlitz Tribe and U.S. Forest Service along

with volunteers organized through the St. Helens Institute to conduct a survey of mountain goats

on and around Mt. St. Helens. Goats have re-colonized the area in the decades following the

1980 eruption. Final survey results are pending but initial results from the ground count indicate

that the population has grown above last year’s estimate of 151. Similar efforts conducted

during 2014, 2015 and 2016 resulted in 65, 152, and 151 goats respectively. This year the

ground count was followed up with an aerial survey (see above) of the same landscape, allowing

a comparison of methods and further refining the population estimate for the St. Helens

goats. Thanks to all who participated in the fourth year of the Mt. St. Helens mountain goat

17

ground based survey. The project exemplifies the importance and value of cooperation among

Tribal, State, Federal, and private stakeholders related to this valuable wildlife resource.

Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship bird banding: Biologist Stephens assisted

retired United States Forest Service biologist Flick with operating a MAPS (Monitoring Avian

Productivity and Survivorship) banding station in the Columbia Gorge. Species captured

included Common yellowthroat, song sparrow, black-throated gray warbler, red-breasted

sapsucker, Wilson’s warbler, and rufous hummingbird. MAPS is a long-term demographic

monitoring project that takes place across the U.S. and Canada. More information about the

MAPS program can be found here: http://www.birdpop.org/pages/maps.php

MAPS bird banding

Suspicious Scat: Supervisor Meyer, Wildlife Conflict Specialist Conklin, and Sierra Pacific

Industries Biologist Leif Hansen traveled to Eastern Lewis County to inspect some suspicious

canid scat. The crew placed two camera traps and will monitor them over the next couple weeks.

18

Fawn Reports and Necropsy: WDFW Enforcement Officer Bolton and Klickitat Wildlife Area

Manager Van Leuven passed several reports of dead deer (mostly fawns) on to District Biologist

Bergh and Wildlife Conflict Specialist (WCS) Jacobsen. Jacobsen followed up with phone calls

to the reporting landowners to gain additional information about these deer mortalities. Officer

Bolton was able to respond to a report of a very recent fawn mortality and obtained the carcass

for sampling before the quality became degraded due to extreme heat. WCS Jacobsen and

Biologist Trejo subsequently performed a necropsy

Private Lands Habitat Projects: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen contacted several

landowners and habitat specialists in the area concerning potential deer and turkey habitat

enhancement projects on private lands that allow some degree of public hunting access. Funding

for habitat enhancement (as well as private land access incentives) has been made available

through the Natural Resource Conservation Service Voluntary Public Access and Habitat

Incentives Program grant.

Mount Saint Helens Wildlife Area-Canal Road Unit: Assistant Manager Wildermuth visited

the Canal Road Unit to monitor and remove invasive purple loosestrife from the wetland area

and clean up garbage on WDFW property. Approximately 15 plants were treated versus over 30

plants on a visit by Wildlife Area Manager Hauswald and Assistant Manager Wildermuth earlier

this season.

Cedar Creek Unit: Assistant Manager Wildermuth replaced a section of fencing that had been

cut and damaged, potentially allowing illegal vehicle access on the Cedar Creek Unit.

Before repair After repair

Klickitat Wildlife Area-Weed Control: Assistant Manager Steveson applied herbicide to rush

skeletonweed plants that were found in the old headquarters area of the Soda Springs Unit. He

divided the work over two days because high temperatures dictated that the application could

only be done in the mornings. Although the plants that were discovered have been treated, more

searching for this weed is needed since it is suspected that not all of the plants have been found.

Fence Repair: Assistant Manager Steveson repaired fences on the Soda Springs Unit, including

rebuilding a rock jack that was broken when a vehicle ran over the corner of it.

19

Trash Collection: During the course of other activities, Assistant Manager Steveson found two

fire pits surrounded by rocks as well as some trash, which included a discarded toilet from a

camper. The junk was picked up and Steveson dismantled the fire pits so that people won’t be

tempted to build campfires there.

GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-

RELATED RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES

Private Lands Access Proposal: Biologist Meyer submitted a proposal to an interdisciplinary

course in environmental policy at Yale University that has graduate students work as

“consultants” with organizations to research and propose solutions to real world policy

problems. The proposal, if selected, would have students research and brainstorm ideas to

increase public access on private lands in Washington.

Private Lands Access Contracts: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen worked with two

private landowners in Klickitat County to renew their public hunting access agreements and

discussed the terms of their contracts. Both of these sites provide opportunities for upland bird

hunting, with one site also providing some opportunity for deer harvest.

Vancouver Lake: Over 1,000 pounds of trash was dumped in several piles along the road and

parking areas. Access staff Rhodes

worked with Department of Ecology

litter crew to pick separate

recyclables and trash including tires,

household trash, car seats, and

parts. Some personal information

was found with names and

addresses. The information was

forwarded to enforcement for follow

up.

Vancouver Lake Trash

Martin Access: WDFW engineering crew

has been busy working on the boat launch

removal and replacement, parking lot

grading, drainage, gate and barrier

installation, and some tree removals. The

site is scheduled to reopen in time for the

main salmon run. One to two days of

additional closures will be needed to pave

the parking area toward the end of the

month.

Martin Access Revamp

20

Signage: Access staff posted “Recycle fish carcasses into the river, not in the parking lot” signs

in several areas to educate and help with the mess when cleaning fish in the parking lots.

Garbage and Misuse of Sites: Unfortunately, Access Staff are seeing large amounts of dumped

garbage and misuse of the facilities at many of WDFW’s access sites. Access staff are doing a

tremendous job cleaning the facilities and trying to maintain these public resources – we are

hopeful the public will appreciate and respect theses public access sites which are there for all

public benefit and enjoyment.

Garbage and Misuse of Sites

GOAL 3: USE SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES, DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY

CUSTOMER SERVICE

District 10-Elk: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Conklin coordinated a Master Hunter to hunt a

property in Randle that is suffering crop loss due to elk. Conklin also met with a land owner in

Randle experiencing elk damage to her property. Conklin will continue to work with the land

owner to deter damage including assisting her with advice on installing elk fencing.

Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Conklin continues to work with a tree farm in Chehalis

experiencing deer damage. Conklin will escort a youth damage pool hunter next week to hunt

the property. The young hunter is a participant of the Big Brother Big Sister program.

District 9-Orchard Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen met with an orchard owner

who produces apples, pears, and cherries and has been experiencing elk damage to his trees for

several years. Almost all orchard plots are currently surrounded by an 8’ woven-wire fence,

which the elk have become skilled at pushing down. Bears have also been regularly digging

under or pulling apart sections of fencing, which can allow elk to find their way back into the

orchard. The landowner is currently working to increase the height and stability of his fence

around his orchard plots. Electric fencing options were discussed to minimize the damage to the

current fence from elk and bears, and hunting pressure from Master Hunter damage pool hunters

was also discussed for later in the winter when most of the elk damage occurs. The landowner’s

Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement was also renewed.

Hay Field Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist (WCS) Jacobsen met with a landowner who

grows and sells orchard grass hay and is planning on planting alfalfa in all of his fields beginning

next spring. The landowner expressed his frustration over elk in the area and the damage they

cause to his hay fields. WCS Jacobsen reviewed the purpose and components of a Damage

Prevention Cooperative Agreement (DPCA) with the landowner, as the landowner has had a

21

DPCA with the Department in the past. Damage abatement measures such as hazing and public

hunting access were discussed as a means of reducing elk damage to his hay fields. The

landowner was encouraged to hear about some of the hazing options that could be employed to

deter elk. WCS Jacobsen will follow up next week with a DPCA for the landowner to sign.

GOAL 4: BUILD AN EFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT ORGANIZTION BY SUPPORTING

OUR WORKFORCE, IMPROVING BUSINESS PROCESSES, AND INVESTING IN

TECHNOLOGY

Senior Staff Visit to Region 5: Region 5 staff hosted the Wildlife Senior Staff for a field day in

Southwestern Washington. Stops included the Cowlitz Wildlife Area, an organic dairy farm in

Randle, the Weyerhaeuser Forest Learning Center, and the Johnston Ridge Observatory on

Mount Saint Helens. Topics covered included highlights of a mitigation Wildlife Area, Riffe

Lake low water management effect, Pacific Corps land management, elk damage in the Cowlitz

Valley, Mudflow Unit management, Mt. St. Helens elk herd management, private lands access,

Elk hoof disease, mountain goat management, and fisher recovery/management. The Region 5

staff did a fantastic job and were very happy to have such involved and inquisitive visitors!

Senior Staff Visit to Region 5

22

REGION 6

GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDIFE

Western Pond Turtle: Biologist Butler coordinated the release of 63 head-started western pond

turtles at the Pierce County recovery site in collaboration with the Woodland Park Zoo. These

turtles were brought to the Woodland Park Zoo last summer as eggs. The eggs were then

incubated at the zoo, and after hatching, zoo staff provided the turtles with daily care. This

allowed the hatchlings to grow faster and they should ultimately have a higher chance of survival

upon release.

Approximately 30 people attended this year’s event. Besides getting to release a turtle into the

ponds, those in attendance were provided a brief history of the western pond turtle recovery

program. In addition, everyone had the opportunity to try their hands at different field

techniques such as telemetry, taking visual observations using scopes, and properly identify

turtles using shell notches and PIT tags.

Western pond turtles head-start ready to

release Photo taken by Woodland Park Zoo

Snowy Plover: Biologist Sundstrom banded some additional chicks (Total of 31 to date) and

monitored fledgling and nesting activity at Midway and Graveyard Spit.

Biologist Novack and Sundstrom attended a meeting and field site visit to Graveyard Spit with

the Army Corps of Engineers, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, WA Department of Ecology

and the Shoalwater Tribe. The ACE has emergency funds for a beach repair project and re-

nourishment adjacent to the town of Tokeland. The site has developed into a primary nesting

area for snowy plovers in the interim years since the original project occurred. ACE intends to

start work in June of 2018.

23

GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-

RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCES

Timberland Access: Biologist Harris was contacted by a large timber land owner and informed

that they would be opening another large block of land to public vehicle access and also talked

about ungulate damage. This company has approximately 200,000 acres open to free public

access in Region 5 and 6. He is working on an agreement to help with their costs and they have

asked for additional items.

Damage Prevention Permit –First Harvest of the Year: Biologist Harris received one of those

early morning weekend phone calls that all conflict staff love to get. The call was from a proud

father notifying him that his 10-year-old son had

just harvested his first elk using a Damage

Prevention Permit issued to the young hunter by

a producer in Willapa Valley. This makes four

years in a row that a youth hunter was the first to

fill a Damage Prevention Permit. His dad

reported that he is hooked and very excited!

A very happy hunter!

GOAL 3: PROMOTE A HEALTHY

ECONOMY, PROTECT COMMUNITY

CHARACTER, MAINTAIN AN OVERALL

HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, AND DELIVER

HIGH-QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE

Buoy Buck – Ocean Shores: With more calls

coming in, Biologist Harris spent an evening

looking for the Buoy Buck. He was unable to

get a call back from the latest Regional Program

so he grabbed some local Fish and Chips to go

and hung out in the general area of the last

report. After observing numerous large bucks,

he noticed some residents starting their

barbecue. He contacted and asked if they had

seen the buck. They reported he was in there back yard an hour ago and he may still be

observable from their upper deck. Taking them up on their offer, Biologist Harris spent some

time glassing for the buck. After looking at multiple deer and antler candy he located the buck

with the buoy. The buck was observed traveling and feeding. While the buoy appeared to annoy

24

the buck it did not impede it from feeding or

traveling. Biologist Harris’ current opinion

on this buck is that attempting to immobilize

would put the buck at greater risk then just

leaving the buoy in place. Who knows

maybe the extra bling will give him and an

advantage during the rut. Another person he

contacted sent a cell phone picture of the

buck. While not the best it shows the buoy.

View from the upper deck

Buck with antler bling