WDFW Wildlife Program Weely Report July 18-24,...

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Wildlife Program Week of July 24 – July 30, 2017

WILDLIFE DIVERSITY WEEKLY REPORT

GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE

Northern Leopard Frog: Initial planning for a pilot reintroduction of state endangered northern

leopard frogs to the Columbia National Wildlife Refuges is underway and is building on past

year’s preparation including comprehensive surveys and a feasibility study. Last week, Diversity

Biologist Hallock, Listing and Recovery Section Manager Anderson, District Biologist

Dougherty, Assistant District Biologist Rowan, Wildlife Area Manager Eidson and other staff,

and partners from Oregon Zoo, Northwest Trek, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service

went on a field tour of the source site at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s

(WDFW)Columbia Wildlife Area and the potential release site at the Refuge. The valuable

discussions covered a wide range of topics including habitat management, bull frog control,

warm water predatory fish removal, water quality and condition, husbandry practices,

translocation strategies, monitoring,

timing, resources and capacity. The

pilot reintroduction is planned for

Spring 2018.

Northern leopard frog metamorph at

the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area

Fishers: Biologist Jeff Lewis led a

field visit with United States Forest

Service (USFS) and National Park

Service biologist to check cameras that

we set up on a potential den site for

fisher females F001. We got a picture

of her leaving that site but not returning to care for kits (i.e., it’s not a den). So, we looked for

F001 to see if we could locate her with kits in another possible den tree. We found her in a

broken top hemlock and set up cameras at that site with the hopes it was a den. As we were

about to leave USFS John Jakubowski spotted F001 lounging on branch near the broken bole and

USFS Biotech Erin Burke got a couple great pictures of her. We are hopeful that we will

document F001 with kits, if not at this site, then at some later date, because she may very well

have kits she is caring for.

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F001 lounging on branch near the broken bole Photo: Erin Burke

Monarch Butterfly: Surveys for monarchs and their milkweed hostplants continued in this

second year of a Competitive-SWG Grant project focused on collecting baseline information on

monarch and milkweed abundance and distribution in Washington and Idaho. Unlike the

Midwest and other regions in the U.S., little is known of monarchs and milkweeds in the arid

west. Biologist Brad Gill, worked with Sunnyside Wildlife Area staff Phillip Buser, Pat Kaelber,

and Kelsey Lotz, to collect detailed information on milkweed patches and their distribution

within Sunnyside Units in Franklin County. Both milkweed and monarch butterflies were

commonly encountered. Another remarkable lepidopteran observed was the white-lined sphinx

(Hyles lineata), a large, day-

flying moth, which resembles

a small hummingbird, and is

apparently having a very big

year in eastern Washington.

Milkweed is a key nectar

resource for pollinators and

100s of WLS moths were

observed in and around

milkweed.

White-lined sphinx moth

(Hyles lineata), nectaring

from showy milkweed

(Asclepias speciose) Photo:

Brad Gill

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REGION 1


Tangled Osprey, Part 2: Biologist Lowe released an osprey that had been brought to a local

wildlife rehabilitator last week. The bird had been seen dangling from a nest by its leg, caught

up in twine. Lowe caught the bird and removed the tangle of twine and debris from its leg. Still

not able to fly, the bird was evaluated for injury and determined to be traumatized but otherwise

fine.

Osprey released near nest site after no injury was found

Asotin Creek Wildlife Area – Elk at Smoothing Iron: Wildlife Area Manager Bob Dice

observed a large group of elk at Smoothing Iron Ridge on Tuesday evening. The elk were on the

south ridge utilizing forage crops planted by Technician Wynn Stallcop. There were

approximately 300 elk with nearly 100 calves. Many bulls were also observed. This group at

Smoothing Iron represents about half of the elk residing in GMU 175. Water troughs and salt

sites are being heavily utilized as is bunch grass areas adjoining seeded agricultural fields.

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Elk at Smoothing Iron

GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING,

HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-

RELATED RECREATIONAL AND

COMMERICAL EXPERIENCES

Predator/Prey Study: Wildlife Biologist

Annemarie Prince and Ungulate Researcher Melia

DeVivo assisted Carnivore Researcher Brian

Kertson in capturing a cougar kitten born to a

predator/prey research cat. This mountain lion

kitten was approximately four weeks old. After

being fitted with an ear-tag and radio-collar, it was released on site.

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

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

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Mineral Licks at Work: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Rasley checked a camera on one of the

new mineral licks that was created to assist us with keeping deer and elk away from commercial

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crops. One of the pictures on the camera showed these two deer giving each other a “High Five”

the landowner said.

“High five”

Fladry: Supervisors McCanna and Myers,

Natural Resource Technician Seitz, and

Wolf Biologist Roussin installed two miles

of fladry around a grazing pasture. The

fladry will be moved to an adjacent pasture

when the cattle are moved.

GOAL 4: BUILD AN EFFECTIVE AND

EFFICIENT ORGANIZATION BY

SUPPORTING OUR WORKFORCE,

IMPROVING BUSINESS PROCESSES,

AND INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY

Teamwork: Private Lands Biologist Gaston

met with Private Lands Biologists Braaten, Stonehouse, and Walker to

go over the private lands hunting access administration website as well

as share information about some of facets of the computer program

NOVATUS.

Flagging: Private Lands Biologist Thorne Hadley controlled traffic

along the Tucannon River road to assist Watershed Steward Karl with a

habitat project.

Chinook helicopter transporting large wood to be placed in the

Tucannon River

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Fuel pump upgrade: WDFW electrician Damon Bogden and mechanic Travis Allgood arrived

on Monday at Swanson Lake Wildlife Area (SLWA), to install a pump and meter in the “new-to-

us” concrete fuel tank that was surplused some years ago from the Nemah Hatchery. They

finished up and left by Wednesday morning. SLWA staff pre-dug the trench for the power line

coming out of the fuse box in the shop. Staff will also remove old elevated barrels next week.

Electrician Bogden, left, and Mechanic Allgood, right

REGION 2

GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDIFE

Bats: Biologist Volsen responded to a report of a number of bat mortalities at a residence in

Manson Washington. The initial visit to the residence returned 27 dead bats thought to be either

Myotis lucifugus or Myotis yumanensis though species identification was not confirmed. Follow-

up visits returned an additional 13 bats. Most bats

recovered were either desiccated or decomposing.

Five bats were recovered alive and subsequently died.

In coordination with Biologist Tobin and

Epidemiologist Haman, bats in adequate condition

were submitted to the USGS Nation Wildlife Health

Center in Madison. A diagnosis of cause of death,

diagnosis of white-nose syndrome and testing for

rabies is being conducted. The owners of the summer

house have been contacted and additional information

collected on the history of bat use of the structure.

Two of the 40+ dead bats recovered from a residence

in Manson, Washington

Northern Leopard Frogs: Biologists Rowan and

Dougherty prepared and attended a field trip with

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local WDFW Wildlife Area staff, Olympia staff and outside parties from United States Fish and

Wildlife Service, Oregon Zoo and Northwest Trek. We visited source population ponds and

potential future reintroduction site ponds, discussed plans, and took some water samples for

assessing head-starting water requirements for the Zoo. WDWF hopes to establish more

populations in formerly-occupied areas of the state-endangered frogs’ range to reduce the risk of

extinction caused by numerous potential threats.

Various interested parties

discussing northern leopard

frog rearing requirements

and native habitat at a pond

in the Moses Lake area ©

Rowan

Houndstounge Biocontrol

Expansion Survey:

Manager Haug met with two

graduate students from the

University of British Columbia who are surveying United States lands near the Canadian Border

for potential study sites associated with the expansion of the Houndstounge (Cynoglossum

officinale) root weevil biocontrol agent mogulones crucifer. Manager Haug took the students to

the Similkameen-Chopaka Unit of the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area but found only a handful of

plants. Potential sites were found at 3 locations on the Sinlahekin Unit where a few large patches

still exist. The M. crucifer larvae, which consume the roots of the plant, were found as far south

as Blue Lake. The grad students will be back next month to place the transects and hopefully

incorporate the sites into their study. *NOTE* - M. Crucifer are not approved for release in the

U.S. and is illegal to redistribute within the United States. This insect naturally migrated to the

U.S. from Canada where it was released in 1997-98.

Two Univ. of British Columbia graduate students surveying for potential houndstounge study

sites near Conners Lake on the Sinlahkin WLA. Bottom – the larvae of the Mogulones

crucifer root weevil Photos by Justin Haug

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Sharp-tailed Grouse Riparian Maintenance: We had the pleasure of hosting the prescribed

fire crew for two days this week

to help with riparian plantings

maintenance on the Scotch Creek

Unit. What was initially buried

in a sea of Reed Canary grass is

now healthy rows of deciduous

trees and shrubs. The majority of

plants look good and are doing

well. However, the lower half,

sustained lots of mortality due to

the excessive water this spring.

Some areas really didn’t dry out

until just now.

Future sharp-tailed grouse

winter habitat Photo by J. Olson

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

RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCES

Mountain Goats: Biologist Volsen took calls from two hikers who had interactions with

mountain goats in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. In both cases, the behaviors of the mountain

goats are typical for the Alpine Lakes, with individual goats motivated to acquire access to soils

saturated with human urine. Goats will follow, approach, and make hikers nervous as they come

in proximity with each other. It appears that a combination of habituation, food (urine)

conditioning, and habitat selection interact to put goats and humans in close association in these

area. One of the hikers had a common interaction where a goat came close, making the hiker

uneasy and nothing more. The other hiker had a similar encounter, however, while his back was

turned the goat approached closer, butted the hiker’s leg in what can be perceived as an effort to

have first access to the urine, just as they do with other goats. After butting the hiker’s leg, the

goat made a sharp movement resulting in the hiker incurring a laceration of his leg from the

goat’s horn. Following the incident, the hiker returned to his camp where members of his party

dressed the wound, with the group then finishing their trip and hiking out of the wilderness. The

hiker indicated he did not feel a need to seek medical attention following the event.

Hunter Education: Private Lands Biologist Stonehouse gave a brief, on-the-spot “lesson” on

hunting ethics when hunting on private lands, wildlife conservation, different hunting

opportunities that WDFW offers. The instructors asked Stonehouse if she had anything to share

for the Wildlife Conservation and Sportsmanship lessons. Most importantly, Stonehouse

stressed the importance of respecting landowners and their properties when hunting. Overall, the

Hunter Education course was very well taught. The field portion of the course was very practical

with field stations where students had to shoot shotguns, rifles, and walk an “obstacle course”

out in the shrub-steppe. Students had to identify game, ethical and legal shots, cross a fence, and

walk across a two by four and up and down hills while safely holding guns. Stonehouse also

passed the course.

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Field day at the

Quincy Gun Club

for a Hunter

Education class Photo by Kourtney

Stonehouse

GOAL

3: PROMOTE A

HEALTHY

ECONOMY,

PROTECT

COMMUNITY

CHARACTER,

MAINTAIN AN

OVERALL HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, AND DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY CUSTOMER

SERVICE

Beebe Springs Unit: Natural Resource Technicians Vallance and Zabreznik spent the majority

of their time the last two weeks completing trail and bridge repairs resulting from high Columbia

River flows during June. On the only day Manager Fox was able to help out, it was discovered

that one bridge, that has suffered damage during three separate high water events, has severe rot

to the stringers and bulkhead.

The lower six inches of the

bulkhead, that supports the

weight of the bridge, is rotted

away. Bridge inspector

Casey Davidson looked at the

bridge this week and will

have recommendations for

repair along with a cost

estimate next week. The

bridge has been closed and

will remain so until repairs

can be made.

Rotted bulkhead on bridge at

Beebe Springs, note that it

longer supports the bridge

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REGION 3


L.T. Murray Wildlife Area-Manager Melissa Babik: Manager Babik hosted a meeting with

staff from Mid-Columbia Fisheries and Yakama Nation to discuss next steps in the LT Murray

Forest and Aquatic Habitat Enhancement project. Partners will finalize the Area of Potential

Effects map, solicit RFPs for a cultural survey and the layout work, and establish an MOU to

exchange funding between partners.

Wenas Wildlife Area-Manager Cindi Confer Morris: Assistant Manager Taylor called out to

another fire Early Monday morning at 1:00 a.m. that consumed 1700 acres in the Cottonwood /

Sheep company area. After the initial attack and when it got light, Jody worked on the fire

investigation until early evening. The fire started near the cottonwood fire a week and half ago.

Staged firefighting resources for the Sheep Fire Burned Area bordering Huntzinger Rd.

Burned Area West of Huntzinger Rd. Sheep Fire

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Oak Creek Wildlife Area: Manager Mackey and Forester Hartmann were invited to tour a cable

thinning project being conducted by The

Nature Conservancy (TNC) in the Little

Naches area.

Overview of Little Naches commercial

thinning project being conducted by

TNC

Dead Water Birds: District Wildlife

Biologist Fidorra continued to coordinate

with Biologist Vekasy regarding dead

water birds at a wetland complex near

Burbank. Fidorra conducted hazing and

carcass pickup. Over 200 ducks and

shorebirds were collected thus far. The

assumption is that botulism is causing the mortalities and test results may confirm this in a few

weeks. Fidorra and Vekasy are coordinating with WA Ecology, United States Fish and Wildlife

Service, and the landowner to resolve the issue.

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

Hatchery as well as two sites in Benton County. Trapping continued to be slow so time was also

spent baiting and attempting to trap at new sites. A total of 61 doves have been captured thus far.

Dove Banding: Biologist Bernatowicz trapped two evenings and two mornings, banding another

13 doves. Re-captures at the primary banding area exceeded 50%, so traps were moved to Oak

Creek. Dove concentrations are not high at this time.

Teanaway Community Forest Spotted Owls: Biologist Moore ran the last of three required

occupancy surveys in the Mason Creek drainage. A single male spotted owl is still on territory

and hooting away. United States Forest Service Biologists still need to do a mouse survey to

capture the owl and verify he is a banded male.

East Slope Cascades Mule Deer Management Zone (ECS MDMZ) Meeting: Biologists

Moore and Bernatowicz met with Biologists from Districts 6 and 7 and Deer Specialist Hansen

to discuss surveys in this MDMZ. The objective of the meeting was to standardize the survey

methods and timing across the Districts within the ECS MDMZ. We currently have late fall

post-hunt buck to doe ratio, late fall buck to doe ratio/abundance and spring green-up abundance

only surveys occurring. The group did not come to consensus; therefore, the discussion will

continue on.

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Oak Creek Wildlife Area: Assistant Manager Berry and Natural Resource Worker Sevier

fabricated over a hundred spikes to secure new parking blocks in the headquarters parking

lot. Sevier had already removed all the old deteriorated blocks and with Berry’s assistance,

blocks were loaded and taken to landfill.

Proposed Green Dot Road System: Private Lands Biologist Stutzman learned of a proposed

green dot road system on the LT Murray Wildlife Area near the PSE Wild Horse wind facility.

Stutzman researched the proposal and discussed how it might conflict with PSE’s Hunt by

Reservation access agreement with PSE staff and Area Manager Babik. Stutzman also provided

maps of prior posting efforts and discussed 2017 posting needs with PSE staff.



CUSTOMER SERVICE

Road Inspection: Manager Lopushinsky inspected a

road on WDFW property in the Stemilt

Basin. Mission Ridge Ski Area has requested

temporary use of the road to access part of their new

property. This is a closed road that runs up to the

Upper Wheeler Reservoir.

Tateum Tour: Manager Babik presented the goals

of WDFW’s forest heath projects in Taneum Canyon

at the TNC’s Central Cascades Forest Summer

Social. Forty-eight people toured the Taneum

Watershed discussing TNC’s Central

Cascades ownership vision, collaborative

forest health projects, and the importance

of habitat preservation and connectivity.

WDFW Biologist Meyer discussing

importance of habitat preservation and

connectivity at TNC’s summer social

Hunting Season Setting Meeting:

District Wildlife Biologists Fidorra

attended the Hunting Season Setting

Public Meeting in Yakima. Fidorra spoke

with hunters about their concerns and

interest in the proposed three-year package changes. There was low public turnout at the event.

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Elk Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand spent considerable time this week working with

wheat producers on Rattlesnake Mountain monitoring elk damage in their crop. So far, the fields

that have been harvested are cutting above average yields and only minor damage has been

observed.

Conflict Specialist Wetzel was contacted by a landowner in the Weaver Road area. A large herd

of 91 elk appeared outside the elk fence this week and were entering an alfalfa field at

night. Conflict Specialist Wetzel inspected several miles of fence and found no

breeches. Return gates were salted and elk were herded to return gate areas in hopes they will

return to the Wildlife Area.

Elk crossing of irrigation ditch into alfalfa Elk group herded toward return gates

Elk in Alfalfa: Several hay growers in the Badger Pocket area called Conflict Specialist Wetzel

to report elk in alfalfa and breaking down electric cattle fencing. It appears that several groups

of elk are in the area; one large

group of cows and calves and one

larger group of bulls with some

cows. Daytime location of all the

elk groups is the YTC. Permits

have been issued to several

landowners in the area and the MH

season on YTC starts this week.

Daytime area where elk reside

(YTC TA1); elk visit the irrigated

fields nocturnally. Note smoke in

the background

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GOAL 4: BUILD AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT ORGANIZATION BY

SUPPORTING OUR WORKFORCE, IMPROVING BUSINESS PROCESSES, AND

INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY

Shadow Creek Thinning Project:

Assistant Manager Winegeart met the

loader operator on the Shadow Creek

thinning project to remove large

timbers from an old bridge

decommissioning project years prior.

The loader put the large timbers onto

the LT Murray trailer, and Winegeart

hauled the material to the Joe Watt

barn for storage.

Timbers that had been stored behind

Shadow Creek gate

REGION 4


Wildlife Management

Common Loon Management: District 12 staff, Olympia Diversity staff, University of

Washington Cooperative Fish, Wildlife Unit staff and students went on a reconnaissance and

orientation of a portion of King County common loon territories. While out a banded individual

was noted, banded in 2013 by Biodiversity Research Unit and WDFW but then off territory,

gone in 2014. It has been undetected since then…now showing back up in 2017 after being

usurped in early fall 2013. He is a very

big male loon – one of the largest BRI

has handled so it was surprising he was

“bullied away”, even more surprising he

was back…and where has this bird been?

Biologist Chris Anderson holding on of

two common loons that were trapped

and banded in 2013

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White-Nose Syndrome Monitoring(WNS), Bat Health and Bat Conservation:

Ongoing efforts such as the collection of guano for collaborating federal entities as part of a

weekly and monthly examination of potential Pd presence in

roosting sites. WDFW participated in bi-weekly WNS/bat

conservation planning and next step meetings as well as

continual work on decontamination needs due to field efforts.

Equipment acquisition, organization and planning for hold

and then shipping needs as well as ongoing work to acquire

collaborative support of access to private lands for survey

needs.

Over the past month in sampling efforts a big brown bat

has regularly been day roosting, a Townsend’s big-eared

bat one day, and a Myotis species over past two sampling

sessions (little brown or Yuma, likely; in quick non-

intrusive visual assessment)

Wildlife Take: District 12 followed-up on complaints of

“gull chicks being put into plastic bags” at University of Washington. District 12 discussed this

with facilities maintenance staff regarding what the actual situation was (contract work by

USDA Wildlife Services) and requested, per WDFW agreement with USDA WS, that UW work

with all to develop long-term exclusionary and deterrent efforts.

Growth Management Wildlife Consultation: District 12 assisted Habitat staff in requests

coming in regarding heron management in Seattle. Seattle code has changed to reflect updated

Priority Habitats and Species recommendations for herons. These new changes have created a

need for discussions, given wildlife

consulted with Seattle when changes were

being planned and proposed by Seattle

staff; prior to Habitat onboarding back into

their PHS program.

A bald eagle in the act of depredation of

an active heron nest, King Co.

Black-tailed Deer Survival Study: The

project goal for 2017 is the capture of 32

study bucks to estimate annual buck

survival. District 12 responsibility includes

the capture of one buck on federal

land. District 12 spent time this week scouting bucks for potential capture/collaring as part of

the buck survival estimation study. Time was spent attempting to capture a buck on federally

managed lands, and few does were encountered but no bucks presented themselves for capture.

District 13 staff continued efforts to locate black-tail bucks for the buck survival estimation

study. Efforts focused on accessible public lands in the near vicinity of the selected capture

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point. Only a few does with fawns were encountered. The study will attempt to estimate annual

buck survival and determine sources of mortality.

Mountain Goat: District 13 staff worked on creating digital layers for mountain goat aerial

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

Aquatic Invasive Species: District 13 staff trapped ponds for aquatic invasive species (AIS) in

southern Snohomish County. These ponds have

had AIS species present in the past two years,

and this follow-up sampling was to determine

overwintering survival. Unfortunately, two

adults were captured indicating that AIS

presence continues.

Baited minnow traps used for sampling for

Aquatic Invasive Species in a local storm water

retaining pond

Ross Lake Patrol: Biologist DeBruyn

accompanied Officer Lucci on an enforcement

patrol of Ross Lake to orient Lucci to the lake

and DeBruyn to the boat. It was Lucci’s first

time on the lake and DeBruyn was able to point

out closed fishing areas and navigational

hazards. Data on nesting wildlife species were

recorded and passed on to National Park Service

Biologists.

Osprey feeding young on Ross Lake

Fisher Release Prep: Biologist DeBruyn

accompanied biologist Lewis from the carnivore

section and a National Park Service Biologist to

scout potential release sites for Fishers in and

around North Cascades National Park.

Carnivore monitoring: Biologist DeBruyn checked trail cameras and monitored telemetry

channels to further monitoring of forest carnivores in the Upper Skagit drainage.

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RELATED RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES.

Wildlife Areas

Leque Island Estuary Restoration Project: The WDFW construction crew continued

construction of phase one of the project, which involves excavating new channels and filling old

agriculture ditches and borrow areas.

Leque Island estuary restoration channels and agriculture ditches

North Leque Island Design Meeting: Projects Coordinator Brokaw visited the site to take

monitoring photos for comparison with 2010 and 2015 site conditions.

NOAA Conference Call: Projects Coordinator Brokaw participated in a call with NOAA staff

to review timelines and details for a grant that will be awarded to WDFW for the Leque Island

project.

Private Lands/Access Management

418 Elk Hunt: Natural Resource Technician Otto organized hunter packets for the 418 special

permit holders.

Waterfowl Quality Hunt Program Contracts: Private Lands Biologist Wingard continued

preparing hunting access contracts for the upcoming waterfowl season. Natural Resource

Technician Otto met with a partner landowner to discuss the upcoming waterfowl season and

properties available for the Waterfowl Quality Hunt Program.

Deer and Elk Hunting Opportunity: Private Lands Biologist Wingard prepared hunting access

contracts for sites with opportunities for big game. Private Lands Biologist Wingard gathered

site information for several new potential sites for big game on private lands.

Western Washington Pheasant Release Program: Private Lands Biologist Wingard contacted

partner landowners in the western Washington pheasant release program to discuss any potential

changes to the program and landowner needs for the upcoming season. Private Lands

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Supervisory Biologist Caldwell and Private Lands Biologist Wingard discussed potential

changes and will be making final recommendations for this season’s Westside Pheasant Release

pamphlet next week.



CUSTOMER SERVICE

Wildlife Management

Wildlife Conflict: District 12 met with a landowners concerned with deer and elk on properties

in the North Bend, Maple Valley and Green Valley areas. Deer have been causing damage to

both commercial crops and residential gardens. Issues with elk have been to commercial

vegetable crops and timber operations. Fencing design, hazing tactics and potential hunting

scenarios were discussed.

Nutria monitoring: District 14 staff responded to reports of nutria along the North Fork of the Skagit

River by putting up a trail camera to monitor the site.

Snoqualmie Orientation Tour:

Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Manager

Brian Boehm met with Region 4

Wildlife Program Manager Russell

Link and Lands Division Manager

Cynthia Wilkerson to tour the Cherry

Valley and Stillwater Units.

Focused discussion of the

agricultural, site challenges, and dog

training also occurred.

Manager Brian Boehm and Lands

Division Manager Cynthia

Wilkerson

Spencer Island Unit: Snoqualmie

Wildlife Area Manager Brian coordinated with Snohomish County Parks on a joint Eagle Project

opportunity. The project will clear the Snohomish County portion of the trail that leads to

WDFW boundary and installation of 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.

Island Unit: Biologists Meis cleared vegetation away from bridge approaches on the Island

Unit. Manager Rotton attended meeting with Region 4 staff and the new Regional Manager Amy

Windrope to discuss the upcoming applications to phase two of Deepwater Slough Restoration

Alternatives Analysis.

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Samish River Unit: Biologist Meis began mowing noxious weeds at the Samish River Unit.

Manager Rotton released purple loosestrife bio-control beetles on the site and clipped flower

heads to restrict seed productions for this season.

Skagit Headquarters Unit: Biologist Meis mowed the Spur Dike Trail at the Headquarters.

Biologist Meis also assisted volunteers with making repairs to the barge skiff, installed a new

bilge pump, new hoses, added new packing and had the battery reconditioned. Manager Rotton

sorted and cleaned sign stock for transfer to Correctional Industries (CI) for upcoming sign

order. Worked with CI on sign proofs.

Manager Rotton contacted CAMP permit staff on the status of the Skagit boat launch permits.

Manager Rotton and Biologist Meis completed some finishing touches to stabilized the ramp for

the ADA viewing blind installed recently by Washington Waterfowl Association with ALEA

funding.

Private Lands/Access Management

Migratory Bird Forage Enhancement: Natural Resource Technician Otto checked multiple

recently planted forage plots. All sites are doing well with good germination, the light rain

towards the end of the week should help.

Garbage Dump: Natural Resource Technician Otto received a call from a partner landowner

several large, old appliances were dumped on the property. Otto and Private Lands Biologist

Wingard responded and removed the garbage. Otto hauled several dump trailer loads of tires

from a partner landowner’s property to a short term storage space. The tire dump was larger than

initially thought, and removal will not be complete until next week.

Garbage cleanup underway by Technician Otto and Biologist Wingard

Hunter Education/Volunteer Coordinator

Instructor Support: Hunter education coordinator activated four classes. Dazey assisted a

Chief Instructor to find instructors in his area that might be able to assist him. Dazey did follow-

up communications with two recruit female instructors for the women’s’ oriented hunter

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education classes this fall in Region 4. Dazey also did follow-ups to assist setting up a Chinese

language class. Dazey answered questions as to how to apply to become an instructor.

National Hunting and Fishing Day: Coordinator Dazey continues to work on NHFD for this

year at Camp Pigott in Region 4. Issues worked on include housing and staffing.

REGION 5


Statewide Western Gray Squirrel (WGS) Survey: Biologist Trejo and volunteer Reeder

checked hair tube transects on private timberlands and the Klickitat Wildlife Area. Detection

rates remain high on the Wildlife Area and are increasing on private timberlands. Hair-snag tube

surveys help biologists understand western gray squirrel distribution in Klickitat County. While

checking hair tubes volunteer Reeder encountered a bear running nearby. He was quick enough

to capture the bear on camera. Other stationary game cameras captured black bears, mule deer,

multiple squirrel species (except for WGS), and western tanagers. Hair-snag tube surveys will

continue in District 9 until the end of September.

Bear on the run Top: bear eating walnut; Bottom: western tanager

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Goat Rocks Wilderness Mountain Goat Survey: Biologists Holman, Stephens, and Bergh

along with Northwest Helicopters pilot Hagerman conducted a survey of the mountain goats in

the Goat Rocks and Smith Creek survey areas. During the survey, units were flown in a

helicopter and all goats observed were counted and classified as either an adult or a kid. In total,

244 goats were counted in the goat rocks survey which corrected to 254 goats when entered into

a sight ability model. This model takes into account goats that may have been missed due to

terrain and vegetation obstructions. During the Smith Creek survey observers could only

account for 12 goats,

which corrected to 14

goats. See the graph

below for historical

estimates of these two goat

populations. Thank you to

pilot Jess Hagerman for

his safe and expert flying.

Goat Rocks Wilderness

Mountain Goat Survey

Black-tail Buck Survival

Estimation Study: Biologists

Holman, Bergh, and Stephens

continued efforts to capture a black-

tail buck for the buck survival

estimation study. This week the

Biologists attempted to capture

bucks on federally managed lands in

District 9. Few deer were

encountered and no bucks were

captured.

The study has been initiated to

estimate annual buck survival and

determine sources of mortality in

four aggregations of game

management units in western

Washington. The overall goal for

2017 is the capture of 32 study

bucks. Regional responsibility

includes the capture of one buck on

state forest land in District 10 and

one buck on federal land in District

9.

22

Tour of Proposed Forest Management Project on Soda Springs Unit: Wildlife Area Manager

Van Leuven, Assistant Manager Steveson, WDFW Forester Pfeifle, District Wildlife Biologist

Bergh, District Habitat Biologist Johnson, Sergeant McCleary, Habitat Program Manager Howe,

and Habitat Biologist Bell toured the three proposed forest management areas on the Soda

Springs Unit to review the project plan and see how the work has been laid out in the

field. Forester Pfeifle led the discussion and answered questions from the group. The consensus

was that the project plan is in good order and the work is almost ready to commence. One more

squirrel nest survey will be conducted before timber harvest begins in fall 2017.

Water Gauge Maintenance: Wildlife Area Manager Van

Leuven and Assistant Manager Steveson cleared lily pads away

from the staff gauges and cleaned and waxed the enamel plates for

better readability. WDFW Volunteer Enz assists the monitoring

of western pond turtle habitat by visiting the ponds monthly and

reporting the water levels by reading the gauges from shore.

Cleaning staff gauges in Pond B

Fisher Hill Unit Reconnaissance: Assistant Manager Steveson

visited two properties on the Fisher Hill Unit this week to check

for presence of cattle and check on road access.

Soda Springs and Hatchery Unit Agricultural Leases: Manager Van Leuven met with the

family of the lessee to discuss the terms of the lease and when the wheat harvest would

occur. Wheat harvest is expected to start early August on the Soda Springs Unit.

Grazing Monitoring: Assistant Manager Steveson traveled to the Fisher Hill Unit to check on

the Sorensen grazing permit. No cattle were seen on WDFW property, but there was evidence

that cattle had traveled though the property with minimal impact on vegetation. Assistant

Manager Steveson also visited the Mud Spring Canyon property to find a vehicle access route

through Department of Natural Resources land adjacent to WDFW property for weed

management purposes there.

Soda Springs Unit Patrol: Assistant Manager Steveson patrolled the Soda Springs Unit and

discovered and dismantled several newly built fire rings along the Grayback, Sheep Canyon, and

Old Headquarters Roads. He picked up some garbage out of a few designated camping sites as

well. A new patch of rush skeletonweed was also found and recorded along one of the old

alfalfa fields at the southern end of Old Headquarters Road.


RELATED RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES

2018-20 Three-Year Hunting Season Setting Process: Regional Wildlife Biologists reviewed

and edited proposals related to possible changes in hunting season structure for the three-year

season setting process. Possible changes to hunting during 2018-20 for Region 5 include:

liberalization of archery elk seasons in GMUs 506 and 530, reduced archery elk hunting in GMU

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520, liberalized archery deer in GMU 530, liberalization of muzzleloader elk in GMU 578,

liberalization of fall turkey hunting regulations in Klickitat County, goose management in Area

2, etc. Washington hunters interested in reviewing and commenting on the potential changes are

encouraged to visit the WDFW website at

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/seasonsetting/. Additionally, hunters may want to attend

a public meeting where the proposals will be displayed and WDFW Game Management Staff

will be available to discuss possible changes. The schedule and locations for public meetings is

also located on the above webpage.

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

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Fladry: Supervisor Meyer traveled to Region 1 to help Supervisor McCanna, Natural Resource

Technician Seitz, and Wolf Biologist Roussin install two miles of fladry around a grazing

pasture. The fladry will be moved to an adjacent pasture when the cattle are moved.

Natural Resource Technician Sietz unrolls fladry along a fence line, installing two miles of

fladry

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/regulations/seasonsetting/

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Bear: Wildlife Conflict Specialist (WCS) Conklin responded to a report of a goat that was killed

under suspicious circumstances in west Cowlitz County. Conklin arrived at the farm and

performed a necropsy on the 25lb pet goat. Conklin was advised from WDFW Police there had

been multiple sightings of a black bear in the vicinity and a report that it broke into a pigeon

coop and killed several. The results of the necropsy lead Conklin to believe the attack on the

goat was consistent with that of a bear. Officer Bahrenburg responded with the culvert trap

which was set in a remote area of the property.

Bite mark impression on back of goat Top view of goat with broken ribs and spine

from single bite

Unknown Depredations: Wildlife Conflict Specialist (WCS) Conklin and Biologist Meyer

responded to a farm in the Grays River area that was reporting a dead adult cow that he believed

was attacked by a necropsy and no sign of trauma was found on the animal. The death of the

cow was not caused by a Predator.

Necropsy performed on adult cow

Culvert trap set for bear

25

Elk: Wildlife Conflict Specialist (WCS) Conklin met with a producer experiencing heavy

damage from elk to his 140 acres of sweet peas. Conklin deployed a master hunter and renewed

the land owner’s DPCA. In addition, Conflict Specialist Conklin received a call from an

extremely upset land owner who had her landscaping completely destroyed by elk in the Randle

area. Conklin has worked with the land owner in the past and talked about fencing options. The

land owner is interested in purchasing the fencing materials if WDFW volunteers can install the

fencing. Conklin will work with the land owner to come up with a material list and find

volunteers to assist.

Dead Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen (WCS) followed up with a landowner who

had found several dead fawns and a doe on her property within the last week. WCS Jacobsen

added these mortalities to the database of recent deer deaths in the area and passed this

information along to District Biologist Bergh. District Biologist Bergh has been working closely

with the State veterinarian to track and monitor deer deaths in the area this summer.

Nuisance Bear: Wildlife Conflict Specialist (WCS) Jacobsen received a report of a nuisance

bear causing issues among a small community of residents in a rural area of the Region. The

bear had been observed multiple times over the last month and a half hanging around these

residences. Over the past week, the bear was able to get into two different garages; in on garage,

the bear consumed approximately 300 tacos from a catering truck. The bear later broke into a

refrigerator on a porch of a different residence and consumed several sodas and beers from the

fridge. It also wandered up to the back porch/garage of an additional residence and destroyed

some lawn fertilizer and insecticide. WCS Jacobsen and Officer Budai set a culvert trap for the

bear near one of the residences in hopes of catching the bear and relocating it to an area where it

won’t be able to enjoy the Tuesday night beer

and taco special. “Living in Bear Country”

pamphlets were also distributed to neighboring

landowners to provide additional information

on preventing human-bear conflicts in rural

areas.

A culvert trap deployed at a private residence

in order to catch and relocate a nuisance bear

Missing/dead Fowl: Wildlife Conflict

Specialist (WCS) Jacobsen visited a landowner

who had lost over two dozen animals from his

hobby farm (mostly chickens, geese, turkeys, ducks, and guinea fowl) over the last month. Two

weeks ago, WCS Jacobsen set two trail cameras at various locations around the farm and has

been checking them periodically. After reviewing the trail camera photos this week, it was

determined that a young coyote had been frequenting the farm and was confirmed to be inside of

one of the farmer’s fenced-in paddocks on the night that a chicken was found dead and partially

consumed. The coyote was also observed hanging around a hole under a section of fence that

was discovered last week. WCS Jacobsen gave the landowner a tutorial on how to call in

coyotes with a predator call, and discussed fencing options with the landowner to better secure

his farm. Information regarding Wildlife Control Operators was also provided to the

26

landowner. WCS Jacobsen will continue to work with the landowner to solve the depredation

issue.

Turbo-Fladry: Wildlife Conflict Specialist (WCS) Jacobsen stopped by a local Christmas tree

farm to pick up a roll of turbo-fladry that he had deployed there earlier in the spring. The turbo-

fladry was being used to keep elk out of the Christmas tree farm, but domestic cows on the

adjacent property had recently developed a taste for the nylon flags attached to the turbo-

fladry. WCS Jacobsen delivered the turbo-fladry to another WDFW employee who will be

taking it to Region 1, where it will be used to help deter wolves from attacking livestock.

DPCA Renewal: Wildlife Conflict Specialist (WCS) Jacobsen met with a producer to renew his

Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement (DPCA) for elk damage to his alfalfa. Deterrent

measures were discussed and a public hunter access agreement was negotiated as part of the

terms of the contract to help reduce elk damage to the property. Damage Prevention Permits will

also be issued later in the week.

Garden Damage: Wildlife Conflict Specialist (WCS) Jacobsen received an email from a

landowner who has been incurring damage to his blueberry bushes and tomato plants from

deer. The landowner had contacted WCS Jacobsen previously about deterrent measures, which

he has since implemented on his property. Unfortunately, the deer were persistent and continued

to wreak havoc on his garden. WCS Jacobsen called and discussed several fencing and electric

fencing options with the landowner, which seemed like the best solution for protecting the small

hobby garden at this point. Other hazing techniques such as rubber buckshot and mylar flagging

were also discussed. The landowner will likely add some fencing around his garden plot to

prevent the deer from entering the garden.

A coyote outside the livestock fence,

near the hole that was recently dug

under the fence

A coyote inside the livestock fence near the

chicken coop on the night that a chicken was

killed

27

Cougar Sighting: Wildlife Conflict Specialist (WCS) Jacobsen received a report from a

landowner who had sighted a cougar in a tree along the edge of her property a few days

prior. The landowner has six llamas (including a baby llama) near her house and was alerted to

the cougar’s presence by the alarm noises emitted by the llamas. The cougar left the residence

after the landowner shined a light at the cougar in the tree. WCS Jacobsen discussed deterrent

measures with the landowner and loaned out a Fox Light predator deterrent in order to keep the

cougar away from the residence. The landowner will contact WDFW if the cougar is seen again.

Missing Chickens: Wildlife Conflict Specialist (WCS) Jacobsen received a report from a

landowner who had lost 40 chickens over the last several months to predators and was now down

to nine chickens. WCS Jacobsen strongly encouraged the construction of a livestock fence/pen

and suggested several fencing options to the landowner, as the fowl were free-ranging around the

landowner’s wooded property. Options for legal removal of predators in the act of attacking

livestock were also discussed.

REGION 6


Wildlife Management

Snowy Plover: Biologist Sundstrom worked long hours this week while continuing to monitor

active nests that are hatching chicks in order to band the young. A total of 23 chicks have been

banded so far, with eight more known active nests to go. Unfortunately, Sundstrom missed out

on the opportunity to band chicks from five hatched nests, due in part to weather (windy

conditions with blowing sand) and arrival at the nest cup too late.

Sundstrom found herself in a very unusual situation Tuesday morning. While conducting

‘routine’ hatching nest checks, she approached a nest that was scheduled to hatch on Monday,

only to find that within 50’ of the nest human disturbance had occurred. Human disturbances

can keep an incubating adult away from a nest and if it is windy with blowing sand, the eggs can

be buried and ultimately abandoned by the adults. Hoping but not knowing if the nest had

hatched on Monday, Sundstrom located where the nest should have been and began

digging. Nearly 6” below the drifted sand, Sundstrom’s fingers felt and broke open the 3

eggs. The eggs were brought to the surface to find that two of the now broken eggs contained

peeping chicks. This situation obviously presented a problem. The adults had abandoned the

nest and therefore there were no adults to raise these newly hatched chicks. After a series of

early morning phone calls, Sundstrom was off to Newport, Oregon to deliver two chicks in a box

to the Newport Aquarium rehabilitators. Both chicks were active and chirping for most of the

trip; even though one chick’s yolk sac had not been completely absorbed at hatch time, both

were doing well when handed off at 1:00 p.m. Should either or both chicks survive and reach

fledge age (28 days), Sundstrom will likely pick up the chicks and release them on the beach

from which they hatched.

28

Two chicks discovered buried under sand. The adults had abandoned the nest after it was

buried The dry and rambunctious chicks in their rescue box just before rehabilitators took

over.



Private Lands /Conflict

Aberdeen Cougar: While it is known that a pair of cougars, either two sub adults or a female

and one sub adult have been confirmed in the area the past six weeks, it has grown to take on a

life of its own. Biologist Harris has spoken with the local newspaper and spoke on a local radio

station. Overall the attempt at reaching out appeared to help as reports have diminished. At least

the negative comments regarding WDFW response has decreased. Biologist Harris was

interviewed by KOMO news regarding the recent cougar hysteria in Aberdeen. Unfortunately, it

was discovered that one of the pictures being circulated on social media and given to KOMO

was not taken in Aberdeen. It was from an April news report out of Spokane. The video

showing the picture has been removed from their web site. Biologist Harris made a point of

informing the news crew and local radio that the picture was an unconfirmed report.

Long Beach Cranberries: A few reports of an elk or a small group of elk walking across

bogs. Deer use has been picking up. Biologist Harris is behind in getting permits out and the

producers are letting him know it.

Satsop Elk: Two Bull groups are making themselves very unwelcome. Both groups are in the

no elk zone. One is south of the highway. With the corn now over six feet high locating them is

very difficult and patience is wearing thin. Another group of at least six branched bulls is

causing damage to another corn field. The producer, Biologist Harris, and a Master Hunter have

been trying to move the bull’s on. Not working and more drastic measure may soon take

place. A recently acquired standalone cell based camera is being considered for deployment at

the north location.

Grayland Cranberries: Both deer and elk are showing great interest in the

cranberries. Another bull group has moved in causing damage to multiple bogs. Sprinkler and

old fashioned herding is being used to try and get the group to move on. We are hoping they

29

take the hint. Another group of cows and calves tried entering from the north end and were

caught by a producer as they entered and hazed. They apparently got the clue and have not

returned. One producer requested a specific Master Hunter who drew a designated deer permit

be deployed to his property. The remote camera system continues to provide a great service to

all of the process in the area. Biologist Harris hopes to install more cameras soon.

Forks Elk: Biologist Harris recently met with a Quileute Tribe representative and City of Forks

representative to discuss the elk in and around Forks. With roughly 300 plus elk calling the area

home some management needs to occur. The two main groups are often within city limits and

within the urban growth area. There was some question regarding one of the most vocal

producers. The City of Forks representative recalled a discussion with them regarding how the

elk were wanted on their property. Biologist Harris explained how the recent proposal to create

an elk area for permit hunts would work and how the permits he issues to producers’ work. The

city representative briefed the city council on the plan. Biologist Harris is scheduled to discuss

the elk issue at an October council meeting. At that time an ordinance change allowing for

WDFW controlled hunts within city limits will be introduced and voted on.



CUSTOMER SERVICE

Wildlife Management

Hunting Prospects: Biologist Tirhi and Butler completed and submitted the 2018 Hunting

Prospects for District 11 to the regional program manager by deadline. Prospects will be

uploaded to the agency website by late August for the general public in preparation for upcoming

hunting seasons. Good luck and be safe to all our District11 hunters!!

First of the group entering bog Producer checking for damage after

herding elk off bog

30

GOAL 4: BUILD AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT ORGANIZATION BY

SUPPORTING OUR WORKFORCE, IMPROVING BUSINESS PROCESSES, AND

INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY

Other

Regional Awards: Biologists Tirhi, Butler and Thompson-Randolph attended the regional

awards and barbeque. District 11 received two awards: Biologist Linders received the 2017

Region 6 Wildlife Program Employee of the Year, for her outstanding and highly successful

work captive rearing and reintroducing state and federally listed Taylor’s checkerspot

butterflies. Biologist Thompson-Randolph is an integral part of this project and also deserves

recognition for her contribution and hard work. Biologist Tirhi also received her 25-year Service

Award with the agency. It’s been a long but rewarding road to travel. Great job district 11

staff!!!

Matt Blankenship received the Public Service award for his work assisting landowners with

wildlife conflicts in the eastern portion of Region 6. Scott Harris received the Innovator

award. Called out in this nomination was Scott’s use of remote cameras to aid in response to

deer and elk conflicts and use of bear hide to discourage beavers problems at bridge and culvert

locations. Both of these individuals do a great job providing service to agricultural landowners

as well as the public at large.

WDFW Wildlife Program Weely Report July 18-24,...

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Transcript of WDFW Wildlife Program Weely Report July 18-24,...