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Wildlife Program Week of April 16 – April 22, 2018 WILDLIFE DIVERSITY GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE Canada Lynx: Biologist Jeff Lewis organized a recent meeting among the Lynx habitat/fire sub-

team of the Multi-Agency Lynx Conservation Strategy Team. This sub-team is a multi-agency group of individuals (from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife , United State Forest Service, Conservation NW, Washington Department of Natural Resources, United States Department of Fish and Wildlife Service, CSI, United State Forest Service Pacific NW lab) tasked with 1) creating a message (PowerPoint presentation and briefing paper) that raises awareness to the need to protect remaining occupied lynx habitat in Washington (a single, small population exists in western Okanogan

County), 2) proposing the development and implementation of management approaches to create fire-resilient forest landscapes/lynx habitat in Washington, and 3) arranging meetings with Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest leadership and Fire Management Team, United State Forest Service Regional Wildlife/Fire Staff in Portland, the United States Department of Fish and Wildlife Service Washington State Office leadership, and Washington Department of Natural Resources leadership. We are hopeful that our message can facilitate greater protections of remaining occupied lynx habitat during the 2018 fire season and can lead to immediate management decisions and actions that result in forest landscapes that are more resilient to catastrophic wildfires and can provide a more consistent and substantial amount of lynx habitat. Our goal is to present this message to these audiences in June of 2018, prior to the 2018 fire season. GOAL 4: MAINTAIN A HIGHLY SKILLED AND MOTIVATED WORKFORCE. Cascadia Prairie Oak Partnership Conference: Ann Potter, Insect Conservation Specialist, attended the Cascadia Prairie Oak Partnership conference in Eugene, Oregon. The conference brought together prairie-oak systems and species scientists, restoration practitioners, and recreation managers from the Georgia Basin-Puget Trough-Willamette Valley prairie and oak ecological systems, and this year included local indigenous communities, which have close ties with these landscapes. Ann provided new information on two rare prairie butterflies in a presentation titled: Sonora Skipper and Oregon Branded Skipper: Conservation Status Updates for Two At-Risk Butterflies in Washington. A summary slide is shown below.

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GAME DIVISION GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDIFE East-West Black Bear Project: Bear and cougar biologists Richard Beausoleil and Lindsay Welfelt continue the black bear research project. This field season, they made 70 backcountry hikes to visit 56 bears in their dens. One den required collaboration with fish Bio Michael Tonseth and a float down the Wenatchee River. This winter they replaced/placed GPS collars on 42 bears, and set up cameras outside 13 dens of females expected to have newborn cubs. They will return to dens to retrieve cameras after the bears have emerged. They plan to visit an additional 18 dens to gather den site characteristics. This year’s winter work brought the total number of collared bears for the project up to 198, with 73 that are currently on the air. Section staff also conducted a telemetry flight to locate marked bears whose collars were no longer transmitting GPS locations. Data from this work will be used to help estimate survival, reproduction, and growth rates in Eastern and Western Washington.

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VHF telemetry flight over the western and eastern Cascades to locate black bears whose collars are no longer transmitting GPS locations.

Adult female black bear and her two yearling cubs in a den after biologists replaced her collar and fitted collars and ear tags on the yearlings.

Using VHF telemetry to locate the den of an adult male black bear in the mountains above Lake Wenatchee.

Transporting a ladder and other tree-climbing equipment to access a black bear den in a cottonwood tree for the East-West Black Bear Project.

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Bear Database Management: Biologist Lindsay Welfelt entered ongoing bear capture and den characteristics datasheets into master database. Prepared immobilization records and emailed to Veterinarian Mansfield. Also, monitored bear movements and den emergence using GPS transmissions to plan work activities. Region 2 & 4 Bear Response Assistance: With the help of Karelian bear dogs Cash and Indy, bear and cougar biologists Beausoleil and Welfelt captured a small yearling bear cub (20 lbs.) that had emerged from her winter den early. Community residents had reported the bear occupying a neighborhood in North Bend for several weeks without her mother. The bear was transported to PAWS wildlife rehab facility, but did not survive the night. A necropsy revealed severe malnourishment and several other terminal health conditions. A similar situation occurred in the Methow Valley, where Beausoleil and Welfelt coordinated with Officer Justin Trautman to transport another yearling bear to PAWS, but the 15 lb. bear died two days later. Region 4 - Snoqualmie City Council & Ridge

Association Meetings: Bios Beausoleil and Welfelt attended a meeting with the Snoqualmie Ridge Homeowners Association, which represents over 3,700 residents, and presented information about bear-human conflict in the area and data collected from GPS collared bears in the area. This presentation spurred further interest by the Snoqualmie City council about bear proof garbage containers and Biologist Beausoleil attended a council meeting to discuss how bear proof containers and other measures would help to reduce conflict in the area. The Puget Sound Assessment and Monitoring Program Data Analysis: Biologist Hamer completed GIS processes which prepared seven additional years of Puget Sound Assessment and Monitoring Program (PSAMP) observational data for analysis. They also finalized program-R coding to efficiently analyze, tabulate, and display inter-annual population trends as documented by 22 years of PSAMP aerial surveys. The coding will also allow for the efficient addition and analysis of future data.

Biologist Welfelt climbing into a den 28 feet off the ground

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Harlequin Duck Capture: Biologist Hamer prepared gear and scouted in preparation for Harlequin Duck captures. He also joined game division and regional staff during the week long

capture effort. The effort was highly successful, Harlequins were captured on the Glacier, Beckler, and South Fork Snoqualmie Rivers. All captured Harlequin ducks were fitted with bands and males were implanted with ARGOS satellite tracking transmitters.

GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCES Hunter Education Cougar Presentation: Biologist Beausoleil traveled to Olympia and gave a presentation on cougar management to nearly 500 hunter education instructors statewide. The group was split in two and the presentation was given twice Marrowstone Island Presentation: Biologist Beausoleil gave a cougar presentation to the residents of Marrowstone Island about cougars and recent activity on the island at the request of Sergeant Rosenberger. About 75 residents turned out and a productive and positive discussion was had afterwards.

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GOAL 4: BUILD AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT ORGANIZATION BY SUPPORTING OUR WORKFORCE, IMPROVING BUSINESS PROCESSES, AND INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY University of Washington: Biologist Beausoleil gave a seminar presentation on the use of Karelian Bear Dogs for bear and cougar management at the University of Washington for Professor Grue. This seminar has been a yearly occurrence for several years and was attended by 385 students. Wildlife Society Bulletin & Journal of Wildlife Management: Bio Beausoleil served as a peer reviewer for two manuscripts submitted to the journals mentioned above. One review was related to black bears and the 3-strike policy that many management agencies implement and the other was related to grizzly bear depredation on cattle. Fifth Human Bear Conflicts Workshop: Bio Beausoleil attended the fifth Human-Bear Conflicts Workshop in Knoxville, Tennessee where he was a member of the steering committee, served as a session moderator, and provided a demonstration of the capture tarp used in safe capture of bears and cougars from trees. Many workshop attendees had not used capture nets before and were very interested in using them for bear research and management. WOLF ACTIVITIES Wolf Internal Group (WIG) Intakes: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Bennett and Private Lands and Conflict Supervisor Caldwell facilitated WIG intakes in preparation for the upcoming meeting at the end of the month. Bennett and Caldwell also met with Olympia staff to finalize the meeting location and lodging for next week. Wolf Surveys: Wolf biologists have begun field surveys to locate activity centers for wolves in an effort to start trapping and collaring wolves later this spring and early summer. They have also been prepping equipment and gearing up for another field season. Conservation and Management of Wolves in Washington: Wolf biologists presented an update on the conservation and management of wolves in Washington to the Upper Snoqualmie Elk Management group in North Bend. They also presented an update to the Kittitas Audubon Society in Ellensburg. They spent a day talking to students at the Walter Strom Middle School for their annual career day. They will also be a presenting a similar update the WDFW hunter education instructors meeting in Wenatchee at the end of the month. REGION 1 GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE Grizzly Bear Awareness and Bear Spray Demonstrations: Wildlife Biologist Annemarie Prince and Conflict Specialist Candace Bennett teamed with Defenders of Wildlife to present

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five grizzly bear presentations in Pend Oreille County. The talks were well attended and the participants really enjoyed getting to practice spraying bear spray. Hopefully, these presentations will lead to more awareness about grizzly bears and about how to recreate safely in Pend Oreille County.

GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERICAL EXPERIENCES Fish: District 1 fish biologists Randy Osborne and Kent Mayer test-fished Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area’s Z Lake the previous week. Osborne sent photos back this week, showing what they found. There were several age classes of the planted Spokane hatchery’s rainbow trout, and native brown bullhead catfish were present in the net. Osborne did not believe that the trout are breeding enough in the lake to all cessation of the annual introduction of fry. The largest trout was about 20 inches long and weighed nearly four pounds!

Bullhead Rainbow trout Randy Osborne and trout REGION 2 No report submitted this week.

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REGION 3 GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDIFE Transferred Lands: Manager Lopushinsky spent time in the Stemilt Basin this week, getting more familiar with new lands being transferred to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Colockum Wildlife Area. At the recent Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting the Commission authorized the department to purchase 1,275 acres to protect critical wildlife habitat. This allows Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to complete a land exchange initiated with the Department of Natural Resources in 2007. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife secured federal funding to purchase two parcels, appraised at $1,778,000.00 to protect the basin’s habitat for northern spotted owls, wolves, elk, deer and other wildlife species.

Map of the Stemit Basin, with “original 4” WDNR exchange parcels outlined in red

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Lily Lake, Stemilt Basin. Lily Lake is in Section 22, one of the parcels transferred from Department of Natural Resources to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Pheasants Forever Volunteer Day: Assistant Manager Ferguson hosted Pheasants Forever volunteer day on Saturday; volunteers planted black hawthorn and Woods’ rose at north end of HQ entrance food plot and on east end of Long 20 field.

Pheasant Forever volunteers planting black hawthorns

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Injured Barn Owl: Assistant Manager Kaelber and Natural Resourse Technician Lotz found an injured barn owl on the roadside near Benton City. The owl was caught and delivered to Blue Mountain Wildlife for rehabilitation. Injured barn owl found near Basin City Washington Ground Squirrel Survey: District Biologist Fidorra searched historic colony locations in Franklin County for Washington ground squirrels. None had not been visited since 2012 and others long before that. Both colonies active in 2012 remain active but no sign was found at many historical sites with several sites yet to check. Hawk Activity: District Biologist Fidorra checked for ferruginous hawk activity at a long occupied site in Benton County Horse Heaven Hills. Despite a history of occupancy since the 1980s, the site has been vacant for two consecutive years now.

District Biologist Fidorra installed and began using the new Survey123 data form for incidental observations of Species of Greatest Conservation Needs species. Fidorra logged many locations of Townsend’s ground squirrels and other Species of Greatest Conservation Needs around Benton and Yakima county during field projects. The new phone app is easy to use and is an efficient way to get data easily into WSDM and to species leads.

Screenshot of ArcGIS online map with recently added species incidental observations

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White Pelican Colony: District Biologist Fidorra worked with Oregon State University/Bird Research NW biologists regarding White Pelican colony monitoring methods. This year Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will test photography methods during waterfowl surveys and compare this data with the methods used during colony surveys by these partners. This will assist Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in continuing to track colony numbers at minimum cost should the colony monitoring project not include pelicans in the future. Dead Pelican: District Biologist Fidorra coordinated with Wildlife Area staff on a reported dead swan. The bird turned out to be a pelican, which had died too long ago to send for necropsy so no additional action was taken. Crane Damage to a Wheat Field: District Biologist Fidorra investigated a complaint of Sandhill Crane damage to an irrigated wheat field near the Yakima River. This was the first report of crane damage in the area, so Fidorra visited the site to find over 300 cranes digging through the field, plowing up large patches of crop. The cranes should move north within two weeks, and the landowner was offered advice to deter cranes until that time.

A foraging flock of sandhill cranes in the back of a field with the bare dirt patches indicating locations the birds have been causing damage to this wheat field

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Enhancements for Future Wildlife: District Biologist Fidorra and Private Lands Biologist Stutzman visited a successful shrub planting in Benton County where the landowner is interested in additional voluntary conservation actions that could be taken to enhance the property in the future for wildlife. Shrub planting in Benton County showing good growth Salmonids in the Columbia River: District Biologist Fidorra collected information on research and management actions related to colonial piscivorous birds and ESA listed salmonids in the Columbia River. Data was provided to Conservation Assessment Section Manager Cotton who is investigating salmonid issues with respect to southern resident Orca

populations off Washington. Sage-grouse Lek Survey: District Biologist Fidorra conducted a sage-grouse lek survey in

Yakima County. One lone male was detected on the lek, which was the high count at that site this year, down from two last year. The only displaying sage-grouse detected this year on the lek near Yakama Reservation Field Checks: Private Lands Biologist Stutzman was in the field for two days

looking at SAFE fields. Stutzman and District Biologist Fidorra met with a landowner to look at a field that was seeded to grass this past fall. Although it’s still early, germination appears to be good and there is limited weed pressure. Stutzman and Fidorra then went to two other nearby fields that were also seeded in the fall and again germination looks good but the fields have significantly more weed pressure. Shrub Planting Checks: Stutzman and Fidorra were in the field the next day too to check in on a shrub planting from a few years ago and look at two more SAFE fields. One field will be fallowed this summer and next and the site prep is on track. The other field was seeded with forbs last fall. Stutzman, Fidorra, and Natural Resource Conservation Service staff met with the landowner to discuss establishment and weed control methods in the forb blocks.

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Bighorn Sheep: Biologist Bernatowicz reviewed a draft on strategies for eliminating pneumonia from the Yakima River Canyon. Bernatowicz is still editing the document. Bernatowicz learned from Dr. Mansfield that a road-kill ewe from the Yakima River canyon sent in for testing came back positive for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (MOVI) and sinus tumors. Some Wildlife veterinarians think the sinus tumors (which are possibly caused by a virus) prevent animals from clearing pathogens like MOVI. Those sheep then become chronic carriers of MOVI, which can continue to kill lambs for decades. Few sheep in Washington have been tested for sinus tumors. This is likely the first confirmed case in Washington. Sheep Count: Bernatowicz stopped in the Yakiam River Canyon to try getting a count on sheep. Numerous lambs are now on the ground. In a short period of time, two people stopped to photograph the sheep, prairie falcons, and nesting golden eagles. One individual has been documenting prairie falcon eyries in the canyon and posting the film on YouTube. This year he intends on including the nesting golden eagles.

One of 20+ New Born Lambs Seen in the Yakima River Canyon Western Gray Squirrel Surveys: Biologist Bernatowicz reviewed the newest survey plan. No surveys are planned for District 8, but helped in needed for the numerous transects scheduled for District 9. There are plenty of transects within reasonable travel distance in Klickitat County.

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Candidate Species Assessment: Biologists Moore continued researching literature and worked with Library Associate, Ruth Keller to find publications that were not readily available. Keller did a phenomenal job and was able to track down most all of the requested publications. Thanks Ruth!!! Moore now has a solid Literature Cited section prepared, is continuing to read literature and has started the General Life History section of the Candidate Species Assessment. GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCES Natural Resource Technician Nass checked elk fencing south of Watt barn/parking lot due to increasing shed antler hunting pressure. Someone cut a hole in one area within the last month and Natural Resource Technician Nass patched it back together. Nass also took advantage of recent rain to regrade the Watt parking lot and used the harrow to smooth it all out.

16” x 16” hole cut out of the elk fence Wildlife Area Entrance Signs: Assistant Manager Taylor and Natural Resource Technician Kass worked on construction of two wildlife area entrance signs, cutting and gluing together the cedar boards. Pallet Fire: Assistant Manager Taylor and Natural Resource Technician Kass picked up two, five gallon bucket of nails at the Durr road parking area where someone had a large pallet fire. Several more sites along Durr road also have had pallet fires and still need to be cleaned up. One of those sites was cleaned up by volunteers on Saturday.

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Annual Shooting Areas Clean-up: Manager Confer Morris and Biologist Longoria participated in the annual shooting areas clean up organized by the Kittitas County Field and Stream. In addition to the usual wood, cardboard and glass, volunteers also removed a couch, a pile of tires and ~40 pallets. At the Umtanum road site, volunteers found evidence of vehicles driving out to ~450 yards to set up long-range targets.

Durr Road clean up

Before and after

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Stacks of pallets left in the Durr Road parking area Cottonwood Clean-up: Manager Confer Morris and Natural Resource Technician Kass participated in the annual shooting areas clean-up on Saturday, organized by the Wenas Valley Muzzleloaders. Over 20 volunteers signed in to help.

Cottonwood clean-up

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Sheep Company and Cottonwood sites after clean-up CWU Earth Week Volunteers: Manager Garcia and Natural Resource Worker Barbosa worked with Central Washington University earth week volunteers Saturday at Mile Post 8 and Mattoon. We had a combined total of 30 volunteers the picked up trash, brushed trails, installed a reader board, and helped build a fence.

Earth week volunteers that worked at Mattoon

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Earth week volunteers that worked at Mile Post 8 South Emerald Road Parking Lot: Manager Buser, Assistant Manager Ferguson and a volunteer worked on the South Emerald Road parking lots. They moved ecology blocks around to prevent people from driving around them to trespass on the wildlife area.

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The South Emerald Road parking lot with a tighter spacing of ecology blocks Trespass Blocks: Assistant Manager Ferguson, Manager Buser and volunteer Barry, from the Department of Transportation, respaced ecology blocks at the Lower Rupely parking lot to prevent trespass, installed eco-blocks at Byron Canal road to prevent trespass on two-track, and reset large boulders at Byron lease entrance to prevent trespass.

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Byron canal access road after installing ecology blocks Tim’s Pond Improvements: Manager Mackey and Assistant Manager Berry reviewed and were extremely impressed with the Yakima Construction Shop’s progress on the Tim’s Pond improvements.

Work mostly complete at Tim’s Pond. First fishermen documented Wednesday. Naches Sportsman’s Days: Manager Mackey initiated plans to participate in Naches Sportsman’s Days. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will have a booth and put a truck in the parade with participation from the Wildlife Education Corps.

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GOAL 3: PROMOTE A HEALTHY ECONOMY, PROTECT COMMUNITY CHARACTER, MAINTAIN AN OVERALL HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, AND DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinook Salmon Released by Schools: Natural Resource Technician Nass spent a couple hours helping Mid-Columbia Fisheries with Salmon Education days. Fifth graders from Valley View, Mt. Stuart, Lincoln and Thorp as well as all of Damman schools (K-5) participated in releasing the Chinook salmon they had been raising in their classroom since January. They were split into groups and visited three stations along the creek where they collected data pertinent to juvenile salmon habitat. After collecting the data from all three sites they voted on which area would be most ideal for releasing their salmon. Elk on Rattlesnake Mountain: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand spent time this week addressing increasing numbers of elk entering winter wheat fields on the southern slopes of Rattlesnake Mountain. Although the bulk of the herd continues to occupy mid elevation areas on the Hanford National Monument side of the fence, small groups are being redirected away from protected crops. Deer Hazing and Survey Options: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand and Rasley traveled to orchards and vineyards in the Burbank and Prosser areas to haze deer and survey possible options for the use of cost-share fencing. Utilizing materials (posts) already installed in high-density tree fruit operations should greatly reduce the total cost of building exclusionary fencing. Depredation Complaint: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Hand followed up with a poultry depredation complaint from last week. The reporting party has not noticed any new dead chickens and appreciated the advice and follow-up call that was provided. Elk on Private Lands: Conflict Technician Leuck and Conflict Specialist Wetzel hazed elk in the numerous areas throughout District 8 this week. Elk are moving onto private lands in large numbers, requiring hazing back to public lands each day. Some areas required propane canon placement and in others fused rope and cracker shell hazing, if fuel conditions are not too dry. Conflict Specialist Wetzel was contacted by a landowner in the Park Creek area this week. He requested that 800 elk be moved from his private land grazing area. Conflict Technician Leuck hazed elk from private lands in the Reecer Creek area several days this week. In each case, the elk returned to the private land areas the next day. Conflict Technician Leuck and Conflict Specialist Wetzel hazed elk from several locations in the Poison Springs area. The private landowners have requested that elk be moved if possible since sheep and sheep fences are now in place in the area.

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Elk moving in the right direction near Poison Springs GOAL 4: BUILD AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT ORGANIZATION BY SUPPORTING OUR WORKFORCE, IMPROVING BUSINESS PROCESSES, AND INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY Green Dot Road System: Assistant manager Winegeart tracked GPS coordinates on portions of

roads in the Green Gate area that will be restored to native vegetation once the green dot road system is implemented. Section of road in the Green Gate area to be restored to native vegetation

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New Post Pounder Demo: Assistant Manager Taylor and Natural Resource Technician Kass, along with Oak Creek staff, attended a demo of the new post pounder. A six-inch diameter, blunt end wood post, similar to our wood elk fence posts, was driven into hard-packed, rocky ground. They also demonstrated using the pounder for driving steel sucker pipe, also used for elk fence, into the ground. Cost of the pounder was shared by all Region 3 wildlife areas and for now, is stored at Wenas Wildlife Area. Post driver in action. Thanks to Wenas Assistant Taylor for taking the lead.

REGION 4 GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE Bats and White-nose Syndrome (WNS) Management: District 12 deployed guano catchment systems and acoustic units at maternity sites for spring emergence surveillance and monitoring efforts. Further, fall/winter/spring long-term acoustic units are mostly accessible, field efforts to check them are in progress. District 12 retained dead bats reported for testing. Discussed voluntary biosecurity needs and collaborative efforts with an outside entity that has sick bats and bat use on their property.

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Harlequin Duck Capture and Satellite Monitoring: District 12 staff assisted Science and Headquarter Game staff in capture efforts of Harlequin Duck within the district. Capture went well with multiple pairs spotted and captured.

Male Harlequin duck with satellite transmitter implanted Harlequin Duck Captures: Biologist DeBruyn assisted Waterfowl Specialist Evenson and his team catching breeding harlequin ducks on white water streams in Western Washington. Male

ducks were outfitted with transmitters to document home ranges and seasonal movements. The work is part of a multi-state effort to assess harlequin populations. Duck trappers supreme Michaelis, Hamer, and Evenson White-nose Syndrome Monitoring (WNS), Bat Health, and Bat Conservation: District 12 provided ongoing maintenance for a recording unit on the I-90 corridor. District 12 also built custom guano traps for residential area sampling efforts.

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Please report bat roosts, sick or dead bats here (PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD OF THIS WEBSITE AND NEED TO REPORT ROOSTS, DEAD OR SICK BATS IN WA): http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/health/wns Black Bear Outreach: District 12 assisted Bear and Cougar Specialist Beausoleil and BearSmart personnel with outreach to the Snoqualmie City Council. The Council was very appreciative of the information provided. District 12 also assisted Beausoleil and KBD’s Cash and Indy with a seminar given as part of the Spring Wildlife Science Seminar series at the University of Washington. Washington Landscapes Initiative: Staff from Habitat, Wildlife, and Fish programs participated in a planning meeting to identify collaborative initiatives that are ongoing in the Snohomish and Green/Duwamish River deltas. Nearshore Strategic Planning Workshop: Projects Coordinator Brokaw participated in a workshop with staff in the Habitat Nearshore Section to provide input on development of a strategic plan for the group. North Leque Island Restoration Project: Projects Coordinator Brokaw hosted a conference call with the design team for the project to discuss the path forward in generating a permit-level design. Agriculture Lease Renewals: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Manager Brian Boehm and Region 4 Wildlife Program Manager Fenner Yarborough held the agriculture lease public auction with interested parties. Renewals will hopefully continue agriculture at Ebey Island and Crescent Lake Units. 340 acres of cropland are up for renewal. Ebey Illegal Dumping: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Manager Brian Boehm cleaned up and removed an illegal dumping at the Ebey Island Unit. The waste items were taken to a Snohomish County transfer station and fees will be covered under the Department of Ecology cleanup fund. Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Planning Team Meeting: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Manager Brian Boehm met with planning team staff to prepare for the final public meeting to receive comments on the draft plan. The meeting is scheduled for April 24. Oregon Spotted Frogs: Private Lands Biologist Wingard continued reviewing Oregon Spotted Frog GIS records and other records. Beetle Survey Access Assistance: Private Lands Biologist Wingard assisted staff on determining ownership and making contact with property owners for access to conduct aquatic and semi-aquatic beetle surveys in the Mosquito Lake Road area of Whatcom County.

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GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCES Washington Landscapes Initiative: District 12 attended a cross-program meeting hosted by Lands Section of Wildlife Program. Efforts included a summary of conservation entities and projects in areas, both internal and external, and how partnerships or what collaboration was in place to accomplish goals in landscape conservation. Site Visits for Grant Applications: Projects Coordinator Brokaw toured two engineers from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Capital Asset Management Program to the Ebey Island Unit and Leque Island Unit to assist in development of grant applications that propose to improve recreation access to both sites. At the Ebey Island Unit, the group met with other Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff and members of the Wildlife Area Advisory Group to discuss bigger long-term planning for the area.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is working on a grant application that proposes to improve the condition of this parking lot and develop a boat hand-launch on Ebey Island, which will provide boat access to 300+ acres of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife land that is currently inaccessible to the public.

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Ebey Team Meeting: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Manager Brian Boehm facilitated an Ebey Team meeting to discuss improvements to the recently acquired property where the Middle Parking Lot is located. Ebey Team staff, CAMP Engineers, and Advisory Committee members participated in the meeting. Up for discussion was a parking lot, potential boat launch, and pedestrian access across Deadwater Slough. The Slough is a barrier to 320 acres of the unit that is currently available to the public by boat. Waterfowl Quality Hunt Program Post Season Report: Private Lands Biologist Wingard and Supervisory Private Lands Supervisory Biologist Caldwell edited a summary report for Waterfowl Quality Hunt Program sites across Region 4. Spring Bear Hunt Preparation: Private Lands Biologist Wingard resolved lingering gate issues from opening weekend of the spring bear hunt, and toured several gate systems. Private Lands Biologist Wingard spoke with several North Skagit Spring Bear permit holders about conditions.

Pelt Sealing: Private Lands Biologist Wingard and Enforcement Officer Ludwig met with several hunters and trappers at the La Conner office to install CITES seals on pelts and record biological information on the specimens. Washington Waterfowl Association Meeting: Private Lands Supervisory Biologist Caldwell presented at a local Washington Waterfowl Association meeting. Biologist Caldwell provided the group with updated information on new Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website progress and expected changes, Private Land Access Program revisions and new system abilities, and budget updates that may influence future management efforts across Washington State.

GOAL 3: PROMOTE A HEALTHY ECONOMY, PROTECT COMMUNITY CHARACTER, MAINTAIN AN OVERALL HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, AND DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE Region 4 (District 12) conflict: District 12 discussed elk damage to grass crops with a landowner in the Enumclaw area. Potential fencing repair/upgrades using volunteer labor was discussed. National Park Service Research: Biologist DeBruyn assisted a NPS biologist in retrieving trail cameras set in the Ross Lake Recreational Area. The project was initiated by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2005 to monitor the area for wolves and since has been taken over by the park service. No wolves were recorded over the winter. DeBruyn attempted to survey Hozomeen Lake for Loon occupancy but was turned back by heavy snow. Snoqualmie Wildlife Area: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Manager Brian Boehm continued pre-season equipment maintenance in preparation for the upcoming noxious weed and mowing season. Cross-Program Opportunity: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Manager Brian Boehm toured the Ebey Island Unit with two Customer Service personnel to provide a first-hand perspective of the

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Unit. Manager Boehm plans to invite them to view all of the Units to assist them in responding to user questions.

Manager Boehm hanging service road signs during Ebey Island tour Ungulate Management: Wildlife Conflict Specialist (WCS) Witman attended a presentation in the City of Bellingham where Wildlife Conflict Supervisor Caldwell presented information on deer and raccoons that coincided with the passing of the City of Bellingham no feeding ordinance. The educational forum was well attended by many of the city’s residents. As a follow up to this meeting, Witman and Supervisor Caldwell provided city residents with chemical deer repellant information. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Witman solicited help from a Master Hunter Volunteer to assist with several elk hazing’s throughout the week. Elk groups in Acme and Concrete were hazed several times this week in attempt to keep them off pasture and hay ground. Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreement Contract Changes: Wildlife Conflict Supervisor Caldwell attended a statewide conference to review and discuss new changes for Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreements. The new changes were implemented to ensure audit standards are met and provide increased accountability for goods and services. Sick or Injured Wildlife: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Witman responded to the City of Burlington for a report of a deer with and injured leg. After a short time of looking, the deer was located in a nearby grass field. As Wildlife Conflict Specialist Witman approached the deer, it was able to get up and move away. The deer had an unknown injury to the left rear leg, but did not appear distressed as it began actively browsing when Witman walked away.

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Deer with unknown injury to the left hind leg

Acme elk group getting an early morning visit

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REGION 5 GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE Elk Hoof Disease Survival Study: Three elk associated with the Elk Hoof Disease Survival Study died this week. The combined efforts of Regional Biologist Holman and Stephens, Statewide Elk Specialist Hoenes, Hoof Disease Coordinator Garrison, St. Helens Wildlife Area Manager Hauswald, Assistant Manager Wildermuth, and Volunteer Klundt assured that each animal was located and fully necropsied. The details of each mortality are described below: Elk 312 died in the Toutle Game Management Unit. The elk was captured in December of 2016 and re-captured in December of 2017. The elk was killed by and partially consumed by a cougar. The elk was in poor condition, with little fat over the heart, pericardium or kidneys, was not pregnant, and suffered from hoof disease. The biologists additionally took the opportunity to place a trail cam over the elk carcass in hopes of getting photos of the cougar returning to feed on elk 312.

Elk 312 Elk 410 died in the Loo-Wit Game Management Unit. The elk was captured December of 2017. The elk was located in a swift creek and needed to be moved prior to necropsy. Some ingenuity and a hand wench made collection of the needed samples possible. The elk was in poor condition, had little fat over the heart, pericardium or kidneys, was pregnant, and suffered from hoof disease. Cause of death for this elk is currently unknown although it appears to have been unable to escape the banks of the creek where it died.

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Elk 410 Elk 411 died in the Coweeman Game Management Unit. The elk was captured December of 2017. The elk was in very poor condition, with little fat over the heart, pericardium or kidneys, was not pregnant, and suffered from hoof disease. Cause of death for this elk is currently unknown although generally poor condition combined with immobility from hoof disease is likely. These elk are part of a four-year study implemented to estimate the survival of adult female cow elk affected by treponeme-associated hoof disease. The study also focuses on the effects of the disease on elk reproduction and movement patterns. Satellite-equipped collars provide email notifications when an elk has died. In most cases, Biologists are then able to locate elk very quickly, allowing for an investigation into the cause of death with minimal loss of evidence and before decomposition of tissues takes place. Samples of organ tissues including the heart, liver, lungs, multiple lymph nodes, kidney, mammary, and spleen as well as the hooves, one femur, and rumen contents were collected from each elk and sent to Colorado State University for further testing or held in reserve for future evaluation. Currently, there are 66 elk of the Mount St. Helens Herd that are monitored continuously for this study. For more information on treponeme-associated hoof disease in elk please visit the hoof disease webpage http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/health/hoof_disease/ Sample Collection: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, Biologist Wickhem, and Hoof Disease Coordinator Garrison collected samples from an elk that exhibited symptoms of Treponeme-Associated Hoof Disease. Samples were sent in to a lab for diagnostic testing. The elk meat was donated to a local charity for distribution.

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Sample collection Mudflow Mortality Survey: Biologists and Wildlife Area Managers along with 18 volunteers conducted a survey of elk mortalities on the Mt St Helens Wildlife Area. A total of 27 elk carcasses or parts of elk carcasses were documented that are all believed to have died over the past year. This is slightly below the ten year average of 30 elk mortalities.

See the graph below depicting the number of elk mortalities and the highest number of elk counted using the Wildlife Area during the winter months from 2009-2018.

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Whitenose Syndrome Investigations: Biologists Tobin, Holman, and Stephens followed up on reports of bat use at a bridge and private residences as part of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s response to the presence of the fungus that is responsible for white-nose syndrome in bats being discover in Washington. Biologists set up guano traps at two bridges where the guano will be collected and tested for the fungus. The bat colonies reported at two residences were discovered to be summer roosts so no bats were present during the visit. These two sites will be checked again during the summer to get a count of the number and species of bats. Peregrine Falcon Monitoring: Biologist Wickhem and Volunteer Anderson visited Beacon Rock State Park for a peregrine falcon survey. They observed at least one very active falcon in flight and perching on the south and east faces of Beacon Rock. The bird likely has a mate who is incubating a nest on the south face of the rock. The site will be considered occupied by peregrines for this nesting season, and will be visited again in May or June to check on the survival of the chicks. Bullfrog Electrofishing: Biologists Bergh and Wickhem joined Region 5 Fish Program

Biologist Brown, Bullfrog Removal Contractor Williams, and a representative from the Smith-Root Company to test Smith-Root’s Electro-frogger pole. The pole attaches to a typical backpack electrofisher and is uniquely designed to work for immobilization of frogs. After making a few adjustments, the set-up was used successfully to catch the adult bullfrogs that prey on juvenile western pond turtles. To be more effective, the set-up would need to be designed so that only one person was needed to operate the electrofisher and net the

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frogs. We are very appreciative to Biologist Brown for the use of Fish Program’s backpack electrofisher.

Bullfrog electrofishing Bat Colony Assessment: Biologists Bergh and Wickhem, White-nose Syndrome Coordinator Tobin, and Volunteers Hadley and Flick conducted a bat colony assessment at the Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery. The hatchery appears to have a colony of Yuma myotis bats that use one of their buildings as a maternity roost. A small number of bats were observed in the rafters of the upper level of one building during a tour given by hatchery staff. The group then did a colony emergence count during dusk and observed five bats fly out from two sides of the building. The information gained from the assessment will help guide the group when conducting the emergence counts during the official survey period in June and July. Emergence counts are being done at bat colonies across the state to learn more about bat populations before the spread of white-nose syndrome, which has devastated bat populations on the east coast. Brim Bar Garbage: Garbage dumping continues to be a problem at certain recreational units on the Wildlife Area. Three large bags of household garbage were removed from the Brim parking area by Wildlife Area staff. Staff often look through the garbage for any signs of the last known owner and were able to come up with a name. The name was turned over to the local Fish and Wildlife Enforcement officer who was able to make a visit to that person.

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Brim Bar garbage Kosmos Flats Weed Control: Wildlife Area staff members and an employee from Tacoma

Power have pulled over 300 Scotch broom plants on the dry lakebed around Riffe Lake. The plants are occurring because of the managed lower water levels by Tacoma Power. Mechanical or chemical applications on the Scotch broom will be applied as younger plants emerge later in the spring (KosmosScotch_1.jpg). Kosmos Flats weed control Turkey Hunting Season: Wildlife Area Manager Van Leuven and Assistant Manager Steveson answered many inquiries throughout the week from turkey hunters. Hunter turnout seems to be up from the past few years, which fortunately coincides with an apparent increase in the turkey population. Feedback from hunters indicates that turkeys seem to be less

vocal now that the season has opened, which makes locating birds more challenging. Road Maintenance: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife road maintenance crew graded Anderson Road, Old Headquarters Road, and began working on Grayback Road this week. They also placed large rocks around a campsite that has been a starting point for people

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driving off road, and cleaned ditches near culverts in the road that goes to Stinson Flat Campground. The crew will resume work on the Wildlife Area next week, focusing primarily on road grading.

KWA grading new rock and compacting rock Fuel Break Maintenance: Assistant Manager Steveson continued cutting brush and pruning limbs from trees within the fuel break corridor along Anderson Road. He also disposed of the slash by chipping it. Hazard Tree Removal: With permission from Manager Van Leuven, Department of Natural Resources fire crew personnel practiced felling dead trees in two Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife campgrounds. These trees had died within the past two years and threatened to fall on a camping spot or else on a frequently-used road. Department of Natural Resources fire suppression staff were able to complete specialized training by practicing on these trees, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife was able to eliminate a hazard to public safety through this arrangement. Two wood-cutting permits were issued to clean up the debris. GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCES. Trash Clean-up: Wildlife Conflict Specialist/Private Lands Biologist (WCS/PLB) Jacobsen worked with a group of Master Hunters and other volunteers to clean up trash that was dumped on private timber property. The timber company has historically enrolled over 60,000 acres in Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Feel Free to Hunt private lands access program. A rock pit was cleaned up of shotgun and rifle cartridges, glass, and other dumped trash. At another site, a fiberglass boat had been dumped and burned to the ground. Jacobsen and volunteers had to dismantle the remnants of the boat before it could be loaded in a truck. Several burned tires and a substantial collection of red plastic cups were also removed from the site. A big thank-you to all the volunteers who assisted with this project!

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Master Hunter and other volunteers dismantling and picking up a fiberglass boat that had been dumped and burned to the ground

Landowner Meeting: Wildlife Conflict Specialist/Private Lands Biologist Jacobsen met with a landowner who has his property enrolled in Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Feel Free to Hunt program and also allows Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to release pheasants on the site. In addition to discussing the access site, elk issues on a different piece of property also owned by the landowner were discussed. GOAL 3: USE SOUND BUSINESS PRACTICES, DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE. Hunter Education: Assistant Manager Vanderlip along with another certified instructor from the Cowlitz Wildlife Area Hunter Education Team assisted the Randle Team with a traditional Hunter Education class. Seventeen students signed up for the two day (16 hour) class with lunch provided both days by donations from local stores. The instructors educated the students on the material within the student manual using a variety of techniques to include PowerPoint

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presentations, videos, and role-playing. Instructors introduce the students to the firearms and field scenarios using field exercises and hands-on activities. At the conclusion of instruction on the second day, the student’s must successfully pass a 75-question test with a passing score of 80%. They then must successfully pass the skills evaluation and demonstrate their skills on the air rifle range. Sixteen of the students passed the class. Aggressive Deer: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen attempted to contact a landowner who had reported an aggressive deer in her yard. Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen will continue to try and contact the landowner over the next week to discuss the issue and offer recommendations on how to avoid conflicts with deer. Jacobsen may attempt to haze the deer if it continues to act aggressively. GOAL 4: MAINTAIN A HIGHLY SKILLED AND MOTIVATED WORKFORCE BY SUPPORTING OUR WORKFORCE, IMPROVING BUSINESS PROCESSES, AND INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY Youth Mentor Meeting: Wildlife Conflict Specialist Jacobsen, Biologist Bergh, and Biologist Johnson met with a young, aspiring biologist to discuss a career in the wildlife field. At 12 years old, the young man already had a substantial amount of knowledge of native wildlife species and biology. REGION 6 GOAL 1: CONSERVE AND PROTECT NATIVE FISH AND WILDIFE Common Loon: Biologist Tirhi spent considerable time kayaking and scoping the following water bodies in eastern Pierce County for the presence of nesting loons, Kapowsin, Tanwax, Echo, Chambers Bay. Surveys involved

1) Scanning from shorelines to extent possible using spotting scope followed by 2) Kayaking all available shoreline if not seen/heard by shore 3) Playing recorded loon calls over megaphone.

By protocol, each site should be surveyed three times between mid-April and mid-May. No loons were seen nor heard at Chambers Bay or Lake Tanwax. After searching and kayaking Lake Kapowsin for five hours and playing calls and then preparing to leave, Tirhi heard loons calling. Tirhi kayaked closer and located two loons both calling and bill dipping (e.g. breeding behavior). Tirhi then observed both from shore for 40 minutes at which point one loon dove and was not seen again by time Tirhi left the site. Tirhi also hiked the seven miles into Echo Lake, an alpine lake off Highway 410 on United States Forest Service lands but was unable to make it to the lake safely for survey. Tirhi plans to discuss the site with United States Forest Service biologist and attempt again if warranted with United States Forest Service/another Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff member/volunteer.

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Plenty of possible loon nesting platforms on the shores of Lake Kapowsin, Pierce County Peregrine Falcon: Biologist Tirhi received the following amazing photos from falcon volunteer and photographer F. Kanaiaupune Hyke of the Downtown Tacoma peregrine falcon pair who have recently initiated their 2008 nesting season with four eggs in the nest (similar to 2017). 11:53 –Female (‘Harriett’) in box

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12:23 – Harriett gets up and jumps out of the box….she reveals four EGGS!

12:24 – Male (‘Murray’) lands in the box

12:25 Murray walks over and covers the eggs

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Snowy Plover: Biologist Sundstrom finished installing protective fencing around nesting areas at Midway Beach. Snowy Plover Outreach: Public service announcements were aired on various radio stations during Friday evening and Saturday morning to guide recreational clam diggers to take actions that protect plovers including:

1) Stay out of posted areas 2) Don’t leave trash or food at the beach 3) Move away from posted nesting areas after digging is done.

GOAL 2: PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FISHING, HUNTING AND OTHER WILDLIFE-RELATED RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCES WWRP Land Acquisitions: Biologist Tirhi spent considerable time completing grant application materials for the purchase of one conservation easement and one fee-title acquisition on private property, both containing federally listed Oregon spotted frog critical habitat. This is her WWRP 2018 Oregon Spotted Frog Conservation grant application. Biologist Novack continued working on RCO grant applications and, conducted a quick aerial photography flight with Wildlife Area Manager Lowery to improve their application materials.

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Grayland acquisition site

Chehalis Floodplain Acquisition site (foreground)

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Portion of South Sound Prairie Acquisition Site Lake Tarboo: The Access team met Volunteer Riley Parker, a member of the Tarboo Ridge Coalition, to repair vandalism and storm damage at the Lake Tarboo Access. Riley contacted neighboring landowners to gain permission to access and brush out their property prior to fence repairs. Work included brushing out the fence line to prep for fence repairs, installing regulatory signs, and filling in erosion that is causing crevices with crushed rock. Mr. Parker previously has spent several hours brushing the fence lines and removing litter.

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Pleasant Harbor Danger Tree Removal: Access staff met Pacific Northwest Tree Service to have four dead danger trees removed. These trees were overhanging the access road and the adjacent parking lot. The access team assisted, by directing traffic to maintain a safe jobsite. Pacific Northwest Tree Service worked professionally and efficiently on this very dangerous job.

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Lawrence Lake: Access staff blocked off an illegal four-wheel drive path, installing rocks to prevent future damage.

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Lake Sutherland Graffiti Removal: Neighboring landowners advised Access Staff of offensive graffiti. Removal occurred the same week. Staff members also attended the Department of Ecology Litter Summit Meeting held in Olympia.