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Southwest Washington Wildlife Reports
Brian Calkins, Acting Wildlife Program Manager

December 11, 2006

New Wildlife Program Manager: Sandra Jonker joined the Region 5 Wildlife Program on November 30, 2006 and has enjoyed her first week with WDFW. Most recently Sandra served as the assistant leader for the Bear Management Program with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. She has lived and worked in the United States, Africa, Asia, and Europe on a variety of wildlife, habitat, and human-wildlife issues that include work on game as well as endangered species. Sandra received her International and French Baccalaureate in biology and philosophy in St. Germain en Laye, France, and earned her B.S. and M.S. in wildlife and fisheries biology at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She concluded 2 years of academic training with the Human Dimensions of Wildlife Research Unit at Colorado State University and then completed her Ph.D. in wildlife and fisheries conservation at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She subsequently served as a postdoctoral research associate with the Human Dimensions Research Unit in the Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University.

Region 5 Wildlife Areas:

Shillapoo Wildlife Area Watchable Wildlife: Waterfowl hunting is not the only reason to visit the Shillapoo Wildlife Area this time of year. A wide number of other species that use the area are popular with both hunter and non-hunters for viewing purposes. On a recent monitoring visit to the site Wildlife Area, Manager Calkins observed several raptor species including Northern Harriers, Ruffed Legged Hawks, and Kestrels. Sandhill Cranes and Great Egrets were observed using field and shoreline areas. Bald Eagles and Swans as well as a wide variety of other birds are also commonly seen during the winter months and many visitors come to the area simply to watch them in the area.

Two New Blinds Added at Shillapoo: Habitat technician Boylan and Tony Castella, a local volunteer working with materials provided for through a state migratory bird stamp grant, have built and installed two new blinds on the South and Vancouver Lake Units of the wildlife area. Most of our existing blinds are located on the North Unit of the wildlife area and have been quite popular with waterfowl hunters. We have felt that having the blinds located in one area may concentrate hunters, some of whom have voiced concerns about crowding. It is hoped that providing blinds in other areas may help to distribute the hunting effort more evenly. Although the major use of these blinds will probably be by hunters, they are also available for those who may want to use them for observing waterfowl and other wildlife in the area.

Cowlitz Wildlife Area

Pheasant Release at Kosmos: The Kosmos release site is still open for pheasant hunting until December 15th; however, there are no future scheduled releases. The release site is clearly identified with pheasant release signs from the Glenoma road. Remember, when hunting the CWA for pheasant, steel shot is required.

Riffe Lake Water Levels: Riffe Lake’s water levels are once again falling and more areas of the lakeshore are being exposed. This exposure increases the likelihood of vehicular intrusion into sensitive areas easily damaged by motor vehicle access. The CWA staff have placed signs prohibiting motor vehicle use around the perimeter of these sensitive areas. Please respect these signs.

Peterman Hill Unit - Road Maintenance: CWA staff member Morris has maintained approximately nine miles of roadside on the Peterman Hill Unit with the hydraulic arm brush cutter. The Peterman Unit has 37 miles of gravel roads of which a large portion is gated. Much of the road system is maintained for forest management, hunting opportunity, and fire prevention.

Davis Lake Unit - Hydraulic Permit: CWA staff met with Habitat Biologist Bell regarding a plugged culvert on one of the access roads into the Davis Lake Unit. A permit has been issued for culvert maintenance and, for now, a temporary fix will be put into place until drier weather arrives.

Klickitat Wildlife Area

Deer Range Check: Wildlife Area Manager Van Leuven noted range conditions for deer in the Soda Springs Unit of the Klickitat Wildlife Area on December 8. The south-facing slopes in the breaks of the Klickitat River Canyon are snow-free in many areas. All other aspects in these lower elevations have 1 to 3 inches of snow. On the plateau above the river, snow averages 3 inches deep, with a moderate crust due to daily freeze-thaw cycles. Small areas are clear of snow in open, exposed fields. Roads on the Soda Springs Unit are covered with compact snow and ice, but are currently drivable

Hunters are reporting seeing deer, and evidence of kills was observed during the range check. Three deer hides were found in the Canyon Creek Campground, and bloody snow near the lower end of the Sheep Canyon Rd. may indicate another kill. All hunters interviewed this week have seen deer. One hunter, who was working the east breaks of Canyon Creek, observed a herd of at least 40 animals, including 2 very large bucks.

Wildlife Diversity Division

Western Pond Turtle: Biologists Anderson and Van Leuven are currently conducting an evaluation of habitat project needs for the recently acquired acreage at Sondino Ranch, Klickitat Wildlife Area. This 32-acre parcel was acquired to provide additional protection to WDFW's ownership of western pond turtle habitat in the Columbia River Gorge. Proposed projects include wetland enhancement, weed control, fence building, and meadow restoration. WDFW hopes to complete these projects with remaining funds from an IAC grant that was used to acquire the property.

Over 100 tundra swans and other waterfowl foraging and resting in the flood plain of Salmon Creek in Clark County.

Wildlife Viewing: Early winter cold weather has brought numerous waterfowl into SW Washington. Species that are relatively rare in the region have been sighted recently including long-tailed ducks and snow geese. Tundra swans have also arrived in substantial numbers. The birds are easily seen from the County trail system along Salmon Creek.

Game Management Division

SW Washington Canada Goose Season Area 2A: Those participating in SW Washington's Area 2A goose hunting enjoyed average success during the initial hunt period. Four check stations, where hunters are required to bring their geese for species identification, are operated on each hunt day. The stations report a total of 285 hunters having harvested a total of 554 geese during the hunt period spanning November 11 through November 26.

Goose hunting reopened on December 6th and continues each Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday through January 28th 2007. Those interested in participating in the Area 2A goose hunt are encouraged to review the special requirements that are detailed in the Waterfowl Hunting Pamphlet. The special seasons in 2A are designed to protect populations of the dusky Canada goose.

Elk Body Condition Monitoring: District 10 biologists are in the process of collecting teeth and organs (heart and kidneys) of antlerless elk harvested this season. The organs are visually assessed for fat levels and combined with the age and reproductive condition of the animal to achieve an index of body condition. Successful hunters of elk in both the Mount Saint Helen’s and Willapa elk herds are submitting samples. While ongoing this December, 10 samples have already been submitted from November hunters.