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Southwest Washington Wildlife Reports
Fred Dobler, Wildlife Program Manager

February 13

Cowlitz Wildlife Area: Pesticide Applicator Recertification– Assistant Manager Richard Vanderlip attended the two-day pesticide recertification class. This meets his recertification obligations for the 2006 recertification period.

Cowlitz Wildlife Area: Oxbow Lake Gate Breach– Habitat Technician Casey Morris tank trapped the sides of the access gate at Oxbow Lake after enforcement discovered that an individual(s) had driven around the gate. It is possible that the breach occurred in order for waterfowl hunters to drop their boats off at he lake’s edge.

Watchable Wildlife– The bald eagles have returned to the Tilton River forested corridor across the highway from the Cowlitz Wildlife Area office and on the flats at the east end of Riffe Lake. Early morning visits should be fruitful.

Recreation Information: Riffe Lake Water Levels– Tacoma Power updates lake levels and other recreation information on its toll-free Fishing and Recreation Line every weekday at 1-888-502-8690.

Wildlife Diversity Division

Townsend's Big-eared Bat Hibernation Surveys– Biologist Holman assisted U.S. Forest Service Staff and volunteers with a survey of caves known to be used as winter hibernation sites by Townsend's big-eared bats. Townsend's bats are listed as Candidates for listing in the State of Washington and are a Species of Concern at the Federal level. The number of bats located on the survey was slightly lower than historical records, however, the entrance to one significant cave couldn't be located due to snow cover.

Townsend's bats spend the winter inside of caves and in a state of hibernation. The bats allow their body temperature to drop to the ambient cave temperature, thus greatly reducing their metabolic rate. Through this means, the bats are able to survive several months of not feeding. During this period, the bats may loose more than half of their body weight. Disturbance of the bats during their winter hibernation period can be fatal as fat and energy reserves must last the animals until spring. Anyone who finds caves while hiking or exploring Washington during the winter months is reminded not to enter the caves and disturb this important and very sensitive species.

Routine maintenance on camera monitoring stations was conducted last week. The infrared-triggered camera stations are used to keep track of Columbian white-tailed deer that were released onto Fisher Island in the Columbia River over the past three years.

Columbian White-tailed Deer– Routine maintenance on camera monitoring stations was conducted by District Biologist Miller and Wildlife Biologist Woodin last week. The infrared-triggered camera stations are used to keep track of Columbian white-tailed deer that were released onto Fisher Island in the Columbia River over the past three years.

Coincidentally, biologists with the US Fish and Wildlife Service were conducting aerial surveys for Columbian white-tailed deer using Forward-looking Infrared (FLIR) technology. They located 10 deer on Fisher Island while the camera stations were being serviced. The two types of monitoring (camera and FLIR) enhance each other since the FLIR cannot differentiate between Columbian white-tailed and black-tailed deer.

An additional release is planned for this March, to supplement previous releases. The ultimate goal is to reach sustaining populations of Columbian white-tailed deer on multiple islands in the Lower Columbia River.

Outreach/Education– Biologist Anderson is working with the USFWS, USFS and Oregon Zoo in sponsoring an Americorps intern for this next year. The plan is for the intern to assist with sandhill crane, Oregon spotted frog and western pond turtle field activities this spring and summer. During this same period the intern will develop an education program to take into local schools during the fall of 2006. The education program will focus on conservation issues associated with the three wildlife species the intern worked with the previous spring and summer. In addition, the intern will develop a program for volunteers in the community to assist with these projects.

Game Division

Wildlife Manager Fred Dobler and Stacie Kelsy staff the agency booth at the Pacific NW Sportsman's Show.

Pacific NW Sportsman's Show– Region 4 Wildlife Program staff assisted with other agency staff in participating at the International Sportsman Show in Portland, OR. This event is always well attended by the public and is a good opportunity to discuss our programs.

Elk Management: Trout Lake Firearm Restriction– Biologist Anderson has been working with local landowners in the Trout Lake valley to develop a plan for firearm restrictions associated with the general and late elk hunts. Many complaints have been made this year about residential safety issues and elk damage. Agency staff are working with landowners to develop a plan for addressing both issues.