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Southwest Washington Wildlife Reports
Fred Dobler, Wildlife Program Manager

February 27, 2006

Region 5 Access Program

Wahkiakum County Fire District 4 adopted the access site at the Beaver Creek Hatchery Complex.

Adopt an Access: Beaver Creek– The Wahkiakum County Fire District 4 has a satellite facility next to our access site at the Beaver Creek Hatchery Complex. Volunteer fire fighter Shannon Wills asked Lands Agent chuck Leidy about the site, saying that they needed a place to park when they held meetings at the fire hall. He told her that if the fire district would adopt the access and maintain it, WDFW would agree to allow them to park there. It's a little quid pro quo.

Wildlife Diversity Division

Columbian White tailed deer Recovery Team Meeting– District Wildlife Biologist Miller attended the CWTD Recovery Team meeting as the Washington representative. The meeting reviewed the recent events and populations status of both the Roseburg, Oregon and Lower Columbia River Distinct Population Segments (DPS) of the CWTD. The Roseburg population has been de-listed by both the USFWS and ODFW. The monitoring plan for the Roseburg population is still in draft form but many of the important functions are being carried out. Some landowner activities have not taken place and the USFWS and the Recovery team may be involved in sending correspondence to the landowner to increase habitat improvements and protection for the deer.

The situation for the LCR DPS is more tenuous. Trend data shows a decline in total deer numbers and recruitment of young is not very good. Predation of fawns continues to be a problem. The Team suggested that long term predator control may be required for this population to ever flourish. As a comparison, the Roseburg area has had predator control in place since the 1960's and that may be one of the factors that has allowed that population to increase to the 5-6,000 animals now present. The predator control is directed at coyotes that are preying on livestock. Increases in habitat that are set aside for the deer is very encouraging. The cooperative project underway to expand the deer's range is also a bright spot to create a 3rd stable secure viable sub population.

The general feeling of the Team was that the LCR may not be recovered at this time.

USFWS will be discussing a de-listing proposal and proposing funding the assist the LCR population in achieving population recovery.

Game Division

California Bighorn Sheep. Photo by WDFW biologist, Patterson

Bighorn Sheep Habitat Evaluation– Special Species Section Manager Martorello, District 9 Biologist Anderson, Wenatchee District Biologist Patterson, WA Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep member Jerry Tyrrell and Biologist Holman conducted a field visit to evaluate potential bighorn sheep habitat in Region 5. GIS work indicated that two areas in the eastern portion of Region 5 may offer a suitable mix of Escape Terrain, Lambing Range and Foraging habitat for California bighorns. The sheep require steep slopes including cliffs, rock outcroppings and other complex topography relatively close to south facing hills upon which to feed along with unobstructed access to permanent water. The field visit helped to substantiate that a large area in the upper Klickitat River appears to be suitable sheep habitat. Additional, more detailed analysis of the area will follow.

Bighorn sheep reintroductions have been attempted in this area previously and remnant animals from those efforts are thought to persist in the vicinity of the earlier releases. In 1970, eight bighorns were released in the area. The final animal from this release is thought to have died after being hit by a vehicle in May of 1975. In 1995, a reintroduction of several animals was again conducted. Again very small numbers of sheep were released and the population has not grown. However, in spite of the small founding population, bighorns persist in the upper Klickitat. Specifically, District Biologist Anderson observed a ewe and a lamb in the summer of 2004 and a group of 3-4 rams was observed by a local resident in 2005.

Current, specific locations of any bighorn sheep in the vicinity of the upper Klickitat River are desired by WDFW. Anyone with information on sheep sightings in this area within the past 12 months is encouraged to call WDFW Region 5 at 360-696-6211 with any details they can provide.