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Southwest Washington Wildlife Reports
Fred Dobler, Wildlife Program Manager

January 9, 2006

Game Division

Mid Winter Waterfowl Inventory– District Wildlife Biologist Miller completed the Wahkiakum county portion of the statewide mid-winter waterfowl inventory. Conditions preceding the count dramatically influenced duck number and distribution in the WDFW portion of the count. One the week and weekend prior to the survey, heavy rain and wind produced flooding conditions that shifted duck use to waters not in the survey or entirely out of the survey area. Only 46 ducks were observed, the majority were Hooded Mergansers and Greater Scaup. A few flocks of geese were also observed. Data will be forwarded to Olympia for inclusion in the report for the Pacific Flyway.

Wildlife Biologist Woodin's waterfowl survey effort in Lewis County yielded a nice array of species. Plentiful rainfall had created ponded areas in fields throughout the county providing waterfowl many choices for food and rest. The most numerous puddle duck species seen were 3,032 pintails, 2,310 widgeon, 706 green-winged teal, 411 mallards and 230 shovelers. Diving ducks seen were 306 ring-necked ducks, 77 bufflehead, and 35 scaup. Of the 1,313 Canada geese observed, most were western or cackler sub-species. Also, a single snow goose was seen in one flock of Canada geese. And finally, 26 Trumpeter swans were seen in the Lower Newaukum River Valley.

Biologist Holman completed the mid-winter waterfowl survey from the mouth of the Washougal River, up the Columbia to Bonneville dam. The results of the survey tallied: 1,023 ducks (primarily scaup on the Columbia and mallards on Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge), 1,274 Canada geese (mostly cacklers on Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge) and 30 swans (24 of which were identified as tundra swans on Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge). This year's survey included nearly identical numbers of ducks but roughly double the number of geese, compared to the 2005 survey. Note that this year the swans were found feeding on the main lake directly in front of the observation point at Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Sometimes the swans are found in the small pond at the western end of Beacon Rock State Park. Those interested in viewing the swans should try each location.

Mount St Helens Wildlife Area Elk Survey– District Biologist Miller conducted a survey of elk numbers in compliance with the winter monitoring plan for elk on the Wildlife Area. Winds were fairly brisk and made composition of elk impossible. At total of 62 elk were observed in 3 groups at the east end of the WA. The count may have been influenced by the presence of people on the mud flow which might have spooked the elk and sent them into cover in the area adjoining the WA.

A local high school class is being recruited to help with these surveys . They are presently monitoring radio telemetry signals for 3 elk in the valley bottom and will add conducting a total count on the mud flow to that effort. If they observed mortalities, they will contact WDFW and we will examine the carcass with the students to determine cause of death.

Region 5 Post-Season Deer Surveys– Biologists Holman, Woodin and Anderson along with Klickitat Wildlife Area Manager Ellenburg conducted ground-based surveys of the post-hunting season deer herd in GMUs 382 (East Klickitat) and 588 (Grayback). In GMU 382, the survey resulted in a total of 165 deer classified. The fawn to doe ratio was 57:100 and the buck to doe ratio was 15 to 100. In GMU 588, a total of 364 deer were classified. The fawn to doe ratio was 59 to 100 and the buck to doe ratio was 2 to 100.

A post-hunting season goal of 15 bucks per 100 does has been established as a state-wide benchmark per the Game Management Plan. Note that although located in Region 5, GMU 382 is managed as a mule-deer area, with a three-point or larger antler restriction for all user-groups and a nine-day general rifle season. GMU is also predominantly private property. The survey reveals that this management strategy and ownership pattern is resulting in adequate hunting-season escapement in GMU 382.

In contrast, GMU 588 is managed under a two-point antler restriction and has roughly double the number of general hunting season days. Additionally, GMU 588 has lots of accessible public (Klickitat Wildlife Area) and timber company owned lands. The results of this survey indicate that our current management of this deer population is failing to meet the buck escapement goal. This is the second consecutive year that the post-season survey has revealed buck to doe ratios of less than the goal and the average has been just 8 bucks per 100 over the past three years.

WDFW is proposing alternatives that would modify hunting seasons in an effort to address this management concern and improve hunting opportunity. Those interested in learning more about the proposed changes to deer management in GMU 588, other Regional hunting-related alternatives and a variety of statewide issues are encouraged to attend the upcoming public meeting. The meeting will be January 17th, at 7pm in the Water Resources Center at 4600 SE Columbia Way.

Marked Cackling Canada Goose– On January 4, a hunter came to the Woodland goose hunting check station with a cackling Canada goose that had a metal clip in the webbing of its right foot. No other marking on the goose was apparent, i.e. no neck collar or leg band. The tag was 02 on the underside and 047 on the upper side. Biologist VanLeuven recognized the markings and passed the information along. Craig Ely of the U.S. Geological Service identified the markings and offered the following reply to WDFW, "Thanks for sending along the information on the web-tagged cackling Canada goose. The bird was tagged on 20 June 2002 at our study site along the Kashunuk River, outer Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta, Alaska. For a number of years we placed metal webtags on hatched, or nearly-hatched goslings (as is the case for 02-047) to monitor movements of goslings from nest sites to brood rearing areas, and to determine gosling growth rates (a portion of the web-tagged birds are captured again just before fledging; the growth rate from time of hatch until recapture some 40 days later gives us a measure of forage conditions). Thanks again for the information. Craig". This is a good example of interagency coordination on waterfowl management and good recognition by Biologist VanLeuven.

Wildlife Diversity Division

Columbian White-tailed Deer Relocation Project– Planning continues for a late March relocation of Columbian White-tailed Deer to Fisher Island and other local areas. As a result of the past mortality problem with this project, several changes have been implemented. New hobbles, blindfolds and transport bags are being secured. Crews experienced in handling animals will be used to prevent stress build up on the deer after they are captured in drive nets. This is a cooperative project with USFWS, ODFW and WDFW.