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Southwest Washington Wildlife Reports
Brian Calkins, Acting Wildlife Program Manager

January 8, 2007

Region 5 Wildlife Areas:

Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area
Mt. St. Helens Elk count: District Wildlife biologist Miller conducted the monthly monitoring count of elk on the wildlife area this week. A total of 98 elk were observed on the wildlife area with another 10-17 in the Coldwater Ridge areas. The lower count may be due to somewhat milder conditions during the past week and the fact that the recent special permit hunts probably caused elk to disperse. Several large bull groups were present on the mudflow and calf numbers were high. Calf ratios may be biased due to the removal of cow elk during the recent special permit hunts. Elk were well distributed over the entire wildlife area. There were no heavy concentrations of elk noted. Elk were also observed near the Coldwater Ridge visitor’s center in areas of open south facing slopes.

Cowlitz Wildlife Area
2007 Winter Waterfowl Survey: Staff of the CWA spent three days visiting area lakes, ponds, and flooded areas to identify and count waterfowl species. The staff visited all the priority 1 and priority 2 sites (nine sites). This information is part of the annual migratory waterfowl survey.

Riffe Lake / Kosmos Flats: Water levels on Riffe Lake are lower during the winter months, which exposes large expanses of muddy lake bottom, especially on the east end of the lake. Visitors to the wildlife area, especially the Kosmos Flats, are reminded it is unlawful to remove petrified wood, minerals, fossils, or artifacts.

Recreation Information - 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 has placed signs prohibiting motor vehicle use around the perimeter of these sensitive areas. Please respect these signs.

Watchable Wildlife: Early morning hours should be fruitful in spotting the local elk herd on the Davis Lake unit of the wildlife area. The bald eagles have returned to the Tilton River forested corridor across the highway from the Cowlitz Wildlife Area office.

Wintering deer found in GMU 388

Game Management Division

Region 5 Post-Season Deer Surveys: Biologist Holman and Acting Klickitat Wildlife Area Manager VanLeuven conducted an aerial survey of the post-hunting season deer herd in GMU 388 (Grayback). District Wildlife Biologist Anderson provided the ground support and radio contact for the flight. The survey conditions were excellent with clear skies, little wind, and a largely snow-covered backdrop for the effort. Additional ground-based surveys covered the more accessible portions of the GMU to provide a comprehensive sample of the post-season deer population. During the surveys, a total of 678 deer were observed with 589 classified. The fawn to doe ratio was 63 to 100 and the buck to doe ratio was 16 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, and containing mule and black-tailed deer as well as hybrid animals, GMU 388 is now managed as a mule-deer area. A three-point or larger antler restriction for all user-groups was implemented in 2006 and the general rifle season was shortened to 14 days. During the period spanning 2003 through 2005, Grayback was hunted under a more liberal two-point restriction and offered a longer, general rifle season. Post-season buck to doe ratios under the prior management strategy averaged just 8 bucks per 100 does annually. The survey indicates that this change in management strategy has resulted in improved post-hunting-season escapement of bucks in GMU 388. WDFW will continue to monitor the post-season deer population in GMU 388 in future years.

Winter Waterfowl: Biologist Anderson completed a mid-winter waterfowl survey on the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to John Day Dam. Final results have not yet been compiled, but overall numbers appear to be down from previous years. Canada goose numbers were especially low in traditional areas below John Day Dam. Weather was seasonally warm and open water was observed throughout the survey region. Of special note was a congregation of 60 bald eagles at the mouth of the Klickitat River. These birds were concentrated on a large mud flat that provided numerous fish carcasses following flood conditions the previous day.