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Southwest Washington
Wildlife Reports
December
15, 2008
Game
Management Division
Hunter Access: Region 3 Biologists Keller and Hand assisted Region 5
Biologist Holman by conducting the habitat related portion of the contractual
duties to maintain hunter access to Hancock Forest Management lands in Klickitat
County. Keller and Hand used ATVs to plant 400 pounds of a grass/legume seed
mix along approximately 5 miles of disturbed roadbeds. The seed mix is purchased
by Hancock and planted by WDFW staff. The resulting grasses and forbs provide
forage for elk, deer, and turkeys while stabilizing areas of exposed soil.
In addition to the habitat related activities mentioned above, Hancock Forest Management has allowed walk-in access to their Klickitat County forest lands for more than ten years. Foot, horse, and bicycle access beyond the gates into approximately 85,000 acres is facilitated by this relationship. Additionally, Hancock has been an active participant in the re-introduction of bighorn sheep into the Klickitat River basin and various turkey management efforts.
Thanks to lead Forester Jim Schleusner for his efforts to continue access for hunting on Hancock lands, improve habitat for wildlife, and for his commitment to the future of hunting through his work as a hunter education instructor. Finally, thanks to Hand and Keller for their willingness to travel to help keep this important hunter access program in place.
Hoof Rot: District Biologist Miller, Biologist Prince, Officer Martin, Officer Holden, WDFW veterinarian, and WDFW veterinary assistant toured the Boistfort Valley in preparation for the upcoming elk hoof rot study. Over multiple years, landowners in the area and Officer Martin have observed many limping elk in the valley. An agency study of the causes and type of hoof rot affecting these elk will begin in January of 2009. This study will involve the collection of infected elk as well as a control group of uninfected animals. During the tour, staff identified potential collection sites and talked to local landowners about what they have observed in the local elk herds. The wildlife program would like to thank Officer Martin for all of his assistance and knowledge with this project
Mt. St. Helens Mudflow Winter Elk Count: Biologist Prince and District Biologist Miller conducted the first winter elk count on the Mount Saint Helen's Wildlife Area; 33 elk were observed. Weather conditions in the area were mild for this time of year and more elk are suspected to arrive as more snow falls in the higher elevations. Hunter kills were also marked in an effort to distinguish true winter kills from bone piles left by hunters.
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