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Southwest Washington
Wildlife Reports
March
24, 2008
Game
Management Division
Region 5 Deer Management: The annual Spring survey of deer on and near
the Klickitat Wildlife Area was conducted on the 17th and 18th of March. Wildlife
Biologist Holman, Klickitat Wildlife Area Manager VanLeuven, Fisheries Biologist
Cady, retired Klickitat Wildlife Area Manager Morrison, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement
Officer Vance, and Volunteer Renan conducted the surveys. A total of 305 deer
were observed during the effort with 238 classified. The number of classified
deer was significantly fewer than the 17-year average of 528 deer.
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| Fawn
to adult ratio recorded on the annual Spring Survey during the past 29
years and the number of deer classified during the past 17 years. [ Click chart to enlarge ] |
Significant in addition to the total number of deer observed, is the annual ratio of fawns to adults. Young deer are more likely to succumb to harsh winter conditions and food shortages; therefore the ratio provides a barometer for winter severity. During severe winters, fawns suffer mortality at a greater rate than adults. thereby reducing the ratio of fawns to adults.
This year's survey resulted in a ratio of 48 fawns per 100 adult deer. This ratio represents a value that is effectively equal to the mean ratio observed in the 29-year history of the survey. The 2008 survey indicates that, in spite of unusually high amounts of snowfall in the Cascades, the deer present on or near the Klickitat Wildlife Area suffered little in the way of winter losses during 2007/08. Thanks to all those that participated in the annual spring survey.
Upcoming Survey Preparations: Mailings were completed this week to volunteers signed up for elk and goose surveys in April to comply with safety policy requirements. New guidelines require detailed briefings on agency policies prior to volunteers participating in field activities. Equipment repairs were undertaken and supplies were obtained for the upcoming game and diversity surveys in April and May.
Late Season Goose: Wildlife Biologist Holman (District 9) and Fish and Wildlife Technician Ridenour (District 10) collaborated on many task during the goose season, which just recently ended. One of the last tasks following the closure of the 2008 late season goose hunts, was to transport the last Goose check station trailer to storage. The late season goose hunts with Advanced Hunters provide hazing for local farmers with goose damage complaints.
Wildlife
Diversity Division
Bald Eagle Management: District staff are very busy with salvage logging
proposals on timberlands near eagle nests that were impacted by the December
2007 storm. High winds caused scattered tree blow down and some eagle nests
may have been impacted. A local land manager, Hancock Forest Resources, has
volunteered to cost share a flight in the lower Colombia River to assess eagle
nest territory impacts. Region V is pleased that Gretchen Blatz from our Olympia
staff will be able to participate in the flights Blatz manages the eagle nest
data on a statewide basis. District Biologist Miller has written 3 formal eagle
plans and several no -conditions plans in the past week.
District Wildlife Biologist Miller and Fish and Wildlife Technician Ridenour verified a new bald eagle nest. The nest was reported to District Biologist Miller from a local DNR employee. The nest status is unknown at this time since bald eagles were neither observed in the area nor occupying the nest at the time of District 10's site visit. District 10 will continue to monitor use of the nest site. The local diking district employees will also note bald eagle presence and any possible use of the nest; they have observed eagles in the area recently. The nest site was reported to the WDFW bald eagle database manager.
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