Washington Department of Fish and WildlifeWDFW Region 5 - Southwest Washington

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Southwest Washington Wildlife Reports
October 20, 2008

Manager VanLeuven released pheasants with the WCC crew at the Goldendale Hatchery Unit.
Manager VanLeuven released pheasants with the WCC crew at the Goldendale Hatchery Unit.

Region 5 Wildlife Areas
Klickitat Wildlife Area: Pheasant Release: Manager VanLeuven released pheasants with the WCC crew at the Goldendale Hatchery Unit. A total of 190 birds were released at the three Klickitat County sites. The pheasants looked very healthy and had nice plumage. Volunteer Johnson helped coordinate the effort and transported and released birds with Chris Cerna, Department of Corrections and Bruce Ault (WDFW) also assisted with the release. This activity marked the end of the season for the Washington Conservation Corps and their work at the Klickitat Wildlife Area.

Hunter Surveys: Manager VanLeuven conducted hunter success surveys on the Soda Springs Unit and the survey results are as follows: Saturday, October 18: 66 hunters contacted, 3 deer checked. The deer were all bucks: one adult 3 x 3 point, one 3 x 4 point (age unknown), and one 3 x 2 point (age unknown). Hunters in one camp reported that two 3 point bucks had been taken by their group on Friday. These deer had been transported to a locker by the end of that day. Sunday, October 19: 31 hunters contacted, 0 deer checked. One hunter collected loose barbed wire near his camp for disposal by the wildlife area manager, which was appreciated.

Fewer campers were on the Klickitat Wildlife Area this year during the weekend surveys. Only about half the usual number of campers were seen, with many choice camping spots unoccupied. Traffic on the KWA roads was lighter also.

Game Management Division
Packwood Public Meeting: Wildlife Program and Law Enforcement staff from Olympia and the Region held a public meeting in Packwood to have the opportunity for discussion with residents of the Packwood area regarding 2 of the 3-year hunting package proposals that have generated a lot of interest. Game Manager Ware facilitated the meeting and the public provided their thoughts on the issue as well as what they perceived as viable solutions to elk damage in the Cowlitz valley. The meeting was well attended with just under 200 people present; two dignitaries Representatives Alexander and Orcutt attended the meeting as well.

Wildlife Diversity Division
BirdFest: Biologists Anderson and Prince attended the annual BIRDFEST wildlife festival at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. WDFW set up a booth at the vendor/agency venue and both WDFW biologists assisted with field trips to observe sandhill cranes flying to and from their communal night roost. The weather was outstanding this year and up to 500 sandhill cranes were observed. In addition, an exceptionally large number of Canada geese, primarily cacklers, have arrived early this year at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.

Draft Wolf Conservation and Management Plan: Biologist Holman read and prepared comments on the Draft Wolf Conservation and Management Plan. Those interested in learning more about the current status of wolves in Washington should visit the WDFW website at www.wdfw.wa.gov and select gray wolf conservation and management from the main page.


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