HOOK AND FUR By Bob Brown-á Ever since the Carlton Complex wildfire burned more than 25,000 acres (about 400 square miles) in north central Washington, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) wildlife biologists have been studying the effects the fire has had on the Methow and Okanogan river valleys habitat and its wildlife. Much of the area has a moon landscape appearance and although some natural regeneration has begun, biologist have concluded conditions are such that the area cannot support -álocal deer herds and the high-country animals that annually move to into the area during winter months. The Methow and Okanogan valleys provide winter range for approximately 14,000 mule deer. WDFW biologists estimate reducing the population by 7 percent will improve long-term restoration as well as the herd's overall vitality. Matt Monda, WDFW regional wildlife manager, said the department will issue more special hunting permits to help reduce the number of deer to a level that the remaining winter range can support. "We will be conservative in reducing the size of the herd because we are still assessing the amount of regrowth that is occurring, and we can not predict winter conditions. The additional deer harvest will be tightly controlled. No new permit application process or general season opportunities will be created," he said. Instead, additional permits will be drawn from unsuccessful applications for the special hunt drawing last spring. The new permits will go to youth, seniors, hunters with disabilities, and applicants for antlerless hunts in Game Management Units 224, 239 and 242. New permit holders will be notified this month for hunts scheduled in October and November. Monda added the Washington chapters of the Mule Deer Foundation are contributing funds for post-fire habitat restoration efforts. Mud snails alert-á
There are probably many area residents who have never heard of New Zealand mud snails, and if they have probably never gave them a second thought. New Zealand mud snails are an aquatic invasive species that can disrupt the food chain in a lake or river by out-competing native snails and water insects, causing fish populations to suffer because native snails and insects are their main food source. Mud snails have no natural predators or parasites and can live 24 hours without water and live up to 50 days on a damp surface. For the WDFW, it has been an ongoing battle to control unwanted aquatic species. The agency needs public involvement and help to do so, especially with regards to New Zealand mud snails. First discovered in Idaho in 1987, the snails are now found in 10 western states as well as in the Great Lakes. New Zealand mud snails are tiny- about one-eighth of an inch long and due to their size can easily be picked up and transported from one river or lake to another on people's boots, fishing equipment or boats. Fish can also transport the snails which can survive passing through their digestive tracts. New Zealand mud snails initially were detected in the Columbia River in 1996 and have since spread to several state lakes and rivers, including Olympia's Capital Lake, Chehalis River and Lake Washington. Once established, mudsnails are difficult and costly to remove without damaging the aquatic habitat. Allen Pleus, WDFW aquatic invasive species coordinator is asking anglers and boaters recreating in areas where the department has posted signs informing them of possible mud snail invasion to minimize their spread by cleaning, draining and drying their boots and equipment. To learn more about New Zealand mud snails please visit the department's website. -á-á Bob Brown lives in Roy and is a freelance outdoors writer. He can be contacted at robertb1285@fairpoint.net
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment