A changing wildlife landscape

John Andrews’ 35-year career as a state wildlife biologist has spanned a considerable range of changes in Washington. Among them:

•In 1974, Federal Judge George Boldt issues a historic ruling affirming Native American treaty fishing rights and allocating 50 percent of the annual salmon catch to treaty tribes.

•Wildlife biologists get more legal clout in state shoreline regulations and growth management.

•”Resource allocation,” enacted in 1984, requires deer and elk hunters to choose a weapon – archery, muzzleloader or modern rifle – before buying a tag.

•Lead shot banned for hunting waterfowl in 1991.

•Departments of Game and Fisheries merge into one agency in 1994.

•Wild turkeys successfully introduced in Washington.

•Decline of Blue Mountains elk herd, which attracted about 18,000 hunters in the late 1970s before spike-management restrictions. Last year’s hunter estimate: 4,000.

•Boom in farmers enrolling in Conservation Reserve Program during the 1990s.

•Lower Snake River Compensation Plan secures fish hatcheries and wildlife habitat through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help mitigate some of the wildlife losses caused by four dams; salmon and steelhead recovery plans adopted.

•Peregrine falcon removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species in 1999; bald eagle de-listed in 2007.

•Sage and sharp-tailed grouse listed as threatened in Washington in 1998.

•Trapping and hunting bears and cougars with hounds restricted or banned by state initiative.

•About 60 moose roamed in northeastern Washington in 1974. This year’s estimate: 1,500-2,000.

•Exotic species such as walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike take root in region’s waters.

•Special youth hunting seasons adopted.

•Major regional land acquisitions, guided by new emphasis on prioritizing prime wildlife habitat, include the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area in Lincoln County, thousands of acres of elk range in the Blue Mountains and, most recently, a prime wildlife area along the West Branch of the Little Spokane River.

•First two breeding wolf packs confirmed in more than 60 years.

•Washington’s human population increases from 3.5 million in 1974 to more than 6.5 million.