How do you count one of the more elusive ground animals? Very carefully.

A $240,000 contract to build a 12-inch water main on the bluffs leading to Five Mile Prairie was nixed by a majority of the City Council earlier this month, who said they were worried about the effect of construction on species of deer and bats that live in the area. Lawmakers also questioned why the city, and not a nearby developer, should pay for the cost of hooking up the system. 

Washington opened a limited spring chinook season on the Snake River on Tuesday and welcomed the return of fishing following a nearly six-week hiatus.

Running buddies Debra Trujillo-Gilbert and Mary Stockinger had the Bowl and Pitcher trailhead mostly to themselves when they set out early on the day more than 100 state parks, trails and boating sites across Washington opened for the first time since Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order took effect in late March.

Officer Doug King with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police is ready for today’s “opener.”

Washington’s annual wolf report, released Monday, was a mixed bag, according to regional conservation groups.

Washington’s wolf population grew at least 11% between 2018 and 2019, despite the death of 21 wolves from hunting, lethal removal and predation.

Washington wildlife managers received 7,798 comments about the future of wolves, with the majority of those comments coming from out-of-state.

Widespread fishing and hunting closures, which have raised the ire of many, may become more targeted, according to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind.

Like many, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists are working from home.

Washington wildlife managers approved more liberal, regionally specific, cougar hunting guidelines Friday.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is offering online hunter education courses, including a virtual field skill course. A student who previously took the main hunter education course online had to complete a live field skill course.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has extended a fishing ban and put the the spring turkey season on hold.

Washington state campgrounds will close this week to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while day-use areas and trails will remain open.

The state’s wildlife management agency received a much-needed bundle of money from the Legislature last week.

On a warm day in March, Ben Maletzke crouched beneath a gaggle of pine trees and examined a slight indentation in the shaded snow at his feet. Maletzke was in the Wedge Wolf pack’s territory north of Colville.

Next week, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife commission will consider four potential changes to Washington’s cougar hunting rules.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking the public’s help to provide information on 19 wildlife species as part of a periodic review of native populations, according to an agency news release.

More dismal steelhead news. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed the Chehalis River and its tributaries.