collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing  (Read 8642 times)

Offline Ridgeratt

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2008
  • Posts: 5884
  • IBEW 73 (Retired) Burden on the working class.
Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« on: March 11, 2022, 08:06:04 AM »
Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-Washington's-kettle-range


Eli Francovich / The Spokesman-Review
In mid-October 1963, a young woman hunting grouse north of Newport, Washington, shot what she thought was a bobcat.

She was wrong. She had in fact killed a Canada lynx, a lithe and elusive wild cat native to the state of Washington . A few days later, a Spokane hunter made the same mistake, according to Spokesman-Review reporting from the time.

"The Canada lynx, considered a comparatively rare animal in northeastern Washington, apparently is multiplying," stated the 1963 S-R story.

Those anecdotal reports, while perhaps accurate at the time, did not foretell a trend. By 1993, the Canada lynx was listed as a state endangered species, and, by 2000, it became a federally endangered one, after years of intentional trapping, accidental hunting and habitat loss due primarily to wildfire pushed the animal to the brink of extinction in the western U.S., according to a habitat assessment published in 2019. Now, biologists estimate fewer than 50 of the cats live in Washington.

All of which underscored the importance of an overcast day in mid-February in the Kettle Mountains.

That's when Colville tribal member Michael Finley opened the door to a cage, letting out a large, disoriented and decidedly unhappy male lynx. Finley was accompanied by tribal biologists and tribal member Shelly Boyd. The animal was the eighth lynx released in the 2021-22 season and the largest. Nicknamed Darwin, the big cat weighed in at 30 pounds. Darwin remained silent as biologist Ossian Laspa carried him from the truck. The cage was covered, and the assembled attendees were asked to be silent to minimize stress on the animal.

Once the cage was placed on the snow and the cover removed, the lynx battered the front of the cage, his strength shaking the enclosure. Then Finley opened the door. Darwin paused at the threshold and raced off into his new home.

"It's a missing piece of who we are," Finley said after releasing the animal. "And it's connected to the landscape. ... Every little bit counts. Every little bit has meaning."

The Colville Confederated Tribes released nine lynx in the 2021-22 season, each one outfitted with a tracking collar that will allow biologists to see where they go, where they settle and when — or if — they reproduce, said Rose Piccinini senior wildlife biologist and project lead. The reintroduction project is biologically and culturally important to the Colville Fish and Wildlife agency, she said.

"The tribe's fish and wildfire management plan has a goal of reintroducing and reestablishing wildlife populations that have been removed or extirpated from the reservations," she said. "That's always been a goal of our department, to bring back the species and have as natural a landscape as we can."

The tribe's lynx reintroduction is modeled to some extent on efforts by Conservation Northwest, a Seattle-based conservation organization that has been relocating and releasing lynx in the Cascade Mountains. The Cascade Mountains, which run north to south from Canada into Oregon, provide plenty of great lynx habitat and, perhaps just as important, provide a corridor of connection from struggling lynx populations in the U.S. to healthier and more robust populations in British Columbia.

"We've been actively supporting that effort," said Dave Werntz an ecologist for CNW who has managed its lynx reintroduction program.

Those geographic facts are part of the reason a 2019 habitat feasibility study identified the Kettle Mountain range as suitable lynx habitat — with some caveats. Like the Cascades, the Kettle Mountains have lots of potential lynx habitat and are geographically connected to  lynx populations in Canada.

"This assessment suggests that reintroduction of lynx in the Kettle LMZ may be feasible under most but not all of our modeled scenarios and under current conditions (i.e., not addressing climate related changes)," states the habitat assessment study.

Wildfires devastated lynx habitat in the Okanogan area in 2015. The Okanogan has been the traditional stronghold of the elusive cats. Seeing this, the Colville Tribe started examining the feasibility of capturing lynx in Canada and reintroducing them in the Kettle Range.

That's where Piccinini got involved. After several regulatory and ecological hurdles were cleared, the Colville Tribe started working with Canadian trappers in November. Piccinini would spend a month in Canada at a time, logging 14-hour days for  seven days straight searching for lynx.

"We don't see them most of the time," she said. "Even being up there for all those months and all of those hours ... I never saw a lynx that wasn't in the trap."

Once an animal was captured, a veterinarian would do a visual examination. Then the animal would be driven over the border into Washington and released at one of the two release sites.

"I hadn't even handled a lynx until I went up on this project. It was awe-inspiring, it was humbling," Piccinini said. "It was a really amazing experience to see these animals in the wild and then to hear their heartbeats while we were processing them.

"It's like a milestone in your career. It's ... a milestone in your life."

Piccinini and other biologists working on the project know  success isn't assured. But the releases have been promising. Only one lynx has died, and the animals, after wandering about a bit, seem to be settling into specific geographic areas which may be a precursor to them carving out home ranges.

"We have a couple males and females that are in close enough proximity that they could be having breeding events," Piccinini said.

Releases will continue next year.  Piccinini and others hope that, one day, Canada lynx once again multiply in Eastern Washington.

Offline hunter399

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 8692
  • Location: In Your Hunting Spot
  • Groups: NRA RMEF
Re: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2022, 08:36:27 AM »
I don't see any huge problem with it.
Maybe they could of thought of it before wolves where pushed in. :dunno:
The other aspect also is ,just cause you have never seen a native wild lynx doesn't mean they don't exist. And how will release of these cats effect a small population of native cats that may be struggling for habitat or food. I believe knowing what you have before introducing more may be just as important.
Like said I don't see any major issues,and information gathered through the study may help native cats in the long term.

Offline KFhunter

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Legend
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 34512
  • Location: NE Corner
Re: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2022, 08:48:12 AM »
I predict

5 will be killed by mt lions.

2 will be unknown mortality (starve, die, scavenged)

1 will be hit by a car

1 will go back to Canada where it belongs


Snowshoe hare aren't as prevalent as they were back in the day. Lack of logging and reprod have stifled hare pops along with big hot fires. I remember days I could get 20 of them in a few hours, now...not so much.

Offline Ridgeratt

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2008
  • Posts: 5884
  • IBEW 73 (Retired) Burden on the working class.
Re: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2022, 08:50:16 AM »
I predict

5 will be killed by mt lions. Or wolves

2 will be unknown mortality

1 will be hit by a car

1 will go back to  Canada where it belongs

Offline timberfaller

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2014
  • Posts: 4137
  • Location: East Wenatchee
Re: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2022, 09:06:25 AM »
Add to those:

The USFS will collect hair from found carcasses so they can "plant" them where needed to, to continue their "agenda's"!
The only good tree, is a stump!

Offline Jingles

  • WA State Trappers Association
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 3868
  • Location: Methow Valley 98862
Re: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« Reply #5 on: March 11, 2022, 12:01:25 PM »
Copied from the original post

Once an animal was captured, a veterinarian would do a visual examination. Then the animal would be driven over the border into Washington and released at one of the two release sites.

I thought it was illegal to release non native wildlife in Washington?
HMC/USN/RET
1969 -1990
The comments of this poster do not reflect the opinions of HUNTWA Administrators or Moderators unless they so state.

The duty of a Patriot is to protect his country from it's government

Offline Platensek-po

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2018
  • Posts: 1508
  • Location: Shelton, wa
Re: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« Reply #6 on: March 11, 2022, 12:22:17 PM »
Copied from the original post

Once an animal was captured, a veterinarian would do a visual examination. Then the animal would be driven over the border into Washington and released at one of the two release sites.

I thought it was illegal to release non native wildlife in Washington?

Lynx are historically native to Washington tho
“Under no pretext should arms and ammunition be surrendered; any attempt to disarm the workers must be frustrated, by force if necessary.”

If you are not willing to die for freedom then take the word out of your vocabulary.

Offline KFhunter

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Legend
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 34512
  • Location: NE Corner
Re: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« Reply #7 on: March 11, 2022, 02:53:04 PM »
Yup, but Washington is the fringe edge of their range.   

The fingers that poke down into Washington which hold Lynx doesn't make it a core habitat range. 


Offline bearpaw

  • Family, Friends, Outdoors
  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (+10)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2009
  • Posts: 38473
  • Location: Idaho<->Colville
  • "Rather Be Cougar Huntin"
    • http://www.facebook.com/DaleDenney
    • Bearpaw Outfitters
  • Groups: NRA, SCI, F4WM, NWTF, IOGA, MOGA, CCOC, BBB, RMEF, WSTA, WSB
Re: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« Reply #8 on: March 11, 2022, 03:20:41 PM »
When I was a kid there were lynx scattered through the Kettle Range, the Selkirks, in the wedge, and in the Okanogan, I remember seeing tracks fairly often when I first started lion hunting, even managed to see two of them through the years, one of them I saw real close when it crossed the road on the summit of the Tacoma Creek Divide. I have not seen a Lynx track in WA for quite a few years now. Trappers got some of them when they could still be trapped, hunting and trapping seasons were closed, but the numbers seemed to continue dropping, they just seemed to disappear. With how overgrown our forests have become I think they have a fair chance of making it now, they are one specie that probably benefits from a lack of forest management.
Americans are systematically advocating, legislating, and voting away each others rights. Support all user groups & quit losing opportunity!

http://bearpawoutfitters.com Guided Hunts, Unguided, & Drop Camps in Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wash. Hunts with tags available (no draw needed) for spring bear, fall bear, bison, cougar, elk, mule deer, turkey, whitetail, & wolf! http://trophymaps.com DIY Hunting Maps are also offered

Offline Ridgeratt

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2008
  • Posts: 5884
  • IBEW 73 (Retired) Burden on the working class.
Re: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2022, 03:22:31 PM »
Yup, but Washington is the fringe edge of their range.   

The fingers that poke down into Washington which hold Lynx doesn't make it a core habitat range.


But where you are between the 2 rivers it is just a closed funnel.
« Last Edit: March 11, 2022, 03:43:55 PM by Ridgeratt »

Offline hunter399

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 8692
  • Location: In Your Hunting Spot
  • Groups: NRA RMEF
Re: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2022, 03:42:48 PM »
When I was a kid there were lynx scattered through the Kettle Range, the Selkirks, in the wedge, and in the Okanogan, I remember seeing tracks fairly often when I first started lion hunting, even managed to see two of them through the years, one of them I saw real close when it crossed the road on the summit of the Tacoma Creek Divide. I have not seen a Lynx track in WA for quite a few years now. Trappers got some of them when they could still be trapped, hunting and trapping seasons were closed, but the numbers seemed to continue dropping, they just seemed to disappear. With how overgrown our forests have become I think they have a fair chance of making it now, they are one specie that probably benefits from a lack of forest management.
Yup ,I believe I might of seen one in the Tacoma crk area many years ago. Around the divide,the summit .
This conservation Northwest,these the same group trying to stop spring bear.  :dunno:
Is this a group that would try to stop bobcat hunting in an effort to restore lynx ?
As far as habitat ,I don't mind leaving big tracks of land roadless in a natural state.
When it may effect hunting of other game ,I might have an issue.

Offline JimmyHoffa

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 14541
  • Location: 150 Years Too Late
Re: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2022, 05:10:38 PM »
Copied from the original post

Once an animal was captured, a veterinarian would do a visual examination. Then the animal would be driven over the border into Washington and released at one of the two release sites.

I thought it was illegal to release non native wildlife in Washington?
But if it's a fish, then nobody wants to move it to a river even five miles away.  They have to regenerate naturally.  Wolves and lynx and (soon grizz?) get to follow a different philosophy.

Offline Dan-o

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+30)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2010
  • Posts: 18076
Re: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2022, 05:19:50 PM »
Copied from the original post

Once an animal was captured, a veterinarian would do a visual examination. Then the animal would be driven over the border into Washington and released at one of the two release sites.

I thought it was illegal to release non native wildlife in Washington?
But if it's a fish, then nobody wants to move it to a river even five miles away.  They have to regenerate naturally.  Wolves and lynx and (soon grizz?) get to follow a different philosophy.

??

Member:   Yakstrakgutp (or whatever we are)
I love the BFRO!!!
I wonder how many people will touch their nose to their screen trying to read this...

Offline JimmyHoffa

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 14541
  • Location: 150 Years Too Late
Re: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« Reply #13 on: March 11, 2022, 05:26:25 PM »
Copied from the original post

Once an animal was captured, a veterinarian would do a visual examination. Then the animal would be driven over the border into Washington and released at one of the two release sites.

I thought it was illegal to release non native wildlife in Washington?
But if it's a fish, then nobody wants to move it to a river even five miles away.  They have to regenerate naturally.  Wolves and lynx and (soon grizz?) get to follow a different philosophy.

??
Fish have to follow a very strict distinct population/genetic protocol for where they can be moved to.  Predators don't...you can take wolves or lynx from distant areas and transplant even though they are distant genetically from local animals.

Offline dwils233

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2012
  • Posts: 592
  • Location: Spokane County
Re: Colville-tribe-releases-nine-lynx-into-washing
« Reply #14 on: March 11, 2022, 05:34:54 PM »
Quote from: hunter399
This conservation Northwest,these the same group trying to stop spring bear.  :dunno:

CNW hasn't weighed in for or against spring bear...I think they are sitting this one out. They also don't share the same people on staff/board as the anti orgs that are fighting to end spring bear.

Folks on here have issues with CNW...but they aren't quite the same vein as the anti's we're seeing organized like WWF & HSUS

I'm sure someone is going to tell me I'm wrong, but there is a distinction between CNW & this new push were seeing
A promise made is a debt unpaid, and the trail has its own stern code

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Selkirk bull moose. by 6haase6
[Today at 07:29:05 PM]


Steel Targets??? by jrebel
[Today at 05:30:52 PM]


Buying pheasants for training by Ellensburg
[Today at 03:45:33 PM]


Greenriver quality Elk permit by First timer
[Today at 03:13:57 PM]


Bow mount trolling motors by Stein
[Today at 09:05:06 AM]


Oregon results posted. by trophyhunt
[Today at 08:51:12 AM]


best draw for moose unit wise by hunter399
[Today at 08:31:10 AM]


Idaho 2025 Controlled Hunts by trophyelk6x6
[Today at 08:24:13 AM]


2025 OILS! by Ridgerunner
[Today at 07:40:49 AM]


FFL preferences or warnings in Olympia or south Sound area? by lhrbull
[Today at 06:59:24 AM]


Nooksack Archery Tag by LongBomb
[Today at 06:29:37 AM]


I’m on a blacktail mission by Turner89
[Yesterday at 11:33:35 PM]


AKC lab puppies! Born 06/10/2025 follow as they grow!!! by scottfrick
[Yesterday at 09:54:06 PM]


Basin elk by hughjorgan
[Yesterday at 09:50:49 PM]


Getting back into dogs by bearpaw
[Yesterday at 09:06:14 PM]


Cowiche Quality Buck by Nwgunner
[Yesterday at 08:55:00 PM]


MA-10 Coho by WAcoueshunter
[Yesterday at 08:50:46 PM]


Is FS70 open? by CarbonHunter
[Yesterday at 08:09:04 PM]


Muzzy Mission Quality!!! by NOCK NOCK
[Yesterday at 07:49:11 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal