Antelope Reintroduction to Washington

[Woodchuck]

Very cool, any pics?

[BIGINNER]

Spotted 2 does and 4 fawns yesterday on the Horse Heaven Hills.....they looked good.

awesome!! gotta go look for them again sometime.

[CamoDup]

Im with u biginner.. I need to make that drive and go spot some.  its just a hop and a skip from us..

[wa.hunter]

Nice to know some of you are still seeing them. The Yakama Tribe Biologist flew looking for them a few weeks ago and found out the were pretty spread out. They are having problems locating them. If anyone sees them and can identify their location, ear tag #, and color of ear tag it would be greatly appreciate. So far 1 of the bucks drown in an irrigation canal and another was hit on 97 headed to Goldendale. Things are looking pretty possitive about bring in another 100+ this winter.

[PlateauNDN]

Nice to know some of you are still seeing them. The Yakama Tribe Biologist flew looking for them a few weeks ago and found out the were pretty spread out. They are having problems locating them. If anyone sees them and can identify their location, ear tag #, and color of ear tag it would be greatly appreciate. So far 1 of the bucks drown in an irrigation canal and another was hit on 97 headed to Goldendale. Things are looking pretty possitive about bring in another 100+ this winter.

Thanks for the info. and I've been through the pass at least 3 or 4 times in the last few weeks but it's always been on business so I've been more worried about work and not hitting or looking around for something and I've been trying to plan a nice weekend getaway to the south east portion where these guys were released to see if I can get some good pics.

[Michelle_Nelson]

I didn't read through this whole thread due to time.
 
Anyone seen any Babies?  Got any pictures?

[Widgeondeke]

Spotted 2 does and 4 fawns yesterday on the Horse Heaven Hills.....they looked good.

Michelle - see above   

[Gringo31]

Not the best pics but here are the ones I took.  The skyline antelope were about 50 yards from the bottom picture ones.  One doe has a yellow tag, the other orange.

[PlateauNDN]

Great shots, do you have a location of where you took the pics?  I followed up on the earlier post about the Tribes Biologist having to track them via helicopter and they did confirm they are taking any info. on the locations, tags and how many you've seen so they can log the info.  I was also talking to a relative that works over there and they have some helpers that are just sitting around waiting for calls of sightings and they spring to action like batman and robin heading towards where they were seen just to gather as much intel. as they can.

So it sounds like they are really pushing for sustainability and doing everything they can to ensure the survival and success of this first group.

[Woodchuck]

Very cool, I would think that twins is a real plus.

[PlateauNDN]

Heck yes, if half the does had twins that doubles the herd in less than a year.   Double the size every year for a couple of years and that sounds like a sustainable herd with enough to start developing a plan to allow permit hunting.

[Gringo31]

Plateau,
I'm not trying to be difficult....but outside of a count or location, what can be done?  What exactly is a sustainability push or what tools do they have to ensure the survival or success of the first group?  What power does the tribe have to do really anything for animals that have traveled outside of the res?

I hope I'm not coming across wrong.  I'm glad to see antelope here in Washington but don't like how it was ram-rodded through.  I'm also worried that now we will see more restrictions to either access or freedoms due to the now possibly "endangered" antelope we have in our backyard.

Gringo

[gunnarnewt]

     It's my understanding that all does drop fawns. Is that correct? One doe, and one buck. Thereby helping the odds that at least some of the fawns are not devoured by 'yotes before they can keep up with mommy? 

[PlateauNDN]

Plateau,
I'm not trying to be difficult....but outside of a count or location, what can be done?  What exactly is a sustainability push or what tools do they have to ensure the survival or success of the first group?  What power does the tribe have to do really anything for animals that have traveled outside of the res?

I hope I'm not coming across wrong.  I'm glad to see antelope here in Washington but don't like how it was ram-rodded through.  I'm also worried that now we will see more restrictions to either access or freedoms due to the now possibly "endangered" antelope we have in our backyard.

Gringo

Great question and I don't know the exact plan for the speed goats because they haven't announced it yet and I hear bits and pieces unofficially but they want to restore them to levels for hunting and not just Tribal.  When our Council is on a United Front and tackling important issues (instead of looking out for #1) they do have the Supreme Authority when it comes to Rights guaranteed by the Treaty to Manage and Assist with Managing wildlife on Ceded Land and Tribal Law supercedes State Law on the Reservation and Ceded Land.

It doesn't matter that a lot of them have ventured off the Reservation because if they are still within the Ceded Area therefore, are the Tribes Responsibility and it's my understanding they are working quite well with outside entities and trying to work with the State on establishing relations in regards to these particular animals.

I know you're not trying to be difficult and you didn't come across wrong.  They had initially tried to work with the State and from what I understand the State didn't have the time or resources to assist with this project and to the State it wasn't a priority at the time so that's why the Tribe branched out for some assistance and since we have our own land and jurisdiction of it they decided to move forward with the plan.  It's my understanding that this plan had been going on for quite a few years prior to them even finding a partner.

I plan on speaking with the Tribal Biologist soon just to gather some more info. and increase my knowledge of these beautiful looking animals.  If you got any other questions don't hesitate to ask.

[Gringo31]

Wow....this was a bit eye opening for me....

It does seem odd that if indeed the tribe has supreme authority when it comes to managing or assisting with managing wildlife on ceded land, why this practice doesn't appear to have taken place prior to antelope.  I wonder why these antelope are not now an endangered species?  How would they be any different than wolves in this state?  Does it matter if the tribe brought them in or if ................?

Thanks for the dialogue.  I'm interested in learning how or who's role it is to manage these animals or even who's animals they are.  I expect this to be a big mess once a speed goat walks off ceded land? 

I understand why the tribe stopped working with WDFW on introduction.  I think it was a bit irresponsible to take the risk they did on the possibility of a disaster to the entire cattle industry in our state.  Which brings up a lot more questions...

Again, thanks for the dialogue.