expanded local support FWP will need to have this management tool option in some 

 situations and over time. This approach has proven its success with other wildlife species 

 including other large predatory species in Montana. 



Some of those opposed to hunting also indicated that they feel the FWP Commissioners 

 are biased, and are reluctant to work with them on their issues. The FWP Commission 

 has been granted authority to establish hunting seasons by the State Legislature. The 

 procedures utilized provide for public comment and scrutiny before decisions are made. 



Expansion of Food Storage Orders in Bear Habitat: Many people commented 

 favorably on this aspect of the plan. Most recommended that FWP actively pursue 

 expansion of food storage regulations to all bear habitats (both black and grizzly) in 

 Montana. In addition, there was widespread support for having FWP assist with 

 enforcing those regulations. These types of regulations can be controversial if developed 

 and implemented without active local involvement and responsiveness to local concerns. 

 This is an area where the local work groups identified in the plan could actively 

 participate and build support. We recognize that in order to implement these food storage 

 guidelines, we will have to work with other state and federal agencies and through their 

 processes as well. 



Implementation Schedule: Some comments recommend a clearly defined 

 implementation schedule. This is somewhat problematic because the plan is intended to 

 describe a management program for a post-delisted population of grizzly bears in 

 southwestern Montana. No one knows, however, if or when delisting will occur. In 

 addition, some parts of the plan are already implemented while others may or may not be 

 implemented regardless of the population's federal status. The chart below provides a 

 general outline of some of these. 



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