comment was also accepted in writing for 90 days through July 5, 2002. All comments 

 were used to assist in preparing the final plan. A summary of comments and FWP 

 response to them is included in this document. 



Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) Goals For The Grizzly Bear 



FWP has statewide goals for wildlife resources. This plan more specifically deals with 

 grizzly bear resources in southwestern Montana. These goals are: 



1 . To provide the people of Montana and visitors with optimum outdoor recreational 

 opportunities emphasizing the tangible and intangible values of wildlife and 

 natural and cultural resources of aesthetic, scenic, historic, scientific, and 

 archaeological significance in a manner that: 



a. Is consistent with the capabilities and requirements of the resources 



b. Recognizes present and future human needs and desires, and 



c. Ensures maintenance and enhancement of the quality of the environment 



2. Wildlife Program Goal — To protect, perpetuate, enhance, and regulate the wise 

 use of wildlife resources for public benefit now and in the future. 



3. Grizzly Bear Management Goal — To manage for a recovered grizzly bear 

 population in southwestern Montana and to provide for a continuing expansion of 

 that population into areas that are biologically suitable and socially acceptable. 

 This should allow FWP to achieve and maintain population levels that support 

 managing the bear as a game animal along with other species of native wildlife 

 and provide some regulated hunting when and where appropriate. 



These goals will be achieved by addressing the following issues identified early in the 

 planning process: human safety, habitat, population monitoring, future distribution, trails 

 programs, livestock conflicts, property damage, nuisance guidelines, hunting, 

 enforcement concerns, education, and funding. The success of grizzly bear management 

 in Montana will be contingent upon FWP's ability to address these issues in a way that 

 builds social support for grizzlies. 



Purpose and Need 



The need for this plan was precipitated by changes in bear management in the 

 Yellowstone Ecosystem during the 1 980-90s, resulting in increasing numbers and 

 expanding distribution of grizzly bears in this area. Current approaches to land 

 management, wildlife management, and recreation within the Primary Conservation Area 

 (PCA, Fig. 1) appear to be providing the conditions needed to establish a population of 

 bears outside the PCA. It is FWP's objective to maintain existing renewable resource 

 management and recreational use where possible and to develop a process where FWP, 

 working with local publics, can respond to demonstrated problems with appropriate 

 management changes. By maintaining existing uses, which allows people to continue 

 their lifestyles, economies, and feelings of well being, this approach builds support and 

 increases tolerance for an expanding grizzly bear population. 



