> Population trend, in combination with habitat conditions, demographics, humanA^ear conflicts, social 

 tolerance, and research findings, will be FWPs guide to decisions regarding population management. 



> Results from the 2004 USGS NCDE Grizzly Bear DNA project will assist FWF with bear population 

 size estimation, distribution and population trend from that point. 



> FWP will monitor a representative sample of 25 or more adult females in the NCDE to establish 

 population trend and develop monitoring protocols for the CYE and Bitterroot ecosystem as those 

 populations recover. 



> FWP will monitor mortality including timing and causes and gather survivorship data in cooperation 

 with other agencies. 



> FWP will use verified sightings to document changes in bear distribution. They would include DNA 

 samples, photographs, sightings by reliable observers, tracks, and more. 



Each recovery zone contains the minimum seasonal habitat components needed to support a recovering 

 grizzly bear population. Recovery zones are further divided into smaller bear management units (BMUs) 

 which afford greater resolution for purposes of habitat and population monitoring. 

 Analysis units will be established outside the recovery zones. These units will be used to collect and 

 analyze demographic and occupancy data on grizzly bears by geographic area. FWP anticipates these 

 units will be mountain ranges or groups of ranges similar to those currently used for black bear 

 management. However, if information from bears outside the recovery zones indicates a change is 

 required, the units will be modified as needed. These units will be created solely for the collection of 

 demographic data and will not of themselves generate anv new habitat restrictions. 



Monitoring Framework 



> FWP will conduct population monitoring using the best available scientific methods, while taking 

 costs of monitoring efforts and funding availability into account. 



In order to maintain consistency in data collection and compare grizzly bear population parameters 

 inside and outside the recovery zone, monitoring protocols will be similar, although the sampling may 

 vary depending on the survey area. Population trends and estimates developed using the best available 

 scientific data will be used to set mortality thresholds for all human-caused mortalities. 



The recovery criteria set forth in the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan specify that counts of female grizzly 

 bears with attendant cubs should be determined. It is, however, much easier to observe grizzly bears in 

 the GYE than in the NCDE or the CYE because of the presence of drier, open-canopied habitats. As a 

 consequence, this technique is unlikely to provide accurate data with which to assess recovery efforts in 

 western Montana. Thus, while monitoring of female survivorship, unduplicated females with cubs, or 

 unduplicated females with young may be used as an index to assess population trend or abundance over 

 time, other estimates will also be required to accurately gauge recovery. 



Population Size and Distribution 



Radio-marking techniques used to estimate population size are not broadly applied because of the 

 expense associated with capturing bears within heavily forested habitats where sighting bears from an 

 aircraft can often prove difficult (much of Western Montana). Many researchers in Canada and the U.S. 

 are focusing on "hair-snaring" techniques to estimate number and density of grizzly bears. With this 

 procedure, bears are attracted to sampling stations with a scent lure. At each sampling station, barbed 

 wire is strung between trees and when the bear passes under the wire, a small tuft of hair is snagged. The 



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