address issues of wildlife movement across roads (especially Interstates 90; and Highways 2, 200, and 93). 

 FWP will also assess proposed Forest Highway Projects in that they have the potential to negatively 

 impact future linkage of many wildlife populations. FWP will also work with landowners, local land 

 trusts (e.g. Five Valleys, Montana Land Reliance, The Nature Conservancy) and private interests to 

 promote programs that provide for wildlife access to private lands. In summary, FWPs goal is to expand 

 recovery in western Montana. 



Alternatives Considered 



1. Oiih/ collect and utilize population data m a manner that provider precise population estimates. 



While the current DNA study will achieve this, we don't believe such an effort will occur on a regular 

 basis. For a slowly reproducing species like grizzly bears in which even a maximum lambda (a 

 measure of population trend) will always be close to 1.0 (meaning the populations don't fluctuate 

 greatly on an annual basis), it will seldom be possible to have a 95% confidence interval that does not 

 overlap 1.0. However, in FWPs judgment, using the weight of multiple indices collected in different 

 ways and multiple sources is a more practical and meaningful approach for assessing population 

 response to management. Population trend data will be FWPs primary guide to management 

 decisions. 



2. Limit grizzly bear distribiitio)i to the recovery zones. 



This approach is logistically impossible and biologically undesirable. In order to maintain resiliency 

 in the population to changes in habitat, tolerance levels and other factors, bears should occupy a 

 broader landscape. Also, bears cannot be confined to the recovery zones because there are no 

 barriers to contain them and it is impossible to know the location of every animal all the time. 



D. HARVEST MANAGEMENT 



Regulated hunting continues to play a significant role in shaping successful wildlife conservation 

 strategies for many species throughout Montana. As part of a comprehensive grizzly bear management 

 program, our goal is to allow for limited regulated harvest upon delisting of bears implemented within a 

 scientifically sound framework that maintains a viable and self-sustaining population. Accordingly, 

 preferred approaches will include: 



> Limited and regulated harvest of grizzly bears will be a part of Montana's long-term conservation 

 program. 



> Any hunting program will be designed and implemented using the best available scientific 

 knowledge. 



> It will be coordinated with surrounding states and provinces to avoid excessive mortalities. 



> It will be open to public review, similar to the processes used for managing other species in Montana. 



> The female segment of the population will be given additional protections in any proposed hunting 

 program. For example, the killing of females accompanied by young will be prohibited. Timing of 

 seasons will also be used to reduce female mortality. 



> Regulated hunting will be used as one tool employed to garner additional public support and 

 ownership thereby aiding in long-term survival and reoccupancy of habitats. 



> If opportunities should arise to expand recovery, FWP is committed to utilize all or a portion of any 

 harvestable surplus through live removal and relocation of bears to other areas within or outside 

 Montana. 



56 



