> FWP will work with local groups to identify and promote habitat characteristics that benefit 

 bears such as maintaining core areas or working with county planners in important habitat 

 areas. 



Because grizzly bears are omnivorous and opportunistic they are often able to survive in a 

 variety of habitats and utilize a variety of foods. Grizzly bear expansion and population increase 

 is expected to be focused initially on areas in the GYE during the timefi-ame of this plan (10 

 years). Therefore, FWP will focus its grizzly bear habitat management activities in areas that are 

 adjacent to, and being reoccupied from, the PCA within the GYE. FWP will also begin to 

 evaluate other areas that may be occupied with the ongoing expansion of the grizzly bear 

 population and evaluate them for needed habitat programs. 



Four major food sources used by bears inhabiting the GYE are whitebark pine {Pinus albicaulis) 

 seeds, army cutworm moths {Euxoa auxiliaris), winter-killed large ungulates (elk and bison), and 

 spawning cutthroat trout {Oncorhynchus clarki). WTiile the existence and abundance of these 

 food sources has been well documented inside the PCA, there is less documentation for the areas 

 outside the PCA. Existing data indicates that winter-killed large ungulates and spawning 

 cutthroat trout are less available to grizzly bears outside the PCA. However, neonate ungulates 

 may be more available in these areas. Therefore, FWP will direct monitoring of major grizzly 

 bear foods toward whitebark pine and army cutworm moths if any are identified. Ungulate 

 populations and cutthroat trout will be monitored using data collected during FWT annual fish 

 and ungulate population and trend surveys. If it appears that bear use of these or other food 

 sources is important, monitoring protocols will be implemented. 



FWP, in cooperation with the appropriate federal agencies, will survey selected whitebark pine 

 stands and identify any army cutworm moth aggregation sites using existing methodology 

 implemented by the IGBST within the PCA. Whitebark pine stands will be identified and 

 monitored for seed production, tree health (evidence of blister rust, Comartium ribicola), and 

 evidence of bear use. Any identified moth aggregation sites will be monitored for use by bears. 

 Bear activity at moth aggregation sites is an indirect indicator of presence or absence of moths 

 during a given year. 



Security cover, the ability of an environment to protect against threats and disturbances, is 

 another important component of habitat. Grizzly bear habitat can be impacted by a reduction of 

 security cover as the direct or indirect result of various human activities, land management 

 practices, and natural phenomenon including recreational development and primary roads, 

 restricted roads and motorized trails, human use, oil and gas development, logging practices, and 

 forest fires. 



FWP recognizes the need to minimize negative impacts. Other than on FWP's own wildlife 

 management areas, FWP is not the decision maker on federal or State School Trust lands. 

 However, FWP works closely with these land management agencies to minimize negative 

 impacts on fish and wildlife. Additionally, FWP is considering grizzly bears in comments and 

 discussions regarding land management activity in occupied grizzly bear habitat, whether inside 

 or well outside the PCA. 



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