collected in different ways and multiple sources is a more practical and meaningful approach for 

 assessing population trend. Population trend will be FWP's guide to management decisions. 



Future Distribution 



> FWP expects grizzly bear distribution to continue to increase. 



> FWP views linkage as providing opportunities for bears to naturally reoccupy suitable, but 

 unoccupied habitat, and will continue to work with Idaho, Wyoming, and the IGBC to 

 address this issue. 



> Areas of potential focus to address problems with movement of bears are the Madison and 

 Paradise valleys, Gallatin Canyon, Bozeman Pass, Centennial Valley/Range west to Monida 

 Pass, Upper Madison/Raynold's Pass area. 



Current information demonstrates that the distribution of bears in the GYE is increasing. The 

 most recent review of the distribution of grizzly bears in the GYE by the IGBST demonstrated 

 occupancy well beyond the original recovery zone (PC A) (Fig. 3.) A comparison of the current 

 distribution from the 1990s to previously published distribution maps showed an approximate 

 increase in occupied habitat of 48% and 34% from the 1970s and 1980s, respectively. This 

 expanded distribution has also been noted by others (Fig. 4). It should be noted that these 

 boundaries should be interpreted as a fuzzy approximation, and additional supportive evidence 

 should be considered when making judgments about occupied habitat near the edge. Based on 

 current programs, both within and outside of the PC A, it is expected this trend will continue 

 during the period covered by this plan. Data from the composite home range of all marked bears 

 in the GYE for 1 980 and 1 999 also demonstrate this trend and can be used to estimate potential 

 future changes in distribution (Fig. 5). FWP recognize that distribution changes beyond the PCA 

 and its immediate environs may occur at a somewhat slower pace. It is FWP's intent, however, 

 to implement this management plan in a way that future expansion in distribution is allowed to 

 continue. If the expected increase in distribution does not occur, FWP will evaluate, in 

 conjunction with local work groups, the opportunity for translocation of surplus non-nuisance 

 animals into suitable habitats to support distribution increases. This approach is consistent with 

 that used for all of the species FWP manages. Because distribution is currently increasing 

 without translocation, FWP does not anticipate that this would occur in this planning cycle. 



Finally, there has been and continues to be debate on the potential for linking the various 

 segments of the grizzly bear populations in Montana. The potential for this to occur is 

 demonstrated by various assessments of habitat, which are ongoing and, evidenced by the 

 information our agency provides the public on areas, where even today there is the possibility of 

 encountering a grizzly bear (Fig. 6). 



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