In 1999, an estimated 698,275 acres of irrigated and non-irrigated crops were harvested in the 

 seven-county area (Table 1). Crop harvest ranged from 163,250 acres in Gallatin County to 

 48,1 10 acres in Sweetgrass County. 



Recreational Opportunities 



Outdoor recreation and tourism is a major component of the economy in this seven-county area. 

 Southwestern and south-central Montana is nationally known for its high quality fishing, 

 hunting, camping, hiking, river floating, skiing, snowmobiling, wildlife viewing and sightseeing 

 opportunities. Nearby, Yellowstone National Park attracts large numbers of people to the area 

 every year. Many of these outdoor activities are made possible by public ownership of large 

 tracts of mountainous habitat and additional access provided by many private landowners. 

 Recreationists have largely unhampered access to millions of acres of undeveloped land. Some 

 of this land is currently, or, based on documented trends of increasing distribution, will be 

 occupied by grizzly bears. As bear numbers and distribution increase, contact and interaction 

 with people engaged in outdoor activities is likely to increase. 



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