TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Acknowledgements c 



Introduction 1 



Process for Plan Development 1 



Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Goals for the Grizzly Bear 1 



Purpose and Need 2 



History of Bears and Bear Biology in the Greater Yellowstone Area 4 



Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission Policy 6 



Description of Grizzly Bear Management Area for Southwestern Montana 9 



General Description 9 



Size and Human Population 9 



Land Ownership 10 



Special Management Areas 11 



Agricultural Interests 11 



Recreational Opportunities 12 



Summary of Grizzly Bear Biology 13 



Habitat 13 



Habitat for Denning 15 



Habitat for Security 16 



Population Dynamics 16 



Issues Identified and Considered 18 



Human Safety 21 



Inform and Educate 23 



Enforcement of Food Storage Rules and Regulations 24 



Bear Repellents and Deterrents 24 



Aversive Conditioning 25 



Management Control 25 



Hunting to Address Human Safety Concerns 25 



Habitat/Habitat Monitoring/Restrictions on Human Use of Bear Habitat 26 



Specific Habitat Guidelines 28 



Management 28 



Population Monitoring 30 



Future Distribution 33 



Trails 39 



Livestock Conflicts 40 



Property Damage 42 



Nuisance Guidelines 43 



Bear-Human Interaction Risk Management Protocols 47 



Rapid Response Protocols 47 



Guidelines for Nuisance Bear Determination and Control 48 



General Criteria 48 



Definitions 49 



Criteria for Nuisance Grizzly Bear Determination and Control Outside the 



PCA 49 



Disposition Criteria for Bears Removed in Management Actions 50 



