5. Hunting grizzlies may alter cub survival and recruitment providing for population increase. 

 While there is currently some scientific disagreement on this possibility, there is no question 

 that initial harvest levels in the GYE will be so low that any effect of regulated take on 

 increasing cub survival and recruitment would be impossible to measure. 



6. Hunters have been and continue to be one of the strongest supporters of long-term 

 conservation efforts. Hunters have purchased more habitat than any other group in the GYE 

 and returned it to wildlife use including grizzly bears. This strong connection between 

 hunters and habitat is critical to continued successes at restoring wildlife including grizzly 

 bears. Hunting gives direct ownership for the welfare of this species by some of the most 

 ardent supporters of wildlife in Montana. 



7. Hunting allows the grizzly to be a social asset instead of being considered by some groups as 

 a liability. Hunting provides revenues from license fees on hunted species and excise taxes 

 on equipment to governmental entities for enforcement of wildlife management regulations 

 as well as alleviating potential costs and risks associated with problem animals. Without a 

 regulated hunt, these costs must be paid by the government, and the positive effects of 

 grizzly hunting are lost to society. 



8. The presence of licensed hunters can reduce illegal activities. Every year ethical hunters in 

 Montana report people who have violated laws protecting wildlife. More "eyes and ears" in 

 the field can deter illegal activities. 



Regulated hunting has been used as only one tool among many to provide for the long-term 

 recovery and survival of grizzly bears. A regulated public hunt must therefore be evaluated in 

 the context of an overall bear management program. There are also many statutes and 

 regulations in Montana that would affect any proposed hunt. In addition, the State of Montana 

 can anticipate some specific constraints on any hunt as summarized below: 



1 . Hunting will not be proposed immediately upon delisting. It is clear that the public will 

 want some assurance that the other components of the grizzly bear management program 

 are being adequately implemented prior to a regulated hunt. 



2. There are areas that won't be hunted. There are currently areas outside the PCA and 

 within that are closed to hunting and will continue to be. 



3. The justification for any proposed hunt will be available to public scrutiny and comment 

 prior to any decision or possible implementation. 



4. Regulations have been and will be established to protect the female segment of the 

 population as much as possible. For example, if a hunt were to occur, FWP Commission 

 regulations make it illegal to kill females accompanied by cubs or young. 



5. After March 27, 1987, a state statute was implemented which only allows someone to kill 

 one grizzly bear in that person's lifetime (87-2-702). 



6. The FWP Commission has the authority to close seasons at any time if mortality was 

 excessive, i.e. occurring at levels which would have long-term negative impacts on the 

 population due to unforeseen circumstances. 



7. FWP management experience has shown that while a general managed hunt can reduce 

 some conflict situations; a "damage hunt" targeting individual problem bears has 

 demonstrated this approach is of limited value in the management program. Therefore, 

 we do not intend to use this approach for the following reasons: 



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