a. Damage hunts characterize the species as a "problem" instead of the valuable 

 wildlife resource they represent. 



b. Response time is critical in damage situations and locating a hunter can delay 

 response time. 



c. There are ethical problems with using technology, for example radio collars, to 

 locate and kill problem animals. 



d. Many nuisance animals are unaccessible to hunting during daylight hours. 



e. There are ethical problems associated with FWP "guiding" a hunter toward an 

 individual bear. 



8. No baiting or use of dogs to hunt grizzlies is permitted. 



9. Any bear taken must be used for food. It is illegal to waste bear meat or leave it in the 

 field. Also, bears will be hunted when their fiir is in good condition to allow complete 

 use of animals harvested. 



10. It is illegal to buy or sell grizzly bear parts unless they have been registered with FWP. 



Montana's hunting season setting process is an open and dynamic process, although it may be 

 unfamiliar to nonhunters. The following is a synopsis of the process: A proposal is generated by 

 a staff biologist or a group of biologists. The proposal is accompanied by a justification relying 

 heavily on biological data including: population objectives, trends, habitat, weather trends, and 

 often include social constraints. The proposal is next reviewed internally and if found adequate 

 is sent to the FWP Commission. After reviewing the proposal and jusfification, the Commission 

 at its December meeting either adopts, modifies, or rejects it as a tentative. If adopted as a 

 tentative, it is then released for public review and comment. The public review process occurs 

 annually in January and February. During this period, biologists around the state conduct public 

 meetings and formal hearings in nearly all of the major cities and towns across the state as well 

 as with any groups or organizations that request them. Additionally, the tentatives are published 

 and otherwise made available to any who wish to review and comment on them. At the end of 

 the comment period, all of the comments received during the meetings and any written or other 

 verbal comments received during the comment period are summarized and sent on to the 

 Commission for its review. In early March, the Commission then formally either accepts, 

 modifies, or rejects the proposals based on the biological justification and the social concerns 

 expressed during the review period. Additionally, the public can also make proposals to the 

 Commission in the form of a tentative at the December meeting. This process is repeated on an 

 annual basis. 



An alternative FWP considered was to eliminate hunting as a part of its grizzly bear management 

 program. However, in FWP's judgment, this approach would eliminate a key local and national 

 constituent group with demonstrated commitment to the species and its habitat. Additionally, 

 this would greatly hinder FWP's ability to develop increased tolerance for the species. Success 

 of this tool for other wildlife—and for bears— in Montana and in other places confirms its 

 usefulness. 



It was also suggested that FWP make pepper spray mandatory for hunters. While FWP is 

 currently prepared to assist in notifying people of the benefits of pepper spray and encouraging 

 recreationists to carry it, it is premature to make it mandatory at this time. Mandatory carrying 

 of pepper spray may be appropriate at certain times or places and FWP will evaluate this option 



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