as appropriate. However, there are currently significant liability and enforcement issues around 

 a "mandatory" approach. In addition, carrying spray can give people a false sense of security 

 and replace common sense and carefiil backcountry practices. Pepper spray can be ineffective in 

 windy areas, and individual bears can have very different responses to the spray. Also, in some 

 situations people would be better to assume a defensive posture (on the ground with no 

 movement) than to be actively fumbling for a spray can. Also, the spray comes in many brands, 

 with many pepper concoctions, with many shelf-life constraints and propellant systems. It is no 

 doubt a valuable tool, but it is only one of many and cannot replace common sense or other 

 recommendations of appropriate behavior. However, to provide an example for the public, FWP 

 will make pepper spray available to all field personnel operating in bear country and encourage 

 employees to carry it during the non-denning season when bears are active. 



Enforcement 



> FWP will seek authority by developing an MOU with federal agencies to enforce food 

 storage regulations on federal lands. 



> FWP will implement statutory authority to address intentional feeding of both black and 

 grizzly bears to eliminate the problem. 



> FWP will seek additional funding and authority to enforce travel management plans, 

 including off-road vehicle use. 



FWP enforcement efforts concerning grizzly bears are focused in three areas: patrols of both 

 wilderness and non-wilderness areas, damage control, and poaching investigations. 



Wilderness and non-wilderness areas are patrolled during the general hunting season and at other 

 times. Hunter camps are checked for harvested game and compliance with outfitter regulations. 



Response to nuisance bear complaints can involve many FWP personnel in some capacity, 

 although enforcement division persormel are frequently the first on the scene. 



FWP enforcement personnel investigate and prosecute all violations involving illegal mortality. 

 Cases are processed through the county attorney's office or turned over to the U.S. Fish and 

 Wildlife Service when they appear to involve interstate movement of grizzly bear parts. FWP 

 also coordinates with federal officials in undercover operations. Current state fines for illegally 

 killing a grizzly bear are $2,000 restitution plus $500 to $2000 more, and imprisonment in the 

 county detention center for not more than 6 months or both. In addition, that person, upon 

 conviction or forfeiture of bond or bail, shall forfeit any current hunting, fishing, recreation use, 

 or trapping license issued by this state and the privilege to hunt, fish, or trap in this state for 30 

 months from the date of conviction or forfeiture, unless the court imposes a longer forfeiture 

 period. Fines for the interstate movement of illegally killed or possessed animals can be much 

 higher. 



The U.S. Forest Service manages food storage restrictions on Forest Service lands and some 

 counties have county ordinances on food storage, which are enforced by the county sheriffs. 



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