> FWP will continue to work with private organizations and interest groups, as well as the 

 media, to include safety tips on recreating in bear habitat including proper use of pepper 

 spray. 



> Education and public outreach will be integrated with enforcement on sanitation, etc., to 

 effectively minimize human activities that can lead to human/bear safety issues. 



> FWP will work with local planning entities to address the needs of grizzly bears in new 

 developments and new residential areas. 



Management strategies are unlikely to succeed without usefixl, state-of-the-art public information 

 and education programs. A partnership information and education approach involving FWP, as 

 well as other agencies, local communities, and private interests, can result in minimizing 

 human/bear tragedies as well as develop a stronger sense of agreement among Montana residents 

 about the state's goals and management programs related to the bear. 



Human safety is of utmost concern when hunting in grizzly bear country. In order to teach 

 young, old and first-time hunters the proper techniques for hunting in grizzly country, FWP will 

 incorporate a lesson on human safety while hunting in bear habitat in each hunter education 

 class. In Montana, no person between the ages of 12-17 may apply for and receive any hunting 

 license unless the person possesses a hunter safety certificate. Current records show that 

 approximately 7,000 students are certified each year through FWP's hunter education program. 



The FWP Commission adopted in 2001 a program to require mandatory bear identification 

 testing to be completed by black bear hunters in Montana prior to the purchase of a black bear 

 license. 



The program is being offered because Montana's grizzly bear population is increasing in both 

 number and in range. Today, grizzly bear encounters are on the rise, and black bear hunters must 

 be aware that they are likely to encounter grizzly bears in areas they may not have inhabited just 

 a few years ago. Black bear hunters must sharpen their ability to tell the difference between 

 black bears and grizzly bears to prevent and avoid mistaken identity killings of grizzly bears. 



The FWP Commission is concerned about the impact that mistaken identity killings could have 

 on maintaining a recovered grizzly bear population or on recovery in areas that are still below 

 objectives. The commission believes a solution can be found in directly informing and educating 

 all black bear hunters. Some consider the solution to the problem to be elimination of the black 

 bear hunting season in Montana. That action would minimize FWP's ability to manage bears and 

 create a myriad of other problems essentially lessening the support for management and 

 expanded distribution of grizzlies. 



Following is a summary of the bear identification requirements the FWP Commission approved: 



• The requirement applies to everyone purchasing a bear license. 



• Testing is required before purchase of a license. 



• A minimum score of 80% is needed to pass the test. One can retake the test until a passing 

 grade is obtained. 



• Recertification is not required. 



57 



