APPENDIX B 



GUIDELINES FOR 



DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS 



BIG GAME DAMAGE PROCEDURES 



September 30, 1985 



By law, the department is required to respond to all big game 

 damage complaints. Big game damage is a department-wide re- 

 sponsibility, and personnel from all divisions will share 

 a responsibility in responding to complaints. Regional super- 

 visors will be responsible to coordinate efforts within re- 

 gions. Regional biologists and game wardens will familiarize 

 themselves with areas and circumstances where depredation 

 might occur. General hunting seasons will remain a primary 

 tool to deal with population numbers to address potential 

 game damage problems . 



The following procedures will be used to address and prevent 

 game damage problems : 



1. The" DFWP will respond to a damage complaint as soon as 

 possible, and within 48 hours. If the department person 

 who received the complaint is unable to respond within 

 48 hours, he will immediately refer the complaint to the 

 nearest department employee who can respond within a 48- 

 hour period. Exceptions can be made if complainant is 

 agreeable to a longer waiting period. 



A. The DFWP will respond to all damage complaints under 

 this policy with the exception of IB. A phone call 

 or on-site visit constitutes an immediate response 

 under this provision. 



B. Damage caused by nongame , furbearing, or federally 

 listed threatened and endangered species are not 

 covered by this policy, but will continue to be ad- 

 dressed on a case-by-case basis. 



2. The DFWP shall make a written record of each complaint. 

 This form must include action(s) taken or recommended. 

 A copy of the investigator's report will be left with 

 the landowner if so desired. This report will be sub- 

 mitted on all complaints, including those which required 

 no immediate action. Such reports will be submitted 

 to the administrator of the Field Services Division, 

 regional supervisors, regional game managers and warden 

 captains. A central game damage file will be maintained 

 at the Field Services Division office in Helena. Each 

 region will maintain a complete game damage file and 

 it is the responsibility of the regional supervisor to 

 keep it updated. 



