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If a local prey population is significantly impacted by wolf predation in conjunction with other environmental 

 factors, MFWP would consider reducing wolf pack size. If there are fewer than 1 5 wolf packs in the state, 

 relocation to backcountry areas would be preferred. Suitable habitats within mixed land ownerships could also be 

 sought out to fill in habitats between YNP and GNP, as socially acceptable. If there are more than 15 packs in the 

 state, MFWP will reduce wolf pack size by regulated hunting or trapping. Wolf management actions would be 

 paired with other corrective management actions to reduce ungulate mortality or enhance recruitment, such as 

 reducing human hunter opportunity for ungulates. Concurrent management efforts for wolves and ungulates would 

 continue until the prey population rebounded, recognizing that by the time prey populations begin to respond they 

 may be influenced by a new set of environmental factors. 



MFWP hosts meetings to gather input and comments from the pubUc about proposed hunting regulations for 

 ungulates and other managed species. MFWP will need to enhance the amount and type of infomiation it provides 

 regarding ungulate and carnivore population status and trends, as well as the possible implications of various 

 management options. It will be important to allow the public to properly weigh the alternatives and provide 

 meaningful feedback to MFWP about their preferences. 



Monitoring 



MFWP regularly surveys ungulate populations across a spectrum of their habitats, using a variety of techniques. 

 Precise survey objectives vary by species, location, and season. Information gathered from live populations is also 

 supplemented by harvest information gathered at hunter check stations or through the telephone harvest survey. 

 Ungulate monitoring efforts will be enhanced where wolf packs are established. 



Habitat 



MFWP recognizes that ungulates and carnivores depend on a sustained, productive land base -both public and 

 private lands. Habitat management prescriptions that enhance habitat for ungulates will ultimately benefit human 

 hunters and wolves. Subject to landowner tolerance, MFWP will continue its efforts to enhance wildlife habitats on 

 private lands. MFWP will also coordinate with public land grazing permittees and federal or state land management 

 agencies to address conflicts between ungulates and domestic livestock. 



Researcli 



Predator - prey population dynamics are complex and knowledge about those relationships is incomplete. Long- 

 term research will enhance understanding of those relationships and lead to more effective management. MFWP 

 does not have the financial resources to initiate a long-term comprehensive ecological study of wolf-prey 

 interactions independently. MFWP will participate and support research efforts by other collaborative partners, 

 including universities, NPS, USFS, USFWS, WS, Idaho, Wyoming, and neighboring Canadian provinces. For 

 example, the NPS began studying predator and prey populations in YNP before wolves were reintroduced. After 

 reintroduction, ongoing research expanded to include wolves within YNP and now, outside YNP. MFWP is a 

 partner in ongoing research into elk- wolf relationships in the Gallatin and Madison mountain ranges. These efforts 

 will result in an increased ecological understanding of wolf-ungulate interactions. We will apply research findings 

 from other areas as appropriate and address information needs specific to MFWP ungulate management programs as 

 resources allow. 



MFWP is also interested in evaluating specific management actions as to their efficacy and projected outcomes. 

 This will be accompUshed through a combination of the monitoring program within the adaptive management model 

 and research efforts to evaluate management strategies or specific actions across all numbers of wolf packs and 

 management settings. 



Implementation 



Table 2 summarizes a spectrum of MFWP management activities to maintain viable prey populations. Many 

 activities fall within existing duties and responsibilities already carried out by MFWP, but some activities clearly 

 add to existing responsibilities and workloads. For example, some wildlife biologists may have increased ungulate 

 monitoring responsibilities or more frequent coordination with landowners. Most importantly, biologists and game 



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