DRAFT KIS AI'I'KNDIX 1 



We, the Council, recognize wolves as a species native to Montana. Integrating and sustaining wolf populations in 

 suitable habitats will occur within the complex biological, social, economic, and political landscape of Montana. 

 The State of Montana must ensure human safety, safeguard Montana's livestock industry, maintain viable wildlife 

 populations, and uphold the support of people with diverse public interests. 



Wolves do well where prey, primarily deer and elk, arc abundant. Restoration and maintenance of these prey 

 populations is made possible through the financial investments of those participating in regulated public harvest of 

 deer, elk, and other species. Prey populations are also dependent on open space, which in Montana, is often 

 synonymous with large agricultural operations on private lands. Livestock operations often provide winter or year- 

 round habitat for prey, which in turn may attract wolves and create the potential for wolf-livestock conflicts. It is 

 important to maintain the economic viability of hvestock operations that are adversely affected by wolf depredation. 

 In the long run, this ensures habitat availability for both ungulates and wolves. Continued support and investments 

 by those participating in regulated harvest of ungulates will, in time, lead to a regulated harvest of wolves to 

 maintain a balance with prey populations as wolf numbers and distribution increase. 



All Montanans share the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating the wolf into our landscap>e. To 

 honor these diverse perspectives and interests, we, the Council, endorse the following Guiding Principles as the 

 foundation for Montana's Wolf Management Plan. 



Guiding Principles 



On Behalf of the Public Intere.st, 



• The State of Montana is committed to maintaining wolf populations at numbers high enough to prevent 

 their reclassification as "threatened" or "endangered" under federal law, in the three-state area. 



• The State of Montana should contribute a proportionate number of wolf packs towards the recovery goal 

 identified by the USFWS for the states of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. We believe that an equitable 

 distribution of packs among the tri-state area is consistent with the biological intent of the Rocky Mountain 

 Recovery Plan, will ensure a well-distributed and viable population in the region, and will foster greater 

 pubUc acceptance for wolf presence in Montana. 



• Montana's wolf management program should be proactive, respon.sive, cost effective and incorporate 

 public outreach to enhance general acceptance. Effective interagency, interstate, and state/tribal 

 coordination will also be required. 



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The Council recognizes the ecological and cultural significance of wolves to Native Americans and 

 encourages their cooperation in coordinated management. 



The State of Montana should continue to engage a diverse, advisory citizen group to collaborate on the 

 management of wolves. 



The Montana Wolf Management Plan should guide the management of wolves while allowing Montana 

 Fish. Wildlife & Parks management discretion and flexibility to accommodate the unique attributes of each 

 pack and the site-specific characteristics of its home range. 



Implementation of the Montana Wolf Management Plan should be contingent upon adequate funding, 

 shared by state, federal, and private entities. 



The State of Montana should make a long-term funding commitment to the conservation of wolves, 

 commensurate with existing programs for black bears and mountain lions. 



Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks should take a lead role in the creation and implementation of a science- 

 based information and education program to increase public knowledge with a goal of reducing the emotion 



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