DUAI-TEIS APPENDIX I 



and controversy regarding wolves and their management. The effort should be collaborative with other 

 agencies and non-governmental organizations. 



To Ensure Public Safety, 



• The general public, in the unlikely need for defense of human life, may use any means, including lethal 

 take, to address an imminent threat, regardless of location or wolf population status. 



• Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks or a cooperating agency will take action when the continued presence of a 

 wolf (or wolves) poses a potential threat to human safety, consistent with existing guidelines established for 

 black bears and mountain lions. 



• The State of Montana may seek statutory authority to regulate the ownership of wolf-dog hybrids, as 

 deemed necessary. 



To Maintain Viable Wildlife Populations, 



• We recognize that wolves have an important role in the ecosystem. 



• Wolves should be encouraged to exist in large, contiguous public land areas where the potential for conflict 

 is lowest. Wolves should be permitted in other areas (mixed land ownership), commensurate with social 

 acceptance and subject to the provisions to protect human safety, the integration of management programs 

 for ungulates and carnivores, and the provisions which address wolf/livestock conflicts. 



• The Montana Wolf Management Plan should take a proactive approach to integrate the management of 

 ungulates and carnivores and to maintain traditional hunting heritage and wildlife viewing opportunities. 



• Ungulate populations should be enhanced wherever possible (subject to landowner tolerance) to support 

 viable wolf populations, to maintain recreational and viewing opportunities, and to minimize the potential 

 for livestock depredation. 



• Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks should initiate and/or support research efforts to enhance understanding 

 of the complex interactions and population dynamics of ungulate/carnivore ecosystems, in addition to 

 applying adaptive harvest management principles to achieve more effective management. 



• Ungulate harvest should be balanced with maintaining sufficient prey populations to sustain viable wolf 

 populations and prevent reclassification under federal law. 



• Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks should have a monitoring program for wolves to document wolf 

 persistence and reproduction in a manner that balances precision and cost-effectiveness. 



• Opportunities for regulated public take of wolves through hunting and trapping should be provided as wolf 

 numbers increase, but opportunity should also be consistent with sustaining viable wolf populations into the 

 future, thereby precluding reclassification under federal law. 



To Protect the Livestock Industry, 



• Economic and other incentives .should be provided to livestock producers who voluntarily implement best 

 management practices that decrease the potential for wolf/livestock conflicts. 



• Livestock owners should have a quick and efficient means available to them to address wolf depredation 

 problems. 



• There should be a positive relationship between wolf numbers and landowner flexibility to address wolf 

 depredation problems on private lands. As wolf numbers increase, landowner flexibility should increase. 



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