The Montana Wildlife Federation (MWF) values Montana’s grizzly bears as a unique and valuable resource, and we are dedicated to assuring that grizzly bears remain healthy and well-distributed in Montana. MWF has long supported conservation and management actions that would lead to healthy and robust grizzly bear populations and the delisting of the grizzly bear, a return of grizzly bear management to the state, and the potential of limited fair chase hunting. Unfortunately, MWF believes that the draft FWP grizzly bear management plan does not adequately address the issues facing Montana’s grizzly bear populations and submitted detailed written comments addressing our concerns in a letter that can be viewed HERE.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is extending the public comment deadline on the draft grizzly bear management plan and associated draft environmental impact statement (EIS) to Feb. 4. The purpose of the draft plan and draft EIS is to guide the long-term management and conservation of grizzly bears across the state.
The new plan would replace two existing plans – those for western Montana and for southwest Montana. The statewide plan will serve as a framework for the management of grizzly bears now and into the future. The draft plan will guide management statewide, with particular focus on areas with documented grizzly bear presence, as well as in those places where they are expected to expand. The draft plan addresses how bears will be managed outside of federal recovery zones, including connectivity areas between the zones. The draft EIS addresses potential environmental impacts of implementing the plan.
To review the plan and comment, go online to https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/
If you’d like support with writing a comment and your messaging, please contact North-Central/Eastern Montana Field Coordinator Morgan Marks at morgan@mtwf.org.
