Bald Eagle Management Plan
Bald Eagles were removed from the threatened and endangered species list throughout most of their range in 2007.
The Management Guidelines (below) were prepared in cooperation with the Montana Bald Eagle Working Group to provide recommendations for protecting bald eagle habitat and reducing the risk of potential violations of the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. This document is an addendum to the 1994 Bald Eagle Management Plan.
The Montana Bald Eagle Working Group also collaborated on a status assessment in 2010 to discuss recent changes in bald eagle populations and conservation issues in Montana.
Conservation Strategy for Montana's Bighorn Sheep
The Conservation Strategy will draw together the history of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep in Montana from decline to recovery. It will also offer a narrative history of all existing herds, including past and current management and the challenges facing each of the populations.
Bison Conservation & Management
The Interagency Bison Plan seeks to:
- reduce the risk of brucellosis transmission from bison to cattle by keeping the animals away from each other;
- maintain a wild, free-ranging bison population; and
- protect the economic interest and viability of Montana's livestock industry.
Montana Statewide Elk Management Plan
In 1992, Montana adopted a new, comprehensive elk plan, which differs from the previous plan in 3 important ways:
- 35 elk management units (EMUs) were established based on similar ecological characteristics and each generally encompassed the yearlong range of a major elk population;
- statewide and EMU elk population objectives were established;
- there was much greater public involvement in the planning process than the previous plans.
Gray wolves are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act. In 2004, FWP finalized it's plan for how wolves would be conserved and managed after they were delisted, and it was approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Montana's plan is based on the work of a citizen's advisory council and ensure the long-term success of wolf recovery in a landscape where people live, work, and recreate. The plan recognizes wolves as a native species and part of Montana wildlife heritage, allows them to find their place on the landscape similar to other wildlife, and resolves conflicts with people. Until wolves are officially delisted, FWP implements as much of the state's plan as allowed by federal regulations.
Grizzly Bear Management Plan for Western Montana
Management Plan for Western Montana—The plan was developed to address the future of grizzly bear management in western Montana outside the Greater Yellowstone Area. It focuses on grizzly bear populations or potential populations in the Northern Continental Divide, Cabinet-Yaak, and Bitterroot Ecosystems, as well as surrounding areas. In response to an increase in the number and distribution of bears in western Montana, FWP developed the programmatic EIS to evaluate current management programs and ensure the future success of grizzly bear conservation.
This conservation plan is a result of the efforts of the Montana Prairie Dog Working Group (MPDWG.) The MPDWG is a forum where these entities are collaborating to achieve appropriate prairie dog conservation while viable prairie dogs populations still remain.
Based on the best available information, the plan describes the current status of Montanas sage grouse population and sagebrush habitat, describes the desired conditions for habitat, and identifies risks confronting habitat and sage grouse populations.
