|
BITTERROOT ECOSYSTEM SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE IGBC
FINAL Meeting Minutes - June 3, 2008, 1000 PDT—14:30 PDT
Powell Ranger District
Clearwater National Forest
Attending: Dave Cadwallader (Chair), Steve Nadeau (Co-Chair), Mike Demick, Lucas Swanson, David Bull, Tom Reilly, Mary Ann High, Jim Claar, Vivica Crowser, Ellen Davis, Julie Schreck, Damien Miller, Chris Servheen, Mack Long, Sterling Miller, Rebecca Shoemaker, Chad Benson.
Opening Message from Chair, Dave Cadwallader
Dave welcomed everyone and discussed meeting agenda topics. Meeting began after brief introductions.
Genetics Sampling Study – Servheen
- Funding was secured. Will conduct genetic sampling (DNA from hair snare) surveys this summer. Cameras will be used. Rebecca Shoemaker will be running the process. Stratified sampling method will include high probability areas: Hoodoo Pass, Kelly Creek, Upper North Fork and Upper St. Joe. 2 week survey periods. Run at least 2 to 4 survey periods. Samples will be sent to genetics lab in Nelson, BC. Information collected will provide species, origins and sex of bears. Circulated a CNF map to members to circle best potential grizzly habitat to facilitate Chris’ survey work.
- Currently have genetic samples by areas in US and Canada to 15 DCI, except Yellowstone. Explained genetic drift: occurs when small population is isolated from larger population extensive periods. Offspring show the dominate alleles of the population. Selkirk population is most unique genetically.
- Kelly Creek bear traveled 140 miles from Selkirks (new record). Several radio-collared bears have been documented moving 60-75 miles, so it is possible to expect bears in the bitterroot ecosystem. Mostly males move long distances. Females generally have a much smaller home range overlapping/next to their mother’s home range. Somewhat unlikely for a female to move long distances like this male did. However, the 9-mile population has females with cubs and are within 50 miles of Kelly Creek. With time, bears will move into the Bitterroot
- Explained current reintroduction status. In 2000, ROD that calls for reintroducing bears over a 25 year period still exists and is valid, but has been unfunded since 2000. The one male verified in the area does not preclude the decision to reintroduce under the 10J experimental population rule.
- A resident population would be established when: two females with young are present over a 6 year period; or, 1 female is present with 2 sets of young over a 6 year period.
IE Outreach – (Claar, Reilly, High)
- Working with outfitters on food storage. Mandatory orders are not yet in place, but encouraged. Good reception from meeting with outfitters on the Nez Perce, but limited interest on the Clearwater. Also working with FS employees to become more knowledgeable on bear resistant equipment/food storage in efforts to 1. better inform public, 2. “walk the talk.”
- (Nadeau) Suggested any left-over grant funds be used to purchase additional bear resistant equipment for loan to outfitters, demonstrations, etc. Currently, FS is utilizing the equipment themselves. IDFG loaned a set to an outfitter, who now intends to purchase his own. Suggested that all guides be required or encouraged to receive training on bear resistant equipment use. Will solicit Smoke Elser’s involvement (at least 11 months in advance) of training workshops.
- (Servheen) Graduate student is currently working on surveying people who provided comments to the EIS, to determine where they get their information (attitudes/behaviors) regarding grizzly bears. ????
- (Schreck, Davis) Draft narration for new signs and posters for trailheads and campgrounds is complete. Discussed minor changes and sign material options. Will order a large quantity and distribute. Grant funds will be used to purchase signage and posters, not brochures this year. Action Item
- (Nadeau) Suggested bear information is provided to all hunters purchasing bear tags/baiting permits. Ellen will send supply to IDFG, others.
- Working on including fact sheet on IGBC website, providing to everyone in various agencies.
Baiting and Hound Hunting - (Cadwallader, Nadeau)
- Currently, baiting is restricted in populated areas and in areas where grizzlies are present. However, very different in backcountry areas. Baiting sparks a diversity of issues: human safety, wilderness issues, perceptions of “hunter ethics”, others. Regionally, Idaho manages bears with both baiting and hound hunting. Both are management tools utilized to increase hunter opportunity and harvest in somewhat remote areas, especially in areas known to have low elk recruitment. In the Selway and Lolo elk zones, elk research has shown that black bears are a major factor in elk calf mortality (58%), mt. lions (30%). IDFG commission supports baiting as a management tool. .
- Current grizzly bear information has been incorporated/modified in Idaho’s bear hunting regulations, website and various brochures to inform public.
Sanitation
- (S.Miller) ½ million spent in Bitterroot Ecosystem, then corridors????. Many dumpster sites have been made bear resistant, including the Lochsa and Selway corridors.
- Encouraged group that if there are any additional needs for bear proof containers, brochures, etc, send him an email ASAP. Still $20,000 available. Priorities will be given to projects with agency matching funds. Possibly looking at using some funds to bear proof facilities at Moose Creek.
- USFS to discuss pole caches in the Selway-Bitterroot wilderness.
Appraise the Governor - (Nadeau)
- Reintroduction or natural recovery
- Experimental non-essential, 10J – threatened ???
5-year Plan Update
- (Servheen). Population status is done every 5 years. Recommendations will be completed by 12/08. Purpose: determine threats to population and change in status.
Accomplishments since November 2007 meeting
- Reviewed and updated I&E plan, I&E roles/charter and summary document.
- Reviewed and selected I&E products. Focus is on two messages: Bear ID to prevent mortalities and proper food storage to prevent habituation.
- Distributed “Who’s Who” bear ID brochures on Forests for public and agency personnel awareness.
- Submitted IGBC FY08 grant proposal for above signage and backcountry bear safety/sanitation training for outfitters and staff in Idaho and Montana. Awarded $4,000.00 for 2008.
- Servheen developed grizzly bear fact sheet with input from subcommitte
- Conducted backcountry bear safety/sanitation workshops at outfitter meetings on the Bitterroot, Clearwater, and Nez Perce National Forests.
- Nadeau extracted tooth from Kelly Creek grizzly skull and was aged at 4 years.|
- Servheen designed genetic sampling survey and secured funding.
- Servheen conducted grizzly awareness and ID training for Moose Creek RD personnel.
Action items
- Get signs printed and distributed
- Lewiston Office IDFG will issue “Who’s Who-Know Your Bears” brochure to every hunter picking up black bear bait site tags. Forests will continue to distribute these brochures.
- All agencies should remind their own employees plus inform the general public about the GRIZZLY FACT SHEET available on the IGBC web site.
- Get project/materials proposal to Sterling asap to see if NWF can help fund these (matching funds required)
- Send out meeting roster ecopy
- Servheen and/or Nadeau to send work plans out to group for review and update?? Not sure about the details here…..
- NPNF, CNF and BNF will continue bear ID and food storage training for outfitters and agency employees.
Next Meeting:
- November 7th, 10am-2pm PST, Hearth Stone Bakery (tentative based on availability) Kamiah.
- Agenda so far:
- Mack Long will bring bear proof pack equipment, food storage containers etc , various brands to share with group.
- FS Outfitter Administrator update on Grizzly Bear message etc to Outfitters.
Print Friendly Version
|
