 Grizzly Bear Population Estimates Grizzly Bear Scientific Advisory Committee The Scientific Basis for Grizzly Bear Management Policy on Grizzly Bear hunting GRIZZLY BEAR POPULATION ESTIMATES Wildlife managers rarely count all the wildlife in an area to get accurate numbers. In fact, studies have shown that attempts at total counts are less accurate than taking smaller random samples to arrive at an estimate of wildlife numbers. The BC Wildlife Branch employs three independent methods for estimating Grizzly Bear populations and determining safe harvest levels:
The Flathead study in BC, the longest, continuous study of Grizzly Bears in Canada, found a higher density of Grizzly Bears than previously believed possible. In the past three years, major Grizzly Bear inventory initiatives have been mounted in representative ecosystems throughout BC. The most important of these uses a new non-intrusive hair sampling/DNA analysis technique, which is building on radio-collared bear studies. Although the studies are ongoing, early indications are that current estimates in some cases, are conservative. Estimates | Committee | Scientific Basis | Policy | Top GRIZZLY BEAR SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE In addition to the professional biologists employed in the Ministries of Environment and Forests, the province has established a scientific committee of 11 Grizzly Bear researchers and specialists from academia, government and non-government organizations from Alberta, British Columbia and the US. The main responsibility of the Scientific Committee is to provide the government with an objective assessment of progress made in implementing BC's Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy. This evaluation includes critical review of hunting management, habitat protection and Grizzly Bear inventory and research. Estimates | Committee | Scientific Basis | Policy | Top THE SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR GRIZZLY BEAR MANAGEMENT Grizzly bear harvest management, as practiced in British Columbia, is based on sound scientific principles that are set out in the 1996 Provincial Wildlife Harvest Strategy. The provincial Grizzly Bear Management Plan is described in two publications: 1. A Future for the Grizzly. British Columbia Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy (MELP 1995a).  2. Conservation of Grizzly Bears in British Columbia: A Background Report (MELP 1995b). Estimates | Committee | Scientific Basis | Policy | Top
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