Annual report from an ongoing study of grizzly bears and black bears in the Cabinet Mountains. Monitoring occurred chiefly in the spring and fall seasons.

Areas within 500 meters (m) from a road received significantly less use by grizzly bears than expected. Areas from 500 to 1,000 m from a road were used as expected. Areas greater than 1,000 m from a road received significantly greater use than expected.

The mean distance of grizzly bear locations to a seasonally closed road significantly increased when the road was opened.

Areas designated for non-motorized use only received significantly greater use than expected in spring.

The study concludes that road closures could benefit bears.