The authors attempt to evaluate carnivore habitat through pre-existing qualitative and quantitative data on humans and carnivores. This information was used to generate maps of habitat suitabliity, habitat productivity, potential reserves, and areas of potential conflict. Human numbers, their estimated distribution, roads and trail access, and abundance of quality bear foods were used as factors determining overall habitat suitability. Two models were generated from these data, an empirical model and a conceptual model.

Depending on which model was used, the amount of currently suitable grizzly bear habitat varied from 18,600 km2 (emperical) to 45,100 km2 (conceptual). The authors explain pro's and con's to both models and suggest that the two models probably depict the bounds of suitable habitat in central Idaho, and togther suggest the greatest areas of habitat suitability.

Their results show that both models show suitable habitat in the current evaluation area and in an area of southeast Idaho centered on the Palisades reservoir. Highly productive habitat was concentrated in northern and western Idaho and in the Palisades area. They also located potential areas of human/bear conflicts in western and northern margins of suitable habitat in central Idaho, rather than to the east.