States divvy up Yellowstone area grizzly hunts

Wildlife officials have divvied up how many grizzly bears could be killed by hunters in the Yellowstone region of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

The move comes as the states seek control of a species shielded from hunting for the past 40 years.

A draft agreement detailing the states’ plans was obtained by The Associated Press.

It puts no limits on grizzly hunting outside a management zone centered on Yellowstone National Park.

Inside the zone, hunters in Wyoming would get a 58 percent share of the harvest. Montana would get 34 percent and Idaho 8 percent.

The management zone has an estimated 717 bears. They’re currently under federal protection, but that could change in coming months.

Wildlife advocates say the population remains too small to withstand hunting.

A record 59 grizzlies were killed or removed by government agencies in 2015.