Hunters advised not to expect immediate grizzly bear hunting

The Idaho Fish and Game Department and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are applauding a Department of Interior decision to officially delist the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear from endangered species protection, but caution sportsmen not to expect any immediate hunting opportunities. In a statement, Idaho Fish and Game Director Virgil Moore called delisting a conservation success. But, he cautioned that grizzly hunting is not likely to be imminent. “People are already asking about hunting. The decision about whether there’s going to be limited grizzly hunting in Idaho is one for down the road, and that decision would rely on recommendations of Fish and Game’s professional wildlife managers, coordination with our neighboring states, and public discussion,” said Moore. He said Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana have agreements in place to continue coordination with federal land managers to ensure bears are managed responsibly and in a sustainable manner. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) also voiced support for the move, but President and CEO David Allen had similar concerns about hunting. “We do caution everybody to manage their expectations about the potential of hunting grizzly bears. The reality is there will be very minimal hunting of grizzly bears for the next several years. Those who oppose the delisting are going to try and use ‘trophy hunting’ as a major obstacle and reason not to delist grizzly bears. It’s purely rhetoric and propaganda,” added Allen. RMEF said the Yellowstone grizzly population rebounded from as few as 136 bears in 1975 to an estimated 700 animals today. Confirmed sightings are taking place in locations where they have not previously been seen for more than 100 years.