Montana wildlife managers have released their final analysis of the environmental impacts of state management of grizzly bears.
If Montana manages grizzlies, it would have less tolerance than the federal government for conflict bears outside of designated habitat.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks recommends managing the species spread out across the state under one plan. It would work on connecting dispersed populations and outline areas where the agency wants grizzly bears to be, as well as areas where it does not. Because grizzlies already live in the region, the analysis finds little to no negative impact on the environment.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering delisting bears in the Northern Continental Divide and Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem populations — and plans to make its decision soon.
Montana’s Fish and Wildlife Commission has said it won’t allow grizzly bear hunting for at least the first five years after delisting.
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Five grizzly bear deaths have been confirmed in Montana so far this year. Montana ranchers may qualify for meat processing settlement funds. Deer ticks, carriers of Lyme disease, detected in eastern Montana -
Grizzly bears in the Northern Rockies could soon be managed as a single population if a proposed federal rule is finalized. That could make it harder to remove federal protections for bears in the future. The public comment period, which ends May 16, has generated a lot of input. -
Gov. Greg Gianforte Tuesday signed into law a bill banning production and sale of lab-grown meat in Montana. A fishing access site located along the upper Yellowstone River has been temporarily closed due to increased grizzly bear activity.
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The collaborative group of state and federal agencies that manages grizzly bear recovery across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem met this week. The group discussed bear conflicts, population numbers and how to manage a growing bear population with a smaller team. -
A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service to reexamine how a cattle grazing plan for areas north of Yellowstone National Park could impact grizzly bears.
