Federal Judge Returns Grizzlies to Protected Status

by
posted on September 27, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
grizzlyhuntscancelled_lead.jpg

On Sep. 24, 2018, Federal U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen reinstated federal protection for grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), overturning the March 2017 decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to delist the GYE grizzlies from Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections.

Judge Christensen’s ruling effectively ended the planned hunts in Idaho and Wyoming, despite the fact that the region’s grizzly population has exceeded every scientifically established recovery criteria since 2003. Numbers have risen from 136 bears when they were listed in 1975 to more than 700 today. In fact, they’re so densely populated that they have reached carrying capacity.

“Grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are clearly recovered—they should be managed by wildlife professionals—not the Courts,” said Chris W. Cox, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). “It’s time for state fish and game agencies to take over bear management with the help of hunters. NRA will continue to fight until we achieve this goal.”

The states’ hunts originally scheduled to begin on Sept. 1 planned to allow hunters with special permits to take as many as 23 grizzlies (22 in Wyoming and one in Idaho), but were put on hold twice by Judge Christensen to deliberate over animal rights extremist groups’ demands to restore the bears’ federal ESA protections.

The recent ruling reinstating federal protection for the bears came just 10 days after a Wyoming hunting guide was mauled and killed by a grizzly while field-dressing an elk near Jackson Hole, and despite federal and state officials’ claims that grizzly delisting and hunting seasons are necessary due to the rise in human-grizzly conflicts and livestock depredation.  

Latest

Lasagna Soup Lede 3
Lasagna Soup Lede 3

Recipe: Venison Lasagna Soup

Lasagna is comfort food for many, and an energy-rich meal for hunters spending the entire day afield. To shorten the cook time and enjoy the same flavors, try this excellent lasagna soup recipe from Brad Fenson.

New for 2025: Chiappa 86 Wildlands Angle Ejection Takedown

Chiappa has continued its tradition of producing fine modern firearms with a pedigree in the past, with the 86 Wildlands Angle Ejection Takedown, a lever-action worth a closer look.

How To Use Trail Cameras to Find More Bucks and Bulls

Get some tips from Scott Haugen on how to optimize your trail cam grid this season.

New for 2025: Davidson's Exclusive Bergara B-14 FSP Hunter Stainless

Davidson’s has collaborated with Bergara to produce the first complete Bergara rifle with a stainless-steel barreled action available in the USA.

New for 2025: Leica USA Rangemaster CRF Max

Leica Sport Optics USA has unveiled the Leica Rangemaster CRF Max. Designed for hunters and long-range shooters who demand precision and reliability, the CRF Max combines Leica’s optical performance with cutting-edge digital integration and a new heads-up display.

Boone and Crockett Club Poaching Data Published

Did you know that the majority of wildlife violations never result in citations? Sure, with so much ground to cover, it may be easy to guess that most violations committed deep in the backcountry will never see the light of day, but the scale is still quite surprising. 

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.