Montana FWP Pushing USFWS To Finish Status Report On Grizzlies
December 22, 2007
While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service goes about its task of evaluating the status of the grizzly bear in Montana, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission is prompting them to conclude their study as quickly as possible. All indications there are at least as many grizzly bears in Montana’s northern Continental Divide as there are in Yellowstone and this is worrying some commissioners.
“The commission is just interested in making sure that the Fish and Wildlife Service understands how important it is to Montana that they complete this process in a timely fashion,” said Chris Smith, chief of staff for Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Smith said estimates show there are at least as many grizzlies in the northern Continental Divide area, stretching from Glacier National Park through the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, as there are in the Yellowstone area. There are more than 550 in each region, he said.
Smith said delisting is important because it will help Montana manage the bear populations, including possibly opening up a hunting season for the animal.
The study process could take as long as three years or longer and FWP is concerned about the growth of the bear population by then.
Tom Remington
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[...] Black Bear Blog – Black Bear Blog is for hunters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts. wrote an interesting post today on Montana FWP Pushing USFWS To Finish Status Report On GrizzliesHere’s a quick excerpt While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service goes about its task of evaluating the status of the grizzly bear in Montana, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission is prompting them to conclude their study as quickly as possible. All indications there are at least as many grizzly bears in Montana’s northern Continental Divide as there are in Yellowstone and this is worrying some commissioners. “The commission is just interested in making sure that the Fish and Wildlife Service understands ho [...]