Success: Montana to Ban Hunting of Yellowstone Grizzlies

Target: Martha Williams, Director of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Department

Goal: Support the department’s recommendation to forbid the hunting of grizzly bears in Yellowstone.

This year, the hunting of grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park will no longer be allowed in Montana, at the recommendation of the department of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). This is following the removal of Yellowstone grizzlies from the Endangered Species List, which was met with much opposition, including petitions like this one on ForceChange. This recommendation to ban grizzly hunting in Montana will be brought before the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission to clarify the process.

Part of the process of delisting Yellowstone grizzlies as endangered was an agreement between Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho regarding discretionary mortality. This outlines how many bear deaths between the three states are deemed acceptable based on population and habitat area within each state. Montana will still retain its share of discretionary mortality when the hunting ban is in place, ensuring that fewer bears will be killed in total. As FWP director Martha Williams stated, “Our focus, now that they are delisted, is managing these iconic species for long-term recovery and at the same time having the ability to respond to conflicts in the Yellowstone ecosystem. We also are continuing to work hard at responding proactively to bear conflicts and educating people and communities in the grizzly country how to be bear aware.” Sign below to support this important decision for the preservation of the Yellowstone grizzly bear.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Director Williams,

Thank you for your commitment to protecting the grizzly bears of Yellowstone National Park. The recommendation of the department of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to disallow grizzly hunting this year is a step in the right direction for the preservation of this iconic species. Hopefully it will set a positive example for the preservation of these bears in other states as well.

The choice to ban grizzly hunting while retaining Montana’s share of discretionary mortality is the right one. As you stated, “now that they are delisted” the department must prioritize “managing these iconic species for long-term recovery.” Thank you for bringing this issue before the Commission. I support the FWP’s recommendation to ban the hunting of Yellowstone Grizzly Bears.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service