Grizzly Bears

A federal magistrate has upheld a previous decision to prohibit trapping and snaring wolves during certain seasons

The comment period just opened for the proposal to keep grizzlies in the Northern Rockies classified as “threatened” — with some tweaks to how they are managed.

Grizzly bear 399 died this year after being hit by a car in Jackson, Wyoming. She was a popular roadside attraction, a mama bear with her cubs, photographed so often that she became a worldwide sensation.

At age 28, she was the oldest known reproducing female in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Photos of the popular mama bear and her cubs circulated around the world.

The states recently relocated two bears in an effort to strengthen the Yellowstone population’s bloodlines. Experts say this move has a lot to do with politics and less to do with science.

Wyoming has slammed the delay, saying the state is ready now to assume management for the bears. But, according to conservation groups, the population hasn’t fully rebounded.

As the weather is getting warmer, both hunters and bears are becoming more active across Idaho. Hunters and recreationists are asked by Idaho Fish and Game to take extra precautions when out in bear country.

A lawsuit over the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s killing of three grizzly bears in Eastern Idaho has settled, and it could have implications beyond the state’s borders.

Idaho is considering its options after a federal court decision last week forcing the state to change its rules for wolf trapping over concerns that grizzly bears could be caught in the traps.

Conservation groups are trying to stop wolf trapping in Idaho, saying the practice threatens endangered grizzly bears. Thirteen groups filed a lawsuit saying traps and snares for wolves could also kill grizzlies and they asked a federal judge last week to stop the practice when bears are not hibernating.