Montana Farm Bureau upset with grizzly proposal

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rejected multiple petitions

An ag organization is disappointed with a federal proposal because it hinders state grizzly bear management.

A Jan. 8 proposal from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) would retain the threatened status for grizzly bears under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and would treat grizzly bears in the lower 48 states as one population under federal management.

This would facilitate recovery of grizzly bears and work towards eventual delisting, USFWS Service Director Martha Williams said in a statement.

But groups like the Montana Farm Bureau believe the bears should be delisted now and management tuned over to individual states.

“Grizzly bears have surpassed the recovery population goals in the Great Yellowstone and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystems, and yet the agency still refuses to turn the management of the species back to the states creating deep frustration over the lack of acknowledgement for the work and sacrifice made by those who live and work these ecosystems,” Montana Farm Bureau President Cyndi Johnson said in a statement.

Livestock producers could be especially vulnerable to grizzly bear encounters.

In August 2024, for example, the USDA’s Wildlife Services killed two grizzly bears in Montana after the bears killed multiple sheep and cows.

The USFWS says its new proposal “recognizes the need for added flexibility” when it comes to private landowners and livestock producers.

Montana lawmakers agree with the ag organization.

“For more than 50 years, ag producers and livestock users have been committed to the delisting of the grizzly bear,” Montaha Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Christy Clark said in a statement. “I thank them for the efforts. FWP will remain diligent in the continued recovery of the species to ensure the future viability of grizzlies in Montana.

“It’s beyond time for the federal government to recognize the science and follow the law. FWP and our partners have proven we are ready to manage this species at a state level. We will be exploring all our options to move forward.”

Farmers and residents in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming are invited to participate in in-person or virtual meetings about grizzly bear management.

The scheduled meetings are:

• Jan. 28, 2025: Missoula, at the Hilton Garden Inn, 3720 N. Reserve St. Information meeting 3-5 p.m., public hearing 6-8 p.m. MST
• Jan. 29: Coeur d’Alene, ID. Information meeting 3-5 p.m., public hearing 6-8 p.m. PST
• Jan. 30: Virtual meeting https://www.fws.gov/grizzlyrulemaking
  • 6-8 p.m. MST
• Feb. 10: Cody, WY. Information meeting 3-5 p.m., public hearing 6-8 p.m. MST