The Idaho Fish and Game Commission is moving forward with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s (IDFG) proposal to open a hunting season for Greater Yellowstone ecosystem grizzly bears in 2018, less than a year after their delisting.
On April 16, IDFG proposed that the Commission allow for the hunting of one grizzly bear within the Demographic Monitoring Area (DMA).
Suzanne Stone, Idaho resident and Northwest senior representative at Defenders of Wildlife, issued this statement:
“We should not be killing grizzly bears we’re trying to save. This hunt will add needless mortality to a population already experiencing high human-related grizzly bear deaths. The ability for the Yellowstone ecosystem grizzly bear population to become a source for natural recolonization of the Bitterroot ecosystem rests largely on decisions made by Idaho. Instead of focusing on hunting, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Commission should focus on providing protections that support grizzly bear occupancy and movement outside the Demographic Monitoring Area (DMA) and drafting of a statewide management plan.”
For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.
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