Post by Woody Williams on Jan 11, 2006 7:00:19 GMT -5
Lifting of federal protection on grizzlies in Yellowstone area to be
debated
CNN.com
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/01/10/grizzly.bear.hunting.reut/index.html
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiated
a public debate on Monday over its plan to lift federal protections from
grizzly bears in the Yellowstone National Park area, a measure that
would pave the way for hunting of the bears in surrounding Western
states.
Millions of tourists visit Yellowstone annually hoping to see the
outsize, hump-shouldered bears that were hunted and trapped to near
extinction before being classified in 1975 as threatened under the
federal Endangered Species Act.
In the past three decades, the number of grizzlies in Yellowstone and
surrounding areas -- eastern Idaho, southern Montana and northwest
Wyoming -- has risen to more than 600 from 136, prompting the government
to propose removing that population from the list of protected wildlife.
Public hearings on the proposal began on Monday in Montana and will
conclude on Thursday in Idaho. If the measure is approved, which could
happen by the end of the year, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming will oversee
management of grizzlies that have ventured outside the park.
Each state has crafted a plan to allow hunting of some of those
grizzlies under certain conditions, a practice banned for more than 30
years. Each state would have the authority to kill bears considered
chronic nuisances to humans or livestock.
Grizzlies, like gray wolves, have been at the center of controversy in
Western states ever since they came under federal protection.
The plan to lift the grizzlies' federal protection is opposed by some
powerful environmental groups, including the Natural Resources Defense
Council and the Sierra Club, which say it is premature to remove the
bears' safety net because their long-term success is still not assured.
The outcry has reverberated in ranching communities in Montana and
Wyoming, where rising bear numbers are paralleled by more encounters
with people and livestock.
"When they start interfering with your livelihood, there are too many of
them," said Gus Vaile, a Montana cattle rancher who last year lost a
handful of cows and calves to grizzlies.
John Emmerich, assistant wildlife division chief with the Wyoming Game
and Fish Department, said grizzlies are less popular with those who live
near them while "people that don't live here think they're the greatest
thing since sliced bread."
The Humane Society of the United States views the bears from the latter
vantage point and is "strongly opposed to the notion of hunting grizzly
bears," said John Grandy, senior vice president for wildlife.
"Being the largest predator, they are peculiarly vulnerable to sport
hunting," Grandy said.
"Literally thousands and thousands" from across the nation are expected
to apply for licenses to hunt grizzlies when Wyoming offers a season,
which could happen as early as next year, said Dave Moody, the state's
trophy game coordinator.
The excitement already is building among sportsmen. "I'd love to shoot
one," said Dick Hadlock, an Idaho hunter.
debated
CNN.com
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/01/10/grizzly.bear.hunting.reut/index.html
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiated
a public debate on Monday over its plan to lift federal protections from
grizzly bears in the Yellowstone National Park area, a measure that
would pave the way for hunting of the bears in surrounding Western
states.
Millions of tourists visit Yellowstone annually hoping to see the
outsize, hump-shouldered bears that were hunted and trapped to near
extinction before being classified in 1975 as threatened under the
federal Endangered Species Act.
In the past three decades, the number of grizzlies in Yellowstone and
surrounding areas -- eastern Idaho, southern Montana and northwest
Wyoming -- has risen to more than 600 from 136, prompting the government
to propose removing that population from the list of protected wildlife.
Public hearings on the proposal began on Monday in Montana and will
conclude on Thursday in Idaho. If the measure is approved, which could
happen by the end of the year, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming will oversee
management of grizzlies that have ventured outside the park.
Each state has crafted a plan to allow hunting of some of those
grizzlies under certain conditions, a practice banned for more than 30
years. Each state would have the authority to kill bears considered
chronic nuisances to humans or livestock.
Grizzlies, like gray wolves, have been at the center of controversy in
Western states ever since they came under federal protection.
The plan to lift the grizzlies' federal protection is opposed by some
powerful environmental groups, including the Natural Resources Defense
Council and the Sierra Club, which say it is premature to remove the
bears' safety net because their long-term success is still not assured.
The outcry has reverberated in ranching communities in Montana and
Wyoming, where rising bear numbers are paralleled by more encounters
with people and livestock.
"When they start interfering with your livelihood, there are too many of
them," said Gus Vaile, a Montana cattle rancher who last year lost a
handful of cows and calves to grizzlies.
John Emmerich, assistant wildlife division chief with the Wyoming Game
and Fish Department, said grizzlies are less popular with those who live
near them while "people that don't live here think they're the greatest
thing since sliced bread."
The Humane Society of the United States views the bears from the latter
vantage point and is "strongly opposed to the notion of hunting grizzly
bears," said John Grandy, senior vice president for wildlife.
"Being the largest predator, they are peculiarly vulnerable to sport
hunting," Grandy said.
"Literally thousands and thousands" from across the nation are expected
to apply for licenses to hunt grizzlies when Wyoming offers a season,
which could happen as early as next year, said Dave Moody, the state's
trophy game coordinator.
The excitement already is building among sportsmen. "I'd love to shoot
one," said Dick Hadlock, an Idaho hunter.