The Bitterroot area may see grizzly augmentation (re-introduction to an existing population) due to an “alleged” shortage of bears in the Bitterroot ecosystem. There are 6 identified recovery zones for grizzly bears in the West, and the Bitterroot ecosystem is one of them. Surveys report this area has “no established population”. In order to validate population, there needs to be at least two breeding pairs and two consecutive litters of cubs in the given area. According to US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) this data has yet to be substantiated. That fact may be hard to believe for many that live, hunt, and fish in this area. But nonetheless, it is the information that is being moved on. Okay, let’s rewind all the way back to 2001, this is when the USFWS recorded a decision that outlined plans to re-introduce bears into the Bitterroot area. 22 years later the US District Court for Montana ruled the USFWS has unreasonably delayed this re-introduction and thus plans to kick start this back into motion are in process. The good news…(if there is any) there will be a new EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) required. This is supposed to introduce new science and fresh biologist data to further substantiate the need for these bears to be re-introduced. Or possibly confirm that, in fact, there is a sustainable population already there. This EIS has a deadline of November 2026, which might seem a long way down the road leaving time for USFWS to get their information. However, there is a short window left to voice YOUR opinion on this. The public comment period began January 18th, 2024 and ends March 18th, 2024. Comments can be submitted here: regulations.gov, docket number FWS-R6-ES-2023-0203 

What are your thoughts on this? Do you have boots on the ground data that conflicts with the USFWS information? We have bears coming out-of-our ears in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Hard to imagine the benefits of this. However, there is a gold lining (from my understanding anyway). One of the primary obstacles left before Montana is allowed to de-list the grizzly is proof that this Bitterroot ecosystem has sustainable bears. Once that has been proven, another important layer of red tape is down, providing another shot for these bears to be managed at a state level. Which means grizzlies would likely be hunted and managed by sportsmen and women instead of being allowed to continue on unchecked and unbalanced as they are now.