Meetings will allow comment on grizzly bears

Associated Press ^ | January 1, 2006 | Associated Press

[george76]

Public meetings are scheduled next month in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming on the federal government's plans to remove federal protections for grizzly bears surrounding Yellowstone National Park.

The move would put management of bears in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem into the hands of the three states and give them greater flexibility.

It also could clear the way for limited hunting.

Public meetings on the proposal are scheduled Jan. 9 at the Holiday Inn in Bozeman; Jan. 10 in Cody, Wyo.; Jan. 11 in Jackson, Wyo.; and Jan. 12 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Information on the plan will be provided, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials will field any questions...

The Interior Department cited robust population growth, coupled with public support and cooperation between state and federal governments...

The number of grizzlies in the Yellowstone area has grown at a rate of 4 to 7 percent per year since the bear was listed in 1975, federal officials said.

They estimate more than 600 grizzly bears now live in the region.

Environmental groups are split over the issue.

The National Wildlife Federation supports ending the protections, saying it would highlight the success of the endangered species law...

The Sierra Club and other groups say too many threats still exist for the bears.

Four other grizzly populations in the lower 48 states would continue to be protected as threatened species under the act. These bears live in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Washington.

Alaskan grizzly bears, which number about 30,000, were never listed under the act.

[mtbopfuyn]

Did anyone bother asking the grizzlies for their comment?

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Did anyone bother asking the grizzlies for their comment?

They tried. But they kept eating the interviewer.

[DoughtyOne]

I still say, if the Grizzly had to be reintroduced to the lower 48, Washington, D.C. would have been the number one place to start, even if it was only a district.

With so many bears living a healthy life in sparsely populated Alaska, I fail to see why the Grizzly had to be introduced in places where humans were sure to go.

If D.C. could deal with the deaths sure to follow, then the program could have been expanded.

[Honeybunch]

Grizzly bear droppings can be identified by the microphones, legal pads and pencils they contain.

[peyton randolph]

Meetings will allow comment on grizzly bears

What does one use to comment on a grizzly bear? White paint? And won't it bite you in the process?

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[Mercat]

ping

[Mercat]

rats, my new tagline is too long.

[rcocean]

I suggest we introduce Grizzly Bears and Mountain Lions to:

1) Central Park - NYC

2) Golden Gate Park - SF

I'm sure the natives would be pleased to meet their acquaintance.

[dalereed]

Auction all of them off to wealthy trophy hunters.

[freedumb2003]

Praphrased from Brester Rocket:

Brewster: The Ungolians, a man-eating race, are approaching! Dispatch a squad of diplomats to negotiate with them!
(later)
Officer: Sir! A message from the Ungolians. "Thank you for the hors d'vours. They were delicious."

[riverrunner]

Nope no one asked then no one well.

It is time for a limited humt. It would reduce the population of the most aggressive bears.

Knowing people who hunt that area all I hear about is how dangerous it is once one shoots a elk or deer the aggressive bears come and try and take it from you.

If the population supports a hunt it is time to have one.
It is increasing around 24 plus bears for year we could take 20 with no trouble and still have a increase.

[DoughtyOne]

You mean the natives that damn other areas to suffer the affects of have Grizzly's living nearby? I'll sign on to that.

[Honeybunch]

Red wine just shot out of my nose.