You're right, they had reasons... not ~good~ reasons, but reasons nonetheless ;~D
Getting rid of predators that will come into your tent and eat you was a pretty good reason. And in a day when cowboys and miners and such lived in the wilderness for extended periods, getting rid of something that could kill you practically without warning was a good thing.
I'd prefer it if they weren't out there today. I don't like taking my life in my hands just to enjoy a hike in the woods. We can save the Griz genome in zoos.