Sierra Club Statement on Montana Grizzly Bear Advisory Council Recommendations

Helena, MT— Today, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks staff will present final recommendations of Governor Bullock’s Grizzly Bear Advisory Council for grizzly bear management in the state at a meeting of the Montana legislature’s Environmental Quality Council. The Advisory Council’s recommendations will inform the development of a future statewide grizzly bear management plan, which must comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as long as grizzly bears remain listed.

In the recommendations, the Council endorsed increased public education and more resources to prevent livestock and human conflicts with grizzly bears. The council failed to make a final recommendation against a grizzly bear trophy hunt which could only occur if grizzly bears lose ESA protections in the future. Over the course of their meetings, 16,000 public comments were submitted, and 90% of those referencing a hunt opposed the idea. The full set of recommendations can be read here.

In response to the announcement, Bonnie Rice, Campaign Representative for the Sierra Club’s Greater Yellowstone-Northern Rockies campaign, released the following statement: 

“We applaud the council’s strong recommendations to increase resources for programs that will foster coexistence between people, livestock, and grizzly bears in our region. Safely living, working and recreating with a healthy grizzly bear population is possible. Coexistence measures are the most effective way to keep people safe and grizzly populations thriving.

“However, the Council’s recommendations fall short in regard to connecting grizzly bear populations in Montana— all of which remain isolated from each other. Connectivity is absolutely necessary to ensure the full recovery of grizzly bears. To get there, the state must prohibit trophy hunts, and extend recovery zone protections to additional lands that grizzlies need to connect with each other. Despite acknowledging the importance of connectivity for the long-term viability of grizzly bears in the state, the Council did not include recommendations for much-needed protections to actually achieve it.

“We are deeply disappointed that the Council did not come out strongly against a trophy hunt which could dramatically set back recovery efforts. Failing to recommend against a trophy hunt goes against an overwhelming majority of public comment as well as the position of Tribal Nations who hold the grizzly sacred and strongly oppose trophy hunting.

“The increased presence of grizzly bears in Montana showcases decades-long, successful work to bring this iconic species back from the verge of extinction— benefitting the health of an entire natural system, our culture, environment and economy.  We must continue working together to ensure full recovery and coexistence with grizzlies, especially in the midst of an extinction crisis.”