This is great news! A lot of miss information is going around about this, especially from people who don't live in the area and this is a great step in the name of conservation. I'm a scientist for The US Fish and Wildlife service and have been following this and the research that has come out on the topic very closely and at the end of the day it's a success story. It doesn't mean grizzly bears are now doomed. This is what the endangered species act(ESA) is designed to do. It's not designed to have anything listed permanently.

We in Montana are also very lucky to have the state game agency we do. I have great faith that FWP to put the right management strategy forward to protect this species. Yes, this is absolutely means we may see them hunted in the future but don't assume that means they'll be fair game and will find their way back on the ESA. Compared to our neighbors, Fish wildlife and parks (FWP) works tirelessly to put science based management strategies forward. They also, of course are subject to political and public pressure and will never make everyone happy but in my experience FWP puts good science based strategies forward when designing management practices. They do a far better job than many of the other state agencies I've met and worked with.

They took a very conservative approach early on with wolves and despite all the controversy the current wolf plan is working about as good as you could hope for. All evidence/research shows that populations are still growing in the state and people are still able to hunt for them, which needs to be done. I understand the argument both sides have on the issue but FWP has to try and please everyone and as an agency does a great job not letting the politics get the better of them all while putting a science based strategies forward. As much as a lot of people want to believe animals should just be able to freely grow and do what they want you have to understand that humans are the dominate species on the landscape and control most of the land in this state at some point the boundary between wilderness and the human landscape blurs and without management everyone gets upset. It's the main function of state fish and game agencies. They were created because of this.

I'm at work and don't feel like digging up the info but i encourage everyone to go to FWPs website and you can see all their research and plans in the latest wolf management plan as well as for a counter MSU has done some great research on the issue as well you can look up. Also never trust interests groups! They serve a great purpose, but all have agendas if you're getting your opinions from organizations like RMEF take it with a grain of salt because they have an agenda. I was die hard anti wolf hunting for years after going over the research and meeting many of the professionals working on these issues on both sides I changed my opinion. So long story short I expect a bright future for grizzly bears at least in Montana (Wyoming and Idaho in general have way to relaxed and poor management strategies when it comes to predators. There're a reason USFWS has to step back in on wolves in WY and not in MT.).