Yesterday, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission unanimously approved a grizzly bear hunt for this fall. It will be the first grizzly bear hunt in Wyoming since 1974 and officials say it is a result of the successful recovery of the animals within the state.

Idaho also decided to hold a grizzly bear hunt this year. Montana, the third state that was considering a possible hunt, decided against one. As goHUNT previously reported, WGFD modified its proposal based upon public comments and research, decreasing the female grizzly bear quota from two bears to one, which dropped the entire quota for the hunt from 12 to 11. Additionally, there is a 10-day limit in place for a hunter with a license for any of the six designated demographic monitoring areas.

“I want to thank all of the people who came to today’s meeting to participate in the process. Additionally, thousands of people commented online and truly made this regulation a better regulation,” said Scott Talbott, director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. “Many, many people have been part of this process since last fall in helping to set a direction for all grizzly bear management, from education, conflict reduction to hunting. Wyoming is committed to ensuring a recovered population to provide an opportunity for anyone who is interested in grizzly bears and this decision is part of our management.”

According to WGFD, the approved plan also requires mandatory education for grizzly bear hunters and “a closed portion of a hunt area next to Grand Teton National Park to support the wildlife viewing tourism economy and a prohibition against hunting grizzly bears near highways.”

Wyoming Legislature previously set the bear license fees prior to the approval of a hunting season. For residents, it is $602; for nonresidents, it will cost $6,002.

Stay tuned to GOHUNT for further information.