Input sought on grizzly hunting rules

Idaho Department of Fish and Game is gathering public comments on rules for potential future hunting of the Greater Yellowstone population of grizzly bears in eastern Idaho once it is no longer listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.

There are seven rule proposals, including hunting restrictions and requirements for harvest reporting, checks and tag validation. To review the proposals and submit comments, go online to Fish and Game’s negotiated rulemaking page at https://idfg.idaho.gov/about/negotiated-rules.

The public comment period will run through July 27.

When the Fish and Game Commission adopts rules, the rules are subject to review by the Idaho Legislature before they become final.

The Fish and Game Commission has not made a decision to have a hunting season for Greater Yellowstone grizzly bears, and any potential hunting season would be very limited. The Commission makes decisions about hunting seasons and harvest limits through a separate process. These rule proposals involve how Fish and Game would administer grizzly bear hunting if the Commission decides to allow it.

Once the Greater Yellowstone population of grizzly bears is delisted, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and Idaho Department of Fish and Game will continue to manage this population in cooperation with Wyoming and Montana.