Could a few griz have made it into this great country?
This season’s efforts have found no positive evidence, although a few bears could be there. Efforts will continue, including analysis of hair (fur) collected.
Grizzlies continue to elude in the Bitterroot. By Perry Backus. Ravalli Republic
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project and the creator of The Wildlife News.
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I would love it if there were some or more grizzly bears in central Idaho and even Southwest Idaho. But thats just me. As I feel it would further complete the ecosystem. Ya alot of people will scream and yell, but in a way it would make more campers more responsible for their camp sites. But for myself I can come up with more reason to have them here then not to have them here. Just like the wolves they are beautiful animals and I can set for hours watching them.
Fascinating topic, Ralph.
Based on my limited experience in the Bitterroot/Selway, it seems it would be much harder to spot grizzly there than in areas like Glacier and Yellowstone due to less open areas like meadows and alpine tundra.
Folks will recall that about a year ago a grizzly was shot in Kelly Creek in north central Idaho. Even more surprising, it had migrated in from the tiny grizzly population in the Idaho Selkirks.
Grizzly Bear killed in north central Idaho came from the Selkirk Mountains
I wonder if this plan will be back on track?
A grizzly bear reintroduction effort for the Bitterroot Mountains was
approved in 2000, but was later suspended.
“It was approved, but never funded,” Servheen said. “The area has
great potential to support a healthy population of grizzly bears.”
Personally, I would rather see natural re-colonization rather than the boondoggle of the “experimental non-essential population” which would allow for more man caused mortality. If the reintroduction does occur then I feel that it should be an essential population without a 10j rule.