Recent incidents between hunters and grizzly bears are now under the joint investigation of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Two incidents occurred in Northwest Wyoming within a few days of each other, and both resulted in human injury and the death of the grizzlies involved.
The first occurred on the evening of September 24. A man hunting elk in the Thorofare encountered a grizzly. He was attacked and injured but managed to kill the bear during the altercation. He was airlifted to a local hospital to receive treatment.
The second occurred on Saturday, September 26, on Cody’s Rattlesnake Mountain. The grizzly charged another bow hunter but was killed before it could cause any injury.
Because grizzlies are still listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act, it’s not uncommon for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to lead investigations in coordination with Wyoming Game and Fish.
The status of Wyoming’s grizzlies is currently under review in the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, led by Wyoming Senator John Barrasso. Last week, Governor Mark Gordon testified in favor of lessening federal restrictions in favor of more state control over its own grizzly population.
He cited specific grizzly incidents in Northwest Wyoming as support of more state management.
