ASSOCIATED PRESS • February 3, 2023
The Biden administration took a first step Friday toward ending federal protections for grizzly bears in the northern Rocky Mountains, which would open the door to future hunting in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. It raises concerns about new laws from the Republican-led states that could potentially harm grizzly populations. As many as 50,000 grizzlies once roamed the western half of the U.S. They were exterminated in most of the country early last century. Environmental groups want federal protections kept in place and no hunting allowed so bears can continue moving into new areas.