Judge extends order against grizzly bear hunts near Yellowstone

Friday, September 14, 2018  

A federal judge has extended a ban on grizzly bear hunts near Yellowstone National Park.

Judge Dana Christensen originally issued a temporary restraining order on August 30, blocking hunts in the states of Idaho and Wyoming. An order issued on Thursday extends the ban for another two weeks, and it came after opponents asked for more time in the case, according to news reports.

Opponents include the Crow Tribe, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Native elders and Native spiritual practitioners. They went to court last year after the Trump administration removed endangered species protections for the bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE).

The tribes feared the changes would open the door to hunts of an animal considered sacred to their religion, culture and way of life. Idaho and Wyoming indeed announced hunts that would have started earlier this month had the judge not taken action.

Judge extends order blocking grizzly hunt (The MIssoulian September 13, 2018)
Hunts of Yellowstone grizzlies delayed again (The Bozeman Daily Chronicle September 13, 2018)
Grizzly Bear Hunting Delayed Again (CBS4 September 13, 2018)
Grizzly Hunt Delayed (KCWY September 13, 2018)
Judge extends block on grizzly hunting outside Yellowstone (MTN News September 14, 2018)

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Population of Grizzly Bears From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (June 30, 2017)

Press Release: Secretary Zinke Announces Recovery and Delisting of Yellowstone Grizzly Bear
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Final Rule to Federal Register

Tribes win decision blocking grizzly bear hunts near Yellowstone (September 4, 2018)
Native Sun News Today: Tribes continue fight to protect grizzly bears (April 17, 2018)
Protections for Yellowstone grizzly bears lifted as tribes seek day in court (August 1, 2017)
Northern Cheyenne Tribe challenges Trump administration on grizzly bears (June 30, 2017)
States cheer decision on grizzly bears amid tribal concerns about hunts (June 23, 2017)
Secretary Zinke removes protections for grizzlies over tribal objections (June 22, 2017)