The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposed federal rule on July 18 that would expand state control over grizzly bear management across the Northern Rockies, marking a shift in how the species is regulated while keeping it under federal protection.
The announcement came during an event south of Bozeman, Montana, attended by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Idaho Governor Brad Little, and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon. The proposal represents the Trump administration’s effort to delegate wildlife management decisions to states rather than maintain exclusive federal oversight.
What the Rule Does and Does Not Do
The proposed regulation, set to be published in the Federal Register on July 17, focuses on provisions of the Endangered Species Act known as “4(d) rules.” The measure would not remove grizzly bears from the Endangered Species list and would not alter the geographic boundaries of existing management zones.
Instead, the rule creates two new tiers of exceptions that would allow designated state and tribal wildlife managers to kill grizzly bears under specific circumstances. However, the proposal stops short of authorizing state hunting seasons for the animals, meaning the general public would not gain hunting rights.
The rule does expand the conditions under which state wildlife officials can take action against bears, giving them greater discretion in managing conflicts and population dynamics within their borders.
Population Recovery and Timeline
Grizzly bears were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1975, when the continental population had dwindled to between 300 and 400 animals. Since that protection took effect, the population has recovered substantially. Current estimates show the grizzly population along the Continental Divide now exceeds 2,000 bears.
That recovery trajectory has fueled arguments from state officials and western lawmakers that federal management is no longer necessary. “Idaho has proven we can successfully conserve grizzly bears while responsibly managing wildlife and protecting our communities,” Governor Little said during the announcement.
The Fish and Wildlife Service will accept public comments for 30 days following the Federal Register publication. The agency indicated it will also consider comments previously submitted during a related 2025 rulemaking process, which drew more than 200,000 responses.
Federal Action and State Advocacy
This proposal comes after federal officials rejected Montana and Wyoming petitions in January 2025 to remove the “threatened” designation for grizzly bears in specific recovery zones. In that same month, the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed retaining federal protections and managing grizzlies as a single population across Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Washington—a decision that drew substantial public engagement.
Senator Mike Crapo, an Idaho Republican, has been a vocal advocate for returning wildlife management authority to the states. “For years, I have advocated for returning grizzly bear management to the states as recovery objectives and benchmarks have been achieved,” Crapo said.
The Trump administration earlier this year pushed back deadlines related to whether grizzlies in the Yellowstone region should retain full Endangered Species Act protections, signaling a broader effort to evaluate the status of recovered species.
The proposed rule represents one of the first concrete steps by the Trump administration to implement its policy preference for devolving natural resource decisions to state governments rather than maintaining centralized federal control. State wildlife managers argue they possess on-the-ground expertise and local accountability that federal agencies cannot match, while environmental groups have historically advocated for maintaining federal oversight of threatened species.
What Comes Next
The 30-day comment period will determine whether the Fish and Wildlife Service proceeds with the rule as drafted or makes revisions before finalizing it. Idaho Senators Endorse Interior Department Plan Expanding State Grizzly Management Authority outlines state support for this approach. Interested parties, landowners, conservation groups, and state officials have the opportunity to submit formal comments during the window.
Federal officials have not announced a timeline for finalizing the rule, but the administrative process typically takes several months after the comment period closes.