Dear editor:

I would like to point out that the grossly overpopulation of grizzly bears in this area and elsewhere is not a true success story.

History of the mismanagement proves otherwise. 

Handling, trapping, drugging and relocating grizzlies has been brought about the socialistic “control” of the bear. It accustoms them to humans and many of them, gives them a vendetta against humans.  They are no longer afraid of humans.

I started hunting griz over 59 years ago, when it was legal. I know, first hand, one of the few who has seen it all, from them fearing humans, to them no longer having any inkling that humans are to be feared, thus making them dangerous.

Years ago Yellowstone National Park killed hundreds of them, causing them being listed as endangered.  Fast forward to today where we have the mess created by Wyoming Game and Fish, U.S. Forest Service, misguided court rulings, etc., that have brought us to the point of a huge grizzly population, not properly managed.

For the ones that proclaim a “true success” story on the grizzly, the states must have control and hunting seasons on them, as before. The purpose of the Endangered Species Act is for full restoration, which we have far surpassed, and a return of management by hunting.

The many attacks, severe wounding and killing of humans will dwindle and become rare when that happens, not from eliminating the griz, like some claim, but they will soon know to fear humans again.

We need a return to proper management, which the Wyoming Game and Fish needs to step up and prove they can do [though their mismanagement of other species leaves me in doubt].   Don’t lie, again and again, about the numbers to merely keep them listed, when they have, years ago, far surpassed the ESA numbers to be delisted.

 Randy Selby

Wapiti