Trump Administration Moves to Return Grizzly Bear Management Authority to Wyoming and Western States

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum unveiled a regulatory change this week that would grant Wyoming and adjacent states greater authority over managing grizzly bear populations in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The shift represents a significant departure from decades of federal control over wildlife decisions in the region, according to state officials.

The Greater Yellowstone grizzly population represents a major conservation achievement in North America. When the bears received protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1975, the ecosystem contained approximately 136 animals. The current population stands at an estimated 1,000 bears, reflecting a more than seven-fold expansion that surpasses every recovery benchmark established for the species.

Wyoming has invested tens of millions of dollars over two decades to support grizzly bear recovery through dedicated biologists, conflict response teams and monitoring programs. The state’s Bear Wise initiative educates ranchers and outdoor enthusiasts about coexisting with the expanding population, while state wildlife managers relocate dozens of bears annually to prevent conflicts from escalating.

Federal delisting efforts have faced repeated setbacks over the past two decades despite population recovery metrics. The species was briefly delisted in 2007 before the Obama administration’s Fish and Wildlife Service relisted it in 2009 following legal challenges. Wyoming’s subsequent delisting petitions were rejected under the Biden administration in 2023 and again in January 2025, citing ongoing litigation concerns.

The Trump administration’s new rule allows landowners to kill problem bears without permits in limited circumstances. State wildlife managers argue this represents a more practical approach to coexistence than current federal restrictions, though they continue advocating for full delisting authority to be returned to state jurisdiction.