EDITORIAL: Grizzly bears aren't 'overrunning' Idaho, but we should still manage them

Sometimes the comments coming from our politicians are unbearably funny. Take Idaho Sen. Jim Risch's recent press release, which claimed "Grizzly bears are overrunning communities in Idaho."

Overrunning communities? Really? Last time we checked, grizzlies weren't exactly parading through the streets. Though to be fair, some of us haven't shaved since hunting season started, so maybe it's a case of mistaken identity.

Now, don't get us wrong — we appreciate Senator Risch. He's a good senator who serves Idaho well. And yes, protecting our children from grizzly bears sounds noble. 

But let's look at the bare facts: In the entire Lower 48, there are about 2,000 grizzlies spread across Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Washington. In our neck of the woods, what's called the Cabinet Yaak Ecosystem, we host around 70 bears — hardly an invasion — and grizzlies prefer the solo life, except during mating season (and who doesn't get a little social then?).

The real story here is the Biden administration's decision to keep protecting these 2,000 grizzlies in the Rocky Mountains. And all jokes aside, we do support state management of the grizzly population. Idahoans know better than federal bureaucrats what's best for our state. We just don't need to cry wolf — or in this case, bear — to make that point.

And Risch isn’t alone in being worried about the feds' management of grizzlies in Idaho. 

U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo had this to say: “The grizzly bear’s current Endangered Species Act status disregards the successful recovery of the species within its historic range and overlooks scientifically supported, common-sense management practices. This announcement unfairly dismisses the significant achievements of local conservation efforts and undermines public confidence in the ESA. This decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is unacceptable and reflects poor, eleventh-hour verdicts by the Biden Administration.”  

And Rep. Russ Fulcher said: “States — not the federal government — are best positioned to manage grizzly bear populations in a way that protects and meets community needs. This current administration has made it a bad habit of attempting to usurp states’ locally-devised solutions. I stand alongside my colleagues in opposing this announcement and ensuring continued efforts to give this responsibility back to Idaho." 

If it turns out there are more grizzlies than we thought, perhaps next we’ll get a press release telling us our children walking to school are in danger because there are so many grizzly bears running about in Idaho. Maybe grizzlies will become as common as moose in Coeur d'Alene and they'll start wandering around neighborhoods and we'll admire them from a distance, too. 

And if one shows up in Coeur d'Alene, please let us know.