Mark your calendars! Protect Teton County grizzlies!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2018
Wyoming Wildlife Advocates is hosting “We Protect Grizzlies!” – a community reception at the National Museum of Wildlife Art immediately prior to the Game & Fish meeting to discuss the hunting of grizzly bears.
JACKSON HOLE, WY – At 5 p.m. on the evening of April 17th, 2018, Wyoming Wildlife Advocates is hosting “We Protect Grizzlies!” – a community reception to educate and empower the residents of Teton County to articulate why the trophy hunting of grizzlies is incompatible with the local culture and economy. Immediately after, at 6.p.m., Wyoming Game & Fish will hold a public meeting to hear feedback on their proposed grizzly hunting regulations.
“Our goal is to welcome all community members – especially families and young people – to learn about the serious potential impacts that trophy hunting grizzly bears could have on our community,” says Melissa Thomasma, Executive Director. “This is a wonderful opportunity to ask questions and get a better understanding of how problematic this hunt would be for Jackson Hole. It’s also the perfect venue to share feedback and concerns directly with Wyoming Game and Fish.”
While arguments against the trophy hunting of Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bears are myriad, WWA’s largest concern is the serious negative impact that the hunt could have on the area’s economy. “Grizzly hunting is not going to enhance Jackson Hole in the eyes of past and future visitors,” explains Board President Kent Nelson. “Our visitors expect us to protect our wildlife.”
In 2016, travel-generated spending in Teton County totaled $1.02 billion, and supported 8250 jobs in the community. If trophy hunting of grizzlies were to diminish tourism by a mere 1%, that drop would translate into a loss of $10 million and 75 jobs.
Comparatively, even if all hunting tags for the Jackson Hole area are issued to nonresident hunters, the revenue will be less than $50,000.
“The proposed regulations for hunting include a ‘buffer zone’ around national park borders that are known territories of well-known bears,” observes Roger Hayden, Conservation Director. “While this is a partial step in the right direction, it’s simply insufficient. The fact that this ‘buffer zone’ is even on the table means that Game and Fish knows we are right; Teton County’s relationship to its wildlife – especially grizzlies – is different than the rest of the state. There’s no question that the county should be exempt from this hunt.”
“We Protect Grizzlies!” will begin at 5 p.m. on April 17th, 2018 at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. The gathering is free and open to the public, and will include refreshments, educational content about grizzly bears, advocacy tools and family-friendly activities. The Wyoming Game & Fish’s meeting will begin immediately afterwards at 6 p.m. in the same location.
For more information, please contact Melissa Thomasma at melissa@wywild.org.
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Wyoming Wildlife Advocates is a 501 (c) (3) organization formed to promote a science-based approach to wildlife management throughout the state of Wyoming. WWA will encourage policies that will maintain a healthy, natural balance — or dynamic equilibrium — among predator and prey species. We acknowledge that fluctuations occur among populations, but we believe this is natural and that the hand of man must lay lightly upon the reins. We believe that migratory patterns must be maintained and connectivity between isolated populations encouraged. We envision a Wyoming where people and wildlife peacefully coexist.