In a letter (see below) to U.S. House leadership, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined 19 other hunting, fishing and sportsmen and women organizations by urging lawmakers to pass H.R. 281, the Grizzly Bear State Management Act. The legislation would reinstate the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision to remove grizzlies as a threatened species in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

RMEF has long advocated for state management of recovered grizzly bear populations in line with its support of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, under which state management of wildlife, along with the financial contributions from hunters, dramatically increased wildlife populations across the United States over the last century.

RMEF maintains that state wildlife agencies should sustainably manage grizzlies just as they manage elk, deer, moose, black bears, mountain lions, pronghorn antelope and other wildlife for their overall betterment.

About Hunt 2 Conserve

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org.

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Honorable Mike Johnson                                                       

Office of the Speaker                                                                

U.S. House of Representatives                                          

U.S. Capitol                                                                               

Washington, DC 20515      

 

Honorable Steve Scalise

Office of Majority Leader

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Capitol                                                

Washington, DC 20515

January 21, 2026

Dear Speaker Johnson and Majority Leader Scalise:

The undersigned organizations, representing millions of hunters, anglers, wildlife professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts, write to express our strong support for H.R. 281, the Grizzly Bear State Management Act. This bill will reinstate the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s science-based decision to remove grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem from the Endangered Species Act lists. The bill prioritizes science and returns these long-recovered bears to state management—where they belong. We respectfully request that H.R. 281 be considered by the entire House as soon as possible.

The Service delisted these grizzly bears in 2007 and again in 2017, using the best available science and in collaboration with the States of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Unfortunately, these rules were reversed through litigation. H.R. 281 would end that vicious cycle and allow the Service to focus its limited resources on truly at-risk species.

There is no question that grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem have biologically recovered. This population has almost doubled its recovery metrics and no longer meets the definition of a threatened species. Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming should be celebrated and rewarded for their success. They have demonstrated their ability to properly manage grizzly bears. And they require flexibility to deal with the challenges that come with this extensive population recovery and expansion, particularly the significant increase in human-bear conflicts.

The Grizzly Bear State Management Act recognizes this reality. It elevates the Service’s science-based reasoning over that of activist organizations and courts and aligns with past Congressional delisting actions, such as the 2011 delisting of gray wolves in the same States.

For these reasons, we strongly support H.R. 281, the Grizzly Bear State Management Act. We respectfully request that H.R. 281 be scheduled for a vote in the House as quickly as possible, and before the end of this Congress.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to science-based wildlife management

Sincerely,

Archery Trade Association

Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Boone and Crockett Club

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation

Conservation Force

Dallas Safari Club

Houston Safari Club

Mule Deer Foundation

National Deer Association

National Rifle Association

National Shooting Sports Foundation

National Wild Turkey Federation

Pope and Young Club

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Safari Club International

Safari Club International Foundation

Sportsmen’s Alliance

Whitetails Unlimited

Wild Sheep Foundation

Wildlife Forever

(Photo credit: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks)