Wyoming wildlife official says he supports grizzly bear hunting in the state

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POWELL, Wyo. — A Wyoming wildlife manager says he supports hunting grizzly bears now that the population in the Yellowstone National Park area has reached the highest level in decades.

Researchers said last month that more than 600 grizzlies roam the Yellowstone area of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

That’s more than three times the number in 1975, when hunting was outlawed and the species was placed on the endangered list.

Mark Bruscino, supervisor of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department bear management program, tells the Powell Tribune that he favors hunting to manage the grizzly population.

Bruscino says he and his department support the bear recovery program, but the best habitat areas are now full and bears are moving into marginal areas.

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-- Associated Press