Arizona congressman hopes to ban grizzly bear hunting in lower 48. In 1975 the Grizzly bear became federally protected as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the lower 48 because altogether, grizzly bears were eliminated from 98% of their … WHEREAS, grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) are an important part of America's rich wildlife heritage and once ranged throughout most of the western and midwestern United States; and WHEREAS, the grizzly bear has been listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as a threatened species in the lower 48 contiguous United States since 1975, U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen’s order came just two days before Idaho and Wyoming prepared to open the first grizzly bear hunting seasons in the Lower 48 … In the GYE itself, it is estimated that about 700-750 grizzlies reside there. The initial Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan was completed in 1982. The first grizzly bear hunt in the lower 48 states since 1975 could take place in Wyoming this fall. In 1981, the USFWS hired a grizzly bear recovery coordinator to direct recovery efforts and coordinate all agency efforts on research and management of grizzly bears in the lower 48 states. Properly managed grizzly bear hunting could benefit both sides of the issue. When the ruling came down in October, Wyoming and Idaho were on the cusp of hosting the first, public grizzly bear hunts in the Lower 48 U.S. states since 1991. Unregulated killing and grizzly hunting continued through the 1970’s. The first grizzly bear hunt in the lower 48 states since 1975 could take place in Wyoming this fall.