Becoming Bear Aware in the West

June 4, 2025 // NEWS: Dispatch

by Robert Chaney

Across Greater Yellowstone and the West, bear managers are working to educate locals and visitors on the dangers of bears depending on human food

As state and federal wildlife agencies debate grizzly bear management, nonprofit groups work to build bear tolerance one trash can at a time.

Montana Health Officials Monitoring Deer Ticks After 2024 Discovery

May 29, 2025 // NEWS: In Short

by Sophie Tsairis

Three deer ticks were discovered last year in two Montana counties

Lyme disease-prone ticks identified last year prompt surveillance effort from state health department, public encouraged to ID and report ticks.

What’s Driving the Obsession for Antlers?

May 28, 2025 // NEWS: Dispatch

by Madison Dapcevich

Antlers come in all shapes and sizes and their growth and patterns are influenced by many factors

As interest and the market for antlers soars, elk, deer and moose ‘sheds’ are selling for $13 a pound, up nearly double over the past two decades.

In Tragic Week for Grizzlies, Food-Conditioned Adult Euthanized in Yellowstone, Grand Teton Cubs Killed by Older Bear

May 20, 2025 // NEWS: Dispatch

by Katie O'Reilly

A grizzly paw print on a dumpster in Yellowstone National Park

The Yellowstone bear’s behavior, while considered rare and exceptional, spells danger for grizzlies across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Montana's Nighttime Sky Hunters Under Watch

May 16, 2025 // NEWS: In Short

by Sophie Tsairis

Nighthawks and poorwills are nocturnal birds whose populations are cratering. Now, citizen scientists are joining Montana Audubon and FWP to track the decline of these two aerial insectivores.

ESA's ‘Harm’: What’s In a Word?

May 15, 2025 // NEWS: Dispatch

by Robert Chaney

Canada lynx are among many species whose habitat could be harmed if FWS changes "harm" definition in the ESA

FWS proposes dropping ‘harm’ from Endangered Species Act regulations to speed up economic development on critical habitat.

The Phantom of the Rockies

May 13, 2025 // FEATURE

by Benjamin Alva Polley

Between human development, a warming climate and battles to remain on the endangered species list, the rare wolverine faces stiff challenges

Chasing wolverines on and off the endangered species list.

Planned Repeal of ‘Public Lands Rule’ Could Unleash Federal Resource Development

May 6, 2025 // NEWS: Dispatch

by Madison Dapcevich

The Bureau of Land Management oversees 245 million acres of public land across the country

The Interior Department is exploring multiple ways to ‘restore American prosperity’ by capitalizing on timber, grazing, fossil fuels at the expense of conservation. It could also push billions of dollars of management costs onto state taxpayers.

Wild and Domestic Sheep are Comingling, Raising Concerns Over Disease Transmission

May 2, 2025 // NEWS: In Short

by Sophie Tsairis

Researchers have been surprised by the numbers of domestic sheep they've found are living near wild bighorn sheep

Researchers for MSU, FWP study are analyzing wildlife-livestock interactions, and seeking public input.

A Case of Mistaken Identity? Some Hunters are Confusing Grizzlies with Black Bears

April 28, 2025 // NEWS: Dispatch

by Madison Dapcevich

While some black bears and grizzly bears look decidedly different, some can be similar colors and sizes. Nevertheless, hunters mistaking grizzlies for black bears say they can do better.

Over the last decade, more than a dozen Greater Yellowstone grizzlies have been killed by hunters who say they mistook them for black bears.

As CWD Spreads, Elk Occupancy Agreements Give Wyoming Elk Room to Roam

April 23, 2025 // NEWS: Dispatch

by Sophie Tsairis

Wyoming has a century-old tradition sustaining of elk on feedgrounds. Meanwhile, chronic wasting disease cases are increasing.

Wildlife managers say winter range agreements may be one pathway to reducing deadly disease transmission among elk on feedgrounds.

Wyoming Looks to Designate Famed Path of the Pronghorn

April 21, 2025 // NEWS: Dispatch

by Alex Hargrave

Pronghorn are North America's fastest land mammal and migrate hundreds of miles along Wyoming's Path of the Pronghorn

A Wyoming Game and Fish Commission vote in July could bring a long-deliberated migration corridor for imperiled pronghorn a step closer to designation as a state corridor.