Buzz-
I looked on Wikipedia-far from perfect research-and did a quick survey of Brown bear fatalities in the wild in the northern Rockies: Montana & Wyoming. I will assume 'brown' = 'grizzly' in their tallied list. You guys can call me out if I mis-counted (I got dishes to do and little kids that I need to get in bed, so it was a quick count); but this is what I came up with, based on that criteria for fatalities:
2010s=7
2000s=1
1990s=2
1980s=7
1970s=2
1960s=2
1950s=2
1940s=1
In the last 40 yrs, the numbers are up. If hunting them is useless, maybe the people trained in the science of managing wildlife can offer some additional ideas on how people and livestock can be safe while in the northen Rockies, in areas occupied by Grizzlys.
Regards,
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Funny how everyone interprets data differently.
I think the 1980's and 2010's may be outliers when looking at data from 1940-present.
Plus, I wonder how many more people recreate in grizzly bear habitat now than in 1940-1980? I bet lots more, considering that Yellowstone has set tourism records just recently.
No question more bears combined with more people outdoors, you'll have more interaction which may lead to more fatalities. The data doesn't suggest that if you throw out the 2 decades where fatalities were highest. Also fair to note that grizzly bear education and more people using better backcountry bear awareness has resulted in keeping fatalities relatively low considering the potential increase in grizzly/human contact.
Bottom line is grizzlies are going to be on the landscape at current or increasing levels, they aren't going away. People that choose to use the backcountry have to assume the risk and once in while, there will be human fatalities.
No different than many other things we do each day like driving, flying, working, etc. etc. lots of stuff can kill you.
I like my odds of hunting/working/recreating around grizzly bears way, way, way more than driving I-80 across Wyoming once every 2 weeks...just sayin'.