Montana could soon allow grizzly bear hunting for first time in decades

Wildlife commissioners signed onto a multi-state plan as states in the northern Rockies push to ease federal protections

Montana wildlife officials could soon allow grizzly bear hunting in areas around Glacier and Yellowstone national parks, if states in the US northern Rockies succeed in their attempts to lift federal protections for the animals.

Grizzlies in the region have been protected as a threatened species since 1975 and were shielded from hunting for most of that time. But several states are pushing for restrictions to be eased.