Ironic Grizzly policy
Most ranchers in Idaho do not want grizzly bears to disappear in the state. Many grew up in open spaces, and they love nature.
Most bears do not cause problems, but when one does, the ability to work and set policy with those who live in Idaho is much more effective than relying on those that live on the other side of the country. So when it comes to having a problem griz that is preying on your livestock, there’s a huge irony as Idaho State Brand inspector Luke Davis points out. In the law enforcement world, we have what's referred to as the Castle doctrine. In Idaho, it's a stand your ground law. You have the ability to use force against an individual if they've entered your property, your home, your vehicle, your place of business, uh, committing a felony or with the intent to do harm. You can use force against that person and you're protected under the law. If it's a grizzly bear, you are not protected. You can defend your life or somebody else's, but you cannot protect your property, your livestock, your pets. You you don't have that right on your private property. If you have predation and an animal, a grizzly bear, for instance, it's protected under the Endangered Species Act, comes on your property. You are very limited in what you can do to protect your livestock. You can honk your horn, you can flash your lights, you can scream and holler. You cannot use force against that bear. He's protected.
