A United States district judge temporarily blocks the hunt for grizzly bears. It marks the first blockade of grizzly bear hunts in the Rocky Mountains in more than 40 years . The order comes just two days before Idaho and Wyoming prepare to open the first hunting seasons in the 48 contiguous states since 1974. US District Judge Dana Christensen's order will remain in effect for 14 days.
Last year, the US Fish and Wildlife Service lifted protections for 700 grizzly bears in and around Yellowstone National Park. Legal protections can be removed only if the bear population is "self-sustaining, " meaning that enough babies are born each year to make up for the deaths.
Hunters say they should be allowed to kill grizzlies because the population has grown enough.
