Forest Service Approves Cattle Grazing in Wyoming's Gros Ventre Range Amid Grizzly Conflict Concerns
The U.S. Forest Service has authorized cattle grazing in the Gros Ventre Range of Wyoming, an area previously retired from sheep grazing due to a 2016 buyout deal aimed at protecting bighorn sheep. This decision allows up to 650 cattle to graze in the Elk Ridge complex, a 48-square-mile area, during 2026 and 2027. The move is intended as a temporary solution following the 2025 Dollar Lake fire, which damaged adjacent grazing lands. The Bridger-Teton National Forest's decision has sparked controversy, as conservationists and watchdogs question the rationale and process behind the authorization. Critics argue that the decision undermines the original intent of the buyout deal and raises concerns about potential conflicts with grizzly bears, which have historically been an issue in the area. 
