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The Grizzly in the Driveway: The Return of Bears to a Crowded American West
Four decades ago, the areas around Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks sheltered the last few hundred surviving grizzlies in the Lower 48 states. Protected by the Endangered Species Act, their population has surged to more than 1,500, and this burgeoning number of grizzlies now collides with the increasingly populated landscape of the twenty-first-century American West. While humans and bears have long shared space, today’s grizzlies navigate a shrinking amount of cars whiz like bullets through their habitats, tourists check Facebook to pinpoint locations for a quick selfie with a grizzly, and hunters seek trophy prey. People, too, must learn to live and work within a potential predator’s territory they have chosen to call home.Mixing fast-paced storytelling with rich details about the hidden lives of grizzly bears, Montana journalist Robert Chaney chronicles the resurgence of this charismatic species against the backdrop of the country’s long history with the bear. Chaney captures the clash between groups with radically different ranchers frustrated at losing livestock, environmental advocates, hunters, and conservation and historic preservation officers of tribal nations. Underneath, he probes the balance between our demands on nature and our tolerance for risk.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2021
24 people are currently reading
595 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 12, 2022
This book is a bit of a mess but I did learn some new things and found most of it fairly interesting, and did inspire me to do reading on some of the topics that weren’t covered in much depth. Some of the author’s more personal stories are a bit dry and in some chapters this book felt really repetitive and a slog to read, especially given how short this book is. Overall, though, a nice range of topics and some interesting context.
This book just made me resent hunters and ranchers more instead of less, when I think the book was supposed to make me see both sides. It’s fascinating that so many communities are more scared of bears that statistically are unlikely to hurt your families more than COVID-19 and guns and cars and carcinogens. Like I get it, but so many of these rural Western communities actively vote for things not in their best interest but then go nuts about large predators and it’s irritating. I live somewhere where there’s lots of dangerous snakes and spiders and bad water and other such natural dangers...and you just adapt to your environment. I also lived somewhere with cougars and black bears and you just...be careful? I do feel like this book caters more to a liberal, nature loving, pro-megafauna audience, even as it proclaims to see both sides, and wouldn’t really do much to convince the side fighting against grizzlies.
This book just made me resent hunters and ranchers more instead of less, when I think the book was supposed to make me see both sides. It’s fascinating that so many communities are more scared of bears that statistically are unlikely to hurt your families more than COVID-19 and guns and cars and carcinogens. Like I get it, but so many of these rural Western communities actively vote for things not in their best interest but then go nuts about large predators and it’s irritating. I live somewhere where there’s lots of dangerous snakes and spiders and bad water and other such natural dangers...and you just adapt to your environment. I also lived somewhere with cougars and black bears and you just...be careful? I do feel like this book caters more to a liberal, nature loving, pro-megafauna audience, even as it proclaims to see both sides, and wouldn’t really do much to convince the side fighting against grizzlies.
February 26, 2023
I tried to read this book for over a year, and just could not get into it. I enjoy science writing and learning new things, but this was not the book for me. I think the author tries hard to be like David Quammen, but doesn’t get there.
November 26, 2022
In The Grizzly in the Driveway, Montana-based reporter Robert Chaney confronts the unintended consequences of the successful recovery of this magnificent creature.
Just four decades ago, estimates indicated that only six hundred grizzly bears remained in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, out of the presumed fifty thousand that Lewis and Clark “fought their way past” in 1805. (As Chaney points out, these numbers are just guesses; however, “[t]he only predatory animal to receive more mentions in Lewis and Clark’s journals than the grizzly bear was the mosquito.”) “Before the War of 1812, North American grizzlies dominated the food pyramid from the one-hundredth meridian west of North Dakota to the California coast and deep into Mexico. By World War I, only the mountain ranges surrounding Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks sheltered the last breeding populations in the Lower 48 states.” This was primarily a result of Americans deliberately removing the grizzly bear from landscapes for which they felt they had better use.
Since receiving federal protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the grizzly population in those three states has quadrupled. According to the author, thousands of others inhabit the region stretching from his hometown of Missoula, Montana to Glacier National Park, and tens of thousands more “inhabit northwestern Canada and Alaska, as well as other landscapes around the planet.”
This burgeoning number of grizzlies has begun to collide with the increasingly populated landscape of the twenty-first-century American West, and responses to their success story vary, which Chaney explores.
While humans and bears have long shared space, today’s grizzlies are forced to navigate a shrinking amount of wilderness. Ranchers are losing livestock, and parents fear letting their children play in their backyards without supervision. At the same time, “the presence of grizzlies draws many other people to the same landscape in hopes of experiencing some dream of authentic Nature.” Additionally, to the indigenous tribes of the American West, grizzly bears are of a “tremendous cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance,” similar to the significance of the bald eagle as a national symbol for the United States.
Considering all these factors, the challenge now is what to do and where to start. According to the author, humans can begin by rethinking their acceptance of risk and tolerance for inconvenience. “This might require envisioning the management of landscapes less for short-term gain, and for more than just human benefit,” as both the grizzlies’ lives and ours depend on it.
A well-written and thought-provoking analysis of this pressing issue.
Just four decades ago, estimates indicated that only six hundred grizzly bears remained in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, out of the presumed fifty thousand that Lewis and Clark “fought their way past” in 1805. (As Chaney points out, these numbers are just guesses; however, “[t]he only predatory animal to receive more mentions in Lewis and Clark’s journals than the grizzly bear was the mosquito.”) “Before the War of 1812, North American grizzlies dominated the food pyramid from the one-hundredth meridian west of North Dakota to the California coast and deep into Mexico. By World War I, only the mountain ranges surrounding Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks sheltered the last breeding populations in the Lower 48 states.” This was primarily a result of Americans deliberately removing the grizzly bear from landscapes for which they felt they had better use.
Since receiving federal protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the grizzly population in those three states has quadrupled. According to the author, thousands of others inhabit the region stretching from his hometown of Missoula, Montana to Glacier National Park, and tens of thousands more “inhabit northwestern Canada and Alaska, as well as other landscapes around the planet.”
This burgeoning number of grizzlies has begun to collide with the increasingly populated landscape of the twenty-first-century American West, and responses to their success story vary, which Chaney explores.
While humans and bears have long shared space, today’s grizzlies are forced to navigate a shrinking amount of wilderness. Ranchers are losing livestock, and parents fear letting their children play in their backyards without supervision. At the same time, “the presence of grizzlies draws many other people to the same landscape in hopes of experiencing some dream of authentic Nature.” Additionally, to the indigenous tribes of the American West, grizzly bears are of a “tremendous cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance,” similar to the significance of the bald eagle as a national symbol for the United States.
Considering all these factors, the challenge now is what to do and where to start. According to the author, humans can begin by rethinking their acceptance of risk and tolerance for inconvenience. “This might require envisioning the management of landscapes less for short-term gain, and for more than just human benefit,” as both the grizzlies’ lives and ours depend on it.
A well-written and thought-provoking analysis of this pressing issue.
June 19, 2021
Grizzly bear/ human encounters are becoming more common. Such encounters are often fatal for the human and then the bear.
Although we think of these bears as living in remote mountain wildernesses, the Lewis and Clark expedition encountered these huge bears in the plains of the Dakotas. At that time, they were considered to be mostly carrion-eaters as they followed the great herds of bison. Even as carrion eaters, they were known for their short tempered aggressive responses.
As farmers and ranchers moved to the plains, the grizzlies were brutally exterminated from the plains and pushed back into remote mountain regions, until only a few hundred bears remained.
However, with research, first spearheaded in Yellowstone National Park by Frank and John Craighead in the 1960’s, and with the passage of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the grizzlies have made a comeback. They now live in 5 protected areas, which unfortunately, are not contiguous to each other. A grizzly may claim several hundred square miles of territorial range. They also travel to new areas which is a necessity to ensure genetic diversification. As the protected areas are set up now, the grizzlies must pass through land where they are not protected in order to encounter grizzly populations in other protected areas.
This leads to the odd circumstances of having the occasional rare grizzly in odd places – such as on the golf course in Stevensville in the Bitterroot Valley where I live. Although the Selway Wilderness to the west of the Bitterroot Valley has been earmarked for grizzly reintroduction, the introduction has been shelved and grizzlies have not been introduced to this area. This is partly due to the lack of traditional grizzly food, including salmon runs which were eliminated by river dams, and the failure of pine nuts.
This book is an interesting success story on the reestablishment of a species, It is probably of the most interest to those living in grizzly bear habitat or those interested in visiting areas where one can see these great bears such as Yellowstone or Glacier National Parks. It leaves many questions open as to how these apex predators will be managed in the future – often by public input of those not living in bear areas, but whose imaginations have been caught by the spirit of these great animals.
Although we think of these bears as living in remote mountain wildernesses, the Lewis and Clark expedition encountered these huge bears in the plains of the Dakotas. At that time, they were considered to be mostly carrion-eaters as they followed the great herds of bison. Even as carrion eaters, they were known for their short tempered aggressive responses.
As farmers and ranchers moved to the plains, the grizzlies were brutally exterminated from the plains and pushed back into remote mountain regions, until only a few hundred bears remained.
However, with research, first spearheaded in Yellowstone National Park by Frank and John Craighead in the 1960’s, and with the passage of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the grizzlies have made a comeback. They now live in 5 protected areas, which unfortunately, are not contiguous to each other. A grizzly may claim several hundred square miles of territorial range. They also travel to new areas which is a necessity to ensure genetic diversification. As the protected areas are set up now, the grizzlies must pass through land where they are not protected in order to encounter grizzly populations in other protected areas.
This leads to the odd circumstances of having the occasional rare grizzly in odd places – such as on the golf course in Stevensville in the Bitterroot Valley where I live. Although the Selway Wilderness to the west of the Bitterroot Valley has been earmarked for grizzly reintroduction, the introduction has been shelved and grizzlies have not been introduced to this area. This is partly due to the lack of traditional grizzly food, including salmon runs which were eliminated by river dams, and the failure of pine nuts.
This book is an interesting success story on the reestablishment of a species, It is probably of the most interest to those living in grizzly bear habitat or those interested in visiting areas where one can see these great bears such as Yellowstone or Glacier National Parks. It leaves many questions open as to how these apex predators will be managed in the future – often by public input of those not living in bear areas, but whose imaginations have been caught by the spirit of these great animals.
August 11, 2023
"Despite warnings going all the way back to Frederick Jackson Turner that the Frontier's geographic and mythical edges had been reached by the end of the nineteenth century, we continue to presume that if we push a little further, we can leave our old mistakes behind; that with enough technology, we can fix whatever we put our mind and laws to. Clinging to this belief stifles the need to find answers in a limited world, bounded by competing interests and finite possibilities."
I would describe The Grizzly in the Driveway as poorly organized, but it is informative, engaging, and certainly important. I have a rudimentary knowledge of wildlife management practices that comes simply from being an outdoor recreator who is committed to having at least a basic understanding of my impact on and responsibility to the wild spaces that I love. Chaney's text does not do much in the way of offer solutions for humankind's oft tenuous relationship with nature and the wildlife that inhabits it and I think it's fair to say that the current reality is bleak, but he does offer his readers a firm introductory grasp of the challenges we face. As well as the organizational issues, I feel that The Grizzly in the Driveway is also noticeably skewed in favor of those who oppose predator management and has a whiff of anti-agriculture sentiments. An educational and notable read, with a few caveats.
"Anyone with any affinity for wilderness longs for that kind of transfiguration. That promise that if I go in deep, I will return empowered, enlightened—or at least verified as beyond merely human."
I would describe The Grizzly in the Driveway as poorly organized, but it is informative, engaging, and certainly important. I have a rudimentary knowledge of wildlife management practices that comes simply from being an outdoor recreator who is committed to having at least a basic understanding of my impact on and responsibility to the wild spaces that I love. Chaney's text does not do much in the way of offer solutions for humankind's oft tenuous relationship with nature and the wildlife that inhabits it and I think it's fair to say that the current reality is bleak, but he does offer his readers a firm introductory grasp of the challenges we face. As well as the organizational issues, I feel that The Grizzly in the Driveway is also noticeably skewed in favor of those who oppose predator management and has a whiff of anti-agriculture sentiments. An educational and notable read, with a few caveats.
"Anyone with any affinity for wilderness longs for that kind of transfiguration. That promise that if I go in deep, I will return empowered, enlightened—or at least verified as beyond merely human."
February 13, 2022
I have a love/fear relationship with the grizzly and I also love most nature writing so this was right up my alley! Grizzly recovery has been a wildlife management success in part due to the return of the wolf but can people and grizzlies cohabitate and recreate peacefully together? The author argues that all Americans are stakeholders in this decision (even those of us who follow famous Yellowstone grizzlies through hashtags on Instagram) and no one perspective can trump the rest. I have yet to see a grizzly in the wild (although I have seen quite a few black bears on the hiking trail including moms with cubs—grizzlies are just a different majestic beast!). Reading this will take you back to the days when the grizzly freely roamed the area I now call home in pursuit of the bison herds. It is filled with history and present day challenges/successes. I will not be riding a mountain bike or completing an ultra marathon in grizzly country anytime soon! Long live the grizzly! ❤️
December 20, 2021
My wife (and personal librarian) knows me well. This book by journalist/author Robert Chaney of Missouri is right up my alley. I have never seen a grizzly bear in person, however I was raised to refer them: Their power, strength, and overall awesomeness as an animal that lives in the great Rocky Mountains alongside mountain men like Jeremiah Johnson. Chaney uncovers the balancing act we walk as humans impeding on animal habitat and how we respond when an animal (grizzly bears) respond with violence or destruction that are not acceptable to us.
A grizzly bear kills livestock, destroys property or threatens a human and the response is to exterminate the offending animal immediately.
A human kills animals legally or not (or another human) and we do all we can to protect that individuals rights.
Are we living on this planet the way we should?
A grizzly bear kills livestock, destroys property or threatens a human and the response is to exterminate the offending animal immediately.
A human kills animals legally or not (or another human) and we do all we can to protect that individuals rights.
Are we living on this planet the way we should?
February 22, 2023
The Grizzly in the Driveway: The Return of Bears to a Crowded American West / Robert Chaney. This book certainly had “everything I wanted to know about grizzly bears,” historical, political, biological, economical, geographical, global--you name it. Living in Montana, I found it very pertinent and personal . Occasionally I wished the author were available for immediate questions, but that’s an indication of the scope, balance, and depth of coverage in its 243 pages of text. Definitely recommended.
February 3, 2022
What an eye opening book! It’s a great look at the science of grizzly conservation, the government bureaucracies that try to keep grizzlies alive, but also a meditation on what our relationship is to grizzlies and apex predators in general. Also I didn’t realize hunters pay for all state wildlife management and I as a runner biker mean nothing to them financially. Every westerner should read this book!
April 10, 2022
Thoughtful engaging discussion about how nature (including animals) and humans can continue to co-exist, without extirpating a species entirely, using the grizzly as the example. The last chapter (12 No Going Back) is a nice summary:
p. 238 “Despite warnings going all the way back to Frederick Jackson Turner that the Frontier’s geographical and mythical edges have been reached by the end of the nineteenth century, we continue to presume that if we push a little further, we can leave our old mistakes behind; that with enough technology, we can fix whatever we put our mind and laws to.
p. 242: “I believe our species’ best chance of surviving the coming global disruption requires doing things differently, rather than doing the same things harder.”
As I say almost every time, pay attention to the Selected References for more reading in this topic. There is always more reading.
p. 238 “Despite warnings going all the way back to Frederick Jackson Turner that the Frontier’s geographical and mythical edges have been reached by the end of the nineteenth century, we continue to presume that if we push a little further, we can leave our old mistakes behind; that with enough technology, we can fix whatever we put our mind and laws to.
p. 242: “I believe our species’ best chance of surviving the coming global disruption requires doing things differently, rather than doing the same things harder.”
As I say almost every time, pay attention to the Selected References for more reading in this topic. There is always more reading.
July 16, 2021
A mix of storytelling, facts and statistics. A technical but very readable book. It makes the reader aware balancing act of how difficult it is to keep a healthy grizzly population as we continue to make inroads into their habitat. All sides are repsented here, the environmentalist, the scientist the people who live in grizzly country, the native Americans and the public.
May 22, 2022
The Grizzly In The Driveway covers an astounding amount of ground in a relatively short book. That it manages to do so while remaining concise, well-organized, and thoroughly interesting is quite an achievement. For a reader even moderately interested in the subject, this is a worthwhile read.
September 27, 2023
Far too technical. Expected more personal stories about people's encounters with bears.
May 1, 2024
2.5 stars
Well-researched with lots of good information, but I found it too much like reading a textbook to be enjoyable.
Well-researched with lots of good information, but I found it too much like reading a textbook to be enjoyable.
April 29, 2025
This was an extremely well-written and researched book. The author expertly integrated American culture, bear ecology, politics, and human dimensions.
February 6, 2022
Well-written and thoroughly researched. Chaney clearly shows why the fate of the grizzly lies in human hands. Using dozens of examples, he shows how emotional responses to the bear, both fear-ridden and endearing, often influence both pro and anti-grizzly legislation. Chaney doesn’t come down on either side. But he argues that humans should minimally base decisions affecting the survival of the species on legitimate data and known science.
April 15, 2024
It was pretty interesting, but not exactly what I expected. Going into the book, I thought it would look more into how growing Grizzly populations are affecting the surrounding community, however it was more about hunting and law practice, and how humans affect bear population. Still interesting, but it was not what I expected.
What I liked the most, was how Cheney went into who gets to make the final decisions about bear population and why those people might make those decisions. I didn't realize how political Grizzlies and the endangered species list could really be. I really opened my eyes up to a part of politics I have been completely blind to.
However, I did have to question Chaney's credibility a little bit, when he said that the Uyghurs in Northwest China live in Shenzhen. Shenzhen is on the complete opposite side of the country by Hong Kong and Guangzhou. I know he's not a geographer, it just really threw me off.
What I liked the most, was how Cheney went into who gets to make the final decisions about bear population and why those people might make those decisions. I didn't realize how political Grizzlies and the endangered species list could really be. I really opened my eyes up to a part of politics I have been completely blind to.
However, I did have to question Chaney's credibility a little bit, when he said that the Uyghurs in Northwest China live in Shenzhen. Shenzhen is on the complete opposite side of the country by Hong Kong and Guangzhou. I know he's not a geographer, it just really threw me off.
October 10, 2022
I had high hopes for this book. The history of grizzly bears , conservation policies, human - bear interfaces is presented through human encounters, scientific research and a discussion of politics. Unfortunately, the writing is too much like a textbook.
August 10, 2022
Dialogue between man and bear
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