Killing of grizzly bears as a result of misidentification by black bear hunters has involved a small number of bears in Idaho over the past 20 years, and grizzly bear populations have continued to increase and expand during that time. To reduce this limited source of human-caused mortality, the Department has conducted outreach, included bear identification in its general mandatory hunter education, and provided voluntary education measures on bear identification.
The rulemaking addresses a United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recommendation to adopt a bear identification test (as between black bear and grizzly bear) to avoid take of grizzly bear by misidentification. The temporary rule similar to mandatory education requirements in Washington and Montana, and Idaho’s rule would recognize completion of education in those states as meeting education requirements in Idaho.
October 2024 Idaho Administrative Bulletin
Public Comment
The Commission has approved temporary rules, effective January 1, 2025. The public comment period for the proposed rule is now closed. Pending rule language will be presented to the Commission for adoption on November 7, 2024.
