Killing bears

There are many reasons that animals are harvested throughout the world.  These reasons fall into some general categories such as for food and clothing, biological reasons (e.g., control disease, overabundance), and social (e.g., protect livestock or crops, to reduce wildlife/automobile collisions and human injury).  In Idaho, citizens have a voice in wildlife management including the development of species management plans, establishing harvest seasons, structures and rules.  One way citizens exercised this involvement was by a public initiative in 1938 which established the Idaho Fish and Game Commission.  The purpose of the Commission and responsibilities of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game are set forth in the State of Idaho Wildlife Policy (Idaho Statute 36-103).  The Policy states- “All wildlife, including all wild animals, wild birds, and fish, within the state of Idaho, is hereby declared to be the property of the state of Idaho. It shall be preserved, protected, perpetuated, and managed. It shall be only captured or taken at such times or places, under such conditions, or by such means, or in such manner, as will preserve, protect, and perpetuate such wildlife, and provide for the citizens of this state and, as by law permitted to others, continued supplies of such wildlife for hunting, fishing and trapping.” If you have a specific question(s) regarding the management of any species in Idaho, we encourage you to contact your local Fish and Game office.