Idaho’s bear identification test is intended to prevent mistaken identity and potential killing of grizzly bears.
Starting January 1, 2025, anyone hunting black bears in Idaho must show proof that they have passed a bear identification test to help them differentiate between black bears and grizzly bears. These rules were approved by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission in 2024, the test is free.
Note: These rules are temporary and will undergo review by the Idaho State Legislature during the 2025 legislative session.
In Idaho, grizzly bears are listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. It is illegal to harm, harass, or kill grizzly bears, except in self-defense or the defense of others. It is important to know the difference between grizzly bears and black bears because both reside in portions of Idaho. Grizzly bears occur in portions of the Panhandle and Upper Snake Regions and their presence has also rarely/infrequently been documented outside those areas.
All hunters will need to successfully complete a bear identification test from one of the sources listed below. IDFG recommends saving a digital copy of the completed certificate and storing the certificate number on their GoOutdoorsIdaho.com customer license account.
The certificate number will not be required when purchasing a black bear tag, but all hunters will be required to confirm they understand the legal requirements of the new rule, and all hunters in the field hunting black bears will be required to provide their certificate number to an IDFG conservation officer.
Test and Certification Instructions: Before you take the test, review the educational materials listed at the bottom of this page to help you study for the test. Note that the test will not include educational materials.
If you need assistance accessing the test, visit the “Idaho Frequently Asked Questions” section on the Bear ID Exam page, or contact Kalkomey at 1-800-830-2268 (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST).
When you’re ready to begin the test:
Note: You can download and print the certificate. You will also receive an email with the certificate. Certificates can be reprinted by logging into your Hunter Education account.
Idaho will recognize completed bear identification certificates from the Montana and Washington bear education programs. If you have received certification from either of those states, simply input that certification number using any of the above options.
There are several useful physical features that can help you tell the difference between grizzly and black bears. Each of these features can vary by individual bear, so no one feature should be used alone to determine species, a combination of features is most useful. Color and size are not reliable indicators and should not be used to identify species.
The training materials at the links below, will highlight each of these characteristics one by one, but here is a brief overview of the useful features. In many cases, it's not possible to identify a bear by using just one feature. Take your time and look for as many features as possible to help ensure you make the right call.
Effective Jan. 1, anyone hunting black bears in Idaho must show proof that they have passed a bear identification test to help them differentiate between grizzly bears and black bears. Before you take the bear identification test, review the educational materials or go to our Bear Identification and Test Requirement webpage.
