Ask the Conservation Officer (CO)

by Gary Hompland Regional Conservation Officer Question: "When I took my bear hide in to the regional office to comply with the mandatory harvest report, the biologist pulled a small tooth. What do you do with those teeth?" Answer: Hunters successfully taking a black bear must contact a Department representative or go to a regional office to comply with the mandatory harvest report requirements. Black bear population information is difficult to obtain. One of our only methods of obtaining bear management information is from hunter harvested bears. In addition to the sex of the harvested animal, biologists would like an estimate of the bear's age. They obtain age estimates using the small pre-molar from the lower jaw. This small tooth is sectioned and stained in a laboratory so biologists can see the growth rings. Somewhat like counting the rings of a tree, biologists can estimate the bear's age by counting the stained cementum layers. Knowing the sex and age structure of black bears in the harvest can give biologists a clue to the health of the bear population. This information is also important to help monitor the success of hunting seasons that are designed to focus harvest on or away from specified sex and age class bears. The protocol when checking hunter harvested black bears involves gathering as much biological information as possible. Hunters are asked several questions about their hunt and hunting methods. If you have any further questions you may call the Magic Valley Regional Office of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at (208)324-4350 or e-mail us at the Fish and Game web site at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.