IDFG Bear Identification Guide

[bergie]

That photo was never in the test. It is in the Identification Guide that is intended to be used to prepare people for the test.

Ah my comprehension is a little lacking I see. Apparently almost as bad as my direction following ability...I didn't look through their info guide before taking the test

 

[Tex98]

Sure seems like a trick question. I get the need for the test but sheesh

 

[j3h8]

Just completed the test. Not terrible. Should get some folks thinking a bit more before yanking the bang button with their booger hook.

 

[welkin]

Just completed the test. Not terrible. Should get some folks thinking a bit more before yanking the bang button with their booger hook.

This is the correct perspective. Some people are so anxious to kill something they'll shoot a person because they see movement. Hopefully it reduces mistakes and drives home the point you need to know your target.

 

[j3h8]

This is the correct perspective. Some people are so anxious to kill something they'll shoot a person because they see movement. Hopefully it reduces mistakes and drives home the point you need to know your target.

Scary how often hunters shoot at, and sadly even hit other hunters when shooting at movement or taking a few moments to identify what it is.

 

[IDVortex]

Question. Is IDFG required to take the test, just to know what animal is which that they "manage"?

 

[Smithb9841]

They told a hunter that a bear on his trail cam was a black bear so the guy later shot it. Turns out they gave him bad advice. Now we all must be put through bear training because of their error.

Is there any more info on this? Did the hunter get charged ? Or what happened?

 

[bergie]

F&G concludes investigation in Panhandle Region grizzly bear shooting

Additional details are available surrounding the grizzly bear killed on June 10 in Unit 6.

idfg.idaho.gov

It's a laugable situation by fish and game. Guy sends video, they say no that's a black bear dummy. Guy shoots bear. Guy then calls fish and game says he killed a grizzly. They charge him before their investigation finds that THEY TOLD HIM IT WAS OK.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Guy then calls fish and game says he killed a grizzly. They charge him before their investigation finds that THEY TOLD HIM IT WAS OK.

They didn’t charge him.

After concluding its investigation, Fish and Game officials found the hunter involved was hunting over a legal black bear bait site, and due to extenuating circumstances, no citation was issued.

 

[bergie]

They didn’t charge him.

Most sincere apologies I was going from memory and didn't read the link I copied

 

[idelkslayer]

I reached out to IDFG regarding this photo, here is the response that I received:
"
The picture representing the grizzly bear is correct identified. A different picture of the same bear is included in the test. We have a handful of really good videos of this bear. This picture is the guide is one view of that bear and in the test I have a picture of the side profile.

In the brochure, as you notices we want to show variation. I wanted to demonstrate that sometimes it’s not easy. Size alone, color alone are not good indicators of species and folks may need more time or get a different viewing angle to confidently identify the species.

The intent is not to FAIL people but education, get them thinking and talking, which is a good thing. One interesting note, I have received questions on different questions in the test and on the brochure. Mostly from folks who are upset they missed one."

 

[Smithb9841]

F&G concludes investigation in Panhandle Region grizzly bear shooting

Additional details are available surrounding the grizzly bear killed on June 10 in Unit 6.

idfg.idaho.gov

It's a laugable situation by fish and game. Guy sends video, they say no that's a black bear dummy. Guy shoots bear. Guy then calls fish and game says he killed a grizzly. They charge him before their investigation finds that THEY TOLD HIM IT WAS OK.

I wonder if this situation would ever be able to be used as a defense if someone was charged with mistakenly shooting a grizzly? In this case the experts got it wrong so it shows that not every case is so cut and dry at the least.

 

[TheYukiYama]

I reached out to IDFG regarding this photo, here is the response that I received:
"
The picture representing the grizzly bear is correct identified. A different picture of the same bear is included in the test. We have a handful of really good videos of this bear. This picture is the guide is one view of that bear and in the test I have a picture of the side profile.

In the brochure, as you notices we want to show variation. I wanted to demonstrate that sometimes it’s not easy. Size alone, color alone are not good indicators of species and folks may need more time or get a different viewing angle to confidently identify the species.

The intent is not to FAIL people but education, get them thinking and talking, which is a good thing. One interesting note, I have received questions on different questions in the test and on the brochure. Mostly from folks who are upset they missed one."

I suppose if the intent is to get people thinking and talking, it is at least somewhat working...

I wonder if this situation would ever be able to be used as a defense if someone was charged with mistakenly shooting a grizzly? In this case the experts got it wrong so it shows that not every case is so cut and dry at the least.

It certainly could be used although I'm not certain how effective it would be. Wyoming guy had to pay $10k I think. It is a hunters responsibility to know, and I think Idaho let it slide in this case to save face.

 

[Smithb9841]

I suppose if the intent is to get people thinking and talking, it is at least somewhat working...


It certainly could be used although I'm not certain how effective it would be. Wyoming guy had to pay $10k I think. It is a hunters responsibility to know, and I think Idaho let it slide in this case to save face.

Didn’t the Wyoming case end in a plea deal though? I would think if it went to a jury trial it would have an effect. But who knows I think for a normal citizen if a fish and game employee could get it wrong it could sway a jury decision but who knows.

 

[Jason Snyder]

But who knows I think for a normal citizen if a fish and game employee could get it wrong it could sway a jury decision but who knows

A jury trial is based on the merits of the case at hand, and the facts involving such. What happened in another instance, somewhere else at a different time and place should have no bearing on a jury trial.

 

[idelkslayer]

One more follow-up to this discussion. I requested additional photos or video of the bear in question and just received an email with a short video of the bear. Here is a still image from that video just moments after it dropped to all fours from its standing posture in the guidebook photo. No doubt when viewed at this angle.

 

[Blowdowner]

OK. Bet you a burger they get called out on this and revise their guide book

This tricky question would be fine and even good if every hunter could be sure all wardens and judges were normal guys just like him and say "dang man I might have shot that one too. Hey you can keep the meat but not the hide or skull. OK you're free to go."

 

[Clay2272]

Slightly disappointing we all have to take a test due to the failure of IDFG this last spring when someone sent a picture to IDFG and they confirmed it was a black bear... it turned out to be a grizzly and this test magically appeared.

 

[mike.adams.467]

This tricky question would be fine and even good if every hunter could be sure all wardens and judges were normal guys just like him and say "dang man I might have shot that one too. Hey you can keep the meat but not the hide or skull. OK you're free to go."

I'm not buying it. I also showed this to a couple of hound hunters that catch and release a couple dozen bears or more every season, and have been doing it for more years than many guys on here have been alive. They both came to the same conclusion. Of course IDFG would never admit it if they made an error....

 

[idelkslayer]

I'm not buying it. I also showed this to a couple of hound hunters that catch and release a couple dozen bears or more every season, and have been doing it for more years than many guys on here have been alive. They both came to the same conclusion. Of course IDFG would never admit it if they made an error....

So to be clear. Despite the IDFG response and these still images from a video, you are maintaining your position that this is a black bear?