New Rules Coming for Idaho Bear Hunters

[Rotnguns]

There will be new rules for bear hunting in Idaho, as per the Idaho Press, August 20:

“The new rules require bear hunters to pass a test that tasks them with distinguishing black bears from grizzly bears before they can purchase a bear hunting tag. Black bears can be hunted in Idaho but grizzly bears are protected as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and cannot be hunted. Because the rule requires changes to the state’s point of sale licensing system, the rule won’t take effect until Jan. 1.”


“A second two-part rule requires bear hunters to alert the Idaho Department of Fish and Game if any grizzly bears visit their baiting sites and to stop using and remove the bait site for the remainder of that season. That rule takes effect Sept. 1.”

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

Seems like that second rule could seriously impede black bear hunting in areas that have browns.

 

[samuela]

Here's the press release from IDFG: Bear hunters will have new rules regarding grizzly bears starting Sept. 1 and mandatory bear ID for 2025

They say the new rules will improve the chances of delisting grizzlies in Idaho. I'm for it if that's the case.

Bait is already prohibited in many of the areas with thriving grizzly populations.

 

[Customweld]

Here's the press release from IDFG: Bear hunters will have new rules regarding grizzly bears starting Sept. 1 and mandatory bear ID for 2025

They say the new rules will improve the chances of delisting grizzlies in Idaho. I'm for it if that's the case.

Bait is already prohibited in many of the areas with thriving grizzly populations.

And to try and get ahead of this:

Environmental groups threatened lawsuit over Idaho’s allowance of bear baiting in griz country

A coalition of environmental groups said Monday they intend to sue the state of Idaho for putting grizzly bears at risk by allowing hunters to use bait to attract black

dnews.com

 

[Mechanical_Mercenary]

Appreciate the heads up with this!!

 

[Woolsocks]

I’d say this is useless, but I see all kinds of hunters asking what kind of bear they see on their trail cam….

 

[bpeay4]

Are IDFG employees going to be required to pass the black bear vs grizzly bear test...

Could be wrong but I am pretty sure this rule change is stemming from an incident in which a hunter positively ID'd a griz but IDFG gave him the go ahead to harvest the bear claiming it was a black bear.

 

[SwampMan19]

Rules just seem like common sense to protect hunters from hefty fines or a grizzly encounter. If a grizzly is visiting your bait site, is it likely a black bear would try to come in after that and feed as well?

 

[mike.adams.467]

Rules just seem like common sense to protect hunters from hefty fines or a grizzly encounter. If a grizzly is visiting your bait site, is it likely a black bear would try to come in after that and feed as well?

My experience was that once grizzlies start hitting the baits, the black bears disappeared.

 

[Coveyleader]

Already a rule in other states, no biggie.

 

[MThoundhunter]

Rules just seem like common sense to protect hunters from hefty fines or a grizzly encounter. If a grizzly is visiting your bait site, is it likely a black bear would try to come in after that and feed as well?

This is in AK but we have grizz and black bears over the same bait constantly.