Idaho hunter cleared after Fish and Game misidentifies grizzly bear as black bear

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — An Idaho hunter has been cleared of killing a grizzly bear after Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) staff misidentified the animal as a black bear.

The man was hunting near St. Maries, over a legal black bear bait site, according to Fish and Game. The hunter captured video of a bear at the bait site two days before the incident. He sent that video to Fish and Game expressing his fear that he believed it could be a grizzly bear.

After reviewing the footage, Idaho Fish and Game staff mistakenly identified the animal as a black bear, and the hunter then shot the bear. The hunter immediately recognized the bear as a grizzly upon closer inspection and immediately contacted Fish and Game.

IDFG says the man was very cooperative throughout the investigation, even apologizing for any undue stress the man felt after realizing the mistake.

Fish and Game says that this case shows the importance of everyone, including Fish and Game staff, to be able to confidently identify species of animals they intend to hunt. While most of Idaho's grizzly bears are in the northern Panhandle area and in the Yellowstone National Park area in eastern Idaho, young male grizzlies may wander long distances, according to IDFG.

Grizzly bears typically have short, rounded ears, a dished facial profile, a prominent should hump, and two to four inch long claws, according to Idaho Fish and Game.

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