Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?

Grizzly bears are a federally protected species. This bear identification program is primarily intended to help black bear hunters avoid a case of mistaken identity between a black bear and a grizzly bear. Non-hunters interested in being able to identify these two species of bears found in Idaho will find it useful as well. Participation is voluntary.

1. Overview / Training Section - covers the basics of bear identification and lists several distinct features that distinguish the two kinds of bears.
2. Training Videos - videos of grizzly bears and black bears. It is often difficult to tell the difference between a grizzly bear and a black bear just from photos, the videos help show the multiple features that distinguish grizzly bears from black bears.
3. Bear Identification Exam - 15 multiple choice questions. You must get 80 percent of the questions correct to pass. Those who pass may decide to provide a name and contact information and print out a personalized certificate of completion.

We welcome your comments and suggestions on ways to improve the training and exam. Please provide your feedback at the end of the exam.

Virgil Moore,
Director, Idaho Fish and Game