Image: black_grizz

Both grizzly bears and black bears live in Idaho, but only black bears are legal to hunt, so it’s important to be able to tell the difference between the two species in the field. (Image by elenabsl)

For 2025, Idaho black bear hunters are required to show proof they’ve passed a bear identification test to help them differentiate between black bears and grizzly bears.

Idaho is home to both grizzlies and black bears, but grizzlies are federally protected, so they can’t be hunted.

According to East Idaho News, after successfully completing a bear identification test, the hunter will be assigned a certificate number that he or she must provide if requested while when in the field. Fish and Game recommends saving a digital copy of the completed certificate and storing the certificate number on the customer license account.

Identifying bears in the wild can be challenging. While grizzlies and black bears have physical features that can help hunters identify them, no single feature should be used to determine the species of bear. Color and size are not reliable indicators. Hunters should instead rely on a combination of other more identifiable features.

Before taking the bear identification test, review these educational materials or visit the Bear Identification and Test Requirement webpage. Studying different bear photos of different ages and color types will help hunters spot the differences – and similarities – between the two species. These training materials will focus on each characteristic.

Idaho will recognize completed bear identification certificates from the Montana and Washington bear identification education programs. Hunters who have received certification from either of those states can simply input that certification number.