Idaho hunter kills rescued bear, officials say

A hunter opened fire at a bear in North Idaho and realized he shot a federally protected species after it was too late, wildlife officials said.

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The hunter was looking for black bears on June 8 in the Idaho Panhandle, north of Upper Priest Lake, the Idaho Fish and Game said in a June 9 news release.

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When he saw what he believed to be a black bear, he shot the animal. But once he got a closer look, he learned it was a grizzly bear, wildlife officials said.

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He reported the incident to wildlife officials, and they said they are investigating.

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Grizzly bears were listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1975 in the lower 48 states. Alaska and Hawaii are the two states that are not included.

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They are protected at a state and federal level, making it illegal to “harm, harass, or kill grizzly bears, except in cases of self defense or the defense of others.”

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Idaho is home to grizzly and black bears

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About 20,000 to 30,000 black bears live in the state, and officials allow them to be hunted because of their healthy population.

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However, there are approximately 80 to 100 grizzly bears in Idaho.

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Wildlife officials reminded hunters to make sure they know the physical characteristic differences between the two animals.

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A grizzly bear can be spotted by its rounded ears, shoulder hump, long claws and dished (concave) face profile. On the other hand, a black bear has tall ears, a straight face profile, no shoulder hump and shorter claws.

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The sizing and coloring of a bear is not a reliable way to determine the difference between the two, wildlife officials said, because both bears vary in color. A black bear can be blonde, cinnamon or black.

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What to do if you see a bear

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Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.

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There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.

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• Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you’re a human and nonthreatening.

• Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.

• Don’t scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.

• Pick up small children: Don’t let kids run away from the bear. It could think they’re small prey.

• Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.

• Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don’t make any sudden movements.

• Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.

• Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.

• Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.

• Don’t climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.

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