Ultimate Idaho Bear Hunting Guide: Seasons, Safety, Costs, and the Grizzly Question

Idaho is a land of rugged mountains and vast, untouched wilderness, making it a prime destination for big game hunters. Among the most challenging and rewarding quarry is the bear. Whether you're a seasoned hunter looking for a spring adventure or a newcomer seeking a guided experience, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about bear hunting in the Gem State, from biology and safety to history and costs.

The Bears of Idaho: Black Bears vs. Grizzlies

Idaho is home to two species of bears: the abundant Black Bear, and the protected Grizzly Bear. Understanding the difference is not just about biology; it’s a critical legal and safety requirement for every hunter.

1. The Black Bear (Ursus americanus) - Idaho's Huntable Species

The Black Bear is classified as a big game species in Idaho and is actively managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG).

Habitat and Diet

• Habitat: Black bears are widespread and can be found throughout most of the state's forested areas, from dense timber to rugged mountainsides. They thrive in areas with abundant food and cover. • Diet: They are true omnivores. Their diet includes berries, nuts, roots, grasses, insects, small mammals, and carrion. In the spring, they favor new grasses and forbs, while in the fall, they gorge on berries and nuts to prepare for hibernation. • Denning/Hibernation: Black bears enter a state of deep sleep, or torpor, in a den during the late fall or early winter, and emerge in the spring. Dens can be found in tree hollows, under rock overhangs, or in excavated holes. They do not truly hibernate like a ground squirrel, but their heart rate and metabolism slow significantly. • Reproduction: Females typically mate every two years, usually in late spring or early summer. Due to a process called delayed implantation, the fertilized egg doesn't implant until the fall. Cubs (usually 1-3) are born blind and helpless in the den during mid-winter (January/February) and stay with their mother for about 18 months. • Record Size: While official record books may vary on exact weights, large adult male black bears in Idaho can easily reach 400 to over 500 pounds. The Boone and Crockett Club's record for a black bear is based on skull size.

Safety and Danger

Black bears are generally wary of humans and attacks are rare. When attacks do occur, they are typically: • Defensive: A bear is startled at close range, is defending its cubs, or is protecting a food source (like a carcass). • Predatory: Extremely rare, but usually involves an adult male looking for prey. • Notable Incidents: While data on specific black bear attacks is less centralized than grizzly encounters, black bears can be dangerous, especially when conditioned to human food sources. Following safe practices is essential.

2. The Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) - A Protected Species

Grizzly bears are federally listed as a threatened species in Idaho. It is illegal to hunt or harm a grizzly bear unless in defense of life. Hunters are responsible for being able to distinguish between the two species.

Habitat and Status

• Status: Protected. • Habitat: Grizzly populations in Idaho are primarily confined to two recovery areas: the Idaho Panhandle (Units 1, 4, 4A) and the Upper Snake/Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (Units 60, 61, 62, 62A, 64, 65, and 67). They favor dense, remote mountain habitats. • Identification: Grizzlies have a prominent shoulder hump, a dished-in face profile, and shorter, more rounded ears than a Black Bear.

Safety and Danger

Grizzly bears are significantly more powerful and more prone to aggressive defense than black bears. They are highly territorial and will defend cubs, a carcass, or their immediate space. The risk of a defensive attack is much higher with a grizzly, particularly for hunters in the designated recovery zones.

Notable Historical Attack:

Ashton, 1967: A grizzly bear severely mauled U.S. Forest Service worker Byrle G. Walker in the Targhee National Forest (west of Yellowstone). Two teenagers, James Black and Kristan Sparks, bravely distracted the bear by shouting and beating on trees, drawing the attack to themselves and saving Walker's life. The bear injured both teens before leaving.

Record Size

The Largest Recorded: The largest grizzly bear recorded in Idaho's Boone and Crockett records was taken on January 1, 1900, by Bill E. Lovely in Caribou, Idaho. Its official record is based on a skull measurement of 24 2/16 inches. Since grizzly hunting has been illegal in Idaho since 1975, this is a historical record. A recent (2007) mistaken-identity kill of a young male grizzly near Kelly Creek weighed between 400 and 500 pounds.

Bear Hunting Seasons and Regulations (Black Bear)

Idaho offers both a spring and a fall season for Black Bear hunting, providing hunters with distinct experiences. • Spring - April through July (Dates vary by unit) - Baiting, Hounding (in specific areas/dates), Spot and Stalk. Spring hunts target bears as they emerge from dens, often focusing on lush, south-facing slopes. • Fall - End of August through the end of November November (Dates vary by unit) - Spot and Stalk, Baiting, Hounding (in specific areas/dates). Fall hunts are great for catching bears focused on high-calorie food sources before denning.

Important Regulations:

• Bag Limit: Typically one bear per tag, and hunters can often purchase a second bear tag in certain units, allowing for a two-bear limit. • Prohibited: Killing females with cubs is strictly prohibited. Hunters must be certain of their target's sex and presence of young. • Mandatory Reporting: All black bear tag holders are required to file a mandatory hunter report.

Bear Meat: Taste and Preparation

Bear meat is highly edible, but its flavor and quality depend heavily on the bear's diet and the hunter's proper field care. Bear meat is a rich, dark red meat that is often compared to venison, but with a unique, deeper flavor. The taste is primarily influenced by what the bear has been eating: • Spring Bear: Often leaner and milder, as their diet consists mostly of grasses and roots. • Fall Bear: The flavor can be much stronger, sometimes described as sweet, especially if the bear has been gorging on berries and nuts. If a bear has been feeding on fish or carrion, the meat can take on an unpleasant, fishy or gamy flavor. Critical Safety Note: Like pork and wild boar, bear meat must be cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees for a minimum of three minutes. This is essential to destroy the parasite responsible for Trichinosis. Most hunters recommend slow-cooking methods to ensure a safe and tender product.

Popular Bear Meat Recipes

Black bear meat is versatile and excellent for slow-cooking, smoking, and grinding. Popular preparations often focus on utilizing the primal cuts: • Slow Cooker Bear Roast: A classic in the mountain states. The roast is seasoned with brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, and slow-cooked for 8-10 hours in a mixture of chicken broth, cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce until it falls apart like pulled pork. The fat is often trimmed and discarded, as most people find the taste of bear fat unpleasant. • Bear Sausage/Sticks: Bear meat, especially from the legs and shoulders, makes excellent grind. It is often mixed with pork fat and cured for smoked sausage, bratwurst, or snack sticks. • Mongolian Bear Stir-fry: Bear steaks are thinly sliced, coated in cornstarch, and fried. They are then combined with a sweet-and-savory sauce of soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic, and served over rice or Ramen noodles.

Hunting Costs and Cultural Context

Estimated Hunting Costs (Non-Resident) - Grizzly bears are protected, so all hunting costs are for the Black Bear. Note that the costs below do not include the Non-Resident Hunting License (approx $195) or the Black Bear Tag (approx $232 for full price, or a reduced tag may be available). • Guided Black Bear Hunt | 5-7 Days | $3,300 to $5,000+ per hunter | Includes guide, lodging, meals, and trophy care. Prices can vary significantly based on amenities and location. • Self-Guided/DIY Baited Hunt | 5-7 Days | $2,000 - $2,500+ per hunter (2+ minimum) | Outfitter provides fully set up bait stations, camp logistics, and possibly transportation, but the hunter does the actual hunting. • Camp Drop-Off/Self-Guided | 7 Days | $3,500+ per hunter | Outfitter transports the hunter and gear to a remote, prepared camp (tents, cots, cooking supplies) and leaves them to hunt independently.

Cultural and Historical Context

Bear hunting is a deep-rooted tradition in Idaho's history, predating modern conservation efforts. • Native American Heritage: For Native American tribes like the Shoshone, Ute, and Bannock, bears were a vital resource and a symbol of strength and spirituality. They were hunted for meat, fat, fur, and claws, with claw necklaces symbolizing protection and good health. • Mountain Men and Early Settlers: The early 19th-century mountain men and trappers heavily pursued the bear population for the fur trade. The very name of the famous Bear Lake Valley originated with fur trapper Donald McKenzie, who named it "Black Bear Lake" in 1819 for the abundance of black bears he saw there. • Modern Management: Today, Idaho manages black bear populations as a prized big game species, often viewing hunting as a necessary tool to maintain a healthy ecological balance and provide high-quality recreation.

Essential Safety for Hunters and Hikers

Whether you are hunting or simply hiking, safe practices are mandatory in bear country. 1. Carry Bear Spray: Keep a can of EPA-approved bear spray readily accessible (not in your pack). Know how to use it. 2. Make Noise: Bears generally avoid people. Call out, sing, or talk loudly while hiking to announce your presence and avoid startling a bear at close range. 3. Secure Food: Never leave food, garbage, or scented items (like toothpaste) unsecured at a camp or trailhead. Use bear-resistant containers, or hang food high from a tree, away from your sleeping area. 4. Know Your Target (Hunters): When hunting black bears, thoroughly inspect the animal for physical characteristics that distinguish it from a grizzly (no hump, longer ears, straight face profile). Never shoot a female with cubs. 5. Watch the Wind: When hunting, be aware of the wind direction. Bears have an incredible sense of smell, and they will detect you long before you see them if the wind is in your favor. 6. Avoid Carcasses: If you encounter a carcass on the trail, leave the area immediately. A bear is likely nearby defending its meal.

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About The Author

Mike Mendenhall is the the founder of Lunker Hunter. This website is an extension of the Mendenhall family’s lifestyle and passion for the great outdoors. Everything that they learn, and experience, along the way that they find may be valuable to our website visitors is on the site for you to enjoy. We highlight products and services that you might find interesting. We frequently receive free products from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. If you click a link on this page, then go on to make a purchase, we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you, and does not impact the purchase price of any products that you may purchase.