Rare grizzly bear sighting in Idaho town far from home

With summer in full swing, many of us are taking weekend trips, vacations, camping, or even taking a hunting trip. Idaho is home to some of the best wildlife in the country, as well as some of the most beautiful places to camp, take a hike, or escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As you make your way to your destinations, be sure to be aware of the wildlife around you. It may seem obvious, but sometimes animals you don’t expect to see in certain places make their presence known. One such animal was recently spotted in a place not commonly seen and has put an Idaho city on notice.

Grizzly bear spotted near Salmon, Idaho

Recently, in east central Idaho, a grizzly bear was seen near Salmon. Grizzly bears have been known to be seen in Idaho, but usually farther north or closer to Yellowstone. One reason this is a concern is that if you see a grizzly bear in the wild, you cannot harm it in any way. They are a protected species under federal law and therefore it is a felony to harm one. While seeing a grizzly bear in the wild would be a great story and an amazing thing to see, the potential danger is not worth the risk. They may seem cute and funny, but you can be sure that they are not. Don’t go near one.

Bear hunting season in Idaho

One problem with a grizzly outside its normal range is that it is currently black bear hunting season in Idaho. When a bear comes into view, the instinct would be to shoot, especially with grizzlies that are not commonly known to be in the area. If you are hunting a black bear, be sure to double check before you pull the trigger that it is the correct type of bear. Don’t wait too long and lose your tag, but don’t pull too soon and find yourself tagging a protected animal. If you camp or plan to visit the Salmon area in the next few weeks, be careful and keep an eye out for any bears in the area, grizzly or black.

Be aware of your surroundings when camping, fishing or kayaking this summer. While it’s unlikely you’ll come across a grizzly or any other type of bear, you never know when they’ll show up. Make sure you know what you can and can’t hunt before you go, and make sure you don’t mistake a grizzly for a black bear or any other type of animal. If you see a grizzly, contact Idaho Fish and Game.