In Idaho, grizzly bears are listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, meaning it is illegal to harm, harass or kill grizzly bears, except in self-defense or the defense of others, according to Idaho Fish and Game.

Still, there are occasional instances where a grizzly bear is killed in a case of mistaken identity. It isn’t always easy to tell whether a hunter is looking at a grizzly or a black bear, which have healthier population numbers and are legal to hunt.

In order to curb cases of mistaken identity, as of Jan. 1, Fish and Game is requiring anyone hunting black bears in Idaho to have proof that they have passed a bear identification test.

According to the Fish and Game website, “the certificate number will not be required when purchasing a black bear tag, but all hunters will be required to confirm they understand the legal requirements of the new rule.” Additionally, anyone out in the field hunting black bears will be required to provide the number to an IDFG conservation officer if approached.

The test is 15 questions and involves being shown different photos before identifying the type of bear seen in each one. There are also resources you can study before taking the test.

Though I’m no hunter, I still tried taking the test — it's hard. It makes sense why Fish and Game is pushing for hunters to be educated before going for a bear.

Grizzlies do have several features that differentiate them from black bears: They have a distinct shoulder muscle hump, shorter, more rounded ears and a dished face profile compared to the straighter profile of a black bear.

“Each of these features can vary by individual bear, so no one feature should be used alone to determine species, a combination of features is most useful,” it says on IDFG’s website. “Color and size are not reliable indicators and should not be used to identify species.”

Even identifying bears with these characteristics in mind can prove difficult — one question on the bear identification test shows a photo of a bear taken from a distance and asks the user whether there’s enough visual information to determine what sort of bear they’re looking at.

Personally, I said no — perhaps someone with a scope and a higher level of skill could identify what they were looking at, but as a hiker I would avoid the bear either way.

My advice: Unless you’re absolutely positive you’re looking at a black bear, don’t shoot (unless in self-defense). Regardless of your stance on protections for grizzly bears, they’re still protected — for reasons hunters and IDFG alike take seriously.