IDFG says it misidentified grizzly bear

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game said its staff misidentified a grizzly bear as a black bear two days before a hunter killed it.

"Fish and Game regrets the mistake made by its staff, the undue stress the situation caused for the hunter and the loss of the grizzly bear. Fish and Game is reviewing its staff’s part in the incident as a personnel matter," a press release said.

The male grizzly bear was shot and killed June 10 near the Lower St. Joe River about 5 miles from the town of St. Maries, "an area not commonly used by grizzly bears," the release said.