Video: Know Your Target Before the Hunt

Transcript for Know Your Target Before the Hunt

Brenda Beckley: Hi. I'm Brenda with the Idaho Fish and Game Hunter Education Program. As a new hunter or maybe new to hunting, it is your responsibility to study the regulations and know your game.

While it may seem like an easy task, correctly identifying an animal while you're hunting takes experience. You do not want to shoot the wrong animal and suffer legal consequences. Experienced hunters can tell you that as a hunter, at some point, you will be in a situation where you have only a few seconds to decide to shoot or not shoot the animal. I'm going to share with you a few tips for a successful and safe hunting experience.

My first tip is to recommend that you hunt closely with an experienced hunter, regardless of your age.

My second tip is to never use your scope as a replacement for a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope. You need to see the area around the animal. Are there other animals in the area? Do you know what is in front or beyond your target?

Let's take a close look at the differences between a few animals that have been misidentified by hunters in Idaho.

Moose and Elk

Let's begin with moose. Did you know that moose can be golden brown to almost black in color? Because of this, we are going to focus on the unique characteristics of a moose. They have a horse-like head and a large hump on their back. Moose have a skin flap that hangs down from their neck called a bell. Males, called bulls, have antlers that are large and palmated.

Let's compare a moose to an elk.

Bull elk have bigger antlers that extend backwards over their neck. Their antlers branch off a single main beam. What if you have a female elk cow tag? You won't be looking for antlers. Check that the animal has a distinct cream-colored rump patch and tail.

Mule Deer and White-Tailed Deer

In Idaho, we have opportunities for hunters to hunt female deer called does. If you have a doe tag, you need to know the characteristics of Idaho's two deer species other than the antlers.

Mule deer are large and have wide ears, giving them a mule-like appearance. They also have a white rump patch. The tail is thin and rope-like with a black tip.

The white-tailed deer has smaller ears, and they have a brown rump. White-tailed deer have a long tail with a white underside that they raise like a flag to signal other deer. Male deer are called bucks and have antlers.

The mule deer antlers branch out equally, forming a series of Vs. The antler of a white-tailed deer branch off one main beam.

Birds

Let's look at some bird species that are protected and illegal to shoot.

• Birds of prey, such as owls, eagles, hawks, and falcons, are commonly seen soaring. They are known to perch on telephone poles or wires and tree branches.
• There's also a type of owl that burrows underground called the burrowing owl.
• Shorebirds, such as curlews and great blue herons, are often seen wading in shallow waters.
• Songbirds, like chickadees and robins, are smaller-sized birds that can be seen perched in trees throughout Idaho.

Poaching

Shooting an animal that is protected or out of season is called poaching. You can help Fish and Game by anonymously reporting poaching by calling the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline, 208-632-5999. Cash rewards are provided to callers that provide information leading to the arrest and ticketing of persons who have committed wildlife crimes.

Bears

Let's talk about Idaho's bears. We have black bears and grizzly bears, also known as brown bears. The color and size of the bear should not alone be used to identify them.

Black bears in Idaho are often black, but some can be brown, cinnamon, or even blond. Black bears have longer, pointed ears and a straight face.

Grizzly bears in Idaho can be light brown to black in color, usually with the fur being tipped in white, making a grizzled appearance. Their ears are rounded and smaller than a black bear's ears. The face is dish-shaped between the eyes and the end of its nose. Grizzly bears have a shoulder hump.

To sum things up, remember, as a hunter, it is your responsibility to know your game and to understand the current seasons and rules. Visit our website or your local sporting goods store for a Seasons and Rules brochure.

On screen: Visit our website idfg.idaho.gov.