from IdahoStatesman.com
A federal judge ruled Thursday against the Obama administration and returned wolves in the Rocky Mountains to the Endangered Species List.
That means that hunting seasons in Idaho and Montana will not be allowed to continue.
U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy said leaving wolves listed as endangered in Wyoming while delisting them in Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington and northern Utah violates the Endangered Species Act.
“The Endangered Species Act does not allow the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to list only part of a “species” as endangered, or to protect a listed distinct population segment only in part as the Final Rule here does,” Malloy wrote. Idaho’s wolf hunting season could have begun as soon as Aug. 30.
The Idaho Fish and Game Commissioners were slated to set wolf hunting quotas and finalize rules at their Aug. 16 meeting in Idaho Falls. Hunters killed 134 wolves in Idaho and 72 in Montana in 2009 and early this year.
Wolf advocates say that the current population is not big enough to ensure that long term genetic health of the population. Their attorney told the judge they believe 2,000 to 5,000 wolves may be necessary.
But Molloy did not rule on the issue.
“Because the Rule does not comply with the ESA, it is unnecessary to resolve all of the issues raised by the parties.” Idaho had 835 wolves at the end of 2009 and the region, including Montana, Wyoming, eastern Washington, eastern Oregon and northern Utah, had an estimated population of 1,706. Since then new pups have joined the packs and before hunting the overall population had been growing at a rate of about 20 percent annually.
Idaho fish and game statement on wolf relisting:
We are very disappointed by District Judge Donald Molloy’s ruling, returning gray wolves to endangered species protection.
“This is a major setback for responsible wildlife management in Idaho. We have demonstrated our ability to conduct a hunting season in an orderly fashion,” Idaho Fish and Game Commission Chairman Dr. Wayne Wright. “It’s a shame when legal twists can trump wildlife management. This is not how the Endangered Species Act should work.”
We don’t know yet what this means for the upcoming wolf season. But for the time being we have suspended wolf tag sales until we’ve had a chance to further review the decision.
“We’re frustrated; we’re angry; we’re disappointed,” Idaho Fish and Game Deputy Director Jim Unsworth said. “We’ve played by the rules, but his decision allows procedural technicalities to overcome sound science and common sense.”
Wolves south of Interstate 90 have reverted to management under a section of the Endangered Species Act known as the 10(j) rule, allowing some flexibility to respond to livestock depredation and impacts on big game. The rule also allows individuals on private or public land to kill a wolf that is in the act of attacking their stock animals or dogs. Wolf north of Interstate 90 in Idaho are fully protected under the Endangered Species Act.
Idaho still must follow the rule of law, and we will look at all legal options to see what’s the best way out of this mess. Fish and Game still will work to resolve conflicts between wolves and other game animals, including proposals to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for wolf control actions to protect dwindling game herds and reduce livestock predation.
The LockDown uses a pliable cover for a low profile fit & ShockCord Security Straps to fasten optics... 
I am for good wildlife management. I support predator hunting when it is necessary to maintain the balance of the wild life in an area. I am not well versed enough to know if there needs to be 2000 to 5000 wolves to insure the genetic survival. I am a former cattleman and farmer and understand their position but I believe wolves have a place in the ecosystem and have supported their re-introduction in NM.
I am not opposed to wolves in Idaho. However, I recognize that they need to managed or it will be an end to hunting in the state. Idaho has a good wolf management plan that was well executed. Wyoming is screwing things up for everyone. They need to get on board and play by the rules.
Good desicion.
…i agree. enough said.
Time will tell….. these predators need to be managed. HELP- I am surrounded by both sides of the issue here in our local coffee shop. Big news!!!!
I believe the wolf really epitomizes our own predation on the world, that is why we are so emotional and polarized and we should be! They mirror the biggest predator ourselves and how are we going to survive? Aldo Leopold “In intelligent t…inkering it is important to save all the pieces” October in the backcountry of the Middle Fork of the Salmon saw lots of healthy elk that I think may be rebounding from the shock of “the” wolf we introduced/reintroduced, some interesting studies have been providing more insight. I bless the healthy, calm, peaceful cow elk surrounded by wolves that has nourished me with more then emotion, memories and diversity for the last year. I know other states have had disease crop up in their wildlife and a balanced wolf population could be the only cure to cull the diseased and weak; they don’t look for the biggest horns Taking any life for me is a reflection of my own, and very emotional because it is a short fragile important dance. Chris I honor being in the middle with a wolf at the door!
A wolf makes a fine meal!
This is text book case of ignorance feeding off of ingnorance. What we have in Idaho is a handful of influential landowners and ranchers who completely and deliberately blow the wolf’s carnage out of proportion. And then another handful o…f bozo rednecks feed off of this misinformation and twist it around and say that they are kiilling off the state’s elk population. Total bullshit!!! The state can’t even get an accurate count of wolves let alone assess the true impact of their predation. They’ve turned this into a modern day witch hunt and in the process have demonized the wolf. What does this say about us humans? I find this profoundly ironic and distrubing.
As with most issues the truth lies somewhere in the middle. The extremists on both sides are just that.
I am a hunter and grew up in a ranching family… that said, I don’t hate wolves. I think it’s great that we have them in our state. See…ing and hearing them is a treat that makes my hair stand up on end. We do have too many though and I only asked that we let biologists, not emotional opinions of people who have no vested interest determine their management.
My favorite quote: “Not all dogs are fit to hunt, nor in the same way are all men gratified by it. Nor, for those of us who share this dogs pleasure of hunting (if you will,) do I ask special tolerance or understanding. We are as we are and if we seem to you to act immorally it is certainly your right to feel so, but I say most seriously that you exceed your rights when you urge that laws be made in the shape of your conscience to block pleasures permitted by mine. When you prevail you commit a crime against freedom and that’s the greatest immorality I know.” ~ Vance Vourgaily
When Otter declares “open season day” on wolves without a balanced, fact-based analysis to justify the hunt, yea, that will trigger an emotional response from people. Otter pandered to wealthy land owners and ranchers. The same ranchers wh…o let their cattle roam on BLM land, urinating and defecating in our pristine streams, spreading dysentery and other bovine-borne ilnesses. This is just a fact.
How do you know we have too wolves? The biologists haven’t come up with a conclusive answer. How many are too many? How did the elk population survive wolfpacks native to Idaho 100 years ago? The uproar over wolves certainly isn’t because of their danger to humans. It’s because ranchers let cattle roam free undeterred and without any means of protection against natural predators. The onus is on the ranchers, but the ranchers don’t want to spend the dollars necessary to safeguard their cattle. It cost too much and logistically it will be too difficult to maintain. So the easy solution is to kill off the wolves. Wolves don’t generate revenue, but cattle is the lifeblood for ranchers. Who do you think has more power to influence legislation and popular opinion? The granola wolf-loving liberal or the wealthy conservative league of ranchers?
This is one of the most heated issues in our valley. I live in Central Idaho and have had one of the most amazing experiences with a wolf up close and personal. I am glad to see this key stone species predator back in our wilderness. At the… same time I realize the impact of the ever expanding human population and the destruction of critical wildlife habitat. Elk and Deer battle the elements, man and predators every day and compete for survival like we all do. The balance of both predator and prey along with hunting puts our own department of Fish & Game in charge of protecting its resources in order to have sustainable wildlife for all to enjoy either through hunting or viewing. Predator management whether it’s lions, bears or wolves is a polarizing topic. Our hunting rights and the protection of our life and property through our second amendment rights are part of who we are and why we are here today. Sportsman through the purchase of hunting and fishing license employ thousands of people and brings in big dollars to our local economy. I agree in that we can’t let the emotions get in the way of sound judgment in making any decisions.
I agree that Otter’s declaration was in poor taste. I also think that our debate here illustrates why qualified biologists need to be making the decisions. The two of us are never going to see eye to eye on this issue. I’m not going to conv…ince you and you’re not going to convince me, that’s just a fact.
The biologists suggest that wolves be managed. They call for a reduction in Idaho’s numbers of at least 200 wolves per year. It is the judge’s job to make an educated decision using the consultation of “experts” (biologists in this case). Is the judge a biologist? No. Did he follow the advice given by the biologists? No. Did he act on his own emotions/opinion and (possibly) pressure from the other extreme? Yes.
No different from Otter reacting to the wishes of the majority of the people in Idaho, which is what we hired him to do.
Nice to have the thought provoking intelligent dialogue.
I totally agree Dave.
I’m concerned that the official wolf count is not correct. In my area the biologist had an official count of 13 wolves in the hog heaven pack. When they started killing livestock they went to kill the pack off. It was then reported that 33 wolves had been killed out of this one pack and I feel that this is indicative of most of the other packs. this means that if they are reporting 2000 wolves there are really over 5,000 wolves.
A DEAD ZONE resulted form this pack , and a real reduction of fawns, calves is leading to the loss of 100s of thousands deer,elk and moose not to mention grouse, quail,turkey and other small birds and animals. I wish they would put aside these political games and do the math right. get a real count of the wolves and the damage they have done.
After reading former Chief of National Wildlife Refuge Operations, Jim Beers “How Legal Was The Introduction Of Canadian Wolves Into The Northern Rockies?” I think that the states have a legal way to fight Judge Donald Molloys decision to re-list the the wolves as endangered. I don’t think it is legal for a Federal Judge to support an illegal act. Therefore the States should take charge of the problem. Beers article: http://www.allamericanpatriot.com/content/how-legal-was-introduction-canadian-wolves-northern-rockies