Court Denies Early Legal Challenge to Idaho Wolf/Elk Management

On Friday, January 17, 2014, an Idaho federal court judge denied an attempt by animal rights and wilderness groups to stop the removal of two wolf packs from the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area in central Idaho.  Defenders of Wildlife, Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project, Wilderness Watch and others filed the suit to challenge the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s decision to hire a hunter/trapper to lethally remove two wolf packs in the Wilderness area.  The state action will help stem a 43% decline in the area’s elk population.  Because of strict filing deadlines imposed by the Court, Safari Club had to move quickly to join the case to defend IDFG’s management decision.  Thanks to several SCI members who worked with SCI’s legal team through the weekend to prepare their sworn statements, SCI was able to file a motion to intervene, provide the voice of the hunting community and help oppose the Plaintiffs’ attempt to stop the wolf removal. Thank you to those members that offered their help.  SCI Legal Task Force member Paul Turcke, of Moore Smith Buxton & Turcke in Boise Idaho, is assisting SCI in this litigation.