Federal judge allows Idaho wolf derby
A federal judge allowed a wolf derby to proceed on public land in Idaho, ruling its organizers aren’t required to get a special permit from the U.S. Forest Service.
U.S. District Magistrate Judge Candy Wagahoff Dale issued the ruling Friday, hours after a morning hearing.
WildEarth Guardians and other environmental groups had sought to stop the derby, arguing the Forest Service was ignoring its own rules that require permits for competitive events.
The Forest Service, meanwhile, countered no permit was needed.
Its officials concluded while hunting would take place in the forest, the competitive portion of the event – where judges would determine contest winners for the biggest wolf – would take place on private land.
Dale decided derby promoters were encouraging use of the forest for a lawful activity.
