Some more information for those who are continuing to follow the developments:

Suits have been filed to stop the delisting process.

Per Todd Grimm, wildlife biologist for USDA Wildlife Services, his department killed 48 wolves in fiscal year 2007.

Of 133 depredations investigated by his department in 2007, 88 involved confirmed depredations, 19 were probable, 20 "possible or unknown" WOLF depredations.

Depredations involved 425 sheep, 75 cattle, 20 dogs.

Number of depredations increased 27% since 2006.

The Agency spent $387,000 on investigations and for managing wolves.

At least 36 of the 83 wolf packs in idaho were involved in livestock depredations.

Per USDA-APHIS Idaho Wildlife Services Wolf Activity Report, delisting wolves will probably not increase the number of wolves killed in Idaho.

Per Todd Grimm, USDA; "Wolf activist groups think there will be a slaughter, with dead wolves everywhere. That won't happen".

Of the 125 wolves killed by his agency in the last 5 years, only 20 were killed by shooting using conventional hunting methods. Per the above report, "Hunting from the gorund is not the most effective way to take wolves. After the public is allowed to begin hunting wolves, it would seem likely that wolves will become even more difficult to hunt as they become wary of humans."

Based on current trends, the agency "will almost certainly need to remove more wolves than ever before" if a court order stops the delisting process.

This from an article by Ralph Bartholdt in St Maries Gazette Record, March 5, 2008.