Feds Take Action After Idaho Collars Wilderness Wolves

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service on Wednesday issued a notice of non-compliance to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game after the state agency violated an agreement by using a helicopter in a central Idaho wilderness to put tracking collars on wolves.

The two-page notice includes additional requirements the state must follow when seeking approval for future landings in wilderness areas. The Forest Service on Jan. 6 approved Fish and Game's request to use helicopters in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness to put collars on elk.

The state agency in a statement on Jan. 13 said it hadn't communicated clearly with one helicopter crew that attached tracking collars to four wolves. Environmental groups say they're concerned the tracking collars could be used to find and kill the wolves.