Idaho Coyote and Wolfe Derby Issue in Court Today

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The fate of a disputed coyote and wolf derby planned for this weekend in central Idaho will be debated Friday in federal court. U.S. District Magistrate Judge Candy Dale scheduled a telephone hearing in an environmental group's lawsuit for 9:30 a.m. WildEarth Guardians and other environmental groups contend the U.S. Forest Service ignored federal laws by allowing the competition to proceed this Saturday and Sunday near Salmon without requiring organizers to first secure a special-use permit for a commercial event on public land. But the U.S. Forest Service says its rules don't require a special permit. Dale has been asked to issue a temporary restraining order that would halt the event. Event foes branded it a "wolf slaughter," while its organizers say few of the predators will likely be killed.