The National Rifle Association and Safari Club International (SCI) said they will move for reconsideration after being denied intervenor status last week by the Montana Federal District Court in a new challenge to the wolf delisting contained in the continuing resolution for FY 2011 by the Alliance for the Rocky Mountains.
That court decision was based on the notion that the federal government would adequately represent SCI and NRA’s interests in the litigation. The NRA and SCI contend they have a right and indeed a responsibility to defend the interests of their members and the hunting community in general.
“Only the NRA and SCI can fully and adequately represent the interests of our members and hunters in this litigation,” said Chris W. Cox. “While populations continue to far exceed delisting goals, we will continue our fight for hunters and for the complete delisting of gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act.” A
nti-hunting groups filed two new court cases on May 5th challenging the constitutionality of the recently passed law that directed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist the wolves of Montana, Idaho and portions of Oregon, Utah and Washington State. The NRA has pledged to continue to fight for the delisting and state-based management of gray wolves, whether in Congress or the courts.
