Idaho Fish & Game Commissioner Tony McDermott of Sagle said he's been hearing from "frustrated sportsmen," and he told Fish & Wildlife Service Regional Director Robin Thorson, "I'm not sure your federal rule failed, I think it was maybe the federal justice system and one judge that didn't like the rule, didn't like it for political reasons and threw it back into the political arena." McDermott said that's just his opinion, but said, "There are no good options out of the political arena right now" and said the issue on wolves is a "judge's asinine decision." McDermott also said he's read the 10(j) rule, and it's "unbelievably complicated," saying, "I'm almost convinced it was written by at least 20 lawyers when it was written back in 1974."

Thorson responded, "The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is deeply disappointed that we lost this case. ... I'm not ready to blame it on the federal court, but I would emphasize that we believed this was a successful path. We're sorry that it failed, but we want to take responsibility for the rulemaking and emphasize the efforts and the successes in Idaho."  

McDermott asked if Thorson and her agency would help the state appeal the decision. She responded that the Department of Interior and Department of Justice "have made no decision on whether or not they would appeal." However, she said, "We are as strong and ferocious an advocate as we can be for the interest of this state. ... We will make sure that your voice is heard in the discussion."