McClatchy Washington Bureau

Exactly 16 years, three months and 20 days after the first wolves from Canada were released at Corn Creek in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness of Idaho, the Interior Department published a rule in the Federal Register that formally removed the notorious predator from the endangered species list as of Thursday.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game Director Virgil Moore hopes to start killing 50 wolves in north-central Idaho from helicopters and small planes while there is still snow on the ground to make tracking easier and before elk begin having vulnerable calves.

Moore expects his bosses on the Idaho Fish and Game Commission to start an Idaho bow-hunting season in August with a rifle season beginning in September in some areas.

Read the full story at idahostatesman.com.