Get this: Idaho wasn't supposed to be allowed to offer any oral arguments this morning at the wolf hearing in Missoula, but U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy surprised officials from Idaho and Montana this morning by shifting gears at the last minute, and agreeing to hear their arguments as well as those from the 13 environmental groups that sued over the delisting of the wolf, and from the U.S. Department of Justice, defending the decision. "We actually didn't know that we were going to be allowed to make those arguments until we were in the courtroom this morning," said Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden. "We were pleasantly surprised and grateful that the court was willing to take a few moments and allow the state of Idaho to make its argument."
 
Deputy Attorney General Steve Strack, who had submitted a 25-page brief detailing Idaho's position, gave a half-hour of oral arguments on behalf of Idaho. Strack's argument focused on the "reasonableness of our exercise of sovereign power, in terms of setting a hunting season and managing wolves properly," Wasden said. You can read Idaho's brief here.