The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals last week denied a request by environmental groups for an emergency injunction to halt wolf hunts scheduled to begin in Montana and Idaho Sept. 3.

The federal court issued their ruling against the Alliance For The Wild Rockies and the Center for Biological Diversity on Aug. 25. The groups wanted the hunts to stop while their challenge of congressional action stripping wolves of protection under the Endangered Species Act was under consideration in federal court.

This was the first time Congress removed protections for an animal or plant since the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973.

Earlier in August, U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy upheld a rider attached to a Department of Defense budget bill backed by Montana Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester. The two environmental groups claimed the rider was unconstitutional because it breached the separation of powers.

Molloy agreed with the plaintiffs but noted the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier rulings that said Congress can modify environmental laws on specific cases by using what amounts to vague and political language.

The Montana wolf hunting season for bow hunters will begin Sept. 3, followed by a rifle season. The Montana quota is 220 wolves.