COEUR d'ALENE - Idaho's second public wolf hunt started Tuesday in the 13 separate zones across the state, with a new set of rules and dates compared to the inaugural 2009 campaign.

So far, though, hunter response has been luke warm.

"I think part of it is in 2009, it was the first wolf hunt in Idaho, in the entire Northwest," said Phil Cooper, Idaho Department of Fish and Game Panhandle Region spokesman.

A federal court case shelved the 2010 wolf hunting season. This year, wolves were de-listed as an endangered species, opening the way for the follow up season, yet wolf tags haven't been selling at the 2009 pace.

Less than 9,000 tags have been sold this year, compared to 26,433 in 2009.

Hunters may have less enthusiasm this year, or they may be waiting for deer and elk rifle season to open Oct. 10 before they buy any tags. Also, hunter success rate in 2009 was less than 1 percent.

Wolves are known as elusive, cunning creatures, who use trees and brush to hide their movements. They're just not easy targets.

"They're very difficult to hunt," Cooper said. "And nobody had experience hunting them unless they'd been in Alaska or Canada."

Statewide, the seven-month season won't have a quota on the number of kills, although certain zones will have a set limit that can be harvested. The Panhandle Region isn't one of the capped zones. In 2009, the quota was 220 wolves during the hunt, but only around 180 were brought in.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game estimates that about 1,100 wolves now roam the state.

Hunt opponents have maintained that the animal is endangered, and a critical part of the region's ecogological well being, and shouldn't be targeted. Proponents say the predator has hurt elk and deer numbers and feasts on farmers' rural livestock.

IDFG officials said they intend to manage the population so it remains above 150 animals and 15 breeding pairs.

Traps are allowed this year, unlike in 2009. That season begins in November and runs until March 31, just as the regular one does. Hunters will be required to register for a course on trapping should they want that permit. They must check the trap every 72 hours, too.

Wolf tags cost $31.75 for nonresidents, and $11.50 for residents.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.