The Fish and Wildlife Service mailed out an apology to 240 New Mexico elk hunters regarding an accusatory letter the agency had previously mailed after one of several Mexican gray wolves that were reintroduced into the region had been shot dead. The eight-page questionnaire asked hunters to recount "IN DETAIL" their activities, "beginning from the time you left home until you returned," around Luna, New Mexico, in November 1998, suggesting that a prompt and thorough response "should preclude United States Fish and Wildlife Special Agents from meeting with you in person." Among the form's questions were: Do you know who shot the wolf? Did you shoot the wolf? How do you feel now that you have completed this form? Should we believe your answers to the questions? What were your emotions while filling out this form? Did you feel afraid while filling out this form?

Perhaps inspired by the resulting political fallout, the agency decided that the best way to reintroduce the gray wolf into northern New England was to take it off the endangered species list. Endangered status carries with it severe and politically unpopular restrictions, and requires methodically reintroducing the animal into selected habitats. By downgrading the animal's status to merely "protected," there is still a ban on hunting the animals, but farmers may still shoot them if they threaten livestock. Officials hope a less legalistic approach will allow the animals to migrate down from Canada and thrive. There are currently only about 2,700 gray wolves in the lower 48 states.

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