An Idaho hunter illegally shot the brother of the Oregon wolf “Journey,” whose travels across Oregon to California have captured the hearts of millions worldwide and inspired a contest to name him.

What happened to the brother wolf? The hunter, whom Idaho officials wouldn’t identify, shot the wolf Feb. 2 between Emmett and Banks. He brought it in to show to Fish and Game officials, who noticed it had a 2011 tag.

The hunter told officers the vendor who sold him the tag had said it was good until the end of wolf season in March. Actually, hunters need a 2012 tag. Officers verified his story and let the hunter off with a warning, said Mike Keckler, Fish and Game communications chief.

Idaho hunters have killed 290 wolves so far in the Aug. 30 to March 31 season.

The brothers came from the Imnaha Pack in northeast Oregon, formed by wolves from Idaho in 2007.

Who named Journey? A Mountain Home girl won the contest sponsored by the Oregon Wild conservation group to name the traveling wolf.