SEATTLE -- An illegal whale hunt Saturday off Neah Bay has renewed debate over the tribe's effort to kill the creatures.

Makah tribal council chairman Ben Johnson says he wishes the five men who hunted and killed a gray whale hadn't defied the tribal and federal law but he that he understands why they did it.

“I think I understand their frustrations. We’ve been going through this for years,” said Johnson.

The Makah have been fighting bureaucracy for years following their successful and legal hunt in 1999. Federal environmental rules and requirements as well as possible lawsuits have put future whale hunts on hold.

Tribal officials said Saturday's illegal hunt was a result of five tribal members, who were fed up with waiting, trying to send a message to kick start a new push to hunt whales.

“For that to occur, they had to be prepared and ready to go. But whaling families and whaling efforts are a secret sacred society. I would say that this is evidence of that, because no one knew that this was going on, except the secret society of whalers,” said Whaling Commission president Keith Johnson.

A delegation of tribal leaders is on its way to meet with members of congress over the issue.

Tribal officials said tribal email is being inundated with angry and sometimes threatening messages.