USFWS: Hunt Barred Owls, Save Northern Spotted Owls
OutdoorHub Reporters 07.24.13
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is considering targeting aggressive barred owls in Western states to save the critically endangered northern spotted owl. According to the Associated Press, the USFWS plans on sending hunters out this fall to hunt the problematic barred owls in four study areas with a proposed goal of 3,000 harvested birds. The hunts would take place in Washington, Oregon, and California.
Conservationists have been struggling for years to save the northern spotted owl, an icon of the West. Efforts to save the spotted owl have often been surrounded with controversy. Federal restrictions on timber harvesting in spotted owl habitat caused an enormous decline in logging for Western states, and an equally large decline in jobs. Significant actions were taken by the USFWS to protect the owl and mitigate its habitat loss, but the population continues to dwindle. It is estimated that only 3,000 to 5,000 northern spotted owls still exist in small populations across the West Coast.
Decades ago, habitat loss was the greatest threat to the spotted owl. Logging companies were pushing the species out of its natural range, leading to a much opposed move by the federal government to restrict logging in owl territory. The regulations put thousands of loggers out of work and had a major impact on local economies. Workers in the logging industry were pitted against conservationists, and to this day lingering resentment still remains. However controversial, the logging restrictions seemed to stabilize the owl population, at least at first. In recent years barred owls have been moving into the Northwest and began overpowering the northern spotted owl.
“We have been dealing with the issue of habitat now for 20 or 30 years,” USFWS biologist Robin Brown told Q13 Fox. “We’re now looking at this new threat that reared its head in the last 10 or 12.”
Barred owls are larger, more aggressive, and highly adaptable. Scientists with the USFWS have proposed methods of controlling barred owl expansion for the last several years, which are largely opposed by animal rights groups. Now the agency is planning an experimental management hunt to see if harvesting 3,000 barred owls will prove to be beneficial. Officials will make a final decision on whether to go forward with the experiment in about a month. If a hunt does have an impact on spotted owl populations, USFWS officials plan on putting a regular program into place.
Although occurring only rarely, spotted owls and barred owls can breed. Hybrids sport characteristics from both species and are considered a treat by bird watchers.
