DD Animal News – In a move that’s ruffled more than a few feathers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has proposed a controversial plan to kill up to 450,000 native barred owls across forests in California, Oregon, and Washington. The goal? To protect the threatened northern spotted owl by eliminating its larger, more aggressive cousin. But critics say the “solution” is not only inhumane—it’s scientifically shaky, ethically questionable, and fiscally outrageous.
The $1.35 billion program—nicknamed the “hoot and shoot” by locals—would involve lethal removals in 17 national forests and 14 national park units, including beloved places like Yosemite, Redwood, and Olympic National Park. Wildlife officials claim it’s necessary to prevent barred owls from outcompeting their spotted owl relatives. But the backlash has been swift and fierce.
A Bipartisan Rebellion
Twenty members of Congress, including Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and Rep. Adam Gray (D-CA), have sent a bipartisan letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum urging an immediate halt to the plan and a withdrawal of funding.
“Even if executed perfectly, the plan could not hope to achieve its aim of reducing barred owl populations in the area, because millions of barred owls occupy the surrounding forests (including in Canada, where USFWS cannot manage them),” the lawmakers wrote. “The plan fails to explain why barred owls from those surrounding areas would not be attracted to the same nesting sites and simply fly in to replace the culled owls.”
They also criticized the plan for its massive price tag and lack of sufficient environmental review as well as analyzing the overall impact, claiming it violates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Lawsuits and Delays
Animal protection groups like Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy have filed a lawsuit in federal court in Seattle, temporarily halting the program’s start until late 2025. Their argument: the USFWS failed to explore non-lethal alternatives or fully understand the ecological consequences.
“At a time when the Administration is seeking to cut wasteful government programs, this one deserves to be at the top of the list,” lawmakers added in their letter. “We wish to associate ourselves with concerns raised by 19 of our colleagues who wrote to you on March 7, 2025, about a USFWS plan to kill more than 450,000 barred owls across 24 million acres in the Pacific Northwest over the next three decades.”
There are 300 organizations that have joined in the fight to stop the mass murder of barred owls, along with 24 Audubon societies and raptor rehabilitation centers.
Widespread Opposition
The pushback isn’t just from lawmakers. Over 300 organizations, including local Audubon societies, raptor rehab centers, and conservationists, have united against the plan. Even state legislators and former public lands officials from Oregon and Washington have spoken out.
“The Central Valley knows that protecting wildlife is essential to the health of our communities,” said Rep. Gray. “We can’t solve one conservation problem by creating another.”
While the spotted owl is smaller than the barred and needs protection, as barred owls are able to adapt easier and gather food, experts question whether killing them will solve that issue.
A Call for Smarter Solutions
Critics of the plan say it highlights a troubling pattern: turning to lethal management instead of addressing the root causes—habitat loss, climate change, and decades of poor land use planning.
As the debate continues and the lawsuit proceeds, one thing is clear: Americans care deeply about their wildlife, and the idea of gunning down hundreds of thousands of owls doesn’t sit well with many. Conservation in the 21st century needs to be smarter, more compassionate—and above all, humane.
