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Sportsmen back sage-grouse protection

Groups against endangered species listing, however
A new National Wildlife Federation poll shows a majority of sportsmen in 11 Western states are in favor of protecting the greater sage-grouse.

DENVER – Turkeys aren’t the only birds on the minds of Coloradans this Thanksgiving week. The greater sage-grouse is also attracting attention – but because of the bird’s declining numbers.

A new poll released by the National Wildlife Federation found a majority of sportsmen surveyed in 11 Western states back restrictions on habitat to save the species. Suzanne O’Neill, executive director of the Colorado Wildlife Federation says protecting the birds is important, so it doesn’t have to be placed on the Endangered Species List.

“If they all act in collaboration, we believe they can save the important sage-grouse habitat and avoid a listing that would really affect tremendously how our public lands are managed,” she says.

Groups like the CWF and NWF are against an endangered species listing for the bird because they say it would ultimately impact recreational activities popular in Colorado and other Western states. The greater sage-grouse population has been in decline in recent years, in part because of urban growth, gas and oil drilling, invasive species and drought.

According to survey results, nine out of 10 hunters believe it is important to take action to protect sage-grouse habitat. Almost as many believe protecting the animal will benefit other game species.

“Coloradans really care about their wildlife and public land,” O’Neill said. “At the same time, they care about other uses of the land, and they’d like to see a balance. In this case, it will require collaboration among the state, BLM and many other stakeholders.”

Earlier this month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it is classifying the Gunnison sage-grouse as threatened. Under a court-ordered agreement, the agency will decide by next year whether to list the greater sage-grouse.



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