Grouse hunt begins as feds mull protections

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Listing a species as endangered and hunting it might seem mutually exclusive, but the same environmentalists who want sage grouse listed aren't absolutely opposed to hunting the birds.

Wyoming is believed to be home to more than half of the nation's sage grouse. The state's sage grouse hunting season begins later this month.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to decide by February whether to list the bird as threatened or endangered.

Jon Marvel, head of the environmental group Western Watersheds Project, says grouse should be listed. But hunting alone doesn't have much effect on sage grouse, Marvel said.

Some opposed to federal protections for the bird say the hunting season could send a mixed message to decision makers in the Fish and Wildlife Service.