Are Sage Grouse Endangered
Back in December there was a meeting in Reno, Nevada that could have a pretty serious impact on cattle ranchers and sheep producers in the state of Idaho. The meeting involved the status of the sage grouse whose habitat in eleven of the Western states has been seriously reduced due to wildfire damage. In short, there is a question about sage grouse being listed as endangered species. We learned back then that this would have a serious effect on livestock producers? In many cases, grazing would come to a stop. In other places it would change either the season of use or the number of animals allowed. The larger issue that producers understand is that these animals don’t just get put on a shelf. Here’s Wally Butler, Range and Livestock Specialist with the Idaho Farm Bureau. “The latest on the sage grouse saga is pretty easy to explain. It is still under consideration by Fish and Wildlife Service. We thought there would be a decision this spring but it may run on into the summer. So as far as an update, there really isn’t one.”
