Ned wrote -

<snip>
>The word "anyone" is far too broad a term. Moreover, the hypothetical
>wacko to which we've been referring may not have even been sympathetic to
>the logging industry. The media attention the owl received may have
>motivated someone who was twisted enough to want to do harm to the bird
>just to see how much commotion the act would cause. <snip>

I'm afraid I am more cynical. Although what you say is true, there is ample
evidence that most of the enmity toward the Spotted Owl resides within the
logging industry. Here in BC, Spotty surveyors will tell you horror stories
about having to ride the same scow up an inlet with them on one end of the
boat and the loggers on the other slinging verbal abuse and threats at
them. A current rumor going around is that the Crested Caracara which flew
from Neah Bay, WA to Drury Inlet, BC this spring was summarily dispatched
by shotgun when the loggers found out that the bird was valued by birders
(=nasty, job-loss-causing environmentalists).

I side with giving the owl a chance out of the view of people.

- Jack
---------------------------
Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jbowling at direct.ca