Conservation groups move to halt wildlife killing by feds

A group of conservation advocates want to block the federal government’s aerial gunning, trapping and poisoning of wildlife across Idaho.

According to a lawsuit filed in federal court Thursday, the coalition says the U.S. Department of Agriculture should halt all ongoing killing of native wild animals until it completes an environmental analysis of its program.

The groups, which include the Hailey-based Western Watersheds Project, argue that the federal government doesn’t have the science to justify the statewide authorization killing of coyotes, mountain lions, and other animals.

For example, attorneys for the groups say ravens have been targeted to help increase sage grouse populations even though predator-killing programs haven’t been proven as an effective method to boost sage grouse numbers.

The USDA did not immediately return a request for comment.