Idaho Wildlife Managers to Delay Raven Poisoning

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — A plan by state wildlife biologist to kill 4,000 ravens in three Idaho areas this spring by feeding them poisoned chicken eggs has been scrapped due to federal environmental permitting delays. The Times-News reports in a story on Tuesday that Idaho Fish and Game officials won't start the two-year program this spring aimed at boosting sage grouse numbers. State officials say U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services is the only entity in the state with permission to administer the poison. Jeff Gould of Fish and Game says the federal agency didn't get a supplemental environmental assessment completed on time to put out the poison. He says putting out poison during the summer isn't as effective because ravens aren't gathered in large numbers. He says poisoning will begin next spring.