About this episode

This episode explores the controversial efforts to save the northern spotted owl by culling the barred owl in the Pacific Northwest.

For over ten years, biologist Mark Higley has been stalking the forests of the Hoopa Valley Reservation with a shotgun. His mission? To save the endangered northern spotted owl. How? By shooting the more aggressive barred owl, which has spread from eastern forests into the Pacific Northwest. In 2024, the federal government made a plan to scale these efforts by killing hundreds of thousands of barred owls across multiple states. Today, despite lawsuits and opposition, that plan is just beginning to ramp up.  But can it really save the northern spotted owl? And is the barred owl really “invasive”… or just expanding its range? In this episode, Nate Hegyi dons a headlamp and heads into the forest with Mark Higley to catch a glimpse of these two rivals, and find out what it takes to kill these charismatic raptors, night after night, in the name of conservation. This episode was first published in 2024.  Featuring Mark Higley, Tom Wheeler, and Wayne Pacelle.  SUPPORT Outside/In is made possible with listener support. Click here to join our Patreon and get ad-free episodes of the podcast.  Follow Outside/In on Instagram, TikTok, or join our private discussion group…

More episodes of Outside/In

• Did #savethebees get it wrong? · September 9, 2026 · 32 min
• Cosmic earthquake pizza · September 2, 2026 · 32 min
• Scientists spoke up against a de-extinction company. Then the smears began. · August 26, 2026 · 32 min
• City Summer, Country Summer · August 19, 2026 · 32 min
• If climate change were a choose-your-own-adventure story · August 12, 2026 · 33 min
• The Willy Wonka factory of product testing · August 5, 2026 · 32 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Outside/In podcast page.