People Keep Getting Attacked by Barred Owls. The Feds Want to Kill Nearly Half a Million of Them.

Barred owls are known for their aggressive and territorial behavior, often attacking humans without clear provocation. These owls also compete with endangered owl species, which has prompted a controversial federal plan.

Federal Management Strategy

In 2024, the federal government finalized a plan to authorize the culling of up to 450,000 barred owls across the western United States. This strategy is aimed at controlling their population and protecting other vulnerable species.

Human Encounters and Attacks

Reports of barred owl attacks are well-documented and ongoing, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. Many hikers and runners have experienced aggressive behavior, resulting in injuries.

Runners in Portland have suffered wounds from owl attacks over the years.
There are accounts of stolen hats and visible puncture marks sustained during encounters.
City advisories have recommended wearing hard hats in certain areas due to these attacks.
In 2022, a woman in Washington was repeatedly ambushed by a barred owl near her home, highlighting a rise in such incidents.

References in Popular Culture

As noted, "the 'owl theory' was one hypothesis put forward to explain the death of Michael Peterson’s wife in the Netflix documentary The Staircase."

A barred owl fledgling flying through trees at Muir Woods in California symbolizes these birds’ strong presence and impact on their environments.

Summary

The federally approved plan to cull barred owls reflects the tension between human safety, wildlife management, and conservation of endangered species affected by barred owls’ aggressive expansion.

Outside Magazine — 2025-11-04