The timber industry & its supporters were seriously advocating violence; while calling peaceful protesters "eco-terrorists."

Woodsy Owl has been advocating environmental cleanliness since 1971, but there was a time when the Forest Service temporarily retired him. In the late 80s/early 90s the Environmental Protection Agency was considering the various species of spotted owl for Endangered (or at least Threatened) status. This made those who built their lives around destroying the forest furious--blaming animals for your problems being easier than considering the effects of your actions. Any Forest Service employee who went around in the rural West wearing an owl costume at that time probably would have been endangered.