(Alan Rogers | The Casper Star-Tribune via AP file) A male sage grouse tries to impress a group of hens, at left, near the base of the Rattlesnake Range in southwest Natrona County, Wyo., in 2014. The U.S. Forest Service is changing sage grouse protection plans in five Western states it says will conserve habitat while allowing ranchers to maintain their livelihoods. The federal agency made the announcement Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, but details of the plans involving Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado aren't being made public until Friday.