I like spotted owls, almost as much as I like the old growth forests they depend on. Protect spotted owl critical habitat, protect old growth forests.
Those activists didn't want to abuse the timber companies so much at they wanted to stop the timber companies from logging old growth.
Also, something about protecting timber companies from "abuse" by humans/citizens sticks in my craw. If they can't log in compliance with environmental laws, screw them.
The story of Charles Hurwitz/MAXXAM corp's hostile takeover of Pacific Lumber Company and then rapid liquidation of its assets (old growth redwoods), leading to Redwood Summer and the bombing of labor/environmental organizer Judi Barri, is quite a tale.