Complex sentence: Many ranchers and hunters considered feral horses to be an invasive species (or at least an introduced species), and while conceding that federal law protects the animals these individuals also argued that economic needs (like livestock grazing) should take precedence over the horses.
Split into simpler sentences: Many ranchers and hunters considered feral horses to be an invasive species, or at least an introduced species. While conceding that federal law protects the animals, these individuals also argued that economic needs (like livestock grazing) should take precedence over the horses.