Update: 4/2/26

The fight to protect Catalina Island’s mule deer population is heating up, with legal, political, and public opposition growing.

At the heart of the controversy is a Restoration Management Permit (RMP) approved in late January 2026 by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). This permit allows the Catalina Island Conservancy to carry out a multi-year plan that includes using professional hunters to carry out the lethal removal of mule deer from the island.

The Conservancy says the plan is meant to restore native ecosystems, protect endemic species, and reduce wildfire risk. Critics, however, call it unnecessary, inhumane, and lacking scientific evidence.

The Avalon City Council has formally voted to challenge the permit in court, arguing that the approval process may have been rushed and did not include enough environmental review or public input.

Los Angeles County officials raised similar concerns in late February 2026, warning that some proposed methods are inhumane and urging the state to consider non-lethal alternatives like sterilization and relocation. They also called for more population surveys and scientific analysis, cautioning that changes to vegetation after the deer are removed could affect wildfire risk.

U.S. Representative Janice Hahn also strongly opposes the Restoration Management Permit submitted by the Catalina Island Conservancy. She writes, “While I acknowledge that the Conservancy has abandoned the proposal to use aerial sharpshooting, the revised plan—to systematically eradicate the island’s entire deer population over a five-year period using professional hunters—continues to represent a drastic and inhumane approach. This plan disregards the deeply held values of many Catalina residents and visitors. I continue to hear from my constituents who have lived on the island for decades and have come to cherish these deer. Mule deer have been part of Catalina’s landscape for nearly a century, and their presence has become an important part of the island’s identity.”

Hahn also points to evidence from Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, which suggests that removing the deer could actually increase wildfire risk rather than reduce it. She further stated, “I urge the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to reject this permit application and instead work with the Conservancy on a management strategy that balances environmental stewardship with compassion, transparency, and meaningful public input.”

In early March 2026, a coalition of hunting and conservation groups filed a separate lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court. They claim CDFW violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by approving the plan without a thorough environmental review and by failing to properly evaluate alternatives. The plaintiffs are asking for the permit to be halted pending a more comprehensive review.

This debate reflects a deeper tension on Catalina Island between animal welfare and habitat restoration. Introduced in the early 20th century, mule deer have become a beloved part of the island’s community. While some conservationists argue their removal is necessary to protect native habitats, many opponents insist non-lethal management must be the priority.

WAN & Peace 4 Animals Position:

We strongly oppose the large-scale eradication of Catalina Island’s mule deer population. While protecting native ecosystems is important, humane, non-lethal solutions, such as fertility control and relocation, must be prioritized over lethal measures.

A truly balanced approach, one that values public input and respects both wildlife and community values, is essential to safeguarding the long-term health of Catalina Island’s ecosystems and its beloved mule deer.

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California wildlife officials have just approved a controversial plan to kill the entire population of Catalina Island’s mule deer using ground-based sharpshooters over the next five years. The decision is sparking outrage from residents, animal advocates, and conservationists nationwide who are calling for humane alternatives.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife issued the Restoration Management Permit in late January 2026, clearing the way for the multi-year eradication of an estimated 1,800–2,000 mule deer. Under the approved plan, sharpshooters will kill the animals in controlled operations.

This controversial plan follows an earlier proposal to shoot the deer from helicopters, which was scrapped in 2024 after widespread public backlash over safety and animal welfare concerns, with advocates condemning the aerial killing as both inhumane and reckless.

Residents and advocates say the deer are a cherished part of Catalina Island and warn that the killing is unnecessary and cruel. Petitions opposing the eradication have gathered tens of thousands of signatures, and local leaders, including Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, have urged the state to explore humane alternatives such as sterilization or relocation.

The permit allows a residents-only hunting season in fall 2026, and supporters argue the cull is needed to protect rare native plants and reduce wildfire risk. Animal advocates, however, stress that these goals do not justify wiping out an entire population of beloved deer.

The decision reveals a major divide between wildlife management officials and the island community. With the future of Catalina’s mule deer hanging in the balance, advocates are calling for urgent action to protect these animals and pursue compassionate alternatives to killing.

“These gentle, beloved creatures should never be punished for a human-created problem. Wiping out every mule deer on Catalina Island is not conservation, it is irreversible harm. Humane alternatives exist, and we urge state officials to stop this plan before it’s too late,” stated Katie Cleary, President and Founder of World Animal News & Peace 4 Animals.