JEERS to the Catalina Island Conservancy for imagining and the California Department of Fish and Game for approving a catastrophic plan to kill all of Catalina Island’s mule deer.

Yes, a plan to wipe out the island’s entire population, roughly 2,000 strong, was recently approved under the guise of protecting the ecology, which is bullroar since sentient deer are a part of the ecology and their population would crash if plants disappeared.

The recent decision comes not long after the Conservancy’s 2023 plan to use helicopter-mounted guns to slaughter the deer was faced with widespread outrage. That was shot down when the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously opposed the aerial hunt in 2024.

So then where’s the outrage for land-based gunners? The result is all the same, after all: every single one of Catalina Island’s deer will be killed.

What’s also curious is why the Conservancy—a nonprofit charged with stewarding the island—would put forth such an egregious, violent plan. Deer never asked to be moved to Catalina Island. They were brought there by humans last century yet have found their footing and thrived ever since.

Take Action

You can reach out to the Catalina Island Conservancy directly to express your vehement opposition to this ludicrous plan. Sound off by using this link to send the Conservancy a message. You can also reach their “Conservation” Department by dialing (310) 510-1299.

Additionally, you can also sound off to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for approving such an atrocity. Their South Coast Region office, which encapsulates Catalina Island, can be reached via email at askr5@wildlife.ca.gov or by phone (858) 467-4201.