09/03/2026
California begins mule deer kill on Catalina Island
California has begun killing the mule deer on Catalina Island, nearly a century after the animals were intentionally brought there for sport hunting. About 22 mule deer were introduced to the island in the late 1920s, and the population eventually grew to roughly 2,000. Now the Catalina Island Conservancy wants the deer removed because they are not native to the island and says their browsing is harming native vegetation, wildlife habitat and the island’s ecosystem.
The initial phase is expected to affect roughly 200 deer during September and October as trained wildlife professionals test removal methods before the larger operation gets underway. The Conservancy previously considered aerial shooting, but the current operation is being conducted from the ground, primarily at night. Opponents argue the herd should be managed through hunting or other methods rather than completely eliminated.
And the legal fight isn’t over. A coalition including hunting organizations is challenging the project, and a judge has tentatively refused to stop the initial operation. A final ruling is expected within 90 days or sooner. So the mule deer now being killed on Catalina Island are the descendants of animals that were deliberately brought there for hunters nearly 100 years ago.
Aaron B. Futrell, Author|Owner, Delong Lures
