The Newsom Administration’s Role in Catalina’s Deer Eradication: A Betrayal of Science, Nature, and Californians

As residents of Los Angeles County—home to over 13 million people who cherish our proximity to natural wonders—we stand on the brink of losing a cherished piece of California’s wild heritage. The Catalina Island Conservancy’s controversial plan to eradicate the island’s entire mule deer population, potentially through aerial shootings from helicopters, is barreling forward with the specific backing of Governor Gavin Newsom and his administration. Through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), a state agency under Newsom’s oversight and control, this plan awaits a Restoration Management Permit that could authorize the mass killing of up to 2,000 deer. Despite widespread opposition from lawmakers, hunters, animal advocates, and island residents, Newsom’s failure to intervene and his support of the Catalina Island Conservancy’s (“CIC”) plans signals a troubling prioritization of unproven environmental claims over rigorous science and public access to nature. This isn’t just about deer—it’s about preserving a unique opportunity for the public to connect with wildlife and safeguarding a disease-free herd that could shape the future of deer management nationwide. Make no mistake, the loss of the Catalina herd will be devastating to deer populations both on the island and on the mainland because they represent a population of deer that are disease free unlike those in many states on the mainland.

The recently premiered documentary by HOWL for Wildlife underscores the gravity of this decision, featuring voices that question the plan’s necessity and ethics. As Diane Stone, with the Catalina Island Humane Society, one participant in the film, states, “The final plan, shoot all the deer. I think it’s inhumane. I think it’s unnecessary. I think it’s dangerous and I think it’s immoral.” Another participant affirms, “I believe the mule deer definitely have a home on Catalina Island.” The film, which digs into the issues surrounding the 2023 proposal and uncovers broader implications, emphasizes asking better questions before irreversible actions, aligning with calls for alternatives to total eradication.

Outdated Science in the Spotlight: Why Rely on Flashlights When Drones Exist?

At the heart of the push to kill the deer is the Conservancy’s claim of an overpopulated deer herd devastating native plants. But how accurate is their population estimate? The CIC relies heavily on annual spotlight surveys—basically driving roads at night and counting eye reflections with flashlights—a method that’s been criticized as unreliable and prone to overestimation. For instance, these counts have pegged the deer population at 1,700–2,000, but independent reviews suggest they inflate numbers by failing to account for terrain, weather, or animal behavior. Spotlighting, an outdated technique from decades past, misses hidden deer and double-counts others, leading to skewed data that justifies extreme measures.

In contrast, modern technology like thermal drones could provide precise, non-invasive counts by scanning the island’s rugged landscape day or night, identifying individual animals through heat signatures without disturbing habitats. Drones have revolutionized wildlife monitoring elsewhere, offering real-time data and reducing human error. Yet, while the CIC mentions using drones for spotting during removal operations, they’ve stuck to spotlight methods for baseline estimates, raising questions about the scientific rigor behind their plan. The film highlights this discrepancy, with filmmakers noting the Conservancy’s flat-out reluctance to embrace these modern tools, urging a more evidence-based approach before proceeding with lethal measures. If the Newsom administration greenlights this permit without demanding updated, tech-driven assessments, it risks endorsing a policy based on guesswork rather than evidence. Californians deserve better—especially when the stakes involve wiping out an entire population and especially from a state that claims they are leading the rest of the country in environmental conservation.

Ignoring Broader Threats: From Invasive Grasses to Wine Vines

The Conservancy paints deer as the primary villain in Catalina’s ecological woes, accusing them of overgrazing and spreading invasives. But this narrow focus conveniently overlooks a host of other threats to the island’s native flora. Invasive plants alone number around 80 species, including highly flammable grasses that now cover 35% of the land, fueling catastrophic wildfires that further degrade habitats. Bison, another non-native grazer introduced for Hollywood films in the 1920s, continue to overgraze and trample native vegetation, yet they’re managed as a tourist attraction rather than eradicated. Past invasions by goats and pigs were addressed through removal, but why single out deer while ignoring these ongoing pressures?

Even more hypocritical is the introduction and cultivation of non-native plants for commercial gain. Take the Rusack Vineyards on Catalina, where acres of wine grape vines—Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir—have been planted in the island’s salty, challenging soil. These vineyards, rooted in cuttings from other Channel Islands, represent deliberate introductions of exotic species that compete for water and space, potentially altering soil chemistry and introducing pests. Buffeted by ocean winds and humidity, these grapes thrive in conditions that stress native plants, yet the Conservancy turns a blind eye. If deer are blamed for ecological imbalance, why aren’t these human-engineered intrusions scrutinized? The Newsom administration, by potentially authorizing the killing of deer without a holistic plan to tackle all invasives, is enabling a selective environmentalism that prioritizes certain interests over true restoration and protection of wildlife. This selective focus raises ethical concerns and overlooks balanced management purely based on who has the biggest checkbook.

A Loss for Los Angeles: Robbing 13 Million Residents of Nature’s Classroom

The killing of the deer population on Catalina has been met with strong concern and criticism by locals and those on the mainland. Catalina Island, just a short ferry ride from Los Angeles, serves as a vital escape for our county’s 13 million residents, offering rare chances to interact with wildlife in a semi-wild setting. Spotting a graceful mule deer grazing on a hillside or bounding through chaparral isn’t just a photo op—it’s an educational moment that fosters appreciation for conservation and biodiversity. Families from Long Beach to the San Fernando Valley flock to the island for hiking, camping, and eco-tours, where deer sightings create lasting memories and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

Eradicating these deer would strip away this accessible slice of nature, turning Catalina into a sterilized exhibit rather than a living ecosystem. In a county where urban sprawl limits green spaces, losing this interaction could deepen the disconnect between people and wildlife, especially for underserved communities relying on affordable day trips. LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn has been a vocal opponent, stating, “I remain strongly opposed to the Catalina Island Conservancy’s new proposal to eliminate the island’s mule deer population.” She has urged the CDFW to reject the permit, proposing instead to save about 200 deer, arguing that “residents and visitors feel a strong connection to the animals.” Hahn further emphasizes, “There is a clear path forward that preserves a smaller deer population, reduces wildfire danger, and treats wildlife humanely.” In one of her social media posts, she notes, “The deer on Catalina help mitigate wildfire risk—and they are beloved by residents and visitors.” It’s time for the Newsom administration to listen—don’t let bureaucratic approvals rob Angelenos of this irreplaceable resource. Contact your representatives and the CDFW today to demand alternatives like relocation or fertility control, preserving the island’s appeal for all Californians. Its funny how every Californian knows that removal of scrub brush prevents fires, yet the environmentalist hired by the CIC claim that deer will make the island more fire prone. None of their claims line up with known science in this area.

The Hidden Value: A CWD-Free Herd for Future Deer Management

Beyond aesthetics and access, Catalina’s deer hold scientific gold: they’re isolated from Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal neurological prion disease ravaging deer populations across 31 states, including recent detections in mainland California. Confirmed in CA deer and elk in 2024, CWD spreads through contaminated environments and has no cure, threatening hunting economies and wildlife health. The island’s mule deer, descendants of a small group introduced in the 1930s, remain CWD-free due to geographic isolation—no contact with infected herds.

This healthy population could serve as a genetic reservoir for breeding programs or research into CWD resistance, aiding future management as the disease spreads. Eradicating them now would squander this opportunity, especially when alternatives like managed hunting or sterilization exist. Groups like Safari Club International and the California Bowmen Hunters have highlighted this, calling on Governor Newsom to deny the permit. HOWL amplifies this concern, with its narrative starting from the initial shock of the proposal: “In late twenty twenty-three, I first heard that nearly 2 thousand mule deer on Catalina Island could be eradicated. Potentially shot from helicopters.” Why destroy a potential asset when science demands preservation?

The Newsom administration’s potential authorization of this eradication through CDFW represents a shortsighted policy divorced from modern science, blind to broader threats, a refusal to seek other more sound options, and dismissive of public interests. Los Angeles County’s 13 million voices must rise to protect Catalina’s deer—not just for the animals, but for our shared future with nature. Join the petitions, attend forums, pressure your elected officials, and tell Newsom to stop the complete killing of the Catalina deer: Save the deer, save the island, save our connection to the wild. We need to show Newsom what real environmentalists look like, how to properly manage these special and unique populations, and that the Catalina deer are worth more than cronyism to the people of California.