Catalina Island Deer | Catalina Island Conservancy | Catalina Island

Catalina Island Conservancy “Community Forum”

Catalina Island Deer | Catalina Island Conservancy | Catalina Island

On January 31, 2024 the Catalina Island Conservancy held a “Community Forum”. Upon pre-registering, each registrant was asked to submit up to 5 questions, which would be answered by the Conservancy’s various panelists during the event.

This approach should have allowed attendees to actively participate in shaping the discussion and ensured that a broad range of topics were covered. The diverse array of questions provided valuable insights into the community's perspectives and concerns regarding the deer population on Catalina Island.

The community sought clarity on potential strategies for managing the deer population while maintaining the island's balance.

PLEASE NOTE: Following are some of the questions pre-submitted to the Catalina Island Conservancy “Community” Forum by members of our community. Neither the Catalina Island Conservancy nor any of their panel of experts answered these questions during the Forum.

  • THIS QUESTION IS FOR TIM DILLINGHAM at CDFW: When will CDFW make a decision on the permit?

  • THIS QUESTION IS FOR TIM DILLINGHAM at CDFW: What are the consequences to the Catalina Island Conservancy for slaughtering the deer without a permit? 

  • THIS QUESTION IS FOR TIM DILLINGHAM at CDFW: This seems like a fairly extreme application of the scientific collecting permit. How is it appropriate under the laws governing SCP?

  • THIS QUESTION IS FOR TIM DILLINGHAM at CDFW: Is CDFW really going to allow the Catalina Island Conservancy to leave the carcasses to rot? Won’t that violate the law prohibiting wanton waste?  

  • THIS QUESTION IS FOR TIM DILLINGHAM at CDFW: Mule deer in 32 states are impacted by chronic wasting disease and the problem is growing.  Why would we kill one of the few deer populations in the nation that is safeguarded from chronic wasting disease? 

  • THIS QUESTION IS FOR TIM DILLINGHAM at CDFW: Four of CDFW's own scientists concluded in a memo written in 2007 after the fire on Catalina Island and I quote “The “emergency ” described by the Catalina Island Conservancy is not related to deer. The Conservancy have no fire management, or erosion controls plan in place.” Are you not willing to stand up and support your own scientist’s conclusions? 

  • THIS QUESTION IS FOR TIM DILLINGHAM at CDFW: It is my understanding that a SCP can only be granted for scientific, propagation, or educational purposes. Which of these is the Conservancy’s application based on? 

  • In 2019, former CEO of the Catalina Island Conservancy spoke before the Avalon City Council and said that the consensus was “500 deer could easily co-exist with the endemics”.  Why are you now saying zero? 

  • The Catalina Island Conservancy was quoted in a NEW YORK TIMES article as having 2000 deer on the island, in the CDFW permit application you list the deer number as “amount unknown”.  Which is it and where is the proof?

  • How many tags did you sell this hunting season? How many deer have been taken this season?  

  • How are you complying with The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)? Has the Catalina Island Conservancy secured the California Coastal Commission’s approval? 

  • The Catalina Island Conservancy have said that there are extremely rare plants on the Island that are threatened by over browsing by deer. To what extent are the other factors in play such as (Drought, climate change, hybridization, centuries of cattle ranching, other non-native invasive plants, harm from goats, pigs, sheep, bison, daily tours, hikers, campers) Why is the Catalina Island Conservancy putting all the blame on the deer?

  • The National Park Service US Department of Interior report  “Invasive Plant Monitoring in Mediterranean Coast Network - Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area” pilot study conducted 2013-2014 does not ONCE mention deer as the cause for an increase in invasive plants. There are more deer living in and around this parkland, including neighborhoods. Yet they’ve never proposed a solution like this. Is the National Park Service not to be believed? 

  • White Buffalo Anthony DiNiola contributed to the Catalina Island Conservancy application. Why is he not here?

  • Are the exclosures seeded, planted, or watered?

  • How are you going to water the island in extreme drought so all your plants don’t die?

  • Bison eat about 24 pounds of vegetation per day. Deer eat about 3-8 pounds per day. Are the bison going to be removed?

  • Isn’t Aerial Slaughter of the kind being proposed here prohibited by California Law (14 CCR §251)?

  •  How many eradications of ungulates (all hooved animals) by aerial slaughter have occurred on islands with a population the same or greater than that on Catalina Island? 

  • If there is a drop in tourists (which many visitors have indicated they will not visit and never return) is the Catalina Island Conservancy going to pay business owners for loss of revenue?

  • How will the Catalina Island Conservancy make sure that people won’t be killed?  Or endangered foxes and eagles killed?

  • Won’t the dead rotting deer carcasses increase the rat population? 

  • Will the State have any liability if someone gets hurt or killed ?

  • Does the Catalina Island Conservancy worry about ricocheting bullets off rocks (not all bullets will hit the deer) in the height of fire season sparking a fire? What if a fire starts? 

  • The Catalina Island Conservancy requested the County of Los Angeles lessen the Conservancy’s  monetary obligation on fire control on Catalina Island and the Conservancy asked for additional tax breaks from State and County.  The Conservancy is spending $10 M to kill the deer and paying millions for a  PR firm with expertise in crisis management.  Why is the Conservancy asking for tax breaks and to not contribute money to LA County fire protection fund? 

  • Won’t other animals like the island fox, horses, cats, dogs, Catalina quail, small birds, be stressed and possibly injured or killed and their habitats disrupted? 

  • Won’t everyday island operations be affected, like mail, goods delivery from the airport?  

  • Many citizens live in the interior and two harbors and commute to their jobs at dawn and dusk.  What specific plans are in place to keep these citizens and their animals safe?

  • How do you plan to slaughter the deer within Avalon City limits considering the new amendments added to city ordinance by Avalon City Council?

  • Catalina Conservancy is subject to an open space easement held by Los Angeles County? Have you been in communication with LA County about the plan?

  • THIS QUESTION IS FOR TIM DILLINGHAM at CDFW: Isn’t  being a panelist on this forum a conflict of interest?

  • You’ve had 50 years to contain invasive grasses.  Every time you’ve slaughtered pigs, goats and sheep you’ve promised it would get better.  It’s gotten worse.  Can you say 100% our island will not continue to be at risk of in your words “a massive fire” if you slaughter all the deer.

  • The Petitions on change.org, and Care 2 have over 87,000 petitioners. In addition, Safari Club International, In Defense of Animals, Howl for Wildlife, California Rifle and Pistol Association, The Humane Society of the United States, and many other organizations who also decry your inhumane plan to slaughter all the deer. Is there room to mediate? How do you perceive this stalemate ending?

  • There are two mountain mahoganies in the interior of the island that are not protected from deer browse. They are thriving. How do you explain that?”