Overview
- A restoration permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is active and the Catalina Island Conservancy says it will begin removing non‑native mule deer unless legal proceedings or officials block the plan.
- The conservancy moved away from a helicopter‑sharpshooter proposal and intends to hire professional hunters to carry out the removals beginning Tuesday, Sept. 1, unless a court or the governor intervenes.
- Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has asked Governor Gavin Newsom to suspend or revoke the permit and cited warnings from the county fire chief about higher wildfire fuel if deer are removed.
- A coalition of wildlife groups and other opponents has sued to stop the cull and is seeking a preliminary injunction with a hearing scheduled for Sept. 1 to try to halt the operation.
- The debate reflects a long‑running conservation tension: the conservancy argues deer are invasive and harm native plants, while critics propose maintaining a smaller managed herd to protect both habitat and community safety; Catalina is home to about 4,000 residents and sees thousands of visitors.