Catalina Connection

Oh Deer: Catalina Island facing overpopulation of four-legged island dwellers

The deer population on Catalina Island is currently in excess of around 2,300; announcing open hunting season, relocating deer among possible solutions.

AVALON — On a recent trip to Catalina Island, it was common for guides to point out the beautiful deer, especially their fawns, while trekking through Descanso Beach and Avalon. However, it seems the sight of so many deer on the island may not be such a marvelous thing after all as the island’s deer population has recently seen a boom that could put the deer, and other natural animals and elements on the island, in danger.

Tony Budrovich, president and CEO of Catalina Island Conservancy, made an appearance at the City Council meeting in Avalon held on June 19 to clarify some questions related to the deer overpopulation dilemma.

During the meeting, Budrovich shared that while the island could provide for about 500 deer, the island’s deer population is currently in excess by around 2,300 deer.

Budrovich stated he now plays a game where he counts the deer whenever he’s walking to his Hamilton Cove home. One recent count reached a high of 22, to which Budrovich responded, “That’s not good.”

The Conservancy CEO added while some deer may eat sprouts, most come into town to feast on garbage and other waste. It has been determined from studies that deer living in the city are not as healthy as those who live in a more natural setting, Budrovich added.

Budrovich continued that the deer problem has been steadily growing and he was searching for the most reasonable answer, citing an open season to hunt deer on the island, administration of contraceptives or relocating deer to other parts of the island as possible solutions.

Council members brought up the idea of seeking out funding for the problem, but Budrovich stated it would be difficult to secure this kind of funding because deer overpopulation is an issue affecting many mountain towns across the United States.

Budrovich also mentioned he had been meeting with the California Fish and Game Commission in Sacramento to discuss solutions, but it may be possible the city or Catalina Island Conservancy will have to take on the responsibility of “the people’s deer,” as Mayor Anni Marshall referred to them.

The mule deer are not endemic and were introduced to the island in the 1920s and 30s to encourage tourism through hunting, according to Catalina Island Conservancy’s website, which reads, “Ecologically and economically, bringing deer to Catalina has been something of a disaster.”

The dangers of introducing a non-native species to a foreign area have been well documented throughout history and while Avalon’s city staff has been looking to find solutions to decrease the deer population, a cost-effective and acceptable result has not been reached yet.

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9 thoughts on “Oh Deer: Catalina Island facing overpopulation of four-legged island dwellers

  • Stan Robosson

    Hunting would be a good way to thin them down. Just do it during the week to minimise tourist interaction. Possibly in the off season.

    Reply
  • victor schedko

    make it easier for non residents to hunt also more affordable with higher limits per visit

    Reply
  • Obviously, deer are not eating garbage. Deer are native to California. Even if there are 2,300 deer, for Catalina that would be about 30 per square mile. The state of Delaware targets 40 deer per square mile for management. The number is only slightly above a recent estimate for optimal deer population in a forest of 15 to 28 per square mile, see: https://www.deerfriendly.com/deer-density-and-forest-regeneration A suburban environment can support up to 100 deer per square mile, see: https://www.deerfriendly.com/deer-density

    Reply
    • Catalina is not a forested area like Delaware. While forests can support 40 deer per square mile that not the same for Catalina, an area that did not evolve with deer.

      Reply
  • Too bad people don’t realize that Catalina is not a forest and cannot support current numbers per square mile. All legal hunts require guides in order to manage the deer population explosion through normal CA hunting regulations.

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  • Maybe if you guys would allow hunters to hunt the deer without paying outrageous prices there would be a lot less deer to cause problems. Or at least lower the price! Thousands of dollars for 1 deer. Get outta here.

    Reply
    • Daniel Demastus

      Oh, but they are proposing helicopters to hunt them. As if southern California isn’t full of hunters that would jump at a free tag.

      Reply
  • As an out of state hunter I here this problem all the time . O we have to many hogs or to many deer , I got an idea let’s charge 2 or 3 thousand dollars and let hunters kill them ! No deer is worth 2 or 3 thousand dollars to shoot, especially since they are in every state in the country . You watch to much TV as do a lot of other hunters. Here’s an idea ! Put together a vacation hunt for three thousand or so , and have and five hundred dollar and on hunt ! License and tags extra , but available at through the hotel. Guides work through the hotels and all hotels get the same allotment of tags . This would promote tourism and create jobs for guides, and game processors.

    Reply
  • Steven Taylor

    The fees are just way too high. Do a weekly hunts for 2 days, $1,000 and then charge for meals. Hunters are hearty bunch, have a raffle for the hunters every time they come in one year if they get drawn then one free trip for next year. Obviously they will bring a paying buddy. Folks its just too expensive and you would get more hunters to cull the overpopulation.

    Reply

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