The original plan, proposed by the Catalina Island Conservancy, was met with opposition from residents and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents Catalina Island, led the board to oppose the aerial shooting plan and asked the conservancy to reconsider alternative solutions, such as deer relocation, an extended hunting season, or sterilization.
Lauren Dennhardt, senior director of conservation for the Catalina Island Conservancy, said that the conservancy is working on revising its plan and prioritizing other methodologies. Dennhardt had previously expressed concerns that without deer removal, a two-year effort to restore native plants destroyed by the deer would fail.
The conservancy plans to take time to develop future plans, but a regular hunting season will take place this fall in the meantime. Hahn and the conservancy are hopeful that a new plan can be developed that will earn more widespread support from residents and everyone who loves Catalina Island.
