The future of the Catalina Island mule deer herd is still undecided. As GOHUNT previously reported, the island, located just off the coast of Southern California, wants to cull 2,000 mule deer, calling the deer invasive and a threat to the 76-square-mile island’s ecosystem.

Today, (Jan. 31), the Catalina Island Conservancy will hold an in-person and online community forum to discuss the Catalina Island Restoration Project, which includes discussion of the removal of the Island’s mule deer, according to The Catalina Islander. 

The project calls for the use of helicopters and sharpshooters to kill the unwanted mule deer.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will determine whether or not to approve the Conservancy’s proposal. As of Jan. 23, there has been no new developments or decisions, per Jordan Traverso, CDFW’s deputy direction of communications, education and outreach.

If you want to attend the forum, registration is required. Walk-ins will not be accepted. 

The forum will be held at 1 Casino Way and on Zoom from 5:50 to 7 p.m., Jan. 31. Click here to register.

There are also several petitions circulating about this issue.  On thepetitionsite.com, the petition “This Island's Deer Do Not Need To Be Slaughtered. Save Catalina Deer!” has gathered 63,662 of 65,000 signatures and, on Change.org, the petition “Stop the Slaughter of Mule Deer on Catalina Island” has gathered 17,196 of 25,000 signatures. There is also a separate GoFundMe campaign, “Save Catalina Deer from Brutal Slaughter,” that’s raised $15,625 so far.