The Catalina Island Conservancy on June 18 announced a new approach to the annual deer hunting season, offering exclusive access to island residents in 2025. The resident-only season will run from Oct. 15 through Dec. 15 with up to 200 tags available. This initiative continues to honor a long-standing local tradition.
Why the change?
More than 42 years of data show that recreational hunting, even with California’s longest deer season, has not meaningfully reduced Catalina’s non-native mule deer population. In 2024, despite an expanded program that offered 1,000 tags, only 379 deer were harvested and did little to control the population.
“We respect that hunting can be considered a conservation tool,” said Lauren Dennhardt, senior director of conservation. “But the deer often respond to hunting pressure by producing more offspring and we’ve found that hunting alone has not delivered the results the Island urgently needs.”
Balancing tradition with responsibility
Limiting the season to residents improves both safety and program efficiency. Resident hunters are more familiar with terrain, weather conditions and have year-round access to permitted vehicles on the Island, making local coordination of a hunting program easier.
A smaller, more controlled season helps reduce overlap with sensitive fall activities, including the annual Catalina Island fox monitoring and vaccination program, native plant surveys and habitat restoration—all of which require safe and uninterrupted access to high-use areas. Reducing the number of hunters during peak recreation months also decreases the risk of conflicts with hikers, bikers and other visitors enjoying the Island’s wildlands.
As a private land trust, the Conservancy sets its own parameters for hunting to protect native habitats and ensure a safer, more accessible island for all. “We recognize the history and contributions of the hunting community,” said Whitney Latorre, president and CEO of the Conservancy. “This new season reflects our responsibility to invest in what works for Catalina’s future.
Financial responsibility
In 2024, the Conservancy’s expanded hunting program operated at a financial loss of more than $250,000. As a nonprofit steward of 42,000 acres, the Conservancy must prioritize its budget where it delivers the greatest ecological benefit. This shift reflects the responsibility to use donor and member support wisely, protect staff time and refocus efforts on conservation goals that work.
Looking ahead
The Conservancy is committed to keeping the community informed with the latest information available. Tag applications and zone maps will be available in July at catalinaconservancy.org/hunting.
