By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
The California Rifle and Pistol Association—known nationwide as one of the leading state-level gun rights organizations—has thrown its considerable weight behind an effort opposing the complete eradication of mule deer from Catalina Island.
CRPA has gone on Facebook declaring something of a financial war against dozens of organizations which back a planned extermination of the deer herd, estimated to number about 2,000 animals. Curiously, nobody has suggested that the bison on Catalina Island should also be lethally removed.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the California Fish & Wildlife Department has approved a permit for the shooting of deer by professional hunters over a five-year period. The effort is designed to protect and restore the island’s ecosystem.
Deer were transplanted to the island in 1930 to provide a hunting opportunity, according to the LA Times article. Today, the effort to prevent the deer slaughter has brought together an unusual coalition including CRPA, Safari Club International, the Humane Society and In Defense of Animals.
Among the groups which CRPA is telling its members and others to not support include the Catalina Conservancy, American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians, American Bird Conservancy, the Center for Biological Diversity, California Native Plant Society, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, University of California Davis, University of California Los Angeles, Loma Linda University, California State University Channel Islands, Coastal Corridor Alliance and several others.
The LA Times says 10 to 12 “trained professionals bound by state regulations” may start shooting the deer as soon as September. Some of the venison will reportedly be used to feed California condors on the mainland, and other carcasses will be left where they fall, ostensibly to provide meat for bald eagles and the island’s fox population.
Catalina stretches approximately 22 miles in length and about eight miles wide at its widest point. It is located in the Pacific Ocean, 29 miles southwest from Long Beach. It covers an area of about 75 square miles.
The Times quoted Los Angeles County Supervisor Janis Hahn, who urged the Fish & Wildlife Department to deny the cull permit, which the agency granted. She told the newspaper the eradication plan “disregards the deeply held values of many Catalina residents and visitors.” Many people like having the deer around.
CRPA is telling readers of its Facebook message that they should contact each of the targeted entities and “Let them know this is not ok.”
