Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Catalina Island's deer have been part of the island long enough that most residents have never known it without them. The Catalina Island Conservancy, which manages most of the island's land, says the deer are non-native and are damaging the habitat that native species depend on. Their position is that removing every deer from the island is the only way to restore it.
Not everyone agrees that zero deer is the answer. A coalition of residents, hunting groups, and conservation organizations is now contesting the permit the state issued to authorize the plan, arguing that a decision this permanent deserved a more thorough public process before it was approved.
In this episode, Ben Myhre, owner of Wildlife West, Inc. and a Catalina hunting guide since 1998, and Wendy Hernandez, founder of the Coalition to Save Catalina Island Deer, walk through what the conservancy is trying to accomplish, why opponents believe there is a better path, and what is now before the courts.
00:00 - Intro
01:13 - Deer Eradication Plan and Initial Reactions
02:22 - Legal and Scientific Challenges
07:04 - Hunting Program and Economic Impact
11:40 - Local Community's Perspective
13:48 - The Process of Eradicating the Deer
16:18 - Balancing and Managing the Environment
20:50 - Goals and Expectations of Lawsuit
25:15 - Statement by CA Department of Fish & Wildlife
27:14 - Community Response and Further Action
📩 Email Us YOUR Story: Siyamak@californiainsider.com
👉 Read California News: californiainsider.com
Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of California Insider.
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Catalina Island's deer have been part of the island long enough that most residents have never known it without them. The Catalina Island Conservancy, which manages most of the island's land, says the deer are non-native and are damaging the habitat that native species depend on. Their position is that removing every deer from the island is the only way to restore it.
Not everyone agrees that zero deer is the answer. A coalition of residents, hunting groups, and conservation organizations is now contesting the permit the state issued to authorize the plan, arguing that a decision this permanent deserved a more thorough public process before it was approved.
In this episode, Ben Myhre, owner of Wildlife West, Inc. and a Catalina hunting guide since 1998, and Wendy Hernandez, founder of the Coalition to Save Catalina Island Deer, walk through what the conservancy is trying to accomplish, why opponents believe there is a better path, and what is now before the courts.
00:00 - Intro
01:13 - Deer Eradication Plan and Initial Reactions
02:22 - Legal and Scientific Challenges
07:04 - Hunting Program and Economic Impact
11:40 - Local Community's Perspective
13:48 - The Process of Eradicating the Deer
16:18 - Balancing and Managing the Environment
20:50 - Goals and Expectations of Lawsuit
25:15 - Statement by CA Department of Fish & Wildlife
27:14 - Community Response and Further Action
📩 Email Us YOUR Story: Siyamak@californiainsider.com
👉 Read California News: californiainsider.com
Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of California Insider.
--------------------
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Watch our Documentary "Leaving California" at leavingcamovie.com
🟡 Sign up for our newsletter: californiainsider.com/email-signup-page
💟 Support us: donorbox.org/california-insider-2024-donation
• Facebook - facebook.com/CAInsiderShow
• X (Twitter) - twitter.com/CA_Insider
• Instagram - instagram.com/california.insider
--------------------
#California #CaliforniaNews #CaliforniaInsider #CaliforniaPolitics
