CDFW Seeks Public Input for Deer Conservation and Management Plan

CALIFORNIA — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will be holding a public meeting on Tuesday, September 16, from 6 to 8 PM, allowing the public an opportunity to provide input for the development of a statewide deer conservation and management plan. The proposed deer plan follows on the heels of the state’s conservation and management plans for black bears and bighorn sheep, which provide a framework for how the state handles those animal populations.

While CDFW has developed conservation plans for specific deer populations in the past, no overarching document exists to guide general decision-making statewide. Although now outdated, a Mule Deer Conservation Plan was developed in 2004 by a Mule Deer Working Group and sponsored by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, including CDFW. The document focused on how factors like habitat, weather, predation, and disease affect mule deer populations. It also outlines strategies for mitigating impacts, including habitat restoration, predator management, and increased population monitoring.

Many of the same worries expressed in the 2004 mule deer plan remain today, with particular emphasis recently on predator populations. Although CDFW data indicate that statewide deer populations have been relatively stable in recent years, the recolonization of the gray wolf in California has added yet another threat to be considered. California Cattlemen’s Association President and Sierra Valley rancher Rick Roberti has voiced concerns about perceived low numbers of deer, reporting to the Plumas County Board of Supervisors that “the deer herd is basically gone and we won’t have an elk herd shortly.” No recent CDFW population estimates or analysis for the Loyalton-Truckee Mule Deer Herd exist to confirm or refute the sentiment, but it appears to be commonly shared among regional hunters and ranchers.

The two-hour call next week will take the format of a virtual workshop to guide the development of the deer management plan. Participants will be able to ask questions and share input with CDFW staff. A draft of the plan is expected to be released for public review in early 2026. Entry to the Zoom meeting is available at: https://wildlife-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/88628762826.