CDFW to present draft conservation plan at Dec. 9 Siskiyou County Fish and Game Commission meeting
SACRAMENTO — State Sen. Megan Dahle (R-Bieber) is urging hunters and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the North State to participate in upcoming public meetings as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife develops a new Statewide Deer Conservation and Management Plan.
“For years, hunters and sportsmen have raised concerns about the health of our deer herds,” Dahle said. “I’m pleased to see the department taking this issue seriously and seeking input from the people who know these lands and wildlife best—the hunters, ranchers, and rural residents of Northern California.”
CDFW will host a regional public meeting Monday, Dec. 8, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Shasta College Farm Pavilion, 11555 Old Oregon Trail in Redding. Department biologists will explain the objectives and content of the draft Deer Conservation and Management Plan, followed by a question-and-answer session. Parking is free on campus after 5 p.m.
Additionally, CDFW staff will present information on the deer plan to the Siskiyou County Fish and Game Commission at its regular meeting Tuesday, Dec. 9. That meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Lake Shastina Golf Course, 5925 Country Club Drive, and is open to the public.
The statewide deer plan follows the department’s recent completion of conservation and management plans for black bears and bighorn sheep, both released in April 2025. The deer plan will provide a science-based framework for population monitoring, habitat conservation, and management strategies across California’s diverse deer zones.
CDFW estimates California’s deer population ranges from 500,000 to 1 million animals. The draft plan is expected to be released for public review in early 2026.
Additional regional meetings throughout Northern California are planned in the coming months. For more information, contact the CDFW Big Game Program at [email protected].
