Hollywood Park fall deer survey counts 111 deer; committee opts not to remove deer this year

Hollywood Park Deer Committee members reported the results of a fall deer survey and decided not to pursue deer removal this year after discussing population counts and historical actions.

The committee reported a fall survey total of 111 deer: 5 bucks, 72 does and 34 fawns. Committee members also noted a spring fawn count of 36 fawns. By comparison, committee records show a 2022 count of 126 deer (7 bucks, 72 does, 47 fawns) — the year the committee voted to remove 20 deer. Members said the current totals are near the average recorded over recent years and do not warrant immediate culling.

Committee members expressed differing views during discussion but coalesced around taking no action at this time. One committee member said counts did not show a large influx of deer in their area; another noted the high doe count warrants monitoring because does drive future population growth. Sergeant Bass told the committee that if the group decides to remove deer in a future year, he is qualified and willing to carry out in‑house removal operations.

Why this matters: deer density affects vehicle collisions, property damage and long‑term herd health; the committee’s decision to monitor rather than remove deer means management will rely on future counts and incident reports to prompt action. The committee also reviewed recent wildlife incident reports (three fawn collisions and one doe collision), and staff clarified that sampling for CWD at roadkill sites had been constrained earlier by a lack of formalin and other supplies — a shortfall staff said is now resolved.

The committee said it will revisit counts and management options at future meetings, and no formal motion to remove deer was made at this session.