The Region - News from March 4, 1987

The commanding general of the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base scrapped a controversial plan to shoot about 30 deer at the sprawling San Diego County facility this month. The plan was initiated by the base’s natural resources office and submitted to Maj. Gen. Robert Haebel, who concluded that shooting the deer “could not be justified,” base spokesman Maj. Tom Mitchell said. Mitchell said the March 23 plan was intended to “improve the habitat for not only deer but all wildlife species on Camp Pendleton.” He would not elaborate. “We’ve received calls from a number of concerned groups and individuals,” Mitchell said. “We’re just trying to put this issue to bed.” The base’s wildlife population includes about 2,000 deer, he said. “I have to salute the general on this one,” said Belton Mouras, president of the Animal Protection Institute in Sacramento. “Time was of the essence, and he acted fast. He didn’t try to stubborn up and defend a bad position.”