Antelope Island battle again

February 23rd, 2010 @ 4:07pm
By Alex Cabrero
DAVIS COUNTY -- One of the many issues legislators are talking about is the possibility of allowing limited hunting on Antelope Island. Two hunting permits for big horn sheep and two for trophy mule deer could soon be sold, bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars to the state.

Still, the idea is definitely a controversial topic, especially because this isn't the first time this subject has been brought up. All the money for these permits would go right back to Antelope Island -- and with tight budgets, the state park could use the money -- but those against it wonder what the real cost is.

"It is one of our crown jewels, if not the crown jewel we have in Davis County," says Barbara Riddle, president of the Davis Area Visitor's Bureau. "I am frustrated that this topic keeps re-birthing itself."

What is... Antelope Island?
Antelope Island State Park, the largest of the nine islands in the Great Salt Lake, is home to a roaming herd of 500-600 bison. The 28,022-acre island is also home to Pronghorn and bighorn sheep, deer, bobcats, coyotes, many varieties of birds and waterfowl and of course antelope, which were reintroduced to the island in 1993. backcountry trails, open to horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking and cross-country skiing, provide opportunities to observe the wildlife. The state park is a place to take photos, to watch wildlife, or just enjoy the peaceful surroundings. That's why Riddle and her organization are against hunting on the island.

"Any organization that is closely affiliated with that state park [is] adamantly against any hunting," Riddle says.

According to the 2009 draft resource management plan at Antelope Island, close to 3 out of 4 people -- 74 percent -- are opposed to hunting at Antelope Island. Of those 26 percent in favor of it, 47 percent say only if it's to control wildlife populations.

Still, legislators may soon allow two hunting permits for trophy mule deer and two for big horn sheep.

"People think we're going to be out there in orange shirts. It's not going to be that one," says Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab. "You'll be out there on your own, but with a guide. He'll show you where to go, and you can have an isolated hunt and not worry about hurting anybody else."

Noel chairs a state subcommittee that voted to support the hunt. It now goes to state legislators, and if passed, it could bring about $250,000 to Antelope Island.

"All of our state parks but maybe one are losing money and not making money," Noel says.

Even with the extra money, Davis County Commissioner Louenda Downs thinks hunting the animals would take away from the very reason why people visit the island.

"We don't want to introduce the hunting issue, even just to begin issuing permits to do that. Then will it grow? We just have grave concerns," Downs says.

A spokesperson with the Utah State Parks department released this statement: "We have to find a balance between people who love Antelope Island the way it is and possible changes that might be coming."

Ron Taylor, Antelope Island's supervisor, told KSL News if the bill does pass, he doesn't think the hunt will harm animal herds at all.

I guess they plan on Denny Austad buying thier tags lol

I think they should listen to the majority who are against hunting there for whatever reason. So if they do have a total of four tags that they will sell/Auction they also need to have at least four tags that every regular joe can apply for. Ill end with that cause I don't want to blow up. Just my 2 cents.

I think, hunting and the Money brought in from hunting is the only reasonable way to control animal populations. The alternative is overpopulation and habitat destruction. Not only should they allow trophy hunting but hunting to balance animals with habitat. [antlerless tags etc]

The thing that worry's me about trophy permits is, This is being done for $$$ only. Has nothing to do with wildlife management. Then again #-o most everything is done for $$$. zzz

I DON'T like this idea, it's all about MONEY and this just makes things worse. Should sell one and auction one for 5 bucks like the sportsmen tag if they are going to do this. I figured this would eventually happen though because it's a battle and comes up every year.

$200,000-250,000, never been there, but are there really trophies big enough to be worth that kind of money when you're talking about 4 tags? I can see the sheep tags bringing in $50k, but I don't see muledeer tags bringing in more than 10k even if you can kill 180-200 calss bucks. Is there something that I'm missing? Oh, and I'm also against any hunts on public land that are auction only and don't include an equal number of public draw tags that are reasonably priced. Don't they already have hunts on the island? So what's the big deal?-----------SS

There will be two tags for sheep and two tags for deer. Of those tags one sheep tag and one deer tag will go up for auction at the sportsmans conservation expo and the other two tags will go into a public draw.

The part that gets me is none of the money will go to help the wildlife in the state. According to the artical the money will just go to the state park. If some of this would go to help with habitat restoration of something I could understand it a little more.

I wish that they would start transplanting some of the deer from there into some of the limited entry units to spread some of the genetics out into the deer herds.

There are some really nice deer out there. There were pictures a few years ago of a four point buck that was rumored to be pushing forty inches. I have seen some of the sheds that were picked up out there when they had their limited shed gathering season a couple of years ago and they were massive.

Now, I know, It's water, not high fence. So what is the difference?
Should these so called trophies be allowed as trophies?
I don't know? I can't afford it, nor would I want to. How wild are these animals?
Not very I think.
Well it's for somebody else to decide. :-k

IMHO, this place sounds more like a wildlife refuge than a state park. The animals are somewhat incumbered in their ability to roam. Sounds like the gov't is just trying to raise funds to support the island.

I don't know anything about the place nor have I ever been there. I know the economy has been tough not only on individuals but local and state gov'ts, too. IF they end up selling these tags, I don't think any animal taken should be allowed into any record books. As has already been said, there may not be a high fence but these animals aren't going anywhere and have been protected for how many years now?

Those are good points that I hadn't thought of. These animals see people almost all year round so I don't think that they are very afraid of humans.

I'd compare it more to a ranch hunt than a high fence operation. Remember that these animals have never been "managed" for trophy production or given artificial feed to stimulate antler growth. They have been protected and exposed to human interface for a few generations, so I can't imagine that the hunts would be super difficult. But then again there are lots of hunts out there that are not very hard with very limited competition. I'm still out on whether animals on this hunt should be excluded from B&C records. What is the difference between this hunt and a ranch hunt with controlled habitat and access? Neither are for me personally, but some folks like a little better odds and are willing to pay or wait for them. Overall, I think that any new opportunities for sportsman on Utah public lands is a good thing.---------SS

What a perfect opportunity for JR hunters. While I would never feel right about blasting a park deer for myself, I'd more than gladly let the state of Utah help me give my kids a good experience by letting my daughters enjoy a hunt where they could see several animals and have the ability to take a nice buck. What do you guys think about that?-------SS

The problem here is they talk about the money alot and then as an afterthought they say its about the animal management to justify it. This is another sad step in pushing hunting towards folks with money and becasue its only about the money it makes hunters look bad.

The other issue is all the money they will generate for the park will only be availiable for the first year because the next year when the state does the budget they will cut out whatever the park got from the tags out of the general park budget and then the parks will be looking for the next thing to charge us for.

I couldn't agree more with Shooter about this being a ranch hunt. Also, that I think it could be a good opportunity for a youth hunter or a disabled hunter who has mobilty issues, but this is not about opportunity or management its about money, money, money. :>/