‘Quite aggressive’: DWR warns to avoid bison on Antelope Island State Park

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — As Utah families head out the door this summer to enjoy everything the Beehive State has to offer, the Department of Wildlife Resources is warning the public about running into wildlife.

Specifically, DWR officials are offering tips on how to avoid conflicts with some of the free-roaming bison at Antelope Island State Park.

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Antelope Island State Park is one of the more popular destinations in northern Utah. It offers everything from hiking, camping, birdwatching and boating on the Great Salt Lake. It’s also the home to several wildlife species including one of the nation’s largest and oldest public bison herds.

Over 500 bison are living on the island, which balloons to over 700 once the female bison have their calves in the spring. Over the last few years, DWR said it has seen several instances when Antelope Island visitors were charged or injured by a bison.

“Any time there is a dangerous interaction with wildlife, it’s usually because the person got too close,” said Antelope Island State Park Manager Wendy Wilson. “People often try to get closer for pictures, and it never ends well. Please give these animals plenty of space.”

DWR Once-in-a-lifetime Species Coordinator Rusty Robinson explained that there is a common misconception about the dangers of big-game animals like bison and moose. He said people believe that because the two are not predators, it means they are not dangerous.

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“In reality, both of these species can be quite aggressive if you get too close,” said Robinson.

DWR said there are a few tips to avoid the aggressive side of bison when visiting Antelope Island State Park, most of which involve keeping your distance.

• If a bison stops and starts paying attention to you, you’re too close and should slowly back away.

• If a bison is in the middle of the road, wait for it to pass. Do not get out of your vehicle.

• If a bison is on the side of the road, slowly drive by and stay in your vehicle.

• If there is a bison in the distance, do not get closer to it. Take photos from a safe distance.

• If you’re hiking and a bison is close or on the trail, slowly back away and return the way you came.

DWR said it’s OK to leave a trail and give bison a wide berth if your safety is at risk.

“We’ve got trail restrictions on Antelope Island in the backcountry, but safety trumps those rules,” said Wilson. “If you are in the backcountry hiking and you come across any wildlife that’s in your path, we urge you to travel around it.”

Wilson said whatever distance you think you should be to be safe, double it and continue to back away.

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