DWR: Tips on avoiding conflicts with bison at Antelope Island State Park

Antelope Island Bison in August, 2021. Photo: Courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

PARK CITY, Utah — Utahns are heading outdoors for recreation during the summer, with many venturing to Antelope Island to see the nation’s largest and oldest bison herd.

As the bison population swells to over 700 during calving season, it’s crucial to keep these safety tips in mind while hiking or camping. According to the Division of Wildlife Resources (DNR), not only can you encounter these creatures on Antelope Island, but also in the Henry Mountains of southern Utah and the Book Cliffs of eastern Utah.

“People usually get too close,” Antelope Island Park Manager Jeremy Shaw said in a press release. “They always want to get closer and closer for photos. And any time there is a dangerous interaction with wildlife, it’s usually because the person got too close.”

According to the DWR, utilizing some safety tips when encountering these animals is important to avoid making them aggressive:

• If you see a bison and it stops what it is doing and starts paying attention to you, you are 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, feel free to slowly drive past it. But again, stay inside your vehicle.
• If you see a bison in the distance, do not walk across the rangeland to get closer to it. Take your photos from a safe distance.
• If you are hiking and a bison is close to you or on the trail, you should either back away and return the way you came, or leave the trail and give the animal a very wide berth when passing it. It is OK to go off the trail if your safety is at risk.

For more information on what to do when encountering all types of wildlife, visit https://www.wildawareutah.org/wildlife/