Illegal wildlife trophies to fund conservation at Utah auction

Antler Auction for Utah DWR. Photo: Utah DWR

SALT LAKE CITY — Hundreds of antlers and furs seized during poaching investigations will be auctioned later this month to raise money for wildlife conservation in Utah, officials announced Wednesday.

The Utah Department of Natural Resources will hold the auction for items collected over the past three years, including evidence seized during poaching cases where courts ordered forfeitures. Additional items come from animals killed by vehicles or harsh weather conditions during the 2022-23 winter.

 

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“These auctions have been happening for several decades and are typically held every four years,” Utah Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division Lt. David Beveridge said. “The auctions give people the opportunity to obtain a public resource that was either illegally killed or died of other causes. The funds raised from these auctions go back toward wildlife conservation. The last antler auction was held in 2022.”

A public preview is scheduled for March 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at JJ Kane Auctions in Salt Lake City, with the online auction following on March 27. Potential bidders must create an account on the JJ Kane website before participating.

Items will be sold in “lots,” which may include single trophy-sized antlers or multiple smaller sets. Most antlers remain attached to skulls, with inventory primarily consisting of deer and elk antlers, along with some from moose and pronghorn. Various furs, bows and traps will also be available.

“It is quite a sight to see all of these antlers, but the sad reality is that the majority of them are from illegally killed animals,” Beveridge said. “Poaching steals that opportunity away from law-abiding hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts to enjoy these animals. On average, each of our Natural Resources officers covers around 2,000 square miles in their patrol area. When people provide information about illegal wildlife activities, we can catch suspects faster and more efficiently enforce the state’s wildlife laws, which help to maintain healthy wildlife populations for future generations to enjoy.”