Situated within the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park is home to some of Utah’s premier hiking, camping and bird-watching spots. It’s also home to the largest and oldest public bison herd in the nation.
Those bison — along with mule deer, bighorn sheep, and pronghorns — all roam the island alongside human visitors, which can make sharing space tricky.
The park has seen five dangerous bison encounters over the past decade, according to park manager Wendy Wilson. In August 2020, a runner died after he was found critically wounded on a trail after an apparent bison attack.
“Since COVID, we have seen an increase in visitors,” Wilson noted.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Bison at Antelope Island State Park head north as riders on horseback herd the animals during a roundup on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019.
Summer is an especially important time to be cautious, because that’s when the park’s bison population swells, expanding from about 500 to over 700 animals after females give birth in the spring, according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
“There is a common misconception that because big game animals like bison and moose aren’t predators that they aren’t dangerous,” said Rusty Robinson, the wildlife division’s once-in-a-lifetime species coordinator, in a statement. “In reality, both of these species can be quite aggressive if you get too close.”
Bison safety tips:
Maintain distance: If a bison notices you, you are too close. Back away slowly without startling the animal. “Whatever distance you think you should remain from the animal, double it — that’s how far back you should stay,” Wilson advises.
Trail encounters: If a bison is on a trail, either backtrack or detour off the path, giving the animal plenty of space.
Photography: Take photos from a distance without approaching an animal or herd.
Stay in your vehicle: If a bison is near a road, wait for it to pass or drive around it slowly. Never exit your vehicle to approach the animal.
The park’s dangerous bison encounters typically consist of either bad wildlife safety etiquette or bad luck, Wilson said. Usually, it involves distracted trail runners with their heads down who accidentally happen upon the animals.
Wilson emphasized that these tips protect both visitors and bison alike. Similar precautions should be taken when encountering bison in other Utah habitats, such as the Henry Mountains in southern Utah or the Book Cliffs in eastern Utah.