Antelope Island State Park, Utah

I live in the great state of Utah, and live in close proximity to a state park that has a very diverse amount of wildlife, Antelope Island State Park. I love going out there, and I can easily say that 99% of my bison photos are taken out there. But they have so much more than just bison out there to see. I once had someone reach out to me and asked why I love going out there, since every time they go out there they never see anything but the bison. I kindly replied with a list of all the wildlife I have seen out there, bison, mule deer, great horned owls, burrowing owls, coyotes, rabbits, all sorts of shore birds, all sorts of other birds, and I have yet to see the bighorn sheep they put out there a couple years ago.

Antelope Island is an 28,000 acre island in the middle of the Great Salt Lake. It stretches 15 miles long and about 5 miles wide.

Although surrounded by saltwater, Antelope Island has over 40 freshwater springs producing enough water to support the island’s abundant wildlife.

Bison are the most famous residents. Twelve animals were brought to the island in 1893 and were the foundation for today’s herd of 550 – 700. An annual bison roundup is held each fall to assess the health of the herd and sell extra animals.

Pronghorn antelope are native to Utah and to the island. These small, deer-like animals are the fastest animals in North America and can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.

Mule deer and bighorn sheep are the other large herbivores on the island. Predators include coyotes, badgers, bobcats, and numerous birds of prey such as owls, hawks and falcons.*

If you are ever in Utah and have the time, go out and see what Antelope Island has to offer, it is truly one of a kind. Plus you just might see me out there photographing bison, hands down my favorite animal to photograph.