A bill allowing the state Wildlife Board to issue additional special hunting permits on Antelope Island was narrowly passed out of committee Thursday.

By a 3-2 margin, the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee moved forward SB187, which would issue two permits, each annually, for hunting deer and bighorn sheep on the island. The board already issues a limited number of permits for hunting bison on the island, and that number would be increased as well.

"The population of the island is sufficient to support this," sponsor Sen. Bill Hickman, R-St. George, told committee members. "We should be harvesting those older trophy animals."

One permit for each species would be auctioned to the highest bidder and the other would be distributed through a public drawing. Money gained from the sale would be shared between park facilities on the island and the state Division of Wildlife Resources for restoration projects.

Davis County Commissioner Dannie R. McConkie said residents of the county are against having the hunt on Antelope, noting that they would like to preserve the "crown jewel of state parks in Utah. You can do all the fishing you'd like to on the lake. We'd like to keep the wildlife."

McConkie said the buffalo on the island don't have natural enemies and nature should be able to run its course. A number of coyotes live on the island and do take their share of sheep and bison meat.

Several other organizations, including the Division of State Parks, Friends of Antelope Island and the Utah Audubon Association, spoke in opposition to the legislation, which would allow selected hunters access to the wild herds one week during the year.

"This proposal caters to special interests at the expense of the public," said Spence Kennard. "It is raising money in the wrong way and the wrong place."

Dale Rigby, a resident of Centerville, said the state should be consistent in issuing hunting permits. He said Farmington Bay allows hunting and is only miles away from Antelope Island.

"Why hesitate to make some money off it," he said.

Hickman, who is an avid hunter, said the bill would bring more hunters to Utah and to Antelope Island for the high-trophy hunt.

"We're proposing hunting for a very short period of time each year and only a very few number of permits issued," he said. "It is very compatible with the area."

If the measure is ultimately passed by the full Legislature, it will take effect Jan. 1, 2006, and remain in statute through 2009. The division will then reassess big game populations.

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