He says he thinks people have been taking them out illegally.

"When you tell people you can't do something," Syme said, "about half the world, that's where they go."

Ryan and Chad Britt also came looking for shed antlers. They've been collecting shed antlers for at least five years, they said. "We were expecting a minimum of 20," Chad Britt said.

After spending 12 hours hiking on the island Saturday and finding seven antlers, they came to the same conclusion as Syme.

"Someone's been in here taking them illegally," Chad Britt said.

About half of the people who came to the island for the opportunity to leave the trails were looking for deer antlers, Taylor said. Others came to enjoy the outdoors.

Taylor says the park will allow hikers to roam off the trails at least one more time.

---

E-mail: dhilton@desnews.com