ANTELOPE ISLAND -- Historians have written that the American cowboy rounding up a herd on a serene grassy vista perhaps is one of the truest elements of a western romance known the world over.
The annual roundup of bison on Antelope Island, in many ways, is a mirror image of that iconic western American heritage, It's also been part of a living tradition in Davis County for more than 20 years.
This weekend, the modern cowpokes saddle up again.
The 24th Bison Range Ride and Roundup, hosted by the Utah State Parks and Recreation Department, is an opportunity for the public to view bison.
"We have one of the last, free-ranging bison herds in the world," said John Sullivan, a former assistant park manager who also has regularly volunteered for the roundup.
Most historians believe the bison were brought to Utah in the early 1890s with the intention of creating a herd, and soon thereafter, the animals were taken to the island,
When it became a public park and later was completely owned by the state, a management plan was created by public officials to control the herd. It was determined that around 500 head of bison was the optimum amount for the herd to not over-populate the island.
Included in the state plan was a roundup, a herding of the animals that included a yearly check up and the eventual public sale of the extra members of the herd.
The roundup, started in 1986, includes horseback riders moving the bison from the southern tip of the island to the handling facility located at the park's northern end.
The open public participation is an anachronism in motion, a historical throwback yet with practical applications for the present day management of the herd.
From the beginning, the mechanics of the roundup has been a challenge, said various long-time park employees. The first roundup took 17 days.
"That was our biggest accomplishment. Getting them in there that first year," said Jim Fillpot, another former assistant park manager.
Steve Bates, the island's wildlife range manager, said his challenge, like others before him who have managed the herd, is to safely move the herd each year.
The roundup started with the idea the public would act as ranch hands, riding horses, and push the bison toward the north end pens.
To date, having hundreds of everyday people riding the Utah range has become an annual event on the island. It offers a unique reliving of the cowboy romance, but with a modern twist. The role of the riders has changed over the years, as the park rangers combined the efforts of vehicles, helicopters or ground crews in the saddle, to move or push the herd to a holding pen.
"We have several posse groups that we work with. They are the heart and soul of being able to move the bison," said Bates.
From the beginning, those who have managed the herd kept looking for new ways to bring in the animals.
But the 10-mile roundup can take unexpected turns as the animals become defiant and just won't budge.
The state park staff reminds volunteers that an unhappy bison is nothing to trifle with. At least three horses were gored by the aggressive bulls or cows by the end of the 2009 roundup.
Volunteers report the cattle-like drive is what western dreams are made of -- the thrill of chasing buffalo. What happens at the pens or along the chutes where bison are herded can be fast and furious.
But it's the medical tests that are an important part of keeping the herd disease-free, Bates said.
The accessible peepholes and fencing around the roundup site provides an unusual public opportunity to see the bison as they indignantly trot back into the park or holding pens after being inoculated.
All bison have a microchip implanted behind the ear, which serves as permanent identification and stores the animal's health history.
After the roundup, the excess herd is sold at auction. For many of the people involved, wether in the round up crew or in the chutes, the event repeatedly draws them back year after year.
"Having a good cohesive team, and people that are fun, can make the whole experience worthwhile," Sullivan added.
Riders and bison can usually be viewed from the east side road leading to the Fielding Garr Ranch. This year, people can visit the bison corrals on Nov. 5 and Nov. 6, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and observe as the bison are weighed, blood-tested, inoculated, and scanned.
On Saturday, Nov. 13, excess bison will be sold in order to keep the population within the carrying capacity of the island's available forage.
The sale is held at the Antelope Island State Park bison corrals.
Antelope Island Bison Roundup
When: Friday, Oct. 29 - Saturday, Oct. 30
Where: Antelope Island, From I-15 take exit 332. Proceed west on Antelope Drive to the entrance gate (approx. 7 miles).
Times: Main park gate opens at 6 a.m.; Range Ride starts 8:30 a.m.
Mandatory Ride Orientation: 8 a.m. both mornings at the Fielding Garr Ranch. All riders must attend the meeting(s) in order to ride and be assigned to a group.
Camping: For those wishing to camp at the Fielding Garr Ranch, you may check-in Thursday, Oct. 28, starting at noon. The overnight camping fee is $15/night/vehicle.
Required Fees: Due at time of registration, $25/rider. The registration fee includes a souvenir bandana and entertainment. Additional fees collected upon entrance to Antelope Island: $9 Day use fee OR $15 Overnight camping fee per vehicle.
Bison Roundup Schedule
Friday, Oct. 29
6 a.m. -- Park's main entrance gate opens and appropriate fees will be collected.
8 a.m. -- Mandatory Range Ride Orientation at the Fielding Garr Ranch. All riders must attend this meeting in order to ride and be assigned a group.
8:30 a.m. -- Range ride. Begin herding bison.
7 p.m. -- Park's main entrance gate closes. You may exit the park at any time but will not be able to re-enter until the gate opens the following day.
Saturday, Oct. 30
6 a.m. -- Park's main entrance gate opens and appropriate fees will be collected.
8 a.m. -- Mandatory Range Ride Orientation at the Fielding Garr Ranch. All riders must attend this meeting in order to ride and be assigned a group.
8:30 a.m. -- Range ride. Begin herding bison.
7 p.m. -- Park's main entrance gate closes. You may exit the park at any time but will not be able to re-enter until the gate opens the following day.
Friday, Nov. 5 and Saturday, Nov. 6
8 a.m. -- Veterinarians and park staff will check the health of each bison and update vaccinations.
Saturday, Nov. 13
8 a.m. -- Bison that are up for auction will be available for viewing.
10 a.m. -- Public auction begins.
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