CEDAR CITY — By a six-to-two vote Wednesday morning, the State Parks Board approved a rule change allowing it to control Antelope Island big hunt limits and dates. Those hunt limits and dates can be changed on an annual basis, State Parks public information director Deena Loyola told the Clipper via email.

The board can make those decisions “based on public input and recommendations from the island wildlife biologist,” she said.

Until now, the hunt has been subject to appropriations bills in the legislature. “There are now no set dates, not even through 2017,” for a hunt, as had previously been proposed, said Barbara Riddle, Davis Area Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO. She represented the boards of the DACVB and Friends of Antelope Island, both of which oppose a hunt on the island.

“I expressed those views, provided a lot of history,” Riddle said. “No one had asked about public input” in relation to hunting being on the board’s agenda.

“It was unfortunate the meeting was not held closer to Davis and Weber Counties,” she said. “Those are the counties most outspoken in opposition. It is a very important issue.”

Reiterating opposition to hunting in the state park, Riddle said “You don’t hunt in Yellowstone and I don’t think we should be hunting at Antelope Island.”

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com