It was a record-breaking year at the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, held in Salt Lake City, as attendees witnessed two records broken at the annual auction. Together, the auctioned tags raised an impressive $1,225,000 for conservation.
The records were set after two of the most sought-after tags — the Antelope Island Mule Deer Tag in Utah and the Arizona Mule Deer Tag — were auctioned off.
On Friday, the Antelope Island Mule Deer tag was sold for $500,000, setting a new record and surpassing the previous record of 2016 by $90,000. It’s worth noting that the state of Utah only offers two of these tags a year — one in a public lottery draw and the other in an auction at the expo every year.
Here’s a breakdown of how the funds from the Antelope Island Auction Tag will be used:
- 30% will be used to improve the habitat on the island and benefit mule deer translocations throughout the state
- 10% will stay with the Mule Deer Foundation and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife
- 60% will go towards “eligible projects” that the state’s wildlife division is working on
The following day, the Arizona Mule Deer tag was auctioned off, setting a new record by selling at $725,000. This unique tag, of which only two are given out per year, allows the hunter to hunt one mule deer for a full calendar year — from August 15, 2023, to August 14, 2024. It’s a year-long opportunity for the hunter to get any buck in the state. Arizona Game & Fish will keep 100% of the revenue generated from the auction for “management and habitat projects that benefit mule deer,” according to the Expo Auction book.
Overall, this year’s auction at the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo has not only broken records but also raised a significant amount of money for conservation efforts.
Turning Point USA’s newest activism kit has finally launched, and it’s all about hunting and conservation! Make sure you get your hands on one to help spread awareness about the great outdoors on your college campuses! ORDER TODAY!
