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SALT LAKE CITY — The 11th annual Western Hunting and Conservation Expo wrapped up Sunday afternoon, concluding another large money raising venture thanks in part to its Friday and Saturday night auctions.

The auctions include a variety of coveted, high-end big game hunts held in Utah and several other states and countries, as well as firearms, wildlife paintings and other hunting gear. Hosted by the Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife and the Mule Deer Foundation, the expo highlights not only the different hunts that Utah and other Western states have to offer, but also fundraises for conservation efforts to continue managing the wildlife.

The four-day event held at the Salt Palace Convention Center also includes 372 exhibits showcasing hunting guides, outfitters, taxidermists, wildlife artists and retailers selling a variety of hunting equipment including knives, clothing, bows and fine guns.

The hunts for the big Friday and Saturday night auctions are donated by the state of Utah and are offered through conservation groups like Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife and the Mule Deer Foundation. However, these auctioned permits have generated controversy over the years, largely due to the hunts being held on public lands and end up going to the person with the most money. Wildlife officials said they also have to combat misconceptions about where the money from the permits goes.

With the permits sold at the auctions, the majority of the money is mandated to go towards conservation efforts and managing wildlife habitats, Expo organizer and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife spokesman Chris Carling said. With Utah hunts, 90 percent of the funds are designated for conservation and with Arizona and Nevada hunts sold at the auction, 100 percent of the proceeds are designated for conservation efforts.

“The Western Hunting and Conservation Expo is one of the most important wildlife conservation events in North America,” Carling said. “The auctioning of these highly sought-after hunting permits to the highest bidders is significant for wildlife management and habitat enhancement programs throughout the West. But Utah wildlife is clearly the lead beneficiary.

"Between $1.5 and $2 million is generated for Utah wildlife alone during these four days," Carling added. "Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife and Mule Deer Foundation spend this money in coordination with the Utah Division of Wildlife on programs and projects that support the most significant wildlife conservation initiatives across the state. Big game captures and transplants, winter feeding of mule deer in northern Utah, and the ongoing expansion of bighorn sheep and bison herds in Utah might not be possible without it.”

At this year’s auctions, the top five highest-selling permits alone generated a total of $1.01 million:

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'Controversial' Antelope Island mule deer permit sells for world record $410K bid Attendees of the Friday night auction at the 10th annual Western Hunting and Conservation Expo didn't just enjoy dinner and a keynote speech by "American Sniper" wife, Taya Kyle — they also witnessed a world record.

Arizona Special License, Mule Deer Tag — $280,000

Sold during the Saturday night auction, this hunt was the highest-selling item of this year’s expo. Offered through the Arizona Department of Game and Fish, this permit allows a licensed hunter to take one buck mule deer from any legal hunting unit in Arizona. The hunter can also hunt on private property with permission from the landowner.

The hunt runs from Aug. 15, 2017 to Aug. 15, 2018. Any firearm, crossbow or bow and arrow is allowed for the hunt, except in units with specific designation by the Arizona Big Game Rules.

Antelope Island Mule Deer Conservation Permit — $250,000

After selling for a world record $410,000 during the 2016 auction, the famous Antelope Island Mule Deer Permit sold for $250,000 during Friday’s auction. The first Antelope Island State Park permit was auctioned in 2011 after being authorized and mandated during the 2011 legislative session. The legislature approved the auction of one mule deer permit and one bighorn sheep permit each year, as well as a public draw for another mule deer and bighorn sheep permit on the island.

British Columbia hunter, Troy Lorenz, made the winning bid Friday night. Lorenz had also won the bid for the Antelope Island mule deer permit in 2015 and again in 2016 when he set the world record for the highest paid mule deer permit.

The hunt runs from November 13-20. The draw for the Antelope Island public tags will be held in May.

Utah Statewide Mule Deer Conservation Permit — $180,000

Offered by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, this permit “is one of the most desirable mule deer permits in North America,” according to expo officials. It allows the hunter to hunt any unit in the state including the legendary Henry Mountains Unit, which is where most of the past hunters with this tag have harvested their deer.

This hunt runs from Aug. 19-31 if a bow is used. The rifle hunt for this tag runs from Sept. 1, 2017 to Jan. 15, 2018.

New Mexico Special Big Game Enhancement Package — $170,000

This hunting package offers statewide permits for five species including pronghorn, elk, deer (mule deer or Coues whitetail), Persian Ibex and Gemsbok oryx. The current Safari Club International World Record Persian ibex was harvested in New Mexico and the Boone and Crockett World Record pronghorn was harvested in new Mexico in 2013. New Mexico’s Rio Arriba County currently has more mule deer in the Boone and Crockett record book than any other county in the U.S.

The hunter who won the bid for this package can either hunt all five species or can trade or sell any license they do not intent to hunt.

The hunts run during the following dates:

Deer and elk: Sept. 1, 2017-Jan. 31, 2018

Oryx and ibex: April 1, 2017- March 31, 2018

Pronghorn: Aug. 1, 2017- Nov. 1, 2017

Nevada Heritage Statewide Mule Deer Permit — $130,000

The Nevada Heritage Statewide Mule Deer Permit was the fifth highest-selling item from both auctions. Offered by the Nevada Department of Wildlife, this permit is valid in any mule deer management units throughout Nevada that are open during the 2017 season. Any legal weapon can be used on the hunt.

The hunt runs from Aug. 1 to Dec. 1, 2017.

Other permits sold at the expo

While the high-selling permits from the auctions typically garner the most attention, 200 additional public, big game permits are also sold during the expo, Carling said. These public tags are typically sold with a $10 application fee, but during the expo, they are sold for $5 per application. These permits are then put in for a public drawing and the person that draws the tag then pays the regular licensing fees, which are typically around $150.

These permits, unlike the high-selling conservation auction permits, have also drawn some controversy due to only 30 percent of the proceeds from the application fee going toward conservation ($1.50 of the $5). Carling said the other 70 percent of the money goes toward the Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife and Mule Deer Foundation to help with costs associated with hosting and putting on the expo each year and to fund their missions, since both organizations are nonprofits.

Five “once-in-a-lifetime” tags are also reserved and sold to non-Utah residents during the expo, Carling said. The drawing for these permits offer non-residents the opportunity to hunt moose, desert bighorn sheep, rocky mountain bighorn, bison and mountain goat. These permits are helpful in boosting Utah’s economy by bringing tourists to Utah each year and help to grow Utah’s $1 billion hunting industry, Carling said.

With the recent announcement of the Outdoor Retailer expo leaving Utah, “this expo is raised in economic importance,” Carling said of the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo.

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