Order of the Antelope donates to

projects and organizations

A number of donations were recently announced on behalf of the Order of the Antelope organization to a variety of projects as well as local nonprofit organizations.

The organization donated $10,000 toward the cost of utilizing helicopters for a big-game survey project on Hart Mountain, said Pres. Randy Utley.  This project examined populations numbers on the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, and was led on the survey front by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife.

A total of $5,000 was donated to a pronghorn antelope migration study in Owyhee County, Utley said.  This project purchased reusable global positioning system (GPS) collars for placement on antelope in the area.  The study, which started two years ago, was just completed this year.

A total of 70 pronghorn antelope were captured on three different winter ranges, with 55 standard VHF radio collars and 15 GPS satellite collars deployed.  Antelope were also examined for body condition, nutritional issues and prevalence of any disease.

The GPS collars allow for data to be automatically downloaded on winter to summer migration cycles, and the data is used to assess seasonal habitat use, migration patters and various factors related to migration.

Information on migration patterns and population data are instrumental in determining tag numbers each year for hunting season.

Donations also included $580 (each) to the Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department, Lakeview Disaster Unit, Lake County Museum and Layne Clifton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4070.

Utley said that the fire department annually provides a pumper truck and crew during the annual Hart Mountain trek event each summer, while an ambulance is on hand on behalf of the Lakeview Disaster Unit.

The Lake County Museum features a display on the Order of the Antelope organization, while the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4070 annually performs a flag ceremony during the Hart Mountain Trek event.

Funds for the donations were made possible by personal donations as well as individual fundraisers by individual Order of the Antelope herds, Utley said, along with investments made by the organization.

An estimated 500 individuals attended the 2010 Trek, which served as the event’s 75th anniversary.