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Because it’s easily visible from so many areas near Klamath Falls, including Highway 140, Buck Island is an object of curiosity. Covering about 170 acres, the island is only about a mile from Cove Point. It’s also easily seen from places like Moore Park and the southern reaches of Upper Klamath Lake. It’s tempting, but usually not available for visiting. The island’s ownership changed recently, and visits are discouraged without permission because it is private property. The new owner, who requested not to be named, is in the preliminary stages of working with state and federal agencies on ways to preserve and manage the island’s wildlife, flora and historic sites. “Our goal is to preserve the island,” the owner said, emphasizing there are no plans for development. “We see the island every day, and our goal is to keep the island the way it is.” Seeing and experiencing the island was a goal of a recent island visit arranged through the Klamath Lake Land Trust. As part of tour, Klamath County Museum Director Todd Kepple provided information, anecdotes and trivia about Buck Island’s current and past names, along with its geology, Native American history, pioneer settlement, wildlife, biology and botany. Attendance was limited. The 20 spots were quickly filled when the Land Trust announced its outings schedule earlier this year. Because of the overwhelming popularity, Land Trust staff are tentatively discussing plans for a visit or two next year. The visit provided a look at the seldom-seen island. Visual treats included a trio of galloping white-tailed mule deer, a variety of birds, Indian pictographs and, from near the island’s summit, views of Hanks Marsh, the broad slopes of Swan Lake ridge and the sun-splashed waters of Upper Klamath Lake. Adding to the mood were the sounds of migrating geese. Especially impressive are the island’s legacy Oregon white oaks. Kepple estimates one especially large oak, with elaborately detailed bark, is more than 200 years old. He said the island marks the eastern boundary of Oregon white oaks, which are also found on the nearby Running Y Ranch Resort, sections of Lakeshore Drive and the Klamath River Canyon. Kepple entertained the group by reading newspaper clippings about the island collected from early Klamath Falls area newspapers, including the Herald and News, Evening Herald, and Republican. The oft-asked question, “How did Buck Island get its name?” was answered in the Oct. 21, 1948, Herald and News by Malcolm Epley. “Old-timers,” Epley wrote, “on the west side of Upper Klamath Lake report that Buck Island ... was named just that because buck deer were occasionally observed swimming in its direction from the west side.” But the island wasn’t always named for deer. In pioneer days it was Rattlesnake Island. Another story reported “rattlesnakes by the thousands on Buck Island, so they put hogs on it to kill them off.” The island has been used for a variety of commercial ventures. An April 17, 1919, Evening Herald story reported, “John Auten, who has been feeding his cattle and horses this winter at the B. St. George Bishop place near Crystal on the west side of the Upper Klamath Lake, has moved his stock to the summer range on Buck Island.” A 1917 Evening Herald story said Bert Loosley rented the island from K.P. Hamilton “and has taken about 40 head of calves there for the summer,” while a follow-up story that same year said Auten, described as a dairyman, leased the island from Hamilton “and has purchased a splendid motor boat to be used in visiting same.” In the March 25, 1909, Republican, Hamilton, referred to as the “Lord of Buck Island,” and his wife “moved back to their Crusoe home on Buck Island to garden again. The soil is very productive.” The entry drew double-takes and laughs from the visitors because the rocky soil seems anything but productive. Kepple also read an April 6, 1925, Evening Herald story headlined, “Brave Hunters Get Marooned Coyotes.” According to the story, “Bob Kessler and Pinky Crowder, hearing that there were several coyotes marooned on Buck Island, took dogs and a boat early last week from Pelican City and had a merry chase about the island after the coyotes. They finally got so hot on the trail that one of the coyotes took to the water. Crowder waded in and came out carrying the coyote over his shoulder like a sack of flour. They put the coyote in the boat and brought him back to Pelican City, where Crowder is keeping him.” Reach freelance writer Lee Juillerat at [email protected] or 541-880-4139.