SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers are moving to change access rules for wildlife management areas, replacing a hunting or fishing license requirement with a short educational video and free digital permit.

KUER reports under H.B. 30, hikers, cyclists and bird watchers would no longer need to purchase a license to access wildlife management areas in Salt Lake, Utah, Weber and Davis counties. Instead, visitors will be required to watch a 2-3 minute online video created by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and obtain a digital access permit.

The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. David Shallenberger, is awaiting the governor’s signature. It would replace a law passed last year that required adults to hold a hunting or fishing license to enter the areas, a rule that drew a ton of blowback from recreational trail users.

The educational video will be accessible through QR codes posted at trailheads and will explain seasonal closures, site-specific rules and ways visitors can help protect wildlife habitat.

The legislation also creates a voluntary Wildlife Management Area Stewardship Fund that visitors can contribute to. Wildlife management areas are primarily funded through hunting and fishing license sales and federal taxes on hunting and fishing equipment.

If signed into law, the video and digital permit requirement will take effect July 1 in the four counties and expand to wildlife management areas across Utah beginning July 1, 2028.

List of UTAH WMAs that require a license for access:

• Birdseye WMA
• Blackhawk WMA
• Causey WMA
• Cinnamon Creek WMA (license required in the portion of the WMA located in Weber County)
• Dairy Fork WMA
• Farmington Bay WMA (license NOT required at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center and Hasenyager Reserve)
• Harold Crane WMA (license required in the portion of the WMA located in Weber County)
• Hobble Creek WMA
• Howard Slough WMA
• Lake Fork WMA
• Lasson Draw WMA
• Lee Kay WMA (previously called the Lee Kay Conservation Area; license NOT required for entrance to the shooting range)
• Loafer Mountain WMA
• Lower Hobble Creek WMA
• Middle Fork WMA
• Ogden Bay WMA
• Powell Slough WMA
• Provo Peak WMA
• Rock Island WMA
• Santaquin WMA (license required in the portion of the WMA located in Utah County)
• Spencer Fork WMA (license required in the portion of the WMA located in Utah County)
• Starvation WMA
• Timpanogos WMA
• Weber Face WMA
• West Hills WMA (license required in the portion of the WMA located in Utah County)
• Willard Bay Upland Game Area (license required in the portion of the WMA located in Weber County)

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