Cinnamon Creek Wildlife Management Area. Photo: Courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A new bill awaiting Gov. Spencer Cox’s signature would expand on a controversial outdoor recreation policy to require a license or registration to enter any of the 149 state-run wildlife or waterfowl management areas (WMA).

The new bill replaces a widely criticized law that required a fishing or hunting license to access 26 management areas located in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, and Utah counties. Legislators voted to expand the requirements to all Utah WMAs, but they also added an education-based path to access.

H.B. 30, sponsored by Rep. David Shallenberger, would eliminate the requirement that hikers, bikers, and other recreationists purchase a hunting or fishing license to enter many of the state’s wildlife management areas. Instead, visitors would be required to watch a short educational video and obtain a free digital access permit before entering.

Background: A law that sparked backlash

The legislation comes one year after lawmakers passed a separate measure requiring anyone 18 years or older to carry a valid hunting or fishing license to access certain wildlife management areas along the Wasatch Front.

That 2025 law was intended to address growing pressure on these commonly used lands, which are managed primarily for wildlife habitat and funded largely through hunting and fishing license fees rather than general tax dollars.

But the requirement quickly drew criticism from non-hunting recreation users, many of whom said they were being forced to pay for activities they didn’t participate in. Trail users also raised concerns about fairness and enforcement. Some argued the rule treated casual recreationists the same as hunters, while others said it was confusing, difficult to enforce, and poorly communicated.

The backlash was significant enough that lawmakers signaled within months that they would revisit the policy. They also created easements for the popular Bonneville Shoreline Trail in the Timpanogos WMA.

What HB30 would change

H.B. 30 keeps the goal of protecting wildlife habitat but shifts the approach.

Under the bill:

The hunting/fishing license requirement would be removed
Visitors would instead complete a short educational video about wildlife management areas
A digital verification system would be required for entry
A new Wildlife Management Area Stewardship Fund would allow voluntary contributions to support maintenance and conservation

The educational component is designed to inform users about seasonal closures, habitat sensitivity, and responsible recreation, while the voluntary fund aims to offset lost revenue from license sales.

Supporters say the change strikes a better balance between conservation and access while providing an avenue to secure more funding for these areas. But those opposed say it’s an invasive overreach restricting public access to public land, with debate centered around a digital database that would track whether a recreationist completed the online registration.

The bill does not clarify how often visitors would need to renew their registration or what proof would be required in the field.

What happens next

If signed, the new rules would begin rolling out as early as July 1 in Wasatch Front counties, with a broader statewide expansion planned in the coming years.

In 2026, registration is required for WMAs in counties of the first and second class (Salt Lake, Weber, Davis and Utah counties). In July 1, 2027, it will also be required for WMAs in counties of the third and fourth class. And in July 1, 2028, it will be required for all WMAs within the state.

The decision now rests with Gov. Cox, whose signature would mark a significant shift in how Utah balances conservation funding with public access to its wildlife lands.