Shared Responsibility: How Utah’s New WMA License Requirement Strengthens Conservation for All

Earlier this year, the Utah Legislature passed House Bill 309, a new law requiring all adults recreating within designated Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) to possess a valid hunting, fishing or combination license. While the law has sparked some debate, especially among those who use these lands for activities like hiking, trail running or birdwatching, its purpose is simple and powerful: to conserve the lands and wildlife we all enjoy.

Unlike state parks and other multi-use public lands, Utah’s WMAs are managed with one purpose — wildlife conservation. These landscapes are critical habitats, particularly during harsh winter months when species like deer, elk, upland birds and waterfowl rely on them for food and shelter. Many WMAs close seasonally to minimize stress on wildlife during these crucial periods of survival. 

What many may not realize is that these lands are not funded by general tax dollars. Instead, their management and restoration are primarily funded by the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. That means hunters and anglers have long been the primary financial stewards of WMAs. 

“It’s important to note that sportsmen and women didn’t just fund habitat improvements on Wildlife Management Areas, they paid for the land itself,” said Chuck Carpenter, NWTF district biologist for Utah, Idaho, Arizona and New Mexico. “The new law requiring a license to recreate on WMAs isn’t about exclusion. It’s about acknowledgment. It’s a way of recognizing who made these places possible and who continues to fund their care. And more importantly, it turns every visitor into an invested user, someone more likely to look after the wildlife and habitat we’ve all worked so hard to protect.” 

Thanks to license sales and excise taxes paid by hunters and anglers through the Pittman-Robertson Act, Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) can carry out critical work — from habitat restoration and wildfire mitigation to watershed health and invasive species control. These efforts benefit everyone, from sportsmen and sportswomen to nearby communities that rely on clean water and healthy ecosystems. 

As outdoor recreation grows in popularity, more Utahns are visiting WMAs for purposes beyond hunting and fishing. While many of these non-consumptive activities, like hiking, trail running and birding, may seem low-impact, they too can affect ecosystems. Foot traffic compacts soil, erodes trails, disturbs wildlife, increases noise pollution and can introduce invasive species. The reality is simple: all recreation leaves a footprint. 

House Bill 309 reflects this reality by asking all who use these critical wildlife areas to recognize their responsibility and contribute to their stewardship. The new requirement applies to adults recreating in WMAs located in Davis, Salt Lake, Weber and Utah counties. Exceptions include traveling on public highways that cross WMAs or participating in educational programs on the property do not require a license. Additionally, the Utah Division of Natural Resources recently announced that non-motorized users can access the Bonneville Shoreline Trail and Great Western Trail through the Timpanogos WMA without a license, as long as they stay on the designated trail. 

This is not a “pay-to-play” fee; it’s about investing in the future of these wild places so that future generations can experience the life-changing power of the outdoors. When you purchase a license, even if you never cast a line or shoulder a shotgun, your dollars fund habitat restoration, landscape-scale conservation, signage, access and more — benefits that cascade across all outdoor users. 

With more license holders, the DWR can extend its impact, conserving healthy habitats and wildlife populations, bolstering community resilience to catastrophic wildfires, ensuring clean water and sustaining outdoor recreation opportunities for generations to come. 

Conservation is a shared responsibility. Whether you hunt, fish, hike or birdwatch, you have a role to play in conserving Utah’s WMAs. House Bill 309 is more than just policy — it’s a commitment to the future, ensuring that Utah’s wildlife continues to thrive and the lands we cherish remain wild, beautiful and accessible for decades to come. 

For more information on the management areas now requiring a hunting, fishing or combination license, visit?the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website.