Hunting and fishing licenses helped fund 2025-26 DWR habitat projects
May 14, 2025, 3:01 PM | Updated: 6:23 pm
A sign marking the Henefer-Echo Wildlife Management Area. The DWR Habitat Council allotted $3.4 million from fees associated with hunting and fishing licenses for improvement projects between 2025 and 2026. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
(Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources allocated roughly $3.4 million generated by hunting and fishing licenses to habitat restoration projects.
The funding was assigned on April 30 by the DWR’s Habitat Council. The division is responsible for enhancing, preserving and protecting wildlife habitats, as well as improving access to hunting and fishing.
“We appreciate the hunters and anglers who truly are the backbone of wildlife conservation,” DWR Habitat Conservation Coordinator Daniel Eddington said. “Anyone who buys a hunting or fishing license is directly supporting wildlife conservation.”
What will the money generated by hunting and fishing licenses do?
During the next fiscal year, the money will help fund 71 DWR projects. The division said the period lasts from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
A press release revealed the funding will support the following projects:
Wildlife management area improvement and maintenance
The DWR manages 148 wildlife areas, which are designed to preserve habitats that are crucial to species and minimize wildlife damage to private property. Additionally, they provide holders of hunting and fishing licenses areas to participate in the activities.
$916,000 of the funding will be dedicated to these projects.
Expanded fishing access at Steed Pond, Andy Adams Reservoir
Steed Pond community fishery will receive a fish dock that’s accessible to everyone.
According to Board Safe Docks, accessible docks are designed to suit those with disabilities. They feature ramps and handrails that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The 3-acre pond is one of two community fisheries in Clearfield.
Additionally, two floating docks at Layton’s Andy Adams Reservoir will be refurbished. The DWR said they’ll help maintain fishing access to the 50-acre surface reservoir.
This project received $111,321.
Improvement to Weber riparian habitats
With $100,000 of the funding, the DWR plans to improve riparian habitats and forest health in the Weber Area.
The division plans to make efforts to foster regeneration of aspen stands in the Henefer-Echo Wildlife Management Area and perform restoration on Chalk Creek and Lost Creek.
A road on the Henefer-Echo Wildlife Management Area. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
Additionally, it will reconnect floodplains and fish passages, and improve fishing access along the Weber River between Weber Canyon and downtown Ogden.
Hunting and fishing licenses help fund habitat projects
Funding for phase five of the Gooseberry Project has also been allocated with the use of money acquired through hunting and fishing licenses.
According to Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative, the project is near Gooseberry, Salina and Lost creeks, located south of Interstate 70 near Salina.
The U.S. Forest Service will serve as the lead agency for this project. It will also receive $100,000 of the funding.
Indian Peaks Wildlife Management Area improvements
Phase four of the Indian Peaks Wasatch Management Area habitat improvement project will be funded with $100,000 from hunting and fishing licenses.
According to the Watershed Restoration Initiative, the project will improve mule deer habitats in the Indian Peaks Wildlife Management Area, improving existing habitats for species including mule deer, elk, sage-grouse, and burrowing owls.
FILE — A male Greater sage-grouse struts at a lek near Henefer, Utah Sunday, April 16, 2006. (Christopher Watkins/Deseret News)
Additionally, it will “increase the quantity of habitat” available to the area’s species.
Prescribed burns will happen in the area, with the goal of removing juniper trees. According to the DWR, it will make way for increased sagebrush and bitterbrush growth.
Finally, the DWR will install “low-tech structures” to improve water quality on two area streams. They were not specified.
Funding coming from hunting and fishing licenses, partnerships
The projects won’t solely be funded with money from fees associated with hunting and fishing licenses. Partnership organizations are helping out.
“We are extremely grateful for other partners who help fund these projects as well, which are so critical for fish and wildlife,” Eddington said, stressing the importance of the organizations to the completion of DWR projects.
More reporting on the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources: Venturing into the mountains this summer? Abide by these mountain lion safety tips to avoid conflict
