Under a revised bill, anyone can enter a wildlife management area, they will just need to watch a video
Jan 20, 2026, 12:41 PM
A road on the Henefer-Echo Wildlife Management Area. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
(Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
SALT LAKE CITY — Lawmakers want to reopen wildlife management areas in Utah to the general public again, but only after teaching them about the importance of wildlife areas.
During the 2026 legislative session, legislators are working to revise a bill that currently only allows people with a hunting or fishing license to enter wildlife management areas.
That bill passed only last year and got a large amount of public backlash from trail runners, photographers, paddle boarders and others. It prompted lawmakers to take another look at the bill this legislative session.
Under the new revised bill, to enter a management area a person will need either one of the above permits, or watch an educational video about the wildlife areas. Interested persons will then be issued a digital access permit.
The revised bill will also set up a wildlife management fund made up of money from the legislature and donations. The bill proposes if a person donates 40 dollars, the same amount as a fishing license, they will automatically be issued a fishing license. This lets them fish throughout the state while also giving them access to the wildlife management areas.
The bill also sets up a volunteer program, letting people enter the space to help take care of the wildlife and land there.
