Wildlife Bills Passed During the 2025 Utah Legislative Session

HB0047 | Public Lands Watering Rights Amendments

Albrecht, C.

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This bill established that if water for grazing is not used because the Animal Unit Months have been reduced by the federal government (this is when the government permits less stock to graze on an area so that overgrazing doesn’t occur), then water can’t be claimed by the federal government for other uses, particularly for wildlife, so long as the beneficial users of the spring or watering hole file a non-use application. This also does away with outdated livestock water use certificates.

HB0251 | Pollinator Program Amendments

Matthews, A.

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This bill renamed the pollinator pilot program to the pollinator habitat program and repeals its sunset date. The bill included provisions for public education, distribution of pollinator-friendly plants, and grants to support pollinator habitats.

HB0202 | Private Landowner Big Game Revisions

Albrecht, C.

This bill allows small private landowners with between 640 and 8,999 acres to annually enter into a draw for a bull elk voucher that they may use or sell. It also allows landowners with between 4,000 and 8,999 acres to annually gain up to two additional bull elk vouchers. HB 202 also defines landowners associations and outlines the process and qualifications for registering them, as well as rules for establishing the number of limited-entry landowners association program vouchers available.

HB0244 | Wildlife Management Area Amendments

Snider, C.

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This bill created a wildlife management area known as the Bear River Bay Waterfowl Management Area on state-owned lands near the northeastern edge of the Great Salt Lake. It directed the Utah Wildlife Board to manage this area to support both wildlife habitat and public recreation. HB 244 removed restrictions on constructing impoundments and operating certain small watercraft within designated zones, and any new constructions must involve consultation with a stakeholder advisory committee.

HB0309 | Wildlife Amendments

Snider, C.

This bill updated rules for night hunting and compensation for livestock damage from predators. It established a requirement that a person must hold a hunting or combination license to serve on the Wildlife Board or a regional advisory council. The bill also defined Wildlife Management Areas as land managed by the Division of Wildlife Resources to protect, conserve, and perpetuate wildlife resources, provide public access, or allow wildlife-based recreation. It restricted access to WMAs in first and second-class counties for adults without a valid hunting, fishing, or combination license. The bill corrected the definitions of some programs and added bison to the definition of big game.