Representative Abbott asked the Judiciary Committee to repeal a narrow part of last year’s wildlife bill that had required a hunting or fishing license to access certain wildlife management areas (WMAs). The committee voted to favorably recommend Abbott’s draft and send it forward.

Abbott said the requirement — which applies to particular WMAs rather than all public land — had surprised some constituents because it imposed a fee requirement for routine hiking on foothill trails adjacent to populated neighborhoods. "People should be able to hike public land near where they live without having to buy a hunting or fishing license," Abbott said.

Opponents, including sportsmen’s groups and Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) staff, urged caution. Witnesses described the funding model that supports WMAs: license sale revenue (hunting/fishing licenses) feeds state and federal matching programs such as the Pittman‑Robertson program, which the DWR and advocates said channels millions in matching funds for habitat management and infrastructure on WMAs. Jeremiah Cornia and Josh Kornia, testifying for conservation interests, cited the importance of license revenue to habitat work and waterfowl management.

DWR representative Justin Shannon said the measure prompted renewed and useful public discussion about the purpose of WMAs and that the agency is open to collaborative solutions. "If there's improvements that need to be made, we're open to that," Shannon told the committee, while noting DWR responsibilities for winter range, guzzlers and other habitat structures that license dollars support.

Public commenters who live near affected WMAs expressed strong opposition to the fee requirement. Photographer Willie Holtman and hike‑organizer Tina Bean said the affected WMA sits adjacent to densely populated foothill neighborhoods and that routine walking or trail use should not require a hunting or fishing license. Bean said her community group organizes free hikes and estimated tens of thousands of area hikers would be affected.

Representative Shallenberger (Natural Resources Committee) told the Judiciary Committee he is pursuing a compromise in Natural Resources to preserve habitat funding while addressing the public‑access concern for heavily populated corridor WMAs.

The Judiciary Committee approved Abbott’s motion to favorably recommend the draft. Sponsors and opponents said they would continue negotiations in Natural Resources to find a durable approach that protects habitat funding and restores day‑to‑day recreational access near cities.

Why it matters: The decision rescinds a license‑for‑access requirement for specific WMAs, restoring fee‑free access for many hikers in populated foothill corridors; conservation groups say the change may jeopardize license‑funded habitat projects unless other funding is secured.

What comes next: The committee recommendation moves the repeal language to the full legislature while Natural Resources continues work to consider funding and site‑specific protections.