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Panel backs bill to repeal license requirement for hiking on some wildlife management areas
Summary
The Judiciary Committee voted to favorably recommend legislation that would repeal a provision requiring a hunting or fishing license to access certain wildlife management areas; sponsors said the change restores everyday access to foothill trails for nearby residents.
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.…
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