Since the first property acquisition in 1909, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has been acquiring and managing land across Utah for wildlife, habitat, and wildlife-related recreation opportunities. These properties are not multiple-use properties like Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service lands. Furthermore, it is important to research what access and recreational opportunities are permitted on each property prior to visiting the location (click here to learn more).
DWR owns approximately 355,000 acres of fee-title property, which includes Wildlife Management Areas, Waterfowl Management Areas and access points for hunting and fishing across 28 of the state’s 29 counties.
DWR also holds partial interest rights through access easements and conservation easements, or through management agreements on over 150,000 acres across the state. This type of land conservation allows private landowners to maintain ownership and control of their land, while allowing DWR to manage the property for crucial habitat and wildlife purposes.
DWR also carries out a successful walk-in access program, which creates agreements with private landowners to allow their property to be open to hunters, anglers and wildlife recreators. The walk-in access program brings recreational opportunities on over 38,000 land acres and almost 40 miles of stream access to Utahns across the state.
Additionally, DWR holds an access agreement that keeps 3.4 million acres of Utah trust lands open to hunters and anglers. Property acquisition and land management efforts are funded by Utah state hunting and fishing license sales, a federal excise tax on equipment, wildlife-oriented grants, outside group partnerships, or generous donations.
Each year, DWR works on dozens of new land projects, partnering with private landowners, other state agencies and wildlife-focused organizations to acquire or preserve land for wildlife purposes. DWR is committed to continuous efforts to serve the people of Utah as trustee and guardian of the state’s protected wildlife and habitat.
Wildlife Management Areas Podcast