1. A. Wildlife Areas:

   1. 1. Wildlife areas shall be established to:

      1. a. Provide protective measures for wildlife, habitat, or both;
      2. b. Allow for hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities that are compatible with wildlife habitat conservation and education;
      3. c. Allow for special management or research practices; and
      4. d. Enhance wildlife and habitat conservation.

   2. 2. Wildlife areas shall be:

      1. a. Lands owned, leased, or otherwise managed by the Commission;
      2. b. Federally-owned lands of unique wildlife habitat where cooperative agreements provide wildlife management and research implementation; or
      3. c. Any lands with property interest conveyed to the Commission by any entity, through an approved land use agreement, including but not limited to deeds, patents, leases, conservation easements, special use permits, licenses, management agreements, inter-agency agreements, letter agreements, and right-of-entry, where the property interest conveyed is sufficient for management of the lands consistent with the objectives of the wildlife area.

   3. 3. Land qualified for wildlife areas shall be:

      1. a. Lands with unique topographic or vegetative characteristics that contribute to wildlife,
      2. b. Lands where certain wildlife species are confined because of habitat demands,
      3. c. Lands that can be physically managed and modified to attract wildlife, or
      4. d. Lands that are identified as critical habitat for certain wildlife species during critical periods of their life cycles.
   4. 4. The Department may temporarily restrict public access to and public use of wildlife areas and the resources of wildlife areas for up to 90 days when necessary to protect property, ensure public safety, or to ensure maximum benefits to wildlife. Closures or restrictions exceeding 90 days shall require Commission approval.
   5. 5. Closures of all or any part of a wildlife area to public entry, and any restriction to public use of a wildlife area, shall be listed in this Article or shall be clearly posted at each entrance to the wildlife area. Such restrictions will include restrictions on the timing, type, or duration of certain activities on a wildlife area, including a prohibition on access to a wildlife area or type of use. No person shall conduct an activity restricted by this Article or by such posting.

2. B. Commission-owned real property and -managed lands other than Wildlife Areas:

   1. 1. The Department may take action to manage public access and use of any Commission-owned real property or facilities. Such actions may include restrictions on the timing, type, or duration of certain activities, including a prohibition on access to Commission-owned real property and -managed lands or the type of use.
   2. 2. A person shall not access or use any Commission-owned real property, facilities, or -managed lands in violation of any Department actions authorized under subsection (B)(1), if signs are posted providing notice of the restrictions.

Historical Note

New Section adopted by exempt rulemaking at 6 A.A.R. 1731, effective May 1, 2000 (Supp. 00-2). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 17 A.A.R. 800, effective June 20, 2011 (Supp. 11-2). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 18 A.A.R. 1070, effective June 15, 2012 (Supp. 12-2). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 22 A.A.R. 951, effective June 7, 2016 (Supp. 16-2). Amended by final exempt rulemaking at 27 A.A.R. 242, effective April 5, 2021 (Supp. 21-1). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 32 A.A.R. 256 (January 23, 2026), effective April 1, 2026 (Supp. 25-4).