(a) The director shall designate those particular areas of land managed by the department at which possession of a valid annual wildlife pass or day use pass shall be required. No designation shall be effective until a management plan for the area has been presented at a public meeting and the plan has been approved by the director.
(b) No person shall enter the designated area unless that person possesses an annual wildlife area pass or a day use pass issued pursuant to Section 1765, a valid hunting license issued pursuant to Section 3031, a valid trapping license issued pursuant to Section 4006, or a valid sport fishing license issued pursuant to Section 7149.05, 7150, or 7151, or that person is a member of a tour by an organized youth or school group that has been issued a day use pass.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), possession of a license or pass shall not be required of any person who:
(1) Is passing through the area on a public right-of-way.
(2) Possesses authorization by the commission or the department to conduct scientific or educational research.
(3) Is discharging duties in the course of employment, as specified by the department.
(4) Possesses written authorization from the department to enter the area for a specific purpose.
(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 683, Sec. 15. (SB 798) Effective January 1, 2016.)