Cook WMA Enhancements Phase 1
Project ID: 7595
Status: Current
Fiscal Year: 2026
Submitted By: N/A
Project Manager: Pat Rainbolt
PM Agency: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
PM Office: Northeastern Region
Lead: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
WRI Region: Northeastern
Description:
Foundational projects to protect and enhance wildlife habitat of the newly acquired Cook WMA.
Location:
Near Phil Pico Mountain about 12 miles west of Manila, Utah.
Project Need
Need For Project:
The Cook WMA was acquired by UDWR in 2025 and is a stronghold for Mule deer, wintering elk, and Bighorn Sheep. The property was privately owned prior to UDWR acquisition and used primarily for domestic livestock grazing and hunting. After UDWR acquisition, the property needs the appropriate fencing/maintenance, signage, and water developments (guzzlers) to help protect the property and begin management for wildlife.
Objectives:
Objectives are to maintain and appropriately sign the fencing and gates, develop water sources, and inventory the property for future needs.
Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?):
The property was acquired in 2025 and UDWR needs to perform the foundational projects to get this property on track to be managed as a public WMA.
Relation To Management Plan:
NER Habitat staff will begin the process of developing an HMP for the property in early 2025.
Fire / Fuels:
N/A
Water Quality/Quantity:
Guzzlers will serve as a water source on the upland ridge area of the WMA, reducing pressure on other water sources in the area.
Compliance:
New ground disturbance will require arch clearance. It is anticipated this will be such small scale, it could be accomplished with UDWR staff.
Methods:
Three big game guzzlers will be located using GPS collar data in areas of high animal use. They will be constructed by NER Habitat staff. NER staff will also survey, sign, and perform any needed maintenance along the perimeter fence and gates.
Monitoring:
UDWR staff will use these preliminary surveys/projects to guide future phases of projects on the WMA.
Partners:
N/A
Future Management:
Future project phases on the WMA will be guided by the HMP when it is completed in late 2025.
Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources:
Fence maintenance will help control neighboring domestic livestock, protecting the WMA's resources for wildlife use.
Budget WRI/DWR Other Budget Total In-Kind Grand Total
$70,000.00 $0.00 $70,000.00 $0.00 $70,000.00
Item Description WRI Other In-Kind Year
Materials and Supplies Tanks and apron materials for three big game guzzlers $30,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2026
Materials and Supplies Survey and maintenance of approximately 46,000 feet of fencing around the WMA perimeter $30,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2026
Materials and Supplies Signage for the perimeter of the WMA $10,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2026
Funding WRI/DWR Other Funding Total In-Kind Grand Total
$70,000.00 $0.00 $70,000.00 $0.00 $70,000.00
Source Phase Description Amount Other In-Kind Year
Utah Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) S022 $8,333.00 $0.00 $0.00 2026
Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) S023 $33,334.00 $0.00 $0.00 2026
Sportsman for Fish & Wildlife (SFW) S027 $8,333.00 $0.00 $0.00 2026
Utah Archery Association (UAA) S052 $5,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2026
RMEF banquet funds S055 $10,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2026
WCF Banquet Funds S057 $5,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 2026
Species
Species "N" Rank HIG/F Rank
Bighorn Sheep N4 R2
Threat Impact
Disease – Alien Organisms Very High
Bighorn Sheep N4 R2
Threat Impact
Feral Domesticated Animals High
Bighorn Sheep N4 R2
Threat Impact
Livestock Farming and Ranching High
Black Bear
Threat Impact
Not Listed NA
Cougar
Threat Impact
Not Listed NA
Elk R2
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (current) Low
Moose R3
Threat Impact
Not Listed NA
Mule Deer R1
Threat Impact
Droughts Medium
Mule Deer R1
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (current) Low
Pronghorn R3
Threat Impact
Droughts High
Pronghorn R3
Threat Impact
Temperature Extremes Medium
Habitats
Habitat
Aspen-Conifer
Threat Impact
Droughts Medium
Aspen-Conifer
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (current) High
Mountain Meadow
Threat Impact
Soil Erosion / Loss High
Mountain Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Droughts High
Mountain Sagebrush
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (current) High
Mountain Shrub
Threat Impact
Improper Grazing – Livestock (current) Low
Project Comments
Completion
Start Date:
End Date:
FY Implemented:
Final Methods:
Project Narrative:
Future Management:
Map Features
ID Feature Category Action Treatement/Type
1331 Fence Maintenance Barbed wire
3167 Guzzler Construction Big game
Project Map
Project Map