Utah hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationists got over 8,000 more acres of public land to explore thanks to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR). The agency had the winning bid in an auction for the property, which was previously held by the Utah School and the Institutional Trust Lands Administration, KSL News Radio reports.

Dubbed “Cinnamon Creek” after the creek of the same name, which cuts through the over 8,100-acre parcel, the property is west of Ant Flat Road and north of the Cache/Weber County boundary line.

“The Cinnamon Creek property provides important public access for hunting, angling, and other wildlife-related recreation in northern Utah in an area that is mostly private land,” said UDWR Assistant Director Mike Canning.

The funding for the winning bid came from several partners, including the Mule Deer Foundation, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, the State of Utah and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“We are extremely grateful to all the conservation groups who also realized the significance of this property for wildlife and the public, and contributed funds to allow us to purchase it,” said Canning.

Cinnamon Creek is now the 193rd wildlife management area in the state, according to KSL News Radio. The property contains prime habitat for elk, mule deer, moose, greater sage grouse and sharp tailed grouse. UDWR anticipates the area will be a winter range for big game. 

“We will manage the area as a wildlife management area to continue providing crucial habitat for wildlife and will also continue to allow access for hunting and fishing,” said Canning.