Quick Tips
- Hunting near water often effective
- Very few deer
- 13B North far better than 13B South for sheep
- Quail near water
- Year-round hunting for feral hogs
- Rio Grande and Merriam turkeys
- No services are found in this unit
- Bring extra water and spare tires
- Limited cell phone service
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 180"-190" | 190"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-70" | 75"+ |
| Desert Bighorn Sheep | 150"-165" | 165"+ |
On The Ground
Known as the Arizona Strip, this remote region is home to arguably the largest mule deer in the world along with huntable numbers of antelope and desert bighorn sheep. The state manages deer so that bucks get old enough to attain trophy size. More than 90% public, this unit has great access via numerous backcountry roads.
Trophy mule deer hunting is incredible, but the chances of drawing a tag are virtually zero unless you have the maximum number of bonus points. This unit is a great destination for hunters seeking the Nelsoni classification of desert bighorn. Antelope numbers are low.
Terrain
The unit includes the BLM Arizona Strip District, part of the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument and part of the Grand Canyon National Park.
Roughly 3,134 square miles
97.5% public land
Elevations from 1,200-7,300 feet
Bounded by Utah, Nevada and the Colorado River
The most unpopulated area in Arizona
Vegetation
Most of the unit is in the middle part of its elevation range, consisting of rolling hills and canyons with sagebrush, cliffrose, bitterbrush, pinyon pines and junipers. Two parts of the unit are mountains and high mesas that have juniper, oak and some ponderosa pines. The lowest elevations are desert canyons with cactus and some grasses.
Access
Public backcountry roads access much of the rugged terrain of the Arizona Strip and because more than 90% of the Strip is public land, there is no problem getting to hunting areas. Several remote areas require hikes of well more than a mile. Hunting is permitted on state and BLM property as well as the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument and the Arizona part of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Grand Canyon National Park is closed to hunting.
ATVs helpful but not necessary
Most areas accessible by 4x4 pickup
Foot traffic only in Paiute and Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness areas
Camping and Lodging
Much of unit 13B is far from towns. St. George, Utah is near the northern border, and Mesquite, Nevada is near the western border. Lodging is available in both towns, but driving to most deer hunting areas from either city is long and difficult. Sheep hunters might stay in town, but most deer hunters camp along roads. Camping is permitted on BLM land. Only one developed campground exists in 13B.
Sheep hunters might consider Virgin River Gorge Campground off of Interstate 15
No camping is allowed within ¼ mile of any established water source
Historical Temperatures
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