Quick Tips
- Backpack in the Chiricahuas for great Coues deer hunting
- Visit Fort Bowie National Historic Site
- Javelina live in much of the unit
- Dove and quail hunting in fall and winter
- Quality hiking boots and optics are a must in this unit
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 130"-150" | 160"+ |
| Coues Deer | 85"-100" | 105"+ |
On The Ground
The high, steep Chiricahua Mountains, which have produced several trophy-class Coues deer, are the dominant feature of this unit, which borders New Mexico and is close to Mexico. Desert mule deer, black bear and javelina also live here. This unit has diverse terrain features that allow hunters to use multiple hunting styles to tag a quality buck.
This is an excellent place to hunt Coues deer with most Coues deer located 4,000 feet above sea level. Mule deer numbers are down because of many years of drought, but those that are located in this unit can be found no higher than 5,400 feet. Much of the mule deer habitat in this unit is on private land.
Terrain
Desert flats and pivot-irrigated alfalfa fields give way to rolling desert ridges and washes, which drain rocky canyons that start high in the Chiricahua Mountains. Several of the high mountains are steep.
Roughly 1,013 square miles
68.7% public land
Elevations from about 3,500-9,763 feet
Vegetation
Ponderosa pine, fir and spruce forests grow at high elevations above mountains and foothills covered by pinyon pines, junipers and oaks along with brush and grass. Lowlands are Chihuahuan desert with cactus, desert scrub and grass.
Access
Coronado National Forest, BLM and state trust lands comprise most of the unit. Almost all of the Chiricahua Mountains are inside National Forest Service boundaries. Private property restricts access in some low places.
ATVs are helpful on rough, rocky and steep roadways
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended in case of bad weather
Chiricahua National Monument closed to hunting
Fort Bowie National Historic Site closed to hunting
Chiricahua Wilderness is closed to vehicles
Camping and Lodging
Hunters camp on public lands along dirt roads. Lodging is in Portal, Willcox and Rodeo and also in Road Forks, New Mexico.
Developed campgrounds include:
Cave Creek
Rustler Park
West Turkey Creek
Rucker Canyon
Undeveloped Campgrounds include:
Pinery Canyon
Historical Temperatures
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Moon Phases
April 2025
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