Quick Tips
- Don't be discouraged by seeing other hunters
- Trail cams at water sources help immensely
- Some big bulls are call shy
- Consider hiring a guide
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Elk | 320"-350" | 360"+ |
| Antelope | 70"-80" | 80"+ |
On The Ground
Elk, mule deer and antelope live in this mostly public, forested unit, which includes parts of the Aldo Leopold and Gila wilderness areas. A great deal of the Gila National Forest that is outside the wilderness alogn with some some flatter private and state land, including some grassy flats.
There are good numbers of elk on this unit, including many mature bulls. The terrain is mild for the most part, so hunting can be physically easy. Mule deer densities are low, but some huge antelope live in the northern half.
Terrain
Few areas with trophy-class elk are as mild in terrain as this unit. The mountains are gently rolling and timbered sparsely, and the low elevations are almost flat with few deep arroyos. The southern sections are a bit rougher, particularly those inside wilderness areas.
Roughly 479 square miles
83.1% public land
Elevations: about 6,200-9,100 feet
Vegetation
Ponderosa pines, alligator junipers and pinyon pine cover most of the unit except for grassy and brushy flats south of Wall Lake, in and near Corduroy Draw in the north and Railroad Canyon in the northwest.
Access
Public land in the northern half has so many roads that few areas are more than 1,000 yards from a road. The southern half is roadless in places and has widely separated roads in other parts. Most branch from the main road into the unit, which is State Route 59.
Camping and Lodging
Virtually all hunters camp on Forest Service land along the side of dirt roads. No lodging open to the public is available in or near the unit.
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