At a Glance
1,227Square Miles
52.1%Public Land
4,500 - 6,000Elevation Range
Quick Tips
- Respect private ranchland
- Bring a shotgun for quail and dove hunting
- Remember to display access passes
- Keep gates as you find them
- Do not drive on muddy roads
Hunters report that Arizona’s Unit 18A presents both opportunities and challenges, with mixed success rates largely dependent on preseason scouting and understanding the terrain. Many note the ruggedness of the area combined with dense vegetation can make navigation and spotting game, particularly mule deer, difficult without prior reconnaissance. Seasonality plays a crucial role, with some hunters advising to time hunts closer to the rut for better chances, given the animals’ increased activity during this period. Experienced hunters recommend focusing efforts around water sources and high vantage points to maximize sight lines and increase encounter rates.
Composed of juniper woods and grasslands east of Seligman, this unit is mostly a 50:50 mix of state and private land in a checkerboard pattern. Elk and mule deer are low in number, and pronghorn antelope are not frequently found in this unit, but hunters take some trophy-size examples of all three species.
An abundance of private land requires hunters to gain access to or through private land to hunt most places. Some private ranch owners have agreed to provide access to public hunters who have elk, antelope or mule deer tags. To hunt other ranches, hunters must book outfitted hunts.