Quick Tips
- Several elk are in and near the Wallow Fire burn
- Rocky Mountain bighorns live in rugged terrain in the Blue River area
- Tree squirrel season is open in the fall
- Good hunting for black bears
- Dusky (blue) grouse hunting is open in the fall
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Coues Deer | 70"-90" | 90"+ |
| Elk | 330"-360" | 370"+ |
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | 170"-180" | 180"+ |
On The Ground
The vast majority of this unit is in the Apache National Forest, on the eastern edge of the San Carlos Indian Reservation. It is home to Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer and Coues deer. The largest forest fire in Arizona history, the Wallow Fire, burned about 30% of the unit in 2011.
Much of this unit is remote backcountry and is one of the best places in Arizona to find big game trophies including: big bulls, Coues bucks, and Rocky Mountain bighorn rams.
Terrain
High-timbered mountains with big canyons comprise most of this unit, which is tucked between New Mexico’s famous Gila area and the San Carlos Indian Reservation, both well-known for record-class bull elk. The southern region of the unit is mostly pinyon-juniper woodlands at higher elevations and high desert at lower elevations.
Roughly 1,352 square miles
94.6% public land
Elevations from about 3,500 feet at Clifton to 9,355 feet on top of the Mogollon Rim
Miles of rugged, roadless country
Several water holes near roads
Mostly forested terrain with plenty of relief
Vegetation
The higher elevations are composed of mixed-conifer and ponderosa pine forests with alpine meadows. A large burn at upper elevations has generated new growth spurts among oaks, aspens and other brush, which are all good feed for wildlife. Pines mixed with oaks, pinyon and juniper woodlands dominate middle-elevation land below the Mogollon Rim. Low elevations feature pinyon and juniper woods, oaks, grasslands, desert scrub and cactus.
Access
Dirt roads provide good public access into the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, BLM and state property. Some private land is near Alpine on the northern edge, near the mines at Morenci in the southwest and in the southern tip, where some state land also exists.
The Bear Wallow Wilderness Area and Blue Range Primitive Area are closed to vehicles
ATVs are allowed only on roads
Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended on muddy roads
Do not trail a wounded animal onto tribal ground without first getting permission
Camping and Lodging
Most hunters camp along Forest Service roads. Alpine, Hannagan Meadow and Clifton/Morenci have lodging. Developed campgrounds include:
Honeymoon Campground on Eagle Creek
Upper and Lower Blue campgrounds
Diamond Rock
Aspen
Buffalo Crossing
Hannagan
KP Cienega
Stray Horse
Juan Miller
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