At a Glance
2,231Square Miles
86.5%Public Land
3,000 - 7,000Elevation Range
Quick Tips
- Black bear feed on prickly pears in the fall
- Javelina are numerous
- Quality quail hunting in the fall and winter
Hunters in Arizona's Unit 28 appreciate the mixed terrain that offers a blend of mountainous and desert landscapes, which supports diverse game opportunities. Seasonal changes significantly impact game movement, with early seasons offering better chances for spotting due to sparser foliage. Several users noted the importance of scouting and preparation, particularly focusing on water sources and bedding areas, as these can increase success rates in this unit. Overall, patience and familiarity with the unit's terrain and seasonal patterns are highlighted as crucial for a successful hunt.
This huge unit borders the south side of the San Carlos Indian Reservation and spans more than 85 miles of the Gila Mountains, and other rugged ranges and desert terrain all the way down to San Simon. Hunters find desert bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mule deer and a limited number of Coues deer here.
Rugged terrain holds some big Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, trophy class desert bighorns, a few big Coues deer and some mule deer. Mule deer numbers have been down in recent years due to predation and drought, but the forecast for the unit is good. Sheep hunting has traditionally been very successful in this unit.