Quick Tips
- Some great Coues deer hunting in hard-to-access public areas
- Mule deer at lower elevations
- Look for antelope on the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
- Javelina live across the unit
- Enjoy quail hunting for several species
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 130"-150" | 150"+ |
| Coues Deer | 80"-100" | 100"+ |
| Antelope | 65"-75" | 75"+ |
On The Ground
About 25 miles north of Mexico and 25 miles southeast of Tucson, this unit is known for trophy-size Coues whitetail deer and also has mule deer and antelope. Though most land is public, hunters have a hard time reaching much of it because landowners with lowland properties block access.
Coues deer grow big here in mountains that are hard to reach because few public access roads exist. Packing into the Whetstone Mountains for Coues deer can be productive. Antelope tags are not issued every year.
Terrain
Low grasslands and Sonoran desert with creek beds ascend into rocky canyons and drainages in the steep Whetstone mountains, which are in a solid block of the Coronado National Forest. Long backpack trips can be strenuous. The mostly private Empire Mountains is a range about seven miles long in the northwest. About 45 miles from Tucson and near the southeastern corner is the 45,000-acre federally owned Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, where the historic Empire Ranch continues to be managed by the BLM as a working cattle operation.
Roughly 500 square miles
76.5% public land
Elevations begin at about 2,500 feet and go up to 7,702 feet in the Whetstone mountains
Vegetation
Low elevations are classic Sonoran desert with scrub such as mesquite, cactus, yuccas and grass. Cottonwoods and willows grow along French Joe Canyon and Cienega Creek. Desert grasslands and oak woodlands dominate middle-elevation hills and oak and chaparral grow in the high parts of the Whetstone Mountains, which also have some open slopes.
Access
The Coronado National Forest, BLM and state land cover most of the unit, but access is restricted at much of the lower elevations. Hunters are prevented from using some major roads into the unit by private ranches.
ATVs are helpful on rough, rocky and steep roads
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended
Backpacking can provide the only access into some areas affected by road closures
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area is owned by the BLM and is open to hunting
Camping and Lodging
Remote camping is allowed on Coronado National Forest, BLM and state lands. Lodging is in Sierra Vista, Benson, Tucson and Sonoita. Campsites are provided on Las Cienega National Conservation Area about half a mile east of Empire Ranch headquarters. Watch for the entrance between mile markers 39 and 40 on State Highway 83.
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