Quick Tips
- Thick, flat terrain limits glassing
- Elk calling works well in early season
- Sitting on or near water holes is effective in hot, dry weather
- Tree squirrel season is open in the fall
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 150"-170" | 170"+ |
| Elk | 330"-360" | 370"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-70" | 75"+ |
| Desert Bighorn Sheep | 140"-155" | 155"+ |
On The Ground
This unit is mostly public land and offers phenomenal trophy elk hunting, excellent antelope hunting, and good mule deer hunting with potential for producing big bucks.
This is one of Arizona's top units for trophy elk. Average mule deer, big antelope bucks and challenging desert sheep are also in this unit. Early rifle and early muzzleloader elk seasons alternate year to year with the bigger bulls usually killed during early seasons.
Terrain
The majority of this unit is pinyon-juniper woodlands, and is relatively flat. There is a small section of ponderosa pine forest in the northernmost portion of the unit. There are only a few high elevation vantage points; cinder cones in the south, canyon country in the west, and the basin area in the northeast part of the unit. A lot of flat timber offering little opportunity for glassing. Some open plains with desert grasslands.
Roughly 1,067 square miles
76.6% public land
Elevations from 5,800-7,600 feet
Some private ranch property in the southwest
Vegetation
Open grassland in lower elevations with cliffrose and bitterbrush. Much of the unit is covered in large stands of pinyon-juniper habitat with grass and sagebrush clearings. Ponderosa pine and oak forests with sage underbrush comprise the higher elevations.
Access
Forest and county roads provide good public access to the Kaibab National Forest and state property. Some private ranches restrict access, while other ranches allow open access.
A large ranch that is closed to the public lies along the southwest portion of the unit
ATV travel is allowed, but must stay on roadways
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended
Camping and Lodging
Unit 9 has only one developed campground. Most hunters camp along Forest Service roads. Lodging is in Tusayan and Valle.
Ten X Campground south of Tusayan open through Sept. 30.
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