Beginning at I-40 on the Colorado River; southerly along the Arizona-California state line to the Bill Williams River; east along the Bill Williams River to AZ Hwy 95; north on AZ Hwy 95 to I-40 (Exit 9); west on I-40 to the Colorado River.
Overview:
The 2004 sheep permit for 16B will encompass
both the North and South portions of
the unit. The Needle Mountains are located
in the North portion and the Aubrey
Hills in the South. The latest combined
population estimate for the Needles
and the Aubreys is 70 sheep.
Both Mountain ranges are relatively
small and can be covered very thoroughly
during the hunt. There is an estimate
of 7 rams in this unit that fall into
the class III and IV category. The class
III and IV rams observed in this area
would score between 140 to 160 Boone
and Crockett points. These rams tend
to score lower, for their age, because
they do not carry much mass.
Areas: The North portion (Needle Mountains)
is small and would be very easy to cover
during the hunt period. There is vehicle
access to the base of the Needle's on
both the North and South ends. To access
the North end you must take Interstate
40 to the Needles Mountains exit (exit
2). This exit is located about three
miles from the Arizona/California border.
To access the southern part, there is
a two-track dirt road that heads West
from State Route 95 at milepost 191.
Both of these access routes eventually
end at the Havasu National Wildlife
Refuge boundary. Motor vehicles are
not allowed on the refuge, even on existing
roads. Another alternative is to access
the area by boat. There are boat launches
in Lake Havasu City and Topock. Both
launch areas are only within minutes
of the Needle Mountains. This would
be a good way to hunt the area around
Devil's Elbow and Picture Rock. Sheep
are frequently seen in both of these
locations by boaters.
The South portion (Aubrey Hills) is
also very small. This area is not as
rugged as the Needles however vehicle
access is not permitted beyond State
Route 95. Boat access is allowed, and
would be the easiest way to access the
heart of the sheep country. The area
along the lake shoreline most frequented
by sheep is from Pilot Rock to Steamboat
Cove. For additional information on
this hunt, I can be contacted through
the Region IV office at (928) 342-0091
Overview:
Population surveys for dove are not
conducted in this unit, however dove
are commonly found near and around Lake
Havasu. Dove in this unit are drawn
to the habitat created by development
in Lake Havasu City. The majority of
these birds are found along the lake's
shoreline adjacent to the city. This
area has plenty of food, water, and
cover for dove. The vegetation found
outside the city and away from the lake
does not hold many doves. Dove numbers
drop as you move further into the desert
and away from the city and the lake.
The harvest over the last few years
has been variable, influenced by both
the numbers of hunters and dove. This
year in the early season the birds were
scattered. The first couple days of
the season were good but tapered off
by the weekend due to hunting pressure.
The late hunt this fall should be fairly
good. Dove will be more spread out in
the desert areas and should be concentrated
around available water. The majority
of the birds harvested in this unit
are mourning doves although a few white
wings are taken each year.
Areas: A popular hunting location is
located West and North of the Havasu
Gardens area. This area is North of
the Lake Havasu City limits and between
London Bridge road and the river. The
area is made up of sand dunes, salt
cedars, and thick mesquite groves. This
location is subject to NO SHOOTING within
a 1/4 mile of a building. The Refuge
golf course and residential area (not
the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge)
is unlawful to hunt in.
The land ownership is private, State
Land, and National Wildlife Refuge.
The posted portions of private land
are not lawful to hunt unless the owner
grants permission. All the State Land
in this area is open to hunting. The
Havasu Wildlife Refuge has portions
both open and closed to hunting. The
portion of Refuge that lies within the
Lake Havasu City limits is closed to
hunting. The area that lies North of
the city limits to Vista Drive in Crystal
Beach is opening to hunting. The portion
of Refuge that extends from Vista Drive
North to Interstate 40 is closed to
all hunting. Hunting done on the Havasu
Refuge must be in compliance with Refuge
Rules and Regulation. Please note that
you may only be in possession of NON-TOXIC
SHOT while hunting on the Refuge. For
additional Refuge information call (760)
326-3853.
This unit falls into the southern hunt
zone where the hunt begins one half-hour
before sunrise and ends at noon. Be
sure to pick up a copy of the current
Dove Regulations to check bag and possession
limits and season dates before going
in the field.
Other
Pertinent Climate Information This
is a very hot, dry
unit. Average annual
precipitation is
only 2.67". Travelers
are advised to carry
a lot of water and
to tell someone their
travel plans in case
they fail to return.
Boaters sometimes
encounter rough,
windy conditions
on Lake Havasu.
Cities,
Roads & Campgrounds
Major
Cities and Towns in or Near Game
Management Unit and Nearest Gas,
Food, and Lodging Lake
Havasu City, Parker, Needles, CA
Major
Highways and Roads Leading To From
the East: State Hwy 72 From
the West: I-40
From the North: I-40
From the South: State Hwy 95
Developed
Campgrounds Lake
Havasu City manages
Cattail Cove Campground
on Lake Havasu.
Undeveloped
Campgrounds Contact
the Bureau of Land
Management for information
on camping on public
lands throughout
the unit.
Brief
Description of Terrain, Elevation,
and Vegetation
Terrain varies from relatively flat desert plains to rugged
rocky slopes. Elevations range from 200' to 2100'. Vegetation
is Sonoran desertscrub of the lower Colorado River Valley,
primarily creosote, white bursage, ironwood, and foothill paloverde.
Government
Agencies and Phone Numbers Arizona
Game and Fish Department, Region
IV - 928-342-0091
Lake Havasu City Parks and Recreation - 928-453-8686
Bureau of Land Management - 928-505-1200
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bill Williams Refuge - 928-667-4144
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Havasu Refuge - 760-326-3853
(Needles, CA)
