Beginning at U.S. Hwy 93 and the Santa Maria River; northeasterly along the Santa Maria River to AZ Hwy 96; easterly on AZ Hwy 96 to Kirkland Junction; southeasterly along the Kirkland Junction-Wagoner-Crown King-Cordes road to the Hassayampa River (at Wagoner); southwesterly along the Hassayampa River to U.S. Hwy 93; northwesterly on U.S. Hwy 93 to the Santa Maria River.
Overview:
Javelina can be found in most areas
throughout the unit although densities
vary significantly. Unit 20C historically
has supported good herd sizes and is
a favorite with HAM and Archery hunters
because of its quality javelina population.
The higher densities are associated
with the mountainous portions of the
unit. The mountains are rugged and
contain areas difficult to access.
Generally javelina tend to utilize
the lower portions and areas immediately
adjacent to the mountains especially
the canyons with perennial water or
springs. Javelina tend to use the grassland
and chaparral interface throughout
the Weaver Mountains. Similar areas
can be found in the Date Creek Mountains
and the mountainous areas north of
Date Creek. Hunters should also work
those desert areas that have palo verde
and prickly pear cactus. Much of the
unit is private property. Hunters are
reminded to honor landowner requests
and to at least secure verbal permission
to cross private property. Access can
be a problem and frustrating to hunters
unfamiliar with the unit. A land status
map is recommended and can by found
at most map stores. Generally the western
half of the unit has fewer access problems
than the eastern half.
Areas: Highway 89 generally bisects the unit. Highway 89 begins north
of Wickenburg. The highway then bypasses Congress and heads towards
Yarnell Hill. About a mile north of Congress are two county maintained
dirt roads. The road to the north (Date Creek Road) runs 20 miles
to Hillside. There are several side roads leading off the Date Creek
road - some run to the east towards the Weaver Mountains and closer
to Hillside are roads that access areas to the west. The road to
the south (Stanton/Octave Road) goes, eventually, to the southern
end of the Weaver Mountains. At both Stanton and Octave are side
roads that run into the Weaver Mountains. The road at Stanton eventually
joins Highway 89 near Yarnell. Continuing north on 89 beyond Peeples
Valley, just past milepost 283, is the Sorrells Ranch Road. This
road allows hunters to access State Land off Highway 89. Just before
89 reaches Kirkland Junction the Walnut Grove/Wagoner/Crown King
road turns to the south. Another popular area, Sour Grass Flats,
can be reached by driving several miles south and taking the dirt
road, to the right, where the asphalt begins. The Sour Grass Flats
road access is a significant amount of rolling grassland and chaparral
before ending at private property. Unless hunters know the landowners
there is no other access between Kirkland Junction until just before
the junction to Hillside.
Highway 93 runs along the unit's western boundary. At the highway
71 junction take 71 towards Congress. Along this stretch of highway
before Congress are several roads that go north into the Date Creek
Mountains. Continuing north on 93 and at milepost 171.2 is a road
that will run east and eventually lead to mountainous topography.
Just before Highway 93 crosses the Santa Maria River there is another
road that parallels the Santa Maria and eventually joins with the
highway running between Hillside and Bagdad. There are several roads
that run south into mountainous topography.
Overview:
Mule deer can be found in most areas
throughout the unit although densities
vary significantly. The higher deer
densities are associated with the mountainous
portions of the unit. The mountains
are rugged and contain areas difficult
to access. Generally deer tend to utilize
the lower portions and areas immediately
adjacent to the mountains. Deer tend
to use the grassland and chaparral
interface throughout the Weaver Mountains.
Similar areas can be found in the Date
Creek Mountains and the mountainous
areas north of Date Creek. The unit
also contains lower desert areas. Hunters
more familiar with these spots are
sometimes successful in taking older
aged bucks. Much of the unit is private
property. Hunters are always reminded
to honor landowner requests and to
at least secure verbal permission to
cross private property. Access can
be a problem and frustrating to hunters
unfamiliar with the unit. A land status
map is recommended and can by found
at most map stores. Generally the western
half of the unit has fewer access problems
than the eastern half.
Areas: Highway 89 generally bisects the unit. Highway 89 begins north
of Wickenburg. The highway then bypasses Congress and heads towards
Yarnell Hill. About a mile north of Congress are two county maintained
dirt roads. The road to the north (Date Creek Road) runs 20 miles
to Hillside. There are several side roads leading off the Date Creek
road - some run to the east towards the Weaver Mountains and closer
to Hillside are roads that access areas to the west. The road to
the south (Stanton/Octave Road) goes, eventually, to the southern
end of the Weaver Mountains. At both Stanton and Octave are side
roads that run into the Weaver Mountains. The road at Stanton eventually
joins Highway 89 near Yarnell. Continuing north on 89 beyond Peeples
Valley, just past milepost 283, is the Sorrells Ranch Road. This
road allows hunters to access State Land off Highway 89. This is
a popular area and during some hunts becomes congested with hunters.
Just before 89 reaches Kirkland Junction the Walnut Grove/Wagoner/Crown
King road turns to the south. Another popular area, Sour Grass Flats,
can be reached by driving several miles south and taking the dirt
road, to the right, where the asphalt begins. The Sour Grass Flats
road access is a significant amount of rolling grassland and chaparral
before ending at private property. Unless hunters know the landowners
there is no other access between Kirkland Junction until just before
the junction to Hillside.
Highway 93 runs along the unit's western boundary. At the highway
71 junction take 71 towards Congress. Hunters can access several
roads that lead north into the Date Creek Mountains. Continuing north
on 93 and at milepost 171.2 is a road that will run east and eventually
lead to mountainous topography. Just before Highway 93 crosses the
Santa Maria River there is another road that parallels the Santa
Maria and eventually joins with the highway running between Hillside
and Bagdad. There are several roads that run south into mountainous
topography.
Overview:
Huntable numbers of mourning dove are
found along the western edge of this
unit primarily in the lower desert
areas. Hunters usually concentrate
around the stock ponds scattered throughout
these desert areas. Wetter years like
the winter of 1998 produce abundant
annual plants that in turn produce
tremendous quantities of seed that
dove feed on all summer long. During
these conditions desert stock ponds
are excellent locations to hunt. When
hunting stock ponds do not expect much
activity until mid to late morning.
Dove feed first thing in the morning
before going to water. Often hunters
will not begin seeing flights of dove
until after 9am or even later. Remember
that these stock ponds are most effective
if there is feed on the desert. Also,
hunters are reminded to not camp within
a 1/4 mile of these stock ponds.
Areas: Typically any dirt road leaving highway 93 north of Wickenburg
will eventually lead to a stock pond. Sometimes these spots become
crowded with hunters. If that happens, knowing the location of other
ponds helps, or try to determine flight paths (sometimes the drainage
leading to the pond) and position yourself along the path and away
from the hunters. Sometimes hunting too close to the pond creates
problems with the birds falling into the water.
During years when there is an abundant feed in the desert the mid-winter
hunt can be exceptional and with fewer hunters. Dove will exhibit
the same pattern of going to water mid-morning. This hunt overlaps
the quail hunt and offers and under utilized opportunity to hunt
two bird species during cooler conditions in the desert. Hunters
are again reminded to camp more than a 1/4-mile from water.
Overview: Huntable numbers of quail are found in many areas of the unit especially along mountain edges and throughout the desert locations. Much of the unit is a shrub and grassland mix and these areas usually produce good quail numbers. The last two winters (2002/03 and 2003/04) were wet. Each of the last two years saw increases in the quail population. This year's quail season will be better than it has been for quite some time. Hunters not familiar with a particular area should drive the roads and where they cross small washes check for quail tracks. If you see fresh tracks walk these areas. Getting out of the vehicle allows hunters to hear quail calling and if the covey is close you will hear their typical clucking. In a dry year quail frequently concentrate around water. Hunters should drive to stock ponds and walk areas within a half-mile or so of the water. Checking the edges of the pond for tracks will indicate quail use at that stock pond.
Drive the roads and where they cross small washes check for quail
tracks. If you see fresh tracks walk these areas. Getting out of
the vehicle allows hunter to hear quail calling and if the covey
is close you will hear their typical clucking. In a dry year quail
frequently concentrate around water. Hunters should drive to stock
ponds and walk areas within a half-mile or so of the water. Checking
the edges of the pond for tracks will indicated quail use at that
stock pond.
Areas: Quail can be found throughout all elevations in Unit 20C from
2000 to 5500 feet. Quality bird hunting (especially in good years)
is usually found at mid elevations where the vegetation is a grassland
and shrub mix. Also those areas adjacent to permanent water whether
a stock pond or creek are always prime locations. Drainages in the
unit that are perennial at least along portions of their length include
Date Creek, the Hassayampa, Waterman Creek, South Fork of the Santa
Maria, and Kirkland Creek. The Date Creek road running north from
Congress to Hillside is a popular area. Also the Joshua forest adjacent
to Highway 93 northwest of Wickenburg is a good area that does not
seem to attract high hunter numbers.
During years when there is an abundance of feed in the desert the
mid-winter hunt can be exceptional and with fewer hunters. All young
of the year birds are near adult size and the weather has cooled.
This hunt overlaps the late mourning dove hunt and offers an under
utilized opportunity to hunt two bird species during cooler conditions
in the desert. Dove will exhibit their typical pattern of feeding
at first light then going to water later in the morning. Hunters
are reminded to camp more than a quarter mile from water.
Other
Pertinent Climate Information A
number of dirt roads
cross drainages that
are prone to significant
flooding during heavy
rains. Mountainous
terrain adjacent
to desert bottoms
creates these conditions.
Cities,
Roads & Campgrounds
Major
Cities and Towns in or Near Game
Management Unit and Nearest Gas,
Food, and Lodging Wickenburg,
Yarnell, Congress
Major
Highways and Roads Leading To From
the East: State Hwy 89 From
the West: U.S. Hwy
60, State Hwy 71
From the North: U.S. Hwy 93
From the South: U.S. Hwy 60, 93, State Hwy 89
Developed
Campgrounds None.
Undeveloped
Campgrounds None.
Brief
Description of Terrain, Elevation,
and Vegetation
Elevations range from roughly 2,000' near Wickenburg to more
than 6,000' in the Weaver Mountains. Terrain is highly variable,
from desert flatland to steep, rocky mountains. Vegetation
shifts from desertscrub throughout the southern and western
portions of the unit to grassland/chaparral mix at higher elevations.
Pinyon and juniper grow at the highest elevations of the Weaver
Mountains. Many drainages support typical riparian vegetation
within the Weaver and Date Creek mountains.
Government
Agencies and Phone Numbers Arizona
Game and Fish Department, Region
IV -928-342-0091
Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix Field Office -602-780-8090
Hassayampa River Preserve -928-684-2772
