Overview: Unit 24A boasts a healthy javelina population
unit-wide. Each year, the Department offers an archery-only javelina hunt during the month of January, a primitive weapons hunt (handgun, archery, muzzleloader only) hunt in February, and a general hunt in February. Javelina populations have sustained themselves quite nicely in 24A and the unit provides an excellent opportunity for some successful javelina hunting.

Areas: Huntable javelina can be found throughout the unit with the exception of the top of the Pinal Mountains south of Globe. The best way to hunt javelina is to find a high spot where you can see lots open desert hillsides in the mornings
and evenings. Glass for javelina on south or west facing slopes and sunny bottomlands early in the morning when javelina are trying to warm themselves. Keep the wind in your face and move reasonably slow when you get within a couple of hundred yards, and you should have no problem getting within range for a shot.

To access some of the better javelina hunting in 24A you can check out some of the following areas: Dripping Springs Wash: To access this area turn west/northwest on the dripping springs wash road off of Hwy 77 about 15 miles south of Globe. There are lots of open desert ridges in
this area that lend themselves well to glassing.
Horseshoe Bend: Take the Wheatfield’s exit east of Forest Road 219 to the east off of old Hwy 88 just past the HE Ranch. This access route cuts across private property
so you must sign in and out. FR 219 junctions with FR 220, which travels to Richmond Basin and FR 223, that leads to Shute Springs. Both these areas have javelina and good open slopes for glassing. 7-Mile Wash: There are fewer javelina
in 7-Mile Wash in relation to other areas in the unit but the area still provides a good hunting opportunity. To access this area go north of Globe on Hwy 60 to Forest Road 303. The low rolling hills on both sides of this road in 7-Mile, all the way to the Salt River can hold javelina. El Capitan: Forest Roads 1036, 527, and 2670 have great open slopes to Glass javelina. Explore both sides of Hwy 77, south of Globe.

Overview: Similar to mule deer population in most of Arizona, the Unit 24A mule deer population has been in decline since the mid 1990s. Mule deer are found scattered in the lower elevation areas of 24A, so be aware that white-tailed deer also occur with mule deer in this unit, so be sure of your
target before you shoot.

Areas: A popular place to find mule deer is in the 7-Mile Wash Road area (Forest Road 303) at the north end of the Apache Mountains. Glass the lower elevation rolling hills for mule deer.
Mule deer can also be found in the Dripping Springs wash area. To access this area one can turn west/northwest off State Route 77 about 15 miles south of Globe onto the Dripping Springs Road. Find a good high point and use your
binoculars and you might just find a wily old mule deer buck lurking in this area. Another good area for mule deer is off the Horseshoe Bend Road (FR 219) on the west side of the
Apache Mountains. Take the Old Hwy 88 from Hwy 188 north of Globe across Pinal Creek and past the HE Ranch to the 219 Road. FR 219 junctions with FR 220 that travels to Richmond Basin and FR 223 that leads to Shute Springs, both areas
with mule deer and good open slopes for glassing. Access to these areas is provided across private property so you must sign in and out as you cross private property. Other mule
deer areas are the various Forest Roads that run east from US Hwy 60 north of Globe but be aware of the nearby San Carlos Indian Reservation Boundary as hunting on tribal land is not permitted with a Arizona Game and Fish permit.

For a hunter that wants a big buck and is horseback or willing to do some strenuous hiking, the hills above the Salt River in the north part of the unit are accessed from FR 303 (7-Mile), the Horseshoe Bend Rd (FR 219), and FR 473 (Regal Canyon).
NOTE: F.R. 360 near Timber Camp Campground is CLOSED.

Over view: Within the past couple of years, whitetail deer have been increasing as a whole in the state and the unit has its opportunities for harvest. Several bucks scoring over 90 inches have been killed in 24A over the last several years.

Areas: The best whitetail hunting in 24A, but with high hunter concentrations is found in the Pinal Mountains. There are significantly more bucks in the area and high scoring deer were seen during this year's deer surveys. The area is rugged and steep and the whitetails are seen primarily in the drainages below the mountain summit. A lot of glassing along with some patience will reveal the deer. To access the Pinal Mountains, use FR 651 to Sulphide Del Ray and Pinal Peak or FR 112 to Pioneer Pass. Whitetails are found on all slopes of the Pinals but glassing is difficult on the north side due to thick conifer and chaparral. However, many a hunter has been
successful by tracking and stalking white-tail on the north side of the Pinal Mountains.

The high mountain elevation areas of the Dripping Springs Mountains located south of Dripping Springs road and the south slopes of the Pinal Mountains north of the Dripping
Springs road hold good populations of whitetail deer and provide excellent hunting opportunities. There are many roads that run north and south along the ridges that accessing
these areas. Forest Roads 248 and 899 are two-trackers leading to the north of Dripping Springs road, and both of those will take you to good deer areas. Any of these roads are likely to lead you to whitetail deer. It is possible to
drive from Dripping Springs road thru Pioneer Basin all the way to Pinal Peak, although the road has been washed out and an OHV would be needed. Be aware that mule deer also occur in these areas; so be sure of your target before
you shoot.

North of Globe, whitetails mostly occur north of Timber Camp Mountain. Forest Roads 2334, 360 and 304 access this high elevation grassland and chaparral habitat where whitetail deer have been increasing in numbers. Another area is off the
Horseshoe Bend Road (FR 219) on the west side of the Apache Mountains. Take the Old Hwy 88 from Hwy 188 north of Globe across Pinal Creek and past the HE Ranch to the 219 Road. FR 219 junctions with FR 220, which travels to Richmond
Basin and FR 223, that leads to Shute Springs. Both these areas have whitetail and good open slopes for glassing. Travel by foot or horseback to access the upper slopes of the Apache Mountains for a better chance at a larger whitetail buck. Access to these areas is provided across private property so you must sign in and out as you cross private property. NOTE: F.R. 360 near Timber Camp Campground is CLOSED.

Overview: Black bear hunting opportunity is offered in the spring and in the fall with a majority  of hunt success occurring in the fall. This is due to bear activity during the spring is not related to food supplies as much as the fall. During the fall hunts, bears range widely in search of acorns, juniper berries, and of course prickly pear cactus fruit in order to prepare their bodies for winter. Remember that dogs are not allowed in the spring hunt are allowed in the fall. Also, baiting bears is illegal regardless of season.

Areas: Some scouting options include the Pinal Mountains, Apache Peaks, and Timber Camp
Mountain. To access the Pinals from Hwy 60, take either Russell Rd to F.R. 55  which leads to F.R. 651 Sulphide Del Ray CG and Pinal Peak CG or take Kellner Canyon Rd to Icehouse Canyon  Rd (FR 112) to Pioneer Pass south of Globe. Areas near Timber Camp include the southern slopes found along F.R. 303 and the northern hills F.R. 304. The different canyons, drainages, creek bottoms, and saddles can provide opportunity in those areas. One access point to  Apache Peaks is to take the Wheatfields exist east of Hwy 188 and follow the road until you see Hicks Rd on the east
side of the road. Take it and follow it until you pass HE Ranch on the west side of the road. There will be a white metal gate with a sign in box (F.R. 219) so make sure to sign in the box. Take the road to the junction of F.R. 219 and 220 (Richmond Basin rd). Follow this road to the south slopes of the Apaches Peaks and glass the slopes, saddles, and drainages.

The season dates are valid only until the female harvest objective is reached, after which time the season closes at sundown on the Wednesday immediately following. Hunters are responsible for checking to see if the hunt is still ongoing before they go afield. Season status must be checked by calling 1-800-970-BEAR (2327). Hunters are also required to contact the Arizona Game & Fish Department in person or by phone at the same number within 48 hours after taking a bear. In addition, a physical check-in must be done for each bear taken by a  Arizona Game & Fish Department qualified employee within 10 days after contacting the Department.
NOTE: F.R. 360 near Timber Camp Campground is CLOSED.

Overview: The mountain lion harvest has averaged 8 lions in Unit 24A the past few years and   the lion population in this unit appears to be stable with a reservoir to the east on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. To increase success, hunting with dogs is recommended, so if you use a guide be sure they are licensed with the state and that they have the proper permits for guiding on Federal Land.

Areas: Mountain lions are found throughout the unit wherever prey is plentiful.   Lions are primarily nocturnal and prey on species such as,deer, domestic livestock, javelina, and other small game. Glassing lions will be a challenge in its own due to the rough areas they live in such as rugged canyons and dense ridges. Lion tracks and sign can be located along forest roads and trails, as they seek easy walking when moving from location to location.

Overview: The elk hunt in the unit is a limited opportunity hunt and is managed entirely as a Limited Population Management Zone.  Based on observations of elk in this area, there is
enough elk to provide this opportunity while supporting the management objectives.  The hunt will help limit elk depredation and competition with mule deer and whitetail populations. Also, a large portion of the population in the unit is influenced by immigrating and emigrating elk
from the San Carlos Reservation. 

Areas: Due to low populations in the unit the best place to consider would be Timber Camp Mountain and the Pinal Mountains. To access the Pinals from Hwy 60, take either Russell Rd to F.R. 55  which leads to F.R. 651 Sulphide Del Ray CG and Pinal Peak CG or take Kellner Canyon Rd to Icehouse Canyon Rd (F.R. 112) to Pioneer Pass south of Globe. Areas near Timber Camp include F.R.’s 304, 897, and 355. All of which can be accessed off hwy 77. NOTE: F.R. 360 near Timber Camp Campground is CLOSED.

Overview: Hunters can find cottontails just about anywhere in the unit from the pine forest on the Pinal Mountains to the deserts in the southern portion of the district. The deserts in
the southern portion of the district will have higher densities of rabbits. The northern area of the district does have rabbits but the dense underbrush may keep the hunter from being
successful in this or her attempts to harvest rabbits.

Areas: The area north east of Superior and the area of Drippings Springs should provide the hunter the best chances to take some rabbits home. There is no agriculture in unit 24A to speak of and therefore, one cannot look for these areas to hunt. As always early mornings and late evenings provide the best time to see and harvest rabbits.

Overview: There are very few tree squirrels in Unit 24A. There is a small population of Abert's squirrels in the Pinal Mountains east of Globe. There has been some discussion on closing the
unit to hunting squirrels but to date there is still a hunt. The top of the mountain is the only place where a hunter can find squirrels with any success. However, due to the presence
of several homes, USFS campgrounds and mountaintop radio towers with often-occupied buildings, finding an area to hunt beyond the one-quarter mile limit can be challenging.
Prospective hunters should also learn the main road to keep from shooting towards or across a road. With these factors in mind, one can see the potential problems that could arise while hunting in the Pinals.

Overview: Unit 24A has a viable population of Gambel's quail. Areas: These birds can be found anywhere in the
unit. The highest densities of quail will be found in the deserts in the Drippings Springs area. There are clutches of young in this area found as early as the first of June. The Horseshoe Bend area also holds a large number of birds. This area can be accessed from Highway 188 going west out of Globe headed to the Roosevelt area on F.R. 219. Two more areas that hold quail include the Copper Hills area just north of Globe, and the 7-mile Wash area. These last three areas total
about the same number of birds as the Dripping Springs area does.

The problem with the Dripping Springs area is that it has a lot of cholla cactus. This can be hard on dogs and hunters that have not hunted this type of vegetation before.

The last three areas mentioned above have quail and huntable populations but the birds may escape into the dense brush. Trying to hit these birds is rather difficult as they jump and clear the brush and then dive back into it making it
nearly impossible to hit them.

The birds located the northern portion of the unit can be found in the canyon bottoms and in areas near springs and waterholes. Hunt the birds down canyon of the waterholes in the more arid, desert areas.