Overview: The pronghorn population has been relative stable in this unit.  However, the drought conditions of the past few years have taken a toll on this population.  Preseason scouting is recommended, as always, especially with the size of this unit.  This will aid your hunting success.

Land Status: Most of this unit has a "checkerboard" land status.  That is, the land ownership status of alternating sections is different.  Some are private and State Trust (State) lands mixed, while others are private and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands mixed.  Legal hunting is allowed on all State Trust lands and BLM lands, however, access to these lands is not guaranteed.  You must have permission to cross private lands to get to these other lands.  Some ranches have been closed to hunting in the past.

It is always recommended that hunters obtain permission to hunt on or cross over private land.  This allows for good relationships to be built between the hunters and private landowners, and prevents the hunt from being interrupted by having a landowner ask the hunter to leave their property.
Various maps of the area can be purchased at map stores in Arizona.  The BLM has 1:100,000 scale land status maps that are good references when hunting in these units.  These maps can be purchased at BLM offices and some general map stores.

Bureau of Land Management Office - Phoenix
222 N. Central
Phoenix, AZ 85004-2208
(602) 417-9200

Bureau of Land Management Office - Safford
711 14th Ave.
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-4400

Areas: Most of the western half and southern part of this unit is pronghorn habitat.  The western portion is between a ridge line (starting near the junction of the Salt River Project railroad line and the county road, running from Witch Wells to Navajo, and running mostly southerly to the Stinking Springs Mountains, which are owned by the Zuni Indian Tribe) and Highway 180.  The southern part is between the Hardscrabble Wash area and Highway 61.

The western part of the unit has a slightly higher pronghorn density than the eastern portion, which are the areas south of the Petrified National Park to Highway 61 and between the previously noted ridge and Highway 180.  There is generally good access to this area off of Highways 61 and 180.
Access to the northern and central parts of the unit is off of the county road between Navajo (on Interstate 40) and Witch Wells (junction of Highways 191 and 61, near milepost 345 on Highway 191).

Generally, there is no access into Unit 2A between St. Johns and the above-mentioned county road.

The northeast portion of the unit borders the "New Lands" (the new part of the Navajo Reservation, which is not well posted).  There are also about 15 sections of land, or 15 square miles, that are owned by the Zuni tribe in the south-central part of 2A, around the Stinking Springs Mountain area, that has reservation status.  Neither the "New Lands" nor Zuni reservation lands are open for pronghorn hunting with a State permit.  Neither are well posted; so please be aware of where you are hunting.

The Petrified Forest National Park is located in the western to northern part of this unit. It is fairly well posted.  No hunting is allowed on the Park.  If a wounded pronghorn enters the Park or reservation lands, contact the appropriate landowner before entering these prohibited areas.

Concerns: The most common complaints from landowners deal with off-road driving.  It is illegal to drive off-road with any vehicle, including ATV's, on State and BLM lands.  Also, criminal charges can be filed for damages to private land from off-road driving.  Please help us to keep all of these areas open to hunting by respecting both the land and the landowners.

Questions? Contact the Pinetop regional office @ 928-367-4281.

Overview: The majority of this unit has very low-density mule deer habitat, with a few pockets of higher concentrations.  Pre-season scouting is very important.

Land Status: Most of this unit has a "checkerboard" land status.  That is, that the land ownership of alternating sections is different.  Some are a mix of private and State Trust (State) lands, while others are a mix of private and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands.  Legal hunting is allowed on all State lands and BLM lands, however, access to these lands is not guaranteed.  You must have permission to cross private lands to get to these other lands.  Some ranches have been closed to hunting in the past.

It is always recommended that hunters obtain permission to hunt on or cross over private land.  This allows for good relationships to be built between hunters and private landowners, and prevents the hunt from being interrupted by having a landowner ask the hunter to leave their land.
Various maps of the area can be purchased at map stores in Arizona.  The BLM has 1:100,000 scale land status maps that are good to have when hunting in these units.  These maps can be purchased at BLM offices and some general map stores.

Bureau of Land Management Office - Phoenix
222 N Central
Phoenix, AZ 85004-2208
(602) 417-9200

Bureau of Land Management Office - Safford
711 14th Ave.
Safford, AZ 85546
(928) 348-4400

Areas: The majority of the western half and southern parts of this unit are not mule deer habitat.  Most of the deer habitat is located between a ridge line (that starts near the junction of the Salt River Project railroad line and the county road running from Witch Wells to Navajo, going mostly southerly to the Stinking Springs Mountains, which are owned by the Zuni tribe) and Hwy 191; and south of the "New Lands" (the new part of the Navajo Reservation, which is not always posted) to the Hardscrabble Wash area on the west side and to Zuni Wash on the east side.

The main access to these areas is by the county road (Navajo to Witch Wells road), which heads west, just north of the junctions of Hwys 191 and 61 (Witch Wells), near milepost 345.  Generally, there is no access into Unit 2A between St. Johns and the county road.

Besides the "New Lands," there are also about 15 sections of land that are owned by the Zuni tribe, and have reservation status, in the south-central part of 2A, which is the Stinking Springs Mountain area.  Neither the "New Lands" nor Zuni reservation lands are open for mule deer hunting with a state permit.  Neither is well posted, so please be aware of where you are hunting.  For more specific boundary details, contact the district wildlife manager.

Also, Petrified Forest National Park is located within Unit 2A.  The boundary is well posted, and no hunting is allowed on the Park.  If a wounded animal enters the Park or reservation lands, contact the appropriate landowner before entering these prohibited areas.

Special Regulations:  Successful archery deer hunters must contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department in person, or by telephone (1-866-903-DEER [3337]), within ten (10) days of taking a deer, unless the deer has been checked through a mandatory hunter checking station (Pursuant to R12-4-308).

Concerns: The most common complaints from landowners deal with off-road driving.  It is illegal to drive off-road with any vehicle, including ATV's, on State and BLM lands.  In addition, criminal charges can be filed for damages to private land from off-road driving.  Please help us keep all of these areas open to hunting by respecting both the land and the landowners.

Questions? Contact the Pinetop regional office @ 928-367-4281.