Beginning
at I-8 and AZ Hwy 95 (in Yuma); easterly
on I-8 to exit 87; northerly on the Sentinel-Sundad
road to the Cotton Center-Palo Verde road;
northerly and easterly on the Cotton Center-Palo
Verde road to AZ Hwy 85; northerly on AZ
Hwy 85 to Oglesby road; north on Oglesby
road to I-10; westerly on I-10 to Exit 45;
southerly on Vicksburg-Kofa National Wildlife
Refuge road to the Refuge boundary; easterly,
southerly, westerly, and northerly along
the boundary to the Castle Dome road; southwesterly
on the Castle Dome road to U.S. Hwy 95; southerly
on U.S. Hwy 95 to I-8.
Overview:
Currently unit 41 is divided into 41
EAST (Eagletail Mountains and Picacho
Hills) and 41 West ( Palomas Mountains,
Tank Mountains and Little Horn Mountains).
Despite the recent prolonged drought,
the bighorn population has increased
slightly over the past few years.
41 East: The Eagletail Mountains have long been noted for producing
nice rams. Historically a large population of bighorn sheep inhabited
the Eagletails. During the late 1960s and early 1970s the population,
for no apparent reason, experienced a sharp decline. In the early
1980s the Arizona Game and Fish Department transplanted two groups
of bighorn sheep into the Eagletail Mountains in an effort to increase
the population. Survey observations have increased for an average
of 10 animals in the late 1970s to 74 sheep in 1997.
Bighorn can be found throughout the Eagletail Mountains. Favorite
spots are the Anvil Tank area (in the middle of the range) to the
Triple Eye Tank area on the west end of the mountains. Access: Take
Interstate 10 west of Buckeye to the Harquahala Valley exit, then
south to Courthouse Road, then west along Courthouse Road to the
El Paso natural gasline road. From the gasline road a number of roads
will take you to the wilderness boundary. Most of the Eagletail Mountains.
lie within the Eagletail Mountains Wilderness and special regulations
apply. For complete wilderness use regulations contact:
Bureau of Land Management
Yuma District Office
2555 E. Gila Ridge Road
Yuma, AZ. 85365
Phone: (928) 317-3200
Picacho Hills: Although the Picacho Hills appear small at first,
a very good population of bighorn sheep is found there. Bighorn can
be found throughout the range. Favorite spots are Picacho Tanks area
on the southeast side to Bucket Tank on the northwest end. Access:
Take the Harquahala Valley Road south from Interstate 10 to Baseline
Road, the west on Baseline to Avenue 543 then south on 543 about
10 miles where you will find the Picacho Hills immediately west of
the road. You can also access the Picacho's by taking the Sentinel
Highway north from Interstate 8 west of Gila Bend. Take the Sentinel
Highway north to the railroad, then north on avenue 571 to the Butterfield
Rd., then west for 1 mile, then north on avenue 579 about 10 miles
to the Picacho Hills.
41 WEST: Palomas Mountains: Currently less than 15 bighorn sheep
inhabit the Palomas Mountains. Occasionally a nice ram can be found
here, but, due to the large size of the range, finding a sheep can
be (Unit 41 bighorn sheep continued) difficult at times. The west
end of the Palmoas Mountains lie on the Yuma Proving Grounds and
access is restricted.
Access: Take the Dateland Highway (64 miles east of Yuma on Interstate
8) north to the railroad tracks, then west on the dirt road along
the south side of the tracks about 2 miles to the only crossing over
the tracks to the north. You will notice a large rock pyramid here.
The west 100 yards, then north along the west side of an irrigation
ditch to the end where it intersects with an east-west road, then
west along this road to the last well. Here a small road leads north
through a boulder field directly to the Palomas Mountains about three
miles to the north.
Tank Mountains: Located about 5 miles directly north of the Palomas
Mountains, the Tank Mountains currently hold a bighorn sheep population
of 30 to 50 animals. Most of the bighorn are found on the west half
of the range from White Tanks to the boundary of the Kofa National
Wildlife Refuge. This area lies on the Yuma Proving Grounds and access
is restricted. Rams typically end up on the southwest corner of the
range during the winter months. Access: Take the Dateland Highway
(64 miles east of Yuma on Interstate 8) north to Whitewing Ranch.
About three fourths of a mile east of the entrance to the ranch is
a crossing over the railroad tracks. Take this road north and west
18 miles to the east end of the Tank Mountains. Continuing due west
along the north side of the mountains about 10 miles to an intersection
with two old military trailers and an Arizona Game and Fish Department
water catchment on the northwest quadrant of the intersection. This
is the White Tanks road. Take this road south to White Tanks. No
vehicle travel is permitted within ½ mile of the tanks.
LITTLE HORN MOUNTAINS: The Little Horn Mountains are located about
12 miles directly north of the Tank Mountains. Currently about 25
to 40 bighorn sheep inhabit the range. Most of the Little Horns are
comprised of a large mesa complex. Most of the bighorn are found
on top of this mesa which makes it very hard to see bighorn without
having to climb to the top. Further complicating the matter is a
series of deep canyons that transect the top of the mesa. These canyons
provide good forage and bedding areas for bighorn. Occasionally bighorn
can been found on the low hills immediately just north of the main
mountain mass. Also the low hills just west of the Hovatter Road
that lie along the boundary of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge,
especially in the Sheep Tank Mine area. For access take the Dateland
Highway (64 miles east of Yuma on Interstate 8) north to Whitewing
Ranch. About three fourths of a mile east of the entrance to the
ranch is a crossing over the railroad tracks. Take this road north
and west 18 miles to the east end of the Tank Mountains. Just pass
the Tank Mountain. cabin (really a tin shed!) you will find an intersection
with a three roads (one goes due west, one goes northwest, and one
goes due north), take the due north road 1.6 miles north, at this
intersection head due west and eventually north to the Little Horns.
You can also access the Little Horns by taking the Hovatter Road
south from Interstate 10 directly to the Little Horns.
Overview:
With mule deer densities at about 1
deer per square mile, hunting mule
deer in Unit 41 on the best years and
under the best circumstances is a tough
hunt, but, the rewards can be great
as some of the largest mule deer bucks
in western Arizona are found in the
unit. There are reasons that mule deer
grow to old age and large size in the
southwest deserts. Low deer densities
of less than one deer per square mile
makes it very difficult to locate deer.
Complicating the issue is the fact
that almost all of the deer are limited
to the very flat terrain that limits
the use of optics. Many of the deer
are found in the large desert riparian
areas or washes that are very dense
with vegetation and visibility is limited
to a few yards.
The best way to hunt these "flat-landers" is to hunt in pairs and
glass the flats from the top of hills which are found throughout
the unit. When a deer is spotted one person can remain on the high
ground and guide his partner to the deer with the use of hand signals.
Be sure to practice the signals before hand.
Deer may also be found in the washes and canyon bottoms found throughout
the Little Horn Mountains, Tank Mountains, Palomas Mountains, and
the Picacho Mountains north of Hyder.
A few deer are also found along the Gila River just north of Interstate
8. These deer are very difficult to find because of the dense vegetation
and low numbers, but the rewards can be great for some very large
mule deer bucks can be found here. The people that have the most
success taking deer in the dry Gila River area do it by finding a
large track and then tracking the deer, usually for days.
During dry years many deer may be found in and around the agriculture
areas of Harquahala Valley, Hyder Valley and the Wellton-Mohawk Valley.
Deer typically feed or water at night in these areas, then return
to the adjacent desert during the daytime. Sometimes deer can be
found in the fields just before dark or at sunrise. When hunting
the agriculture areas be sure to observe all safety rules and watch
for farm workers and equipment. Many of these areas are posted private
land. Be sure to check the land status before hunting these areas.
Numerous Arizona Game and Fish Department water catchments are found
throughout the unit and no camping is permitted within 1/4 mile of
these waters. Please remember that these waters are the only available
water for wildlife in this vast area, so limit your stay and activities
when visiting catchments. Report any problems with catchments to
the Arizona Game and Fish Department Region IV Headquarters, Yuma
at (928) 342-0091.
Palomas Plains : Although mule deer are found throughout the unit,
most of the deer are found in the Palomas Plains area north of Dateland.
The Palomas Plains are very flat and are bisected by large desert
riparian areas. Theses large desert washes are very thick, which
makes seeing the deer very difficult. Use a partner and glass the
flats from high point method to take large bucks in this area.
To reach the Palomas Plains from the north (Interstate 10) take the
Hovatter Road or Harquahala Valley Road straight south into the north
part of the unit. From the south, take the Sentinel Highway through
Hyder or the Dateland Highway north to ½ mile east of the entrance
to White Wing Ranch. This road will take you to the heart of the
Palomas Plains and the best mule deer hunting.
Wellton-Mohawk Valley: During dry years, mule deer can be found in
the agriculture and desert areas along the north side of the Wellton-Mohawk
Valley. Typically, the deer feed and or water at night in the fields,
then spend the days in the desert areas just north of the agriculture
area. Please take note of any private land and be careful not to
shoot near buildings. To reach this area take exits 29,36,40 and
52 off Interstate 8 east of Yuma. Follow these roads straight north
until you reach the desert.
Hyder Valley: During dry years deer can be found around the agriculture
areas in the Hyder Valley. Please take note of any private posted
lands and don't shoot near buildings. To reach the Hyder area, take
the Sentinel Highway north from Interstate 8 west if Gila Bend.
Harquahala Valley: During dry years deer can be found around the
agriculture areas in Harquahala Valley. Please take note not to enter
posted private land and don't shoot near buildings. To reach this
area, take the Harquahala Valley Road south off of Interstate 10
west of Buckeye.
Eagletail Mountains: The Eagletail Mountains. located just southwest
of Harquahala Valley is the only mountain range in Unit 41 that contains
significant numbers of deer. Deer numbers in the Eagletail Mountains
are currently depressed due the recent extended drought. The Eagletail
Mountains are noted for large trophy mule deer. Almost all of the
Eagletail Mountains lie within the Eagletail Mountain Wilderness
Area. This allows for an excellent opportunity for a backpack or
horse pack mule deer hunt away from the majority of hunters and an
opportunity to take a large desert mule deer. Special BLM wilderness
use regulations apply here. To plan your hunt contact the Yuma District
BLM office at:
Bureau of Land Management
Yuma District Office
2555 E. Gila Ridge Rd.
Yuma, AZ 85365
Phone: (928) 317-3200
Access: Take the Harquahala Road south from Interstate 10 (west of
Buckeye) to Courthouse Road, then west to the gas line road, then
west along this road. There are several roads leading to the edge
of the wilderness from this road.
OHV Use: Most of Unit 41 mule deer inhabit large flat areas that
can be negotiated by various types of OHV vehicles. Most of the land
in Unit 41 is under the jurisdiction of the BLM. Vehicles are restricted
to existing roads, trails and large desert washes on BLM land. Travel
across country is not permitted under any circumstance. Operators
of OHV's are also responsible for damage to native plants. These
regulations are enforced by both the Arizona Game and Fish Department
and BLM Rangers.
There is a small amount of state land scattered throughout the unit.
OHV use on state land is restricted to existing trails and roads,
however, a vehicle may be used to retrieve a downed and legally taken
big game animal on or off road. Operators of OHV's retrieving downed
big game are still responsible for damage to native plants.
Overview:
Historically, unit 41 probably had
the best dove hunting in the state,
specifically, the Wellton Mohawk and
Hyder valleys. Due to habitat loss
and changes in crop patterns the dove
hunting has been greatly reduced, but
remains good to very good in localized
areas.
Areas: Wellton Mohawk Valley: During the 1970's the Wellton Mohawk
Irrigation and Drainage District had tremendous populations of mourning
and whitewing dove populations. Habitat loss and changes in crop
patterns have reduced these populations greatly. Most of the wheat
and maze fields that hunters traditionally hunted in the Wellton
Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District are now planted in vegetables
by dove season. Drive around the valley and look for any remaining
wheat stubble fields that are not yet put into vegetables. Good shooting
can also be found in some spots along the Gila River that runs through
the middle of the valley. Some citrus still remains and good dove
hunting can be found there as the doves come off the roost in the
early morning. When hunting both roost and feeding fields remember
that whitewing fly a little later in the morning than Mourning Doves.
Some good flights of doves can be found around the edge of the desert
as doves fly from their desert roost into the valley to feed.
Access: Take Interstate 8 east of Yuma about 30 miles, then any of
the following exits: exits 20,29,36, 40 and 52 north into the valley.
Hyder Valley: Due to reduction of farming activities in the Hyder
area, this area no longer provides the fine dove hunting that it
once did. Good localized flights can still be found around the few
remaining fields and citrus.
Access: West of Gila Bend on Interstate 8, take the Sentinel Highway
north about 10 miles to the Hyder valley.
Private Property: Much of the dove hunting in Unit 41 takes place
on or near private property. Many farms post their land during the
dove hunt. Please take notice of these postings. Before hunting on
non-posted land try to find the owner and get permission. Do not
enter fields where there are standing crops. The Whitewing Ranch
and Dateland Farms are closed to hunting.
Other: Do not clean birds in the canals or on roadsides. Bury all
remaining carcasses and feathers. Pick up all litter and empty shell
cases. Please not that large piles of empty shell cases are considered
littering!
Overview:
The quail population in unit 41 has
declined drastically during the recent
drought, especially in the desert areas.
The 1998 hatch has been the best since
1993, but the low numbers of adult
birds available for breeding will continue
to depress the population. In the desert
areas of the unit it will take at least
2 more years of winter rains to return
the quail population to the pre-drought
conditions. The agriculture areas of
the unit has experienced a good hatch
but again the low numbers of adult
birds available for breeding will keep
the numbers to fair to good.
Areas: Desert: The heart of the desert quail hunting in the unit
is the Palomas Plains area north of Dateland. Numerous large desert
riparian areas that provide good quail habitat bisect this large,
flat area. Access: About 65 miles east of Yuma on Interstate 8, take
the Dateland highway north to ½ mile east of the entrance to Whitewing
Ranch, then north on this road into the desert area. Vehicles are
restricted to existing roads, trails and desert washes.
Wellton Mohawk Valley and Gila River area: A fair hatch has produced
fair to good numbers along the north side of the valley and the Gila
River area. Birds along the Gila River are very difficult to hunt
because of the dense brush. Please take notice of private land and
posting and don't enter fields where standing crops are growing.
Access: About 30 miles east of Yuma on Interstate 8, take exits 20,
29, 36, 40 and 52 north to the valley and the Gila River area.
Hyder Valley and Gila River Area: Fair numbers of birds can be found
around the agriculture areas of the Hyder valley and the Gila River
area north of Sentinel. Please take notice of private land and posting.
Access. From Sentinel on Interstate 8 west Gila Bend, Take the Sentinel
highway north to the Gila River and then on north to Hyder.
Harquahala Valley: Fair numbers of birds can be found around the
agriculture areas and the adjacent desert areas of the valley. Please
take notice of private land and posting. Access: West of Buckeye
on Interstate 10, take the Harquahala Valley road to the valley (98-7).
Other
Pertinent Climate Information Most
of this area is extremely
remote and waterless,
so planning is very
important when making
a trip into the heart
of Unit 41. Leave
a written itinerary
and bring along maps
and extra water and
equipment.
Cities,
Roads & Campgrounds
Major
Cities and Towns in or Near Game
Management Unit and Nearest Gas,
Food, and Lodging Gila
Bend, Wellton, Yuma
Major
Highways and Roads Leading To From
the East: Arlington Rd From
the West: None
From the North: Hovatter, Harquahala Rds from I-10
From the South: Sentinel, Dateland Rds from I-8
Developed
Campgrounds None.
Undeveloped
Campgrounds Camping
is allowed on BLM-administered
public lands throughout
the unit.
Brief
Description of Terrain, Elevation,
and Vegetation
Most of the unit is flat desert land cut by deep, lushly vegetated
riparian drainage. The unit encompasses several very rough
and barren mountain ranges, the Eagletail, Little Horn, Tank,
and Palomas mountains. Elevation ranges from just 400' on the
desert plain to nearly 3,000' on some of the higher peaks.
The flats are sparsely vegetated with creosote ironwood, paloverde,
and saguaro cactus; the mountains with creosote and paloverde.
Government
Agencies and Phone Numbers Arizona
Game and Fish Department, Region
IV - (928) 342-0091 BLM Yuma Field
Office - (928) 317-3200
Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District - (928) 785-3351
