Beginning
at the junction of the Beardsley Canal and
U.S. Hwy 93 (U.S. 89, U.S. 60); northwesterly
on U.S. Hwy 93 to AZ Hwy 71; southwesterly
on AZ Hwy 71 to U.S. Hwy 60; westerly on
U.S. Hwy 60 to Aguila; south on the Eagle
Eye road to the Salome-Hassayampa road; southeasterly
on this road to I-10 (Exit 81); easterly
on I-10 to Jackrabbit Trail (Exit 121); north
along this road to the Indian School road;
east along Indian School road to the Beardsley
Canal; northeasterly along the Beardsley
Canal to U.S. Hwy 93.
Overview:
Javelina populations occur in a fairly
low density throughout Unit 42. Localized
populations of javelina in certain
areas may give the appearance of high-density
populations but these herds are very
limited in number and geographical
area. Often herds of javelina spend
generation after generation in a very
small area. These localized populations
have found a niche that suits them
well and they usually won't leave these
areas. Locating these niche herds prior
to hunting season can yield an outstanding
hunting opportunity. Look for plant
communities that are conducive to javelina
in and around the many desert washes.
When you find tracks, scat or other
sign, it is just a matter of spending
time glassing and the javelina will
eventually show up.
Areas: Some of the best areas to find javelina are around a permanent
water source. Unfortunately the more watered areas occur in the suburban
and farming communities of the unit. If you plan to hunt an area
that is on or adjacent to private lands you should consider asking
permission from the landowner prior to the hunt. Talking with the
landowners and farmers during scouting trips is a great way to learn
about the local javelina and avoid conflicts with closed areas.
Other areas in Unit 42 to consider include any desert wash near any
of the mountain ranges throughout the unit. Again with fairly low
density populations, lots of scouting is required to find a good
area. One area to concentrate scouting efforts is the east side of
the Vulture Mountains near the Hassayampa River. The majority of
the Hassayampa River bottom is private land so be aware of trespass
issues and four-wheel-drive is recommended due to large amounts of
sand. Once you locate a good area, the reward can last for years,
as javelina home ranges are fairly small and fairly easy to define
as your familiarity with the area grows.
Overview:
Mule deer are found throughout Unit
42 but are often concentrated in areas
depending on weather conditions. During
dry years, look for deer concentrations
in areas where spotty rain has fallen
and has greened up the surrounding
desert. These "green up" areas require
ample pre-scouting to locate and to
access them, so plan ahead and take
changing weather conditions into account.
During wetter years, deer can be located
just about anywhere in the unit. In
the low, flatter areas, look for deer
in the many desert washes. In the mountainous
portions of the unit deer can be found
in just about any canyon or on any
ridge, again rainfall patterns and
resulting vegetative condition will
usually dictate where the deer want
to be and are likely to be found. Deer
populations throughout Unit 42 are
in the process of rebounding from the
drought that Arizona has experienced
over the past few years. If good summer
rains are present this season followed
by consistent winter rains as experienced
last winter, the population should
rebound significantly. Paying attention
to plant communities that are important
to deer diet, finding a good elevated
area and using binoculars to glass,
coupled with lots of pre-season scouting
will produce the highest probability
of finding deer.
Areas: The White Tank Mountains hold a healthy deer population but
most of this mountain range is closed to rifle hunting due to the
presence of the Maricopa County Park system. Archery hunting is allowed
but you must declare you intention to hunt upon entering the Park
and you must pay a use fee at the entrance to the park located on
Olive Avenue. There are a couple of areas in the White Tanks that
are not within the confines of the Park that are privately held.
These areas require written permission to enter and hunt from the
owner of the property. There are very limited areas in the White
Tanks that are public lands that are open to rifle hunting, but the
bulk of the deer population is concentrated in the less severe habitat
contained within the Park system. Hunting the public lands portion
of the White Tanks could prove to be a very difficult and disappointing
experience due to the low density of deer in these very limited areas.
It's important to remember that it is the hunter's responsibility
to make sure that he/she is in a legal area while hunting. A good
topographic map of the area including land status is recommended.
Other areas that deer occur in Unit 42 include the Vulture Mountains
just south of Wickenburg. Access to the Vultures from Wickenburg
is west on Highway 60 to the Vulture Mine road. Turn south and follow
this paved road about 3 miles until you reach a dirt road intersection
at Vulture Peak road. Vulture Peak road has several side roads that
intersect it in its route through the Vulture Mountains and any of
these side roads will lead you into a good area to begin your scouting.
The mountainous portions of Unit 42 in and around the Big Horn and
Belmont Mountain ranges are other good areas to hunt. Access to these
ranges is from Interstate 10. Take Interstate 10 west to 339th Avenue
and go north to Indian School Road. Turn and proceed west for about
2 miles to the intersection of Indian School and 355th Avenue. Turn
north and drive about 10 miles and you will be in the heart of the
Belmont Mountain range. Again find a good side road that leads into
the mountains and spend lots of time scouting the area. Access to
the Bighorn Mountains is again from Interstate 10 west to Burnt Mountain.
You can drive north until reaching the Hummingbird Springs Wilderness
area. At that point all motorized travel is prohibited, and hunting
must be done on horseback or on foot only. As in most areas, deer
are most active during the earliest and latest periods of the day,
so be prepared to get up when it is still dark and return to camp
at dark.
Overview:
Dove hunting opportunities in Unit
42 are wide spread. Dove are found
throughout the unit in varying numbers
and hunting pressure varies accordingly.
Agricultural areas with barley stubble
or similar food sources offer excellent
dove hunting but usually have very
high hunting pressure. Check with the
local landowner before hunting on or
around a farm to be sure that the owner
doesn't mind having you hunt there.
The presence of other hunters does
not automatically grant you permission
to hunt. Stock tanks offer good hunting
opportunity with less hunting pressure,
and hunting the open desert will provide
a hunter with a unique experience of
little or no hunting competition but
fewer available dove. The late hunt
starting in mid-November (check regulations
for specific dates) offers a good dove
hunting opportunity that is often overlooked.
Typically there are fewer doves in
the late season, but proper scouting
can result in a hunt that is similar
to the heavy dove flights found in
the early hunt without the crowds.
Areas: The Buckeye, Arlington, Tonopah and Palo Verde areas have
plenty of agricultural areas that each year produce fantastic dove
flights. Again checking with the local farmer prior to hunting these
areas will keep you out of trouble. Remember that it is unlawful
to discharge a firearm within ¼ mile of an occupied building.
Unit 42 has several stock tanks located throughout the unit. Dove
flights at these tanks fluctuate and require some pre-scouting to
locate desirable areas. A day or two prior to the start of the season
should suffice. Locate these many stock tanks by using topographical
maps and simply drive out to them prior to the season and watch for
doves. Look for doves watering in mid-morning for the early hunt
and late afternoon for the late hunt.
Hunting the open desert is a much tougher hunt, and a hunter may
not fill his dove limit in the half-day hunt. The advantage is that
finding an area (usually associated with a wash) that has some dove
flights yields a hunt that will offer the hunters the area to themselves.
This is a great way to introduce new, young hunters to the sport
of hunting and the safety level is highly increased.
Important Notes: Traditionally many hunters have thought nothing
of shooting doves and leaving all their empty shotgun shells on the
ground. This creates an unsightly situation and is littering. Please
pick up and take home all your shotgun shells when you leave your
hunting area.
Each year the Arizona Game and Fish Department responds to endless
compliant calls about dove hunters shooting to close to homes, businesses
etc. The law states that you must be at least 1/4 mile away from
these areas while hunting.
An easy way to turn a non-hunter into an anti-hunter is to litter
while hunting or to shoot near someone's home or property without
their permission. A little common sense and common courtesy will
keep our hunting privilege alive and well.
Overview:
Quail hunting opportunities in Unit
42 are ample during years when good
winter rains produce good quail numbers.
The significant amount of rain Arizona
received last winter has resulted in
lots of available forage for quail
this year. Several coveys of recently
hatched birds were observed this spring
and the quail hunt this fall has the
potential to be good one. Quail numbers
are not as high as the early 1980's,
but they have increased and hunters
should notice an improvement. Concentrate
hunting efforts in desert washes where
quail have the forage and shelter they
enjoy. Another good bet is to look
for mesquite trees that are adjacent
to a perennial water source and you
should find good quail hunting nearby.
Summer rains have produced a lot of
new plant growth and having a good
bird dog will help.
Areas: The highest density quail populations in Unit 42 tend to occur
in the Vulture Mountains that are located just south of Wickenburg.
To access the Vultures from Wickenburg, take Highway 60 west to the
Vulture Mine road. Turn south and follow this road approximately
2-3 miles to the intersection of the Vulture Peak Road. The Vulture
Peak Road has many side roads that all offer access into good quail
habitat. Jackrabbit Wash runs through the central portion of Unit
42 and offers good quail hunting along its entire length. Many quail
were observed using Jackrabbit Wash and other desert washes this
spring to rear their young and many birds remain in the washes throughout
the year.
Quail hunting in the lower desert portions of the unit is more challenging.
Again finding a water source with nearby mesquite trees and washes
will improve your chances of finding quail. A well-trained pointing
dog can be priceless when hunting quail. Listen for quail calls and
be prepared to be surprised by breaking coveys while walking toward
the calls.
Overview:
Waterfowl hunting opportunity in Unit
42 is limited almost exclusively to
jump- shooting stock tanks. There are
few areas that are conducive to hunting
with decoys, however some of the larger
and more remote tanks can sometimes
work well with decoys.
Areas: Many of the tanks in the unit that offer good waterfowl hunting
are in the northern portion of the unit in the Divide Mountains north
and west of Wickenburg and in the northern portion of the Vulture
Mountains. Acquiring topographic maps of these areas and identifying
tanks that are close to each other should produce several good jump-shooting
waterfowl routes. Access to these stock tanks is sometimes confusing
with the many roads in the area but a good topographic map will help.
Most of these tanks are on public land but prior to hunting, ensure
that if any tank you intend to hunt lies on private land, you contact
the landowner and obtain permission before your hunt. Plan hunting
trips after winter storms have moved through states to the north
of Arizona. These storms often bring new birds to our state.
500
Early
125 Muzzleloader (Combined with 40, 41, 42)
Javelina
1200
Archery
Climate
Information
Month
Ave.
Temp
Ave.
Rainfall
January
Max
66°/Min 36°
0.75"
February
Max
71°/Min 40°
0.75"
September
Max
99°/Min 66°
0.60"
October
Max
89°/Min 55°
0.25"
November
Max
74°/Min 43°
0.50"
December
Max
67°/Min 37°
0.50"
Other
Pertinent Climate Information Portions
of the unit are remote
and water scarce,
so bring along maps
and extra water and
equipment for a safe
trip.
Cities,
Roads & Campgrounds
Major
Cities and Towns in or Near Game
Management Unit and Nearest Gas,
Food, and Lodging Wickenburg,
Buckeye, Phoenix
Major
Highways and Roads Leading To From
the East: I-10, U.S. Hwy 60, State
Hwy 74 From
the West: I-10, U.S.
Hwy 60
From the North: U.S. Hwy 93, State Hwy 71, 89
From the South: I-10, State Hwy 85
Developed
Campgrounds White
Tank Mountains Regional
Park (showers, no
hookups)
Undeveloped
Campgrounds Camping
is allowed on Bureau
of Land Management
lands throughout
the unit.
Brief
Description of Terrain, Elevation,
and Vegetation
Terrain consists primarily of flat to gently rolling desert
plains interspersed with several abruptly rising mountain ranges.
Elevations range from 1,000' along the Hassayampa River (intermittent
flows) to 4,018' feet in the White Tank Mountains. Vegetation
is generally characterized by lower Sonoran desertscrub with
large areas of upper Sonoran desertscrub on the Vulture, Bighorn,
Belmont, and White Tank mountains. Small areas of semi-desert
grassland are found on all ranges and patches of chaparral
on the White Tanks.
Government
Agencies and Phone Numbers Arizona
Game and Fish Department, Region
IV - 928 342-0091
Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix Field Office - 602 580-5500
Maricopa County Parks, White Tanks - 602 935-2505
Hassayampa Nature Preserve - 928 684-2772
