Hunting

Game Management Unit 26M

Unit boundary

** Please note that Boundaries for Unit 26M have changed and that hunting within Unit 26M is limited.**

Unit 26M Boundary Description – Beginning at the junction of I-17 and New River Rd. (Exit 232); southwesterly on New River Rd. to AZ Hwy74; westerly on AZ Hwy 74 to U.S. Hwy 93; southeasterly on U.S. Hwy 93 to the Beardsley Canal; southwesterly on the Beardsley Canal to Indian School Rd; west on Indian School Rd. to Jackrabbit Trail; south on Jackrabbit Trail to I-10 (Exit 121); west on I-10 to Oglesby Rd (Exit112); south on Oglesby Rd. to AZ Hwy 85; south on AZ Hwy 85 to the Gila River; northeasterly along the Gila River to the Gila River Indian Community boundary; southeasterly along the Gila River Indian Community boundary to AZ Hwy 347 (John Wayne Parkway); south on AZ Hwy 347 (John Wayne Parkway) to AZ Hwy 84; east on AZ Hwy 84 to Stanfield; south on the Stanfield-Cocklebur Rd. to the Tohono O’odham Nation boundary; easterly along the Tohono O’odham Nation boundary to Battaglia Rd.; east on Battaglia Rd. to Toltec Rd.; north on Toltec Rd. to I-10 (Exit 203); southeasterly on I-10 to AZ Hwy 87 (Exit 211); north on AZ Hwy 87 to AZ Hwy 287 north of Coolidge; east on AZ Hwy 287 to AZ Hwy 79; north on AZ Hwy 79 to U.S. Hwy 60; northwesterly on U.S. Highway 60 to Peralta Rd.; northeasterly along Peralta Rd. to the Tonto National Forest boundary; northwesterly along the Tonto National Forest boundary to the Salt River; northeasterly along the Salt River to the Verde River; northerly along the Verde River to the Tonto National Forest boundary; northwesterly along the Tonto National Forest boundary to Fig Springs Rd.; southwesterly on Fig Springs Rd. to New River Road; west on New River Road to I-17 (Exit 232); except Unit 25M and those portions that are sovereign tribal lands.

Species Information

Javelina

Overview: Unit 26M has an archery-only non-permit or over the counter (OTC) javelina hunt in December, January, and into February (refer to current regulations for exact dates). Note that non-permit tags are valid for a single calendar year, and a new tag would be required starting each January. Javelina hunters in 26M are required to have a valid hunting license and an archery-only nonpermit tag which may be purchased at any licensed dealer or department office. Hunters need to ensure that they are at least ¼ mile from an occupied structure when taking big game even with archery equipment.

Areas: Unit 26M encompasses several incorporated areas including the cities of Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction and Casa Grande and towns of Queen Creek, Florence, Coolidge, Eloy and Maricopa. Hunters need to ensure that they are more than ¼ mile from all occupied structures when hunting. When hunting with modern archery equipment in urban areas hunters need to be especially safety conscious to avoid hunting accidents.

Mountain Lion

Overview: Unit 26M has an archery only mountain lion hunt from late August through May.  Please refer to the current year’s Arizona Game & Fish Department Hunting Regulations for more information regarding open areas, exact season dates, and harvest check out requirements. Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license and a non-permit archery mountain lion tag. Mountain lion tags for Unit 26M can be purchased over the counter at any license dealer or department office. Hunters need to ensure that they are at least ¼ mile from an occupied structure when taking big game even with archery equipment.

Areas:  Unit 26M encompasses several incorporated areas including the cities of Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction and Casa Grande and towns of Queen Creek, Florence, Coolidge, Eloy and Maricopa. Hunters need to ensure that they are more than ¼ mile from all occupied structures when hunting.

Mule Deer

Overview: Unit 26M has an archery only deer hunt in late December and January. Please refer to the current year’s Arizona Game & Fish Department Hunting Regulations for more information regarding open areas. Hunters are required to have a valid hunting license and a non-permit archery deer tag. Archery deer tags for Unit 26M can be purchased over the counter at any license dealer or department office. Hunters need to ensure that they are at least ¼ mile from an occupied structure when taking big game even with archery equipment.

Areas: Unit 26M encompasses several incorporated areas including the cities of Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction and Casa Grande and towns of Queen Creek, Florence, Coolidge, Eloy and Maricopa. Hunters need to ensure they are more than ¼ mile from all occupied structures when hunting. When hunting with modern archery equipment in urban areas hunters need to be especially safety conscious to avoid hunting accidents.

Dove

Overview: U26M has two dove hunts. During the early season, usually September 1-September 15, mourning dove, white-wing dove, and Eurasian collard dove are in season. During the late season, usually mid-November thru early January, only mourning dove and Eurasian collard dove are in season. Refer to the current year’s Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations.

To hunt dove, adults 18 and older must have in their possession a valid Arizona hunting or combination hunt/fish license and an Arizona migratory bird stamp. Youth ages 10-17 must have in their possession a valid youth combination hunt/fish license only (the Arizona migratory bird stamp is included in the youth combo license). Lawful methods for taking dove include: shotgun shooting shot, bow and arrow, falconry, or crossbow and dogs.

Areas: Unit 26M encompasses several incorporated areas including the cities of Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction and Casa Grande and towns of Queen Creek, Florence, Coolidge, Eloy and Maricopa. Hunters need to ensure that they are more than ¼ mile from all occupied structures when hunting.

When it comes to the early dove season, the hot action will typically be near agricultural areas with grain type crops growing or recently cut. While Arizona is well known for its cotton, the state also produces corn, sorghum, melons, barley, and even wheat – all great dove attractants.

However, there are plenty of opportunities to harvest a limit of these aerial acrobats in the open desert. Doves consistently move along natural landscape corridors of brush- and tree-lined washes. Birds will move to and from roosting sites, and food and water throughout the day. Sunrise and dusk are typically the best times to hunt these desert corridors.
Other areas to consider would be along canal systems, around dairies and stock tanks. Google Earth is one means of locating stock tanks and other areas to hunt.

Quail

Overview: Quail season in Unit 26M is usually open from mid to late October until early February. Refer to the current year’s Arizona Game & Fish Department hunting regulations for more information regarding open areas and season dates. Gambel’s Quail can be found throughout the unit. Hunters 18 and older are required to have a valid hunting or combo hunt/fish license. Youth ages 10-17 are required to have a Youth combo hunt/fish license. Lawful methods for taking quail include: shotguns shooting shot, handguns shooting shot, bow and arrow, falconry, and crossbow.

Areas: Unit 26M encompasses several incorporated areas including the cities of Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction and Casa Grande and towns of Queen Creek, Florence, Coolidge, Eloy and Maricopa. Hunters need to ensure that they are more than ¼ mile from all occupied structures when hunting.

Gambel’s quail occupy a wide variety of habitats. Birds often concentrate along desert washes in dense scrubby vegetation and near water sources. Some densely vegetated habitats are difficult to hunt despite good quail numbers, because Gambel’s will run, refusing to fly except behind screening cover. Quail populations are affected by winter precipitation (October through March), so local information on winter rainfall from the previous year narrows the hunter’s search.

Other areas to consider would be areas along canal systems and stock tanks. Google Earth is one means of locating stock tanks and areas to hunt. Remember to be respectful and obtain permission if needed to hunt an area.

Unit Summary

(Archery only, nonpermit-tag required)

Climate Information

Other Pertinent Climate Information
Mild temperatures in winter; extreme heat in summer. Always take along plenty of water. Summer monsoon storms cause flash floods in washes; travel can be difficult.

Cities, Roads & Campgrounds

Major Cities and Towns in or Near Game Management Unit and Nearest Gas, Food, and Lodging
Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Surprise, Sun City, Peoria, Glendale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Avondale

Major Highways and Roads Leading To
From the East: I-10, U.S. 60
From the West: I-10, U.S. 60
From the North: I-17, State Hwy 87
From the South: I-10, State Hwy 87

Developed Campgrounds
None. However, abundance of hotels, restaurants and other amenities in urban area.

Undeveloped Campgrounds
None.

Brief Description of Terrain, Elevation, and Vegetation
Elevations range from 1,000′ to 4,000′. Mostly urban landscape, with outlying areas comprised of lower Sonoran Desert habitat, creosote, mesquite, cacti. Many braided washes.

Government Agencies and Phone Numbers
Arizona Game and Fish Department,
Region VI – 480 981-9400
Arizona Game and Fish Department,
Headquarters – 602 942-3000
Maricopa County Parks – 602 506-2930
Bureau of Land Management,
Arizona State Office – 602 650 0547