Hunting

Game Management Unit 35B

Species within this unit:

Antelope, Black Bear, Javelina, Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer, Mountain Lion, Dove, Quail, Rabbit, Ducks, Tree Squirrel, Predators and Furbearers

Unit Boundaries

Beginning at Grand Avenue at the U.S.-Mexico border in Nogales; east along the U.S.-Mexico border to Lochiel Rd.; north on the Lochiel Rd. to Patagonia San Rafael Rd.; north on the Patagonia San Rafael Rd. to San Rafael Valley-FS 58 Rd.; north on the San Rafael Valley-FS 58 Rd. to Christian Ln.; north on the Christian Ln. to Ranch Rd.; east and north on the Ranch Rd. to FR 799-Canelo Pass Rd.; northeasterly on FR 799-Canelo Pass Rd. to AZ Hwy 83; northwesterly on the AZ Hwy 83 to Elgin Canelo Rd.; north on the Elgin Canelo Rd. to Upper Elgin Rd.; north on the Upper Elgin Rd. to AZ Hwy 82; southwest on AZ Hwy 82 to Grand Avenue; southwest on Grand Avenue to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Access: Important access announcement – Access into Red Rock Canyon via Red Rock Canyon Road (FSR 138) was locked mid-September 2017; access required driving across private property on the Byrum Ranch.  This closure is legal.  The locked gate is located at 31.550103, -110.711865.  Hunters wishing to access this area must hike in from alternative locations, including the Arizona Trail on Harshaw Road (just south of the Red Rock Canyon Road turnoff), or from the eastern side of the canyon off of the Papago Springs Road (FSR 636) or Vaughn Loop Road.  Access into Meadow Valley and Bog Hole Wildlife Area via FSR 765 was locked mid-July 2018; access required driving across private property on the Vaca Ranch.  This closure is legal.  The locked gate is located at 31.460138, -110.650745.  Hunters wishing to access this area must hike in across USFS property from the Patagonia-San Rafael Valley Road (FSR 58), or can hike in from the northern end from Vaughn Loop Road.  Hunters are reminded to respect private property rights while the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Forest Service work to create alternative public access routes. More access information

Species Information

Antelope

Overview: Due to drastic declines in the population, pronghorn permits were continuously reduced until finally the hunt was closed after the 2011 season.  The Arizona Game and Fish Department immediately began taking intensive management actions, including translocating pronghorn into the area, improving habitat, reducing coyote numbers during the pronghorn fawning season, and modifying fences to increase connectivity.  The pronghorn population is rebounding and pronghorn are once again roaming the Sonoita Plains and San Rafael Valley in large herds.  The healthy population can now support hunting, and limited numbers of permits are being offered beginning with the 2016 hunting season.  Pronghorn permits are offered for GMUs 35A and 35B combined due to the unit boundary running centrally through the area’s pronghorn habitat.

Hunting pronghorn requires finding a good vantage point from which to scan the grasslands for pronghorn bucks.  Pronghorn will typically be active through most of the day, but may bed down occasionally, especially if it gets hot; sometimes they will seek shade under a lone tree on the plains.  Once a buck is located, many hunters will crawl through the tall grass or use decoys to sneak in close enough for a shot.  Many of the pronghorn in GMUs 35A and 35B are near residential areas.  Use extra caution when harvesting pronghorn with a rifle, and always be sure of what is beyond your target; a stray bullet can travel quite a distance.

Area: GMUs 35A and 35B contain two pronghorn populations.  The northern population is located southeast of Sonoita and occupies the Sonoita Plains around Elgin.  The southern population is located in the San Rafael Valley just north of the Mexican border.  The majority of the pronghorn in the San Rafael Valley will summer on private property that is closed to hunting, and herds on public land can be difficult to find.  Pronghorn hunting opportunity in the area is primarily found in the northern population.  Pronghorn can be found on State Trust Land and Bureau of Land Management land north/northwest of Elgin in what is known as the Davis Pasture, and occasionally east of Elgin Road.  However, most of the herds are located on the Rose Tree Ranch and the Babacomari Ranch.  Access will need to be granted by the Ranch Manager before hunting the Babacomari Ranch (see Access section above).

Black Bear

Overview: The bear population in GMU 35A appears to be stable, as individuals of all age classes are regularly harvested.  Hunting bears with firearms is limited to a nonpermit (over-the-counter) hunt in the spring, while archers have a dedicated permit (draw) hunt in the summer and a non-permit hunt in the fall.  Bears cannot be pursued with dogs during the spring and summer hunts, because many of the sows will have small cubs.

Permits for bear hunts are issued for GMUs 35A and 35B combined.  In the spring, bears will be leaving their dens at higher elevations and will be looking to replenish their fat reserves by consuming tender grasses.  Locate bears by identifying damp areas and southern exposures where young, green grasses may be abundant.  Also search canyon bottoms for fresh bear tracks and scat.  Glassing slopes from a high vantage point can help hunters find bears feeding on young plants.  As the summer rolls around and smaller water sources dry up, bears will be looking for larger, more permanent water sources.  If there are no high-elevation springs in the area, this may bring bears down from higher elevations in search of ponds, creeks, and stock tanks.  Hunters should focus on scouting areas with water and looking for bear sign at springs and tanks.  Bears will continue to use canyon bottoms to travel as they seek food, shade, and water.  Bears can sometimes be called in using predator calls, and several turkey hunters have reported bears coming in to their turkey calls.

All bear hunters must contact an Arizona Game and Fish Department office in person or by telephone at 1-800-970-BEAR (2327) within 48 hours of taking a bear.  The hunter shall provide his or her name, hunting license number, telephone number, tag number, sex of the bear, and GMU where the bear was taken.  Within 10 days of taking a bear, the hunter (or his or her designee) must present the bear’s skull and hide with attached proof of sex to a designated Arizona Game and Fish Department employee for inspection; this is most easily done by coordinating with the nearest Department regional office.  If the skull is frozen, it should be defrosted prior to presenting it for inspection.  The mouth of the bear will need to be able to be opened because a premolar tooth will be removed from the skull.  Likewise, if the hide is frozen, ensure that the attached proof of sex is accessible and identifiable.  Remember: black bears are big game animals and thus allowing the meat to go to waste is a violation.  Once a certain number of black bear sows have been harvested, the hunt will be closed for the season.  It is imperative that black bear hunters call the bear hotline listed above, or visit our website prior to going on a hunt. 

Area: Hunting bears in GMUs 35A and 35B is challenging and typically requires ample preseason scouting.  Popular waters may have multiple bear hunters monitoring them with game cameras, and the bear hunter that takes the time to find and explore high-elevation springs, backcountry drainages, and lesser-known waters will have less competition and likely be more successful.  Some areas to start in GMU 35A include Brown, Carr, Miller, Hunter, and Ash Canyons on the east side of the Huachuca Mountains.  These canyons can be accessed from Highway 90 on the western edge of Sierra Vista, however Carr Canyon is the only canyon with a road that extends up to the top of the mountains.  On the southwestern side of the Huachucas, consider Brushy, Korn, Scotia, Sunnyside, Ida-Oversight, and Copper Canyons.  These canyons are accessible from Highway 83 north of Parker Canyon Lake, and Montezuma Canyon Road (FSR 61 and FSR 48) south of Parker Canyon Lake, and have numerous springs that should hold bears even during drier times.  The boundary for GMUs 35A and 35B runs through the Canelo Hills, which can be accessed off Canelo Pass Road from Highway 83 south of Sonoita.  Stock tanks and areas with numerous manzanita bushes will hold bears.  For bears in GMU 35B, take Highway 82 to Patagonia and then turn onto Harshaw Road.  Follow Harshaw Road south into the Patagonia Mountains, where numerous spur roads will get you into deep canyons and prime bear habitat.  Good areas include Flux Canyon, Solider Basin, and Ux Road.

Javelina

Overview:Javelina populations in GMU 35B are doing well after a few years of decent rains, and hunting opportunities include spring general and handgun/archery/muzzleloader seasons, in addition to multi-unit youth and archery seasons.  There are no fall javelina hunts in GMU 35B.

Locating javelina can be difficult due to their small size, and spending time glassing for herds from a good vantage point can be an excellent way to find them.  Glass east-facing slopes and sunny bottoms in the mornings, as javelina will often begin feeding in warmer areas during these times.  During mid-day, javelina are often bedded under trees and bushes.  Often one or two javelina will be moving around while the others are snoozing close-by.  In the evenings, follow the sun to the south- and west-facing slopes where the javelina will feed as they return to their bedding sites.  Javelina are gregarious and typically travel in herds containing several animals.  If you see one javelina, carefully scan the surrounding area for additional javelina feeding or bedded in the brush.  Another good technique for hunting javelina is to locate their home ranges by walking through likely habitat and looking for bedding sites, droppings, and tracks.  Shredded prickly pear and agave plants and patches of freshly disturbed soil are good indications that javelina have been feeding and rooting up tubers.  It is also common to hear or smell javelina if they are noisily feeding nearby.  While javelina have relatively poor eyesight, they have excellent noses and will scatter in the blink of an eye if they detect an unfamiliar scent.  Be sure to check wind direction before beginning a stalk on a javelina, and it is sometimes possible to sneak up quite close.  Javelina remain active throughout most of the day during the cooler January season, however in late February and March they may begin to feed mostly early in the morning, at dusk, or even at night to avoid the heat of the day.  Once you have identified an area that javelina are using, it can be possible to locate javelina there year after year as they are territorial animals that maintain home ranges of a few square miles.

If you successfully harvest a javelina, field dress it as soon as possible.  Do not attempt to remove the scent gland, located along the spine above the hips.  Instead, skin the animal and the scent gland will come off with the skin.  Carefully wash the meat and remove all loose hair to prevent scent from tainting the meat.

Area: Hunting javelina in GMU 35B will be more successful with pre-season scouting.  The Red Rock and Lampshire Canyon areas contain numerous herds of javelina, however the predominately oak-juniper woodlands in the mid-elevations can be difficult to hunt due to the thick vegetation and overstory.  Glass the grassier portions for herds, especially when yuccas and agaves are present.  The numerous southwest-facing finger ridges northeast of Candelerio Peak and Lampshire Canyon are prime javelina habitat for those willing to brave steep slopes of shindagger yuccas and acacia.  Hunters can access the southern and western Red Rock area from Patagonia by hiking in on the west from Harshaw Road via the Arizona Trail.  Hunters looking to access the Candelerio area are better suited coming from the east on Papago Springs Road/FSR 636 and Vaughn Loop Road (from Highway 83 south of Sonoita).  Other more desert-like portions of the unit and riparian areas will also hold higher densities of javelina and will allow for better visibility.  The Three R/Paloma Road loop will take you through canyons and ridges that contain good numbers of javelina, and additional roads will get you into good javelina country all the way down through Providencia Canyon.  The area can be accessed from Highway 82 via the East Three R road/FSR 215 south of Patagonia, or from Paloma Road/FSR 235 just north of the Nogales International airport.  Providencia Canyon and the surrounding javelina country can be accessed from Duquesne Road off Highway 82 north of Nogales; numerous USFS roads going north from Duquesne can get you into herds.

Mule Deer

Overview: Mule deer hunting opportunity in GMU 35B is fair; the mule deer population is small and herds are very localized.  Mule deer hunting in GMU 35B is limited to muzzleloader hunts for any antlered deer, and over-the-counter archery.  Muzzleloader tags are offered as dual unit tags for GMUs 35A and 35B, because most of the mule deer habitat straddles the unit boundary.

Mule deer will be located in the grasslands and more desert-like areas, where they have greater visibility.  During years with high mast production, mule deer may concentrate in or near oak woodlands to forage on the acorns.  Scout for your mule deer hunt pre-season to locate areas herds are utilizing.  Finding a good vantage point and glassing the grasslands in the mornings is a good start, but don’t forget to scan the oak draws and slopes around the grassy mesas and plains.  Mule deer will often bed down in the shade during midday.  Mule deer tend to be more gregarious than white-tailed deer, so take the time to search for additional deer once you locate a buck you are interested in harvesting.  Sneaking up on a herd of deer is more difficult than sneaking up on just one.  If you spook a buck, however, you may not want to call off the stalk just yet; mule deer will often run for 50-100 meters before stopping to turn around and check out whatever it was that startled them.  This may provide the broadside shot you have been waiting for.

White-tailed deer occupy the range of the mule deer, so use extra caution if hunting in mule deer habitat with a white-tailed deer tag.  Be sure of the species of deer before you attempt to harvest it, especially if you have a whitetail tag.  Familiarize yourself with the differences between white-tailed deer and mule deer before you go into the field for your hunt.  Mule deer will typically be larger-bodied with large ears, a narrow white black-tipped tail, forked antlers, a dark brow patch, and oblong metatarsal scent glands on the outsides of their lower legs.  White-tailed deer will be smaller with relatively smaller ears, a wide brown tail with fluffy white underside, branched antlers, white halos around the eyes, and small round metatarsal scent glands on the outsides of their lower legs.

Area: Mule deer are scattered throughout GMUs 35A and 35B in pockets.  Mule deer can be found on public land in Meadow Valley, on the north end of the San Rafael Valley, which can be accessed by taking Harshaw Road off of Highway 82 in Patagonia and then continuing on the San Rafael Valley Road/FSR 58.  Turn north at the Mowry/FSR 214 junction.  Mule deer are also located in the San Rafael Valley and along the Mexico/Arizona border, however most of the valley is private and hunters will need to contact landowners for permission to access their property.  Herds of mule deer are scattered throughout the Canelo Hills, which can be accessed by taking Highway 83 south of Sonoita towards the Black Oak Cemetery area.  Additionally, there are mule deer in the grasslands south of Sonoita, however most of these are also on private land (including the Babacomari Ranch), so permission will need to be obtained by hunters for access.  Head south into the Mustang Mountains (from Highway 82) to find mule deer herds scattered in the foothills.  Pockets of mule deer are located in the grasslands and desert areas between the Huachuca Mountains and the San Pedro River.  Consult a land ownership map (see Access section above) to identify public lands in these areas, and consult the land management agencies for special rules (portions of the San Pedro River National Conservation Area, for example, are closed to discharge of firearms).

White-tailed Deer

Overview: White-tailed deer hunting throughout GMU 35B is good, and there are multiple general, muzzleloader, and archery seasons available to the whitetail hunter.  The whitetail population has been stable or increasing for several years, largely due to good precipitation and forage conditions.

Whether you’re hunting for a tender spike to fill the freezer, or looking for a GMU 35B buck, you’ll need patience to harvest one of these elusive deer.  The Coues whitetail (pronounced “cows”) is the only species of whitetail in Arizona.  Coues whitetail are exceptionally small, and bucks rarely weigh more than 100 pounds.  These elusive deer are known for vanishing into the brush, earning the nickname “the gray ghost.”  Like any hunt, scouting prior to the season will greatly increase your chances of harvesting a buck, and is vital if you’re after a trophy buck.  Whitetail do not spend much time out in the open, therefore it is important to find a vantage point from which to glass the steep oak-juniper woodlands that these deer prefer.  Get to your glassing point before first light and prepare to stay out after dark, as whitetail are most active at first light and at dusk.  During the day, whitetail will feed in between naps in shaded bed sights.  Prepare to be glassing for hours.  Spend extra time on the densely-vegetated, north-facing slopes.  It is not uncommon to scan a slope for an entire day before finally seeing a deer step out from behind a bush that you already looked at a dozen times.  There are whitetail in the lower, flatter areas, however they can be more difficult to locate in the oak flatlands.  Sitting waters may work well during dry periods, however much of the year there are abundant water sources that the deer may utilize.  Identifying trails, saddle crossings, and natural funnels may stack the odds in your favor.

During the early archery season, glass from high vantage points at first light to look for bucks feeding in the cooler temperatures.  Once it begins to warm, the bucks will likely bed and this will be your chance to attempt a stalk.

Whitetail will usually be in the lower elevations and foothills during the October general hunt.  Deer will still be most active in early mornings and evenings as these hunts are still fairly warm, however the deer may go to water and forage in bouts in the middle of the day.

By the November hunts, the bucks will be working their way up the mountains in preparation for the rut.  Look for them towards the tops of densely-vegetated slopes, and expect them to be a little more active during the day as temperatures cool.

Whitetail will be more active for longer periods of time during the December hunts.  The younger bucks will begin to hang out with the does, but the mature bucks may still be tucked into dense brush nearby.

By the January archery hunt, the mature bucks will be more active chasing does as the rut typically begins in the middle of the months.  While locating the bucks may be easier due to their higher activity level, the bucks may be moving during your stalk and may be difficult to locate as you close the distance.  Additionally, be alert to other bucks bedded in the area.  Grunt calls and rattling may help lure a buck to you.

White-tailed deer occupy the range of the mule deer, so use extra caution if hunting in mule deer habitat with a white-tailed deer tag.  Be sure of the species of deer before you attempt to harvest it, especially if you have a whitetail tag.  Familiarize yourself with the differences between white-tailed deer and mule deer before you go into the field for your hunt.  Mule deer will typically be larger-bodied with large ears, a narrow white black-tipped tail, forked antlers, a dark brow patch, and oblong metatarsal scent glands on the outsides of their lower legs.  White-tailed deer will be smaller with relatively smaller ears, a wide brown tail with fluffy white underside, branched antlers, white halos around the eyes, and small round metatarsal scent glands on the outsides of their lower legs.

Area: Whitetail can be located throughout GMU 35B, and are especially abundant in the Patagonia Mountains and Canelo Hills where Madrean oak-woodland habitat is dominant.  While the deer are numerous, hunters willing to hike away from main roads will be rewarded by less competition from other hunters.  The Patagonia Mountains can be accessed on the west side by taking Highway 82 south through Patagonia and then heading east on roads like Three R/FSR 215, Paloma/FSR 235, and Duquesne (Duquesne will also provide access to the southern end of the range).  The east side of the Patagonia Mountains can be accessed by taking Highway 82 to Patagonia and then heading east (and eventually south) on Harshaw Road.  There are large numbers of USFS roads coming off of Harshaw that will afford hunters the opportunity to spread out and glass up some whitetail all the way down to the border.  The Canelo Hills are accessed from Highway 83 south of Sonoita via the Papago Springs/FSR 636 road or the Vaughn Loop Road, but be careful about unit boundaries in the southern portion; the Canelo Pass Road is the boundary between GMUs 35A and 35B and bisects great whitetail habitat.

Turkey

Overview: The Gould’s turkey is one of the gems of southeastern Arizona.  Wiped out from the U.S. a hundred years ago, Gould’s turkeys were reintroduced into GMUs 35A and 35B starting in the early-1980s.  From those first flocks brought up from Mexico, the population is now flourishing throughout their historic range in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.  Annual intensive foot surveys count hundreds of the tall ground-dwelling birds, which are now sustainably hunted in small numbers.  The Gould’s turkey is the largest subspecies of turkey and they are uniquely tied to large drainages in Madrean oak-woodland and pine-dominated habitats.  Hunters can locate flocks by identifying roost areas, often characterized by large oaks, sycamores, or pines with droppings and feathers underneath.  Finding roost trees and nearby water sources provides opportunity to catch these birds as they come off the roost and head for a morning drink and snack.  It is not uncommon to see Gould’s traveling great distances out in open grassy areas, putting their long legs to use, as they move from one roosting or feeding location to another.  Gould’s turkeys are not generally as skittish as Merriam’s turkeys, and they are quite vocal.  This combination of traits, in conjunction with their sheer size and bold white tail fan markings, makes for an exciting hunting opportunity for those lucky enough to draw one of these coveted tags.

Area: Gould’s turkeys can be located throughout the Canelo Hills and Patagonia Mountains in GMU 35B.  Hunters should scout pre-season, looking for tracks and scat and listening for feeding hen sounds.  Some turkeys are located in the Papago Springs/FSR 636 area south of Sonoita, however they are more abundant in the canyons off of Harshaw Road south of Patagonia and down to Duquesne Road near the border or over off FSR 58 on the way to the San Rafael Valley.  Turkeys are regularly seen where FSR 58 splits from Harshaw Road, and can be located on public land along FSR 58 towards San Rafael Valley.  Corral and Willow Springs Canyons are known to hold flocks in this area.  Heading down Harshaw instead will take the hunter through the heart of Gould’s country in 35B.  Flocks can be located around Paymaster Spring off Harshaw, Apache Tank (off the Mowry 214/Apache Springs road), and down in Finley and Adams Canyon where Harshaw intersects with Duquesne Road.

Dove

Overview: Dove concentrations are dependent on summer moisture and timing.  If rains occur early enough to produce vegetation consisting of seed heads, and puddles dry up leaving scattered waterholes, then dove concentrations are good throughout feeding and watering areas.  Both mourning and whitewing dove occur, but the majority of whitewings fly south prior to fall hunts. Mourning doves are located around water holes surrounded by mesquite thickets, low lying grassy areas and abandoned or active agricultural fields.  Find a favorite tank in a grassy area with a few trees and wait for the doves to fly in the morning and evening hours.  Decoys can be helpful, especially if hunting midday.  Additionally, Eurasian collared doves are becoming increasingly abundant around human-occupied areas and provide a year-round unlimited dove hunting opportunity (be careful not to violate the 1/4-mile restriction on using a firearm to take wildlife near structures).  Be sure to pick up spent shotgun shell hulls and to clean birds in a discrete area.  Littering while hunting is a revocable offense.  Additionally, one fully feathered wing must be left attached to each dove carcass until it reaches its final destination, and hunters should be mindful of changing bag limits for the different species.

Area: As with all hunting, scouting prior to the season will greatly enhance your success.  Doves will vary their feeding and roosting locations based on forage availability.  Tanks out in the rolling grasslands with oak-filled draws will hold the best dove populations in GMU 35B.  Many such tanks can be located in the rolling hills in the southwestern portion of the unit, and can be accessed from Highway 82 via the Three R/FSR 215 and Paloma/FSR 235 roads.  Additional opportunity exists in the mesquite grasslands off Duquesne Road east of Nogales.

Quail

Overview: All three species of quail can be located in GMU 35B, however Mearns’ quail are the most numerous.  Gambel’s and scaled quail will be in more desert-like and grassier habitat; scaled quail are especially tied to grassland habitat.  Mearns’ quail prefer Madrean oak-woodland habitat with grassland interspersed.  Quail populations fluctuate with rainfall patterns; Gambel’s and scaled quail are more reliant on winter rains that produce good spring forage for chicks, while Mearns’ quail are more tied to summer rains that affect availability of tubers and acorn mast.  Gambel’s and scaled quail can be hunted without a dog in areas where their populations are higher.  Walk around through the area looking and listening for coveys.  Mearns’ quail are better suited for hunting with a good bird dog because they tend to sit tight and quietly until you just about step on them.  A well-trained dog will point out a covey for you, but be quick!  Mearns’ are known for sneaking off from a dog on point by quietly walking through the grass.  The different species open on different dates and have different bag limits, so read the regulations before you go!  You also must leave a fully feathered wing, head, or leg with foot on each quail carcass until it reaches its final destination.  Also, be sure to pick up your spent shotgun shell hulls (and any others you find).  Littering while hunting is a revocable offense.

Areas: Gambel’s and scaled quail can be located in lower-elevation areas, such as Meadow Valley, or in the mesquite grasslands northeast of Nogales.  Meadow Valley can be accessed from Highway 82 by taking Harshaw Road through Patagonia and then taking the Patagonia-San Rafael Valley Road/FSR 58 east to FSR 765.  The mesquite grasslands around Nogales can be accessed from Highway 82 by taking the Duquesne Road east.  Mearns’ quail can be found throughout the unit wherever oaks are present, and are especially abundant from 4,500-6,000 feet in elevation.  Find coveys in the rolling oaky draws in Papago Springs by taking Papago Springs/FSR 636 off Highway 83 south of Sonoita, or hit the rollers and the steeper country around Cox Gulch off the Three R/FSR 215 road from Highway 82 south of Patagonia.  Taking Harshaw Road from Highway 82 through Patagonia and heading south will put you in some good Mearns’ country if you then take FSR 58 east up towards to the San Rafael Valley, or if you follow Harshaw down towards the border and hunt the dense canyons and slopes around Washington Camp.

Ducks

Overview: Hunting ducks in GMU 35B is best done with the aid of a good topographic map and satellite images.  Locating ducks in the unit typically requires locating dirt cattle tanks and marshy areas.  There is a large variety of waterfowl that visits southeastern Arizona, so it is important that you familiarize yourself with identifying ducks on the water and on the wing because bag limits will vary by species.  Also remember that only steel shot is legal for taking waterfowl, and you must pick up your shotgun shell hulls.  Littering while hunting is a revocable offense.  Be sure to check the waterfowl regulation pamphlet each year, and remember that a fully feathered wing must remain attached to each carcass until it reaches its final destination.

Area: Pre-season scouting can be critical for waterfowl hunting, as some tanks may periodically go dry.  Bog Hole Wildlife Area is a great place to start for duck hunting in the unit.  It can be accessed by taking Harshaw Road east from Highway 82 in Patagonia and then taking the Patagonia-San Rafael/FSR 58 road up into the San Rafael Valley.  Heading north at the FSR 765 road and then going right at the fork will take you right to the wildlife area.  FSR 765, however, is currently locked, so hunters should be prepared to hike in from FSR 58.  There are dirt tanks on the way that will also hold ducks.  Other dirt tanks can be located on public lands in the San Rafael Valley and may hold ducks during season.  The intrepid hunter can also locate additional tanks throughout the unit, such as in the grasslands east of Highway 82 and north of the Nogales International airport, and may be rewarded by finding a new hot spot that year.

Rabbits, Tree Squirrels and Other Small Game

Overview: Cottontails and jackrabbits in GMU 35B provide year-round delicious opportunity to hone your hunting and game processing skills.  Cottontails can be located anywhere there is green up of vegetation and good ground cover, and are found at a range of elevations in the unit.  Jackrabbits are slightly more picky, preferring the lower country that is a little more open.

GMU 35B provides limited opportunity for hunting tree squirrels.  Hunters should look for major riparian areas in mountain drainages containing sycamores and cottonwoods, especially with nearby stands of mature pine tree species.  While hunting Arizona gray tree squirrels in the unit may be tough, it is certain to take you through some beautiful country.  If squirrels are your game of choice, you also have the option of taking ground squirrels.  GMU 35B has a healthy ground squirrel population, and they can often be found in rocky areas on slopes in Madrean oak woodland areas.  Glass rocky outcroppings and listen for their alarm chirps.

While not technically considered small game, coati are abundant in GMU 35B and riparian areas and steep drainages provide opportunity to harvest this unique mammal.  The females and juveniles will travel in large troops, feeding on invertebrates, fruits, and other items they find on the ground with their sensitive noses.  Adult males tend to be larger and solitary.  The bag limit is one coati per calendar year.

Areas: Small game opportunities abound in GMU 35B.  Both cottontails and jackrabbits can be found in great abundance in the grassy rollers off the Three R/FSR 215-Paloma Rd/FSR 235 loop south of Patagonia.  Tree squirrels are more plentiful in riparian drainages in the Patagonia Mountains, and are probably best accessed by exploring canyons off of Harshaw Road out of Patagonia.  Coatis can be located in many of the same places as tree squirrels and prefer riparian areas and large dense drainages; they’re often observed in the numerous canyons off Harshaw Road from Patagonia to Duquesne Road near the border.

Lions, Predators and Furbearers

Overview: Healthy prey populations means GMU 35B holds good numbers of lions, predators, and furbearers throughout the unit.  Bobcats, foxes, raccoons, and ringtails are plentiful and offer different seasons throughout the year, while coyotes and skunks provide year-round opportunity; none of these species require permits.  Mountain lion permits can be obtained over-the-counter, however the season closes during the summer months and once the lion harvest quota has been reached.  Be sure to check the regulations for specific seasons.  Hunting lions, predators, and furbearers can be thrilling, especially when using predator calling techniques.  Be sure to take a camera because you never know what show up to your call!  Every year some hunters get lucky enough to see and harvest a lion while predator calling or simply being out in the field, however most lions are harvested with the use of hounds.

Hunters interested in trapping must obtain a trapping license and abide by additional regulations; a specific pamphlet of trapping regulations is available to provide quick access to this information.

All lion hunters must contact an Arizona Game and Fish Department office in person or by telephone at 1-877-438-0447 within 48 hours of taking a lion.  The hunter shall provide his or her name, hunting license number, telephone number, tag number, sex of the lion, and GMU where the lion was taken.  Within 10 days of taking a lion, the hunter (or his or her designee) must present the lion’s skull and hide with attached proof of sex to a designated Arizona Game and Fish Department employee for inspection; this is most easily done by coordinating with the nearest Department regional office.  If the skull is frozen, it should be defrosted prior to presenting it for inspection.  The mouth of the lion will need to be able to be opened because a premolar tooth will be removed from the skull.  Likewise, if the hide is frozen, ensure that the attached proof of sex is accessible and identifiable.  Remember: mountain lions are big game animals and thus allowing the meat to go to waste is a violation.  Once a certain number of lions have been harvested, the hunt will be closed for the season.  It is imperative that mountain lion hunters call the lion hotline listed above, or visit our website prior to going on a hunt.

Area: Coyotes and bobcats thrive in all habitat types, but are likely to be more easily located in the grassier portions of the unit.  The rollers on the Three R/FSR 215-Paloma Road/FSR 235 loop accessed south of Patagonia off Highway 82 would be a good place to start.  Gray foxes and ringtails prefer rockier habitat with more cover and can be located in canyons in the Patagonia Mountains, accessed from Harshaw Road off of Highway 82 in Patagonia.  Another good place for foxes and skunks is the Papago Springs/FSR 636 area accessed from Highway 83 south of Sonoita.  Raccoons are more abundant in riparian areas and around towns, and hunters may find them off Harshaw Road by hiking in where canyons and creeks cross the road.

Those seeking lions will likely want to focus on higher, rockier country and areas with good whitetail populations; locating water sources and major game trails can help identify high-use areas in lion territories.

Climate Information

Other Pertinent Climate Information
Prepare for extreme weather conditions. Due to elevation ranges, temperature levels and weather conditions can change quickly at any time of year. Summer monsoon storms can cause water levels to rise rapidly in washes and streams. Be careful when crossing washes. Pack extra clothing, water, and food.

Cities, Roads & Campgrounds

Major Cities and Towns in or Near Game Management Unit and Nearest Gas, Food, and Lodging
Nogales, Sierra Vista, Patagonia, Sonoita, Tucson

Major Highways and Roads Leading To
From the East: State Hwy 82
From the West: State Hwy 82
From the North: State Hwy 83
From the South: Mexico/U.S. Border

Developed Campgrounds

None in Unit 35B; Parker Canyon Lake campground off Hwy 83 in Unit 35A; Patagonia Lake State Park, north of Hwy 82, in Unit 34B.

Undeveloped Campgrounds

Dispersed camping is allowed on Forest Service administered lands throughout unit. Major camping areas: Harshaw Canyon, south of Patagonia on Forest Road 58; Providencia Canyon, southwest of Nogales off Hwy 82.

Brief Description of Terrain, Elevation, and Vegetation

Terrain is characterized by the gently rising slopes of the Canelo Hills, dropping to rolling hills in the San Rafael Valley, and rising to rocky mountains cut by steep canyons throughout the Patagonia range. Elevations range from approximately 4,200′ at Nogales to 7,220′ on Mt. Washington in the Patagonia Mountains. Vegetation is characterized by oak-juniper woodlands at the higher elevations, bordered by rolling plains grasslands in the San Raphael Valley, and upper Sonoran Desert along the western slopes of the Patagonia Mountains.

Government Agencies and Phone Numbers

Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region V – 520 628-5377
Coronado National Forest, Sierra Vista District – 520 378-0311
Patagonia Lake State Park – 520 287-6965
Sonoita Creek Preserve – 520 394-2400
Ramsey Canyon Preserve – 520 378-2785