Arizona Unit 13B Archery: The Strip

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The Arizona Strip — Units 13A and 13B — is the country every serious western mule deer hunter eventually points toward. Rifle tags in the Strip demand 15 to 20 bonus points for nonresidents, a wait that for many hunters means a decade or more of application cycles. Archery Unit 13B at 8-12 points is the practical alternative: same country, same deer genetics, dramatically shorter point wait, and an archery hunt that rewards skills a bow hunter is likely already developing.

Quick Facts: Unit 13B Archery

Detail	Info
Location	Coconino County, North Rim Arizona between Kaibab and Utah line
Core Habitat	High desert plateau, juniper-pinyon, scattered sage, rim country
Elevation Range	5,000 to 8,000 feet
Typical NR Points — Archery	8–12
Typical NR Points — Rifle	15–20
Archery Season	August through September
Public Land	BLM Arizona Strip + Kaibab NF pockets

Disclaimer: Unit 13B archery hunt numbers vary in draw difficulty. Verify 2026 AGFD Hunt Booklet.

The Strip

The Arizona Strip is the geographic isolation that makes it what it is. The Grand Canyon cuts it off from the rest of Arizona to the south; the Utah border forms its northern boundary; the Colorado River isolates it east and west. That isolation has preserved a deer population with exceptional genetics and limited historical hunting pressure.

Mature bucks from the Strip regularly exceed 200 inches, with the upper end of the population producing 220+ animals. The combination of good habitat, light pressure (by western standards), and genetic isolation creates trophy ceilings that no other Arizona mule deer unit consistently matches.

Unit 13A vs 13B

Unit 13A sits east, closer to the Kaibab and Grand Canyon country. Unit 13B sits west, extending toward the Utah border. Both produce great deer; 13B has historically been the slightly less pressure-laden unit with marginally easier draw odds at comparable quality.

For archery applicants specifically, 13B is the more accessible target.

Why Archery Makes Sense on the Strip

Two reasons. First, the point wait. Rifle 13B demanded 17 points for nonresidents in recent draws; archery 13B drew at 9-11 points. A hunter pulling their first Strip tag via archery is 5-6 years ahead of the rifle alternative.

Second, the experience. Archery season (late August through September) catches deer in velvet and transition. The plateau country in September is cool, beautiful, and occupied by bucks that haven’t seen human pressure in months. Rifle season on the Strip is also incredible, but archery has its own character that rewards the investment.

Access

The Strip is remote. Staging options:

Fredonia, Arizona — small town at the south edge of the Strip, basic services.

Kanab, Utah — full-service town, slightly longer drive but more lodging options.

St. George, Utah — nearest airport with commercial service, 2-hour drive.

Once you’re on the Strip, access is via BLM roads — some maintained, some rough. Four-wheel-drive is recommended.

Archery Tactics on the Strip

Plateau glassing is the primary method. High points along rim country or elevated plateau features give you lines of sight across drainages where bucks travel. Mature bucks hold to cover near canyon breaks and feed in more open country at first and last light.

Archery range from identified bucks is hard-earned. The open country and wind make stalks 400+ yards challenging. Successful Strip archery hunters often spend days observing a target buck before committing to a stalk, learning the buck’s specific patterns and finding the approach window.

Point Strategy

8-9 points: Realistic shot at some Unit 13B archery hunt numbers.

10-11 points: Strong draw probability on most archery hunts.

12+ points: Near-certain archery draw; consider if the rifle wait is worth it.

Use the Point Burn Optimizer for a rigorous look at burn-archery vs. hold-rifle based on your age and horizon.

DIY Versus Outfitter

Strip hunts are commonly outfitted, particularly for first-time applicants. Outfitter services $6,000-$12,000 with established operators offering plateau-country archery with scouting, pack support, and glassing expertise.

DIY Strip archery is viable for experienced western hunters willing to invest 2-3 trips in pre-season scouting. The learning curve is steep; outfitter support on first Strip hunts accelerates it significantly.

If You Draw

Start physical conditioning at least six months out. The plateau is at elevation, terrain is unforgiving, and successful archery stalks require carrying gear across rough country for long days.

Build optics — 18x tripod binoculars and a quality spotting scope are mandatory.

Plan logistics: water, food, shelter for a 7-10 day hunt.

Related Arizona Articles

• Unit 12A Kaibab archery

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 13B really easier than 13A archery? Marginally. Both are premium; 13B typically a point or two lower.

Can I realistically take a 200-inch buck? Realistic target; occasional 210+ animals are possible. Trophy selection is strong on the Strip.

What’s the biggest challenge archery? Closing distance to bowshot range in open country with constant wind.

Best time within season? Late August into early September for velvet bucks; later for more patternable hard-horned bucks.

Camping? BLM dispersed camping is allowed. Bring everything you need — services are minimal.

Can I hunt with a longbow or recurve? Yes — traditional archery is legal. Challenging given distances involved.