Arizona Unit 24A/24B Javelina: Galiuro Mtns

Units 24A and 24B cover the Galiuro Mountains and surrounding desert between the Pinaleño Range and the San Pedro Valley — sky-island country in southeastern Arizona that holds high-density javelina populations in terrain most hunters never see. The draws are easy, the country is spectacular, and the hunts reward anyone willing to trade road access for a few hours of hiking.

Here’s the unit-specific breakdown.

Quick Facts: Units 24A and 24B

Detail	Info
Location	Graham and Cochise counties, southeastern Arizona
Core Habitat	Sky-island oak-chaparral, desert grassland, riparian corridors
Elevation Range	3,500 to 7,600 feet
Primary Species	Javelina (featured), Coues deer, occasional bear
Typical NR Points — Javelina Archery	0–1
Typical NR Points — HAM/General Javelina	0–2
Public Land	Coronado National Forest + BLM dominate

Disclaimer: Unit 24A and 24B have separate hunt numbers and quota allocations. Always verify 2026 AGFD Hunt Booklet specifics.

The Galiuro Sky Islands

The Galiuro Mountains rise abruptly from the surrounding desert, a classic sky-island formation where elevation creates distinct vegetation zones in a small area. The lower bajadas are Sonoran desert — saguaro, mesquite, and creosote. As elevation increases, the country transitions into chaparral and oak, with some mixed conifer and ponderosa at the highest points.

Javelina in Units 24A and 24B use the oak-chaparral and desert-grassland zones primarily. Sounders (javelina herds) travel between feeding areas, water sources, and bedding on predictable daily patterns. The mix of desert and oak transitions produces excellent forage — mast, succulent plants, and scattered agricultural edges — that supports strong populations.

Access

Staging options:

Safford — north of the unit, full-service town, closest base for northern Unit 24A country.

Willcox — southeast of the unit, full services, convenient for southern access.

Benson — west of the unit, services, Interstate 10 access.

Coronado National Forest roads and BLM roads provide extensive access. Four-wheel-drive is useful — many spur roads are rough. Some of the best javelina country requires 1-to-3-mile hikes from road access to reach prime oak-chaparral drainages.

The Three Javelina Seasons

Arizona javelina runs through three season structures in Units 24A/24B:

Fall Archery (late August – early September): The June Fall Draw covers this season. Hot weather, water-focused hunting, sounder patterns predictable around reliable water.

HAM Season (January): Handgun, Archery, Muzzleloader. Drawn through the October Spring Draw. Cool weather, all-day javelina activity, generally more productive hunting than fall archery.

General Rifle (February – March): Also drawn through October. Widest-access hunt, highest tag numbers, easiest draw.

Tactics for 24A/24B

Javelina hunting in sky-island country rewards scouting more than any other factor. Successful hunters identify specific sounders, understand their daily patterns, and set up interception points along established routes.

Water sources concentrate movement. Dripping springs, developed tanks, and reliable pools in dry washes are magnets during hot weather. Cameras on water in July through August reliably locate the sounders you’ll hunt in fall archery.

During HAM and general seasons, cool weather spreads javelina across more of their habitat, and the hunting becomes more glassing-oriented. Glass oak hillsides at first and last light for sounders feeding on mast or green forage.

Calling — using javelina distress calls or young-pig squeals — works but requires proximity. Javelina have poor vision and respond aggressively to distress sounds when they’re within 100 yards. Calling is a close-the-distance tool, not a locator tool.

Draw Strategy

Units 24A and 24B are low-point applications. Fall archery javelina in either unit typically draws at zero to one points for nonresidents. HAM and general season draws in the October cycle are similarly low.

Apply and expect to draw. The Draw Odds Engine confirms specific hunt-number probability for your current point total.

Coues Deer Overlap

Units 24A and 24B are also solid Coues deer units. A hunter who draws Coues in the same unit can scout javelina during deer-season scouting trips, and the terrain knowledge transfers directly between species. For multi-species applicants building Arizona hunting experience, 24A/24B offers the combination well.

DIY Versus Outfitter

DIY territory. Outfitter services for javelina exist in southern Arizona but aren’t necessary in 24A/24B. Hunters who commit to scouting and can read sounder patterns handle the units competently.

Applying for 2026

Fall archery javelina applications are due June 9, 2026 through the Arizona Fall Hunt Draw. Use the Application Timeline to sequence the javelina application alongside pronghorn, bear, and bighorn entries.

Related Arizona Articles

• Javelina draw odds

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best time of year to hunt javelina here? HAM season (January) combines active javelina behavior with comfortable weather, producing the best overall javelina experience.

How big do javelina get? Mature boars weigh 40-55 pounds. Body size doesn’t vary dramatically by region.

Is camping widely available? Yes, dispersed camping on Coronado NF and BLM throughout both units.

What about snakes? Rattlesnake country. September javelina hunters routinely encounter rattlesnakes. Caution warranted.

Can I hunt Coues deer on the same trip? Only with separate tags and during overlapping seasons. Check season structure.

Do I need a guide? No. These are DIY-friendly units for hunters who commit to scouting.