Arizona Elk Mule Deer

Unit 03A/03C (Show Low/Lakeside Combined)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer

The 03A/03C combined hunt spans the Show Low and Lakeside ranger districts of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, pulling over 24,000 cumulative applicants — Arizona's third-highest elk demand. The combined area covers the ponderosa pine plateau between Show Low and the Mogollon Rim, providing classic Arizona elk hunting with good road access and consistent bull quality. The 2011 Wallow Fire left burn areas that have matured into exceptional forage zones.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 03A/03C

Where to Find Elk in the 03A/03C Combined Unit

The 03A/03C combined unit spans the ponderosa pine plateau between Show Low and the Mogollon Rim, with elk concentrated in forest meadows, burn areas, and drainages.

Show Low Rim Country

The plateau edge along the Mogollon Rim creates meadow openings with long sight lines into the ponderosa forest below. Early morning glassing from rim points is productive during rifle season when elk are visible on open slopes.

Post-Fire Recovery Areas

Fifteen-year-old Wallow Fire burn areas in the unit core have developed thick elk forage — young aspen, serviceberry, and forbs. These patches concentrate elk in morning and evening feeding periods and are among the best places to glass for active animals.

Water Sources and Drainages

Seasonal tanks and springs in the Lakeside RD are key concentration points during dry periods. Scout water on MVUM maps and confirm activity with boot leather before committing to a camp location.

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How to Hunt Elk in the 03A/03C Combined Unit

The 03A/03C combined unit offers more road access than the remote southern units, making it adaptable for hunters without pack strings.

Vehicle-Assisted Glassing

The ponderosa plateau is criss-crossed by forest roads. Drive rim roads at dawn, glass open areas and burn edges, then execute foot stalks when bulls are located. This mobile strategy covers enormous ground efficiently.

Archery Tactics

During September archery season, focus on the highest-elevation mixed-conifer pockets in the northern portion of the unit. Bulls hold in the cooler timber and are highly responsive to calls early in the rut. Pinch points between meadow parks and thick timber are ideal ambush locations.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle25%

Archery18%

The 03A/03C combined unit produces reliable 40–60% rifle success rates. The combination of good road access, strong elk numbers, and consistent habitat allows hunters to efficiently work the unit. Archery success runs lower at 15–25% but the rut in this unit is productive for calling.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Early Rifle	75	1,625	3.6%
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	275	1,095	12.9%
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	200	1,247	11.9%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	150	481	19.3%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	15	166	5.4%
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	250	1,142	10.6%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	150	463	18.4%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	15	124	7.3%
Archery— Early Archery	100	2,065	3.2%
Archery— Early Archery	35	45	31.1%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Over 24,000 cumulative applicants rank this as one of Arizona's most competitive elk draws. Most hunters need 15–25 bonus points to draw. Apply every year — missing a cycle delays the draw date and forfeits the loyalty bonus.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 03A/03C

The 03A/03C combined unit is one of Arizona's top mule deer draws, attracting nearly 13,000 cumulative applicants. The Show Low and Lakeside Ranger District ponderosa plateau produces quality bucks with large frames typical of the White Mountains / Mogollon Rim transition zone. Post-fire habitat recovery and managed hunting pressure have rebuilt the buck age structure in this unit to produce consistent trophy-class opportunities.

Where to Find Mule Deer in the 03A/03C Combined Unit

Mule deer in the 03A/03C combined unit favor the ponderosa/mixed conifer transition, burn areas, and open parks of the Show Low and Lakeside ranger districts.

Burn Recovery Areas

Post-Wallow Fire habitat recovery zones hold exceptional mule deer browse — aspen sprouts, forbs, and shrub growth in the burn matrix. These areas have become the unit's primary buck magnets in recent years.

Park Edges and Meadow Fringe

Mature bucks stage at the edge of open parks before entering to feed at first and last light. Glass meadow edges from elevated positions at dawn — the best bucks are moving in the first 20 minutes of shooting light.

Pinyon-Juniper Transition

The southern portions of 3A where the ponderosa grades into pinyon-juniper hold bucks through late October as acorn and berry crops ripen. These lower elevations receive less hunting pressure.

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How to Hunt Mule Deer in the 03A/03C Combined Unit

Spot-and-stalk is the primary method in the 03A/03C combined unit's open ponderosa country.

Glass-and-Stalk from Roads

The forest road system allows efficient glassing coverage. Drive elevated roads at dawn, scan open parks and slope transitions, then execute spot-and-stalk approaches. Quality optics — 10x binoculars and a tripod-mounted spotting scope — are essential.

Still Hunting Burn Areas

Slow still hunting through burn recovery areas in the early morning takes advantage of deer feeding on regenerating browse. Wind direction is critical — thermals shift unpredictably in the uneven burn topography.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle22%

Archery15%

The 03A/03C combined mule deer unit yields 50–70% harvest success for rifle hunters. The accessible terrain, good deer numbers, and multiple-day hunt structure allow persistent hunters to connect. Trophy quality has improved significantly in recent years with maturing post-fire habitat.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	60	2,335	2.1%
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	10	1,392	0.7%
Rifle— Early Rifle	20	328	4.6%
Archery— Early Archery	40	441	6.8%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Nearly 13,000 cumulative applicants make this one of Arizona's top-tier mule deer draws. Expect 12–20 bonus points before drawing. Never miss an application — each missed year delays the draw date and costs a bonus point.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Water

Moderate. Stock tanks and seasonal springs scattered throughout. Developed campgrounds have water seasonally.

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Road Conditions

Highways 260 and 60 provide paved main access. Forest roads are mostly graded gravel with some rough two-track spurs.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Rolling ponderosa plateau at 6,500–8,500 ft. More accessible than the southern canyon units.

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Weather

October temperatures range 25–60°F. Early November snow is possible at higher elevations. Afternoon monsoon-tail thunderstorms occur in September.

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Cell Service

Better than most Arizona units — coverage available near Show Low and major roads. Limited in backcountry.

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Nearest Town

Show Low (full services — fuel, groceries, lodging, gear shops). Pinetop-Lakeside (full services).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 03A/03C combined hunt a special unit that combines two separate GMUs?

Yes. Arizona issues combined-unit tags when AZGFD manages the hunt across the boundaries of GMUs 3A and 3C jointly. The tag is valid anywhere within both units — hunters have access to the full combined landscape.

What is the typical buck age class in the 03A/03C combined unit?

Managed hunting pressure and improving post-fire habitat have produced a strong 3.5–5.5 year-old buck class in recent years. The unit regularly produces bucks in the 160–185 B&C range. Exceptional individuals exceeding 190 inches are taken most years.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

AZGFD Big Game Draw — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Applicant counts, Draw odds · accessed 2026-04-18