Arizona Mule Deer Elk Pronghorn

Unit 11M (Mormon Lake – Anderson Mesa)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Elk, Pronghorn

Unit 11M covers the Coconino National Forest country between Flagstaff and the Mogollon Rim, including Mormon Lake, Anderson Mesa, and the plateau grasslands and ponderosa forests south of Flagstaff. Elevations run roughly 6,000 to 8,000 feet across mixed ponderosa, pinyon-juniper, and grassland park systems. Mule deer hunting here blends classic Mogollon plateau habitat with higher-density tag allocation than adjoining premier units.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Logistics & Planning Guide →

Access roads, campgrounds, elevation, monthly weather, stock tanks, cell coverage, and nearest-town services for Unit 11M.

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Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 11M

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 11M

We work three primary habitat zones across 11M.

Ponderosa and Park Systems (7,000–8,000 ft)

Mature ponderosa stands with interspersed grassy parks on Anderson Mesa hold feeding bucks at first and last light. The meadow-timber edges are our primary glassing targets.

Mormon Lake Margins

The lake-edge grasslands and adjoining aspen pockets hold deer during warmer periods. When Mormon Lake holds water, shoreline sign is a leading indicator.

Pinyon-Juniper Benches (6,000–7,000 ft)

The PJ country on the south and southeast side of the unit, toward the rim, holds bucks during late-season rut hunts.

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How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 11M

11M is a drive-and-glass unit with a vast road network.

Cover Park Systems at Dawn

We plan two or three glassing vantages per morning and move between them until we spot a feeding buck. Anderson Mesa's parks give us long lines of sight.

Mid-Day Still-Hunt Timber

During mid-day, we slow down and still-hunt ponderosa ridges where bucks bed in the shade. Wind discipline is everything on these approaches.

Late Rut in PJ

Late rifle hunts that overlap the rut shift us to the lower-elevation PJ belt where doe groups concentrate. Bucks cruise through these areas during daylight.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Archery15%

Rifle22%

Unit 11M issues substantial mule deer tags (~480 across three recent years against ~900 applicants), making this one of AZ's more accessible rim-country draws. Success rates vary by weapon and season window — pull AZGFD's hunt-specific numbers before applying.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Archery— Early Archery	140	255	41.2%
Archery— Late Archery Nov	50	67	50.7%
Archery— Late Archery Dec	25	16	43.8%
Archery— Late Archery Dec	25	158	12.7%
Rifle— Early Rifle	140	256	37.1%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	50	60	53.3%
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	25	19	36.8%

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Arizona's weighted bonus-point system gives 20% of tags to max-point applicants and routes 80% through a random weighted draw where each point adds a chance. With roughly 1.9:1 applicant-to-tag ratio in recent years, 11M is drawable at modest point balances for most hunt codes. A hunter-ed bonus point is available to applicants who complete AZGFD-recognized hunter education.

Elk Hunting in Unit 11M

Unit 11M covers the Mormon Lake area on the Coconino National Forest south of Flagstaff. Per AZGFD's GMU 11M Expanded Hunt Information, the unit sits in classic ponderosa pine and meadow park elk country with excellent elk densities and quality bull potential. The 2026 Arizona Pronghorn and Elk Regulations allocate roughly 320 elk tags per 3-year average across all Unit 11M hunts. Mormon Lake is one of Arizona's most popular elk destinations thanks to its access, elk density, and consistent bull production.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 11M

Unit 11M elk use classic Mogollon Rim country south of Flagstaff — ponderosa forests, meadow parks, and the Mormon Lake basin itself.

Meadow Parks

The large meadow parks around Mormon Lake and throughout the unit hold feeding elk at dawn and dusk. Glass the timber edges of these parks from elevated positions.

Ponderosa Benches

Mid-elevation ponderosa benches provide bedding cover and daytime travel corridors. Elk move from meadows to these bench systems after morning feeding.

Water Sources

Mormon Lake itself, plus stock tanks, springs, and seasonal creeks concentrate elk during September archery and early rifle seasons.

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How to Hunt Elk in Unit 11M

Unit 11M is a popular elk unit — we hunt it knowing there will be other hunters, and we outwork them.

September Archery

The September rut hunt is Unit 11M's premier offering. Bulls bugle in the meadow parks and ponderosa benches. Set up near wallows and meadow edges before dawn, use cow calls aggressively, and let location bugles guide your approach.

Rifle Strategy

Rifle hunts favor glassing the meadow parks at first and last light. Mature bulls feed in the open during low-light windows and retreat to timber by mid-morning.

Escape Pressure

In a popular unit like 11M, the best hunters get away from the roads. Hike an extra mile or two beyond where most hunters stop to find less-pressured bulls.

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Elk Success Rates

Archery18%

Rifle25%

Unit 11M elk success rates typically run 30-50% for rifle hunters and 10-20% for archery hunters per recent AZGFD hunt report averages. Bull quality is solid Mogollon Rim — 280-320 class bulls are common with occasional trophies exceeding 340. The higher tag numbers trade trophy quality slightly for meaningful tag access.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Archery— Early Archery	80	243	21.0%
Archery— Early Archery	80	96	39.6%
Rifle— Early Rifle	80	298	19.5%

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 11M is one of Arizona's most popular elk units but also one of the more attainable premier units. Rifle bull hunts typically require 6-14 bonus points; cow and early hunts may require fewer. The 20% set-aside for 0-point applicants gives new hunters a realistic long-shot each year. Apply every year to build bonus points toward a confident bull-hunt draw in 5-10 years.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 11M

Unit 11M is Arizona's Anderson Mesa pronghorn hunt — a legendary trophy antelope unit on the high grasslands southeast of Flagstaff. The mesa sits at 6,500–7,500 feet in a mix of Coconino National Forest, Arizona State Trust Land, and private ranch cooperative. Mature bucks routinely score 80+ inches and the unit has produced state-record-caliber animals. With only ~10 tags across three years against 258 applicants, 11M is one of the harder pronghorn draws in the state and a classic bucket-list tag.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 11M

Anderson Mesa antelope work the big open grass parks in the middle of the mesa.

Anderson Mesa Core Grasslands

The central mesa parks — Lockett Meadow area, Vail Lake flats, and the big grass parks along FR 125 and FR 82 — hold the core antelope herd. Glass from elevated two-tracks at dawn.

Mormon Lake Flats

The grass flats around Mormon Lake produce trophy bucks in most years. Access via Lake Mary Road and the radiating forest spurs.

State Trust / Ranch Edges

Many big bucks key on private ranch grasslands that abut the Coconino NF. Scout along shared boundaries — with a State Trust permit, you can legally hunt State land parcels.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 11M

Anderson Mesa is pure glassing country. We cover miles of two-track and spend hours behind the spotter.

Pre-Season Scouting

Scout in August and early September before the hunt. Big bucks are patternable — find one or two shooters, watch their daily movements, and plan the opening-morning approach.

Glass the Parks at First Light

Drive from elevated vantage to elevated vantage at dawn. Grid-glass the big grass openings with a tripod-mounted spotting scope. Most trophy bucks are spotted from more than a mile away.

Stalk with Terrain and Decoy

Use subtle terrain — swales, juniper fingers, earthen stock tanks — to close the gap. A pronghorn decoy fools rutting bucks in early hunts; late hunts favor crawl-and-stalk tactics.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Archery48%

Unit 11M pronghorn success runs 85–100% in most seasons with trophy-class bucks (80+ inches) routinely taken. The combination of low tag numbers, mature-buck-heavy herd, and open glassing country delivers one of Arizona's most satisfying pronghorn experiences.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Early Archery	5	155	3.2%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 11M pronghorn is one of Arizona's harder antelope draws. Arizona uses a weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus — 20% of tags to max-point holders, 80% to a random weighted draw. With only ~10 tags against 258 applicants over three years, residents usually need 8–15 bonus points to compete. Nonresidents face the 10% cap and similar point requirements. Apply annually for the loyalty bonus.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

I-40, US-89, and Lake Mary Road (FR 3) provide the paved backbone. Forest roads are mostly maintained gravel — a 2WD truck works for most access, though 4WD helps late season.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate to heavy. Proximity to Flagstaff and easy road access bring high hunter density near paved corridors.

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Weather

October 40–70°F days, 25–45°F nights. Late-November and December hunts can bring heavy snow — Mormon Lake sits at ~7,000 ft.

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Cell Service

Coverage along Lake Mary Road and near Flagstaff is good. Drops off quickly on interior forest roads.

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Nearest Town

Flagstaff (full services, hospital, outfitters, 20–40 min). Mormon Lake Village (lodge, cafe, basic supplies). Happy Jack (very limited).

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Permit Notes

AZGFD tag required. Coconino NF MVUM governs which forest roads are open to motor vehicles.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 11M a good first Arizona mule deer hunt?

Yes — tag allocation is substantial, the road network is extensive, and Flagstaff gives you full services 30 minutes away. We recommend it as a solid introduction to AZ rim-country mule deer.

What's the trade-off between 11M and 6A?

6A has larger buck potential but tighter draw odds and more road pressure. 11M has better draw odds and still produces representative rim-country bucks. Both pull hunters out of Flagstaff.

Can I hunt 11M with a 2WD truck?

For the main forest roads — yes, most of the time. For late-season and muddy conditions, we upgrade to 4WD. Always check road conditions with the Coconino NF office before heading out.

How many bonus points for Unit 11M elk?

Unit 11M bull hunts typically require 6-14 bonus points depending on hunt code. Cow hunts require fewer. The 20% set-aside for 0-point applicants means new hunters have a real long-shot chance each year in Arizona's weighted draw.

Is Unit 11M a trophy elk unit?

Unit 11M is a solid opportunity unit with good bull quality but not elite trophy status. Most bulls fall in the 280-320 class with occasional 340+ bulls. Hunters seeking 350+ bulls typically target Unit 1, 9, or 27.

How crowded does Unit 11M get during hunts?

Moderately crowded near road access. Get a mile or more off the road and pressure drops significantly. Plan to scout and work harder than the average hunter to find less-pressured bulls.

How big do Unit 11M pronghorn get?

Mature Anderson Mesa bucks routinely score 80+ inches (B&C), with 85+ bucks taken in strong years. The unit has produced some of Arizona's largest pronghorn of the past two decades.

How many bonus points do I need for Unit 11M?

Residents typically need 8–15 bonus points to realistically compete. Nonresidents face similar point requirements and the 10% cap. The hunter-education bonus ticket helps marginally.

Do I need a State Trust Land permit for Unit 11M?

If you plan to hunt State Trust parcels within the unit, yes — purchase an Arizona State Land Department recreational permit. Most of the core Anderson Mesa hunt is on Coconino NF, which requires only your AZGFD tag.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

GMU 11M — Unit Landing Page — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 11M boundaries, Coconino NF land ownership, Species present · accessed 2026-04-17
2025-26 Arizona Hunting Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Mule deer season structure in 11M, Bag limits, Legal equipment · accessed 2026-04-17
Coconino National Forest — Mogollon Rim & Flagstaff Ranger Districts — USDA Forest Service · supports: Mormon Lake RD, Anderson Mesa access, Road network · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Weighted bonus point draw, 11M historical draw results · accessed 2026-04-17
2026 Arizona Pronghorn and Elk Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Elk season structure for 11M, Tag quotas, Hunt area boundaries · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Pronghorn Hunting — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Anderson Mesa pronghorn population, Unit 11M trophy potential, Season structure and tag caps, Pronghorn management program · accessed 2026-04-17