Arizona Mule Deer Bighorn Sheep Elk

Unit 16A (Kingman – Hualapai Mountains)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Elk

Unit 16A covers the Hualapai Mountains and surrounding BLM desert country southeast of Kingman. The Hualapais rise from roughly 3,500 feet up to 8,417 feet at Hualapai Peak, giving the unit an unusual elevation range for northwest Arizona. Mule deer use the pinyon-juniper and ponderosa zones on the upper slopes and shift to the chaparral and desert fringe at lower elevations. The unit is a solid opportunity hunt with moderate tag numbers and relatively light pressure.

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 16A.

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Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 16A

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 16A

Unit 16A deer use a wide elevation band from desert floor to high ponderosa.

Hualapai Mountain Ponderosa (6,000–8,000 ft)

The upper Hualapais hold deer in ponderosa, oak, and manzanita pockets. Access via Hualapai Mountain Road and FR 2123. The county park area is closed to hunting but surrounding BLM is open.

Pinyon-Juniper Belt (4,500–6,000 ft)

Mid-elevation PJ benches offer excellent mule deer habitat. Glass from ridge roads that skirt the park boundary.

Desert Fringe (3,500–4,500 ft)

Lower BLM country transitions to cholla-grass and juniper. Stock tanks and wash corridors concentrate deer in dry seasons.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 16A

The Hualapais are a compact range that rewards hunters who pick their elevation correctly.

Match Elevation to Season

Early hunts — start high in the ponderosa. Mid-season — focus PJ edges. Late hunts — drop to the chaparral and desert fringe as winter weather pushes deer down.

Glass Ridges and Meadows

Set up on the ridge roads that flank the park boundary and glass across the upper basins and meadow edges. The compact nature of the range means glassing covers most of the country.

Late-Season Rut

December rut hunts can catch bucks cruising does in the mid-elevation chaparral. All-day hunting pays off.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle22%

Muzzleloader18%

Unit 16A issues ~490 tags over three years against 1,076 applicants. Rifle success typically runs 25–40%, helped by the elevation gradient and relatively compact huntable range. Archery success is 10–15%.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	225	539	36.0%
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	20	22	63.6%
Muzzleloader— Late Muzzleloader Nov	20	25	60.0%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 16A is a moderate-draw opportunity unit. Arizona's weighted bonus-point system routes 20% of tags to max-point holders first; 80% via random weighted draw. Residents typically draw with 1–3 bonus points for early hunts and 3–5 for late-season rut hunts. Nonresidents face a 10% cap.

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 16A

Unit 16A covers the Black Mountains west of Kingman — prime desert bighorn country along the Colorado River corridor. With ~4 tags against ~366 recent 3-year applicants, this is a lifetime draw. The Black Mountains offer classic desert sheep topography: steep volcanic ridges, deep canyons dropping to the river, and reliable BLM and NPS water. Per AZGFD, 16A produces strong desert bighorn horn quality (165-180 class rams typical) with hunts running December-January. This is one of Arizona's premier desert bighorn units.

Where to Find Bighorn in Unit 16A

Black Mountains rams hold in the steep river-side canyon systems and the mid-elevation volcanic ridges.

Mount Nutt and Warm Springs Wilderness

The rugged volcanic peaks of the central Black Mountains hold consistent ram groups. Glass from the BLM two-tracks approaching the wilderness boundary.

Colorado River Canyon Rim

The cliff country dropping to the Colorado River holds rams using the river as a water source. This is spectacular country — and physically demanding to hunt.

AZGFD Water Catchments

Multiple water developments across the range concentrate sheep during dry years. Coordinate with AZGFD and the AZ Desert Bighorn Sheep Society for current active-water intel.

How to Hunt Bighorn in Unit 16A

We approach 16A as a coordinated-scouting hunt. AZGFD biologists and the AZ Desert Bighorn Sheep Society provide exceptional support to tag holders.

Pre-Hunt Coordination

We connect with the unit biologist the week results publish. Most 16A tag holders log 10-15 scouting days before opening day with volunteer spotters across the range.

Glassing and Approach

Core tactic is high-angle glassing at first and last light from a base point with BLM road access, then planning the 1-3 day stalk on the target ram. Tripod-mounted 15x or 20x binoculars are essential.

Retrieval Planning

We plan pack-out routes before the stalk. The Black Mountains eat boots — expect 3,000+ ft vertical on many retrievals and rope-assist potential on cliff-adjacent rams.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

Unit 16A bighorn hunts run near 100% success thanks to pre-hunt coordination and the tiny 4-tag allocation. Ram quality averages 165-180 class B&C with 180+ rams taken most years. 16A is widely regarded as one of Arizona's top three desert bighorn units.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle	2	194	1.0%	0
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	2	191	0.5%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 16A is a lifetime draw. Only ~4 tags against ~366 recent 3-year applicants via the weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus. Most successful applicants hold 25+ bonus points, though random draw occasionally produces low-point winners. Apply every year for life.

Elk Hunting in Unit 16A

Unit 16A elk hunting covers the Bradshaw Mountains and upper Hassayampa River drainage of central Arizona within the Prescott National Forest. The unit holds a moderate elk population in the mixed conifer and ponderosa country at higher elevations, with winter range dropping into the pinyon-juniper below. AZGFD issued 21 tags over three years against 165 applicants — this is a moderately difficult limited-draw elk tag in a scenic central Arizona unit close to Phoenix hunters.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 16A

Elk in Unit 16A use the higher ponderosa and mixed conifer ridges of the Bradshaw Mountains during summer and rut, shifting to lower pinyon-juniper and chaparral on winter range as temperatures drop.

Bradshaw High Country

Ponderosa parks and mixed conifer stands above 6,500 feet hold elk through early archery season. Glass the meadow edges and park systems at first light for bulls bugling into the rut.

Mid-Elevation Transition

As rifle season arrives, elk push down to the mid-elevation mixed chaparral and pinyon-juniper benches. Glass canyon systems from high road pull-offs; elk feed into the open edges at dawn and dusk.

How to Hunt Unit 16A Elk

Unit 16A rewards hunters willing to cover vertical country and track elk through elevation transitions.

September Archery

Set up near wallows and meadow edges in the Bradshaw high country during the September rut. Cow calls and challenge bugles work well — Unit 16A elk see less pressure than the White Mountain premier units, which can make bulls more responsive.

Rifle Season Glassing

Rifle hunts are spot-and-stalk — glass across canyon systems and meadow edges at first and last light. Forest roads along the Bradshaw crest provide access to multiple glassing points; move between them to locate fresh herds.

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Elk Success Rates

Muzzleloader22%

Archery18%

Rifle25%

Unit 16A elk success rates typically run 25–40% depending on season type and weather. Bull quality is respectable with occasional 320+ bulls taken each year. Check AZGFD harvest reports for current data on rifle and archery success.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Muzzleloader— Early Muzzleloader	6	67	6.0%
Archery— Early Archery	8	26	19.2%
Rifle— Early Rifle	6	81	4.9%

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

With 21 tags issued against 165 applicants over three years, Unit 16A elk is a moderately difficult draw at roughly 13% per application year. Arizona uses a weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus — 20% of tags to max-point holders, 80% to a random weighted draw. Build bonus points consistently to improve lifetime odds on this central Arizona draw.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Trailer Access

I-40, US-93, and Hualapai Mountain Road are paved and handle any rig. Forest and BLM roads on the mountain proper are high-clearance only.

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Water

Kingman (full municipal supply). Wild Cow Springs Campground (seasonal). Stock tanks on BLM land variable.

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Road Conditions

Paved to the mountain park. Dirt roads beyond are high-clearance, some 4WD. Snow possible November–December at higher elevations.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. Hualapai Peak is 8,417 feet with significant vertical relief in a small footprint.

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Hunting Pressure

Light to moderate. Kingman locals hunt the unit, but overall pressure is low by AZ standards.

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Weather

October 55–75°F (high country) to 80–95°F (desert). November–December 40–65°F days, 25–40°F nights. Snow possible above 6,000 feet late.

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Cell Service

Verizon/AT&T strong in Kingman and along I-40. Patchy in the Hualapais backcountry.

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Nearest Town

Kingman (full services, hospital, outfitters). Valentine and Yucca (limited fuel/food).

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Permit Notes

AZGFD tag required. Hualapai Mountain Park proper is closed to hunting — verify boundaries against the BLM and county park maps.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hualapai Mountain Park closed to hunting?

Yes — the Mohave County Park is closed to hunting. Surrounding BLM and state land is open. Check the boundary carefully before your hunt.

How does Unit 16A compare to Unit 15 for mule deer?

Unit 15 (Arizona Strip) has bigger bucks and tougher draw. Unit 16A is more accessible with better draw odds and solid mid-size bucks. Both have their place.

What's the base town for Unit 16A?

Kingman — full services, hospital, outfitters, and easy I-40 access. The Hualapai trailheads are 30 minutes southeast of town.

How do I draw a Unit 16A bighorn tag?

Apply every year via Arizona's weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus. With only ~4 tags and ~366 applicants, successful applicants typically hold 25+ bonus points — but the random component occasionally rewards low-point hunters.

Should I hire an outfitter for Unit 16A?

Most 16A hunters use some combination of outfitter support and volunteer help from the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society. The terrain is punishing and the scouting requirements extensive — local knowledge pays back every dollar.

How many bonus points for a Unit 16A elk tag?

Residents often draw Unit 16A elk in the 2–6 bonus point range. Nonresidents face the 10% cap and typically need more points. Apply every year to build points and the loyalty bonus under Arizona's weighted draw system.

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Sources & Verification

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

AZGFD Game Management Units — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 16A boundaries, Hualapai Mountains habitat gradient, Mule deer seasons, BLM and Mohave County land mix · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 16A historical draw odds, Tag allocation, Bonus points · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Kingman Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Hualapai Mountain fringe, Wild Cow Springs area, Travel management · accessed 2026-04-17
GMU 16A — Unit Landing Page — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Black Mountains boundary, Desert bighorn habitat, River access · accessed 2026-04-17
2026 Arizona Hunting Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bighorn season, Tag allocation, Hunt codes · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD 2026 Elk Hunt Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 16A elk hunt structure, Season dates, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
Prescott National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Bradshaw Mountains road network, Motor Vehicle Use Map, Dispersed camping rules · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 16A (Kingman – Hualapai Mountains)

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 16A

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 16A

Hualapai Mountain Ponderosa (6,000–8,000 ft)

Pinyon-Juniper Belt (4,500–6,000 ft)

Desert Fringe (3,500–4,500 ft)

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 16A

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 16A

Where to Find Bighorn in Unit 16A

Mount Nutt and Warm Springs Wilderness

Colorado River Canyon Rim

AZGFD Water Catchments

How to Hunt Bighorn in Unit 16A

Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 16A

Where to Find Elk in Unit 16A

Bradshaw High Country

Mid-Elevation Transition

How to Hunt Unit 16A Elk

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

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Unit 37B — Bighorn Sheep

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification