Arizona Mule Deer

Unit 20C (Black Canyon – Agua Fria)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Mule Deer

Unit 20C covers the desert-to-chaparral transition country along the Agua Fria River and the south slope of the Bradshaw Mountains. The unit includes Agua Fria National Monument (managed by BLM) and portions of Prescott NF. Elevations run roughly 1,500 to 5,500 feet across Sonoran Desert, chaparral, and oak woodland. Mule deer use the chaparral benches and the oak transitions on the higher slopes.

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 20C.

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Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 20C

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 20C

20C mule deer distribute across the Agua Fria drainage and the Bradshaws south slope.

Chaparral Benches (3,500–5,000 ft)

Mid-elevation chaparral on the Bradshaws south slope is the core mule deer habitat. Bucks bed in the shaded pockets and feed on ridgetops.

Agua Fria Drainage

The Agua Fria River corridor and its tributary drainages hold deer year-round. Riparian cover and elevated mesas overlooking the river produce good glassing.

Oak Transitions

Upper chaparral transitioning into oak holds mature bucks. These transitions on the Bradshaws south flank are our primary morning glassing targets.

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How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 20C

20C rewards hunters willing to work chaparral and mesa country.

Glass the Mesas

Agua Fria National Monument's mesa country gives us elevated glassing over chaparral benches. Plan morning glass sessions from mesa rims.

Still-Hunt Brush

Quiet days call for still-hunting through chaparral on the Bradshaws' south side. Move slowly and check every shaded bed.

Watch Private Boundaries

20C has substantial private ranch holdings especially in the Black Canyon corridor. We verify stalks against onX property lines.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle22%

Unit 20C issues generous mule deer tags (~650 across three recent years against ~734 applicants — close to 1:1 ratio). Success rates vary by weapon. 20C is among AZ's easier-to-draw mule deer units.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	125	300	34.3%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	175	94	100.0%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	150	94	87.2%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

20C is drawable at zero or one bonus point for most mule deer hunt codes in recent cycles. Arizona's weighted bonus-point draw routes 20% of tags to max-point applicants first, then 80% via random weighted draw. A hunter-ed bonus point is available to applicants who complete AZGFD-recognized hunter education.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

I-17 and SR 69 paved. BLM and NF interior roads range from maintained gravel to rough two-track — 4WD recommended.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate to heavy. Phoenix hunters make 20C a popular weekend destination via I-17.

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Weather

October–December daytime temps 55–80°F, nights 30–50°F. Lower elevations are noticeably warmer than 20B.

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Cell Service

Coverage along I-17 and near Black Canyon City. Drops off in the backcountry.

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Nearest Town

Black Canyon City (basic services, ~10 miles). Prescott (full services, ~40 min). Phoenix (full services, ~60 min).

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Permit Notes

AZGFD tag required. Agua Fria NM rules apply — respect archaeological sites.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 20C the same as 20B?

No — adjacent but distinct units. 20B is the higher-elevation Bradshaws country; 20C is the lower-elevation Agua Fria and Bradshaws south slope. Different draw odds and hunt codes.

Can I hunt Agua Fria National Monument?

Yes — Agua Fria NM allows hunting under AZGFD regulations. Respect archaeological sites and posted closures.

What's the closest full-service base?

Prescott for western access, Phoenix suburbs for eastern access along I-17. Both are within an hour of most 20C access points.

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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 20C — Unit Landing Page — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 20C boundaries, Agua Fria and Bradshaws south, Species present · accessed 2026-04-17
2025-26 Arizona Hunting Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Mule deer season structure in 20C, Bag limits, Legal equipment · accessed 2026-04-17
Agua Fria National Monument — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Monument regulations, Access roads, Dispersed camping · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Weighted bonus point draw, 20C historical draw results · accessed 2026-04-17