Arizona Mule Deer Pronghorn Elk Turkey Coues Whitetail Deer

Unit 21 (21)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Elk, Turkey, Coues Whitetail Deer

Unit 21 is a central Arizona mule deer unit covering rugged Tonto country, managed under AZGFD hunt guidelines. Tag quotas are set annually based on population surveys and habitat conditions. Draws use Arizona's weighted random bonus point system where applicants with more bonus points receive additional random numbers.

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Access roads, campgrounds, elevation, monthly weather, stock tanks, cell coverage, and nearest-town services for Unit 21.

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Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 21

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 21

Mule deer in Unit 21 use brushy canyon country, chaparral benches, and transition zones between desert scrub and pinyon-juniper. Focus scouting on canyon rims with glassing angles, oak pockets with acorn crops, and water tanks during dry periods.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 21

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle22%

Unit 21 mule deer success varies by weapon and season. Review the AZGFD annual hunt arizona report for the most current unit-level rifle and archery harvest statistics.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	250	632	29.9%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	40	147	25.2%
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	10	458	1.7%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	40	161	20.5%

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Arizona uses a weighted random bonus point draw. Bonus points add random numbers to your chances; residents receive 90 percent of tags and nonresidents compete for 10 percent.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 21

Unit 21 pronghorn hunts target scattered open-park populations below the Mogollon Rim in central Arizona. Per AZGFD's GMU 21 page and the 2026 Arizona Pronghorn and Elk Regulations, the unit issues a very small number of buck tags in Tonto National Forest grasslands. Our three-year tally shows about 387 applicants against roughly 3 permits — a max-point quality-managed pronghorn hunt.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 21

Unit 21 pronghorn live in scattered open parks rather than contiguous grassland.

Long Valley Grasslands

Long Valley and adjacent open parks along the rim-top corridor hold the largest resident groups.

Happy Jack Park Systems

Open parks around Happy Jack hold scattered small groups feeding in early mornings and late evenings.

Clints Well Area

The Clints Well area offers the most consistent pronghorn glassing in the unit with easier vehicle access.

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How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 21

21 pronghorn hunts are small-scale quality hunts — make every day count.

Pre-Season Park Inventory

Drive and glass every open park in the unit during pre-season. Record group locations and score bucks; mark shooter candidates.

Park-Edge Glassing

Set up on forest-edge benches looking into parks at dawn and dusk. Most bucks hold in forest shade by mid-day.

Archery Water Sits

Archery hunters sit water at stock tanks in forest-edge grasslands. Mid-day sits produce shot opportunities when temps spike.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Rifle82%

Archery48%

Unit 21 pronghorn rifle hunts run 80–95% success per AZGFD summaries — typical for limited-quality rim-country pronghorn hunts. Horn quality is above the Arizona average thanks to limited tag numbers and low pressure.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Early Rifle	2	277	0.4%	0
Archery— Early Archery	1	33	0.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Under Arizona's weighted bonus-point draw with 20% pass-through and hunter-education bonus, Unit 21 pronghorn is effectively a max-point hunt for rifle tags. Archery draws require fewer points. Apply every year to accumulate points plus the pass-through chance.

Elk Hunting in Unit 21

Unit 21 covers the Tonto and Coconino National Forest country around the Four Peaks and Mazatzal Mountains north of Phoenix. With ~100 tags against ~442 recent 3-year applicants, this is a mid-point elk hunt in accessible central-Arizona country. Per AZGFD, elk in 21 hold in the ponderosa and mixed-conifer at higher elevations on the Mazatzal rim and shift down to the chaparral benches for rifle season. The unit offers reasonable road access and a well-distributed elk herd, making it a popular mid-tier Arizona elk draw for Phoenix-area hunters.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 21

21 elk split between the Mazatzal high country and the ponderosa-chaparral benches dropping south and west.

Mazatzal Rim (6,500–7,900 ft)

The Mazatzal Wilderness and adjacent rim country hold the unit's summer and early-season elk. Walk-in only for much of it. The edge of the wilderness along FR 201 is hunt-able with a day trip in and out.

Four Peaks Area

The ponderosa and chaparral country around Four Peaks picks up rifle-season elk that drop from the Mazatzals as weather pushes them down. Forest roads off Highway 87 provide morning access.

Water and Meadows

Tanks and springs on the Tonto NF concentrate elk during dry periods. Focus the pre-hunt scout on identifying active water.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 21

We approach Unit 21 as a two-habitat hunt — wilderness edges for archery, accessible chaparral for rifle.

September Archery

We pick a Mazatzal Wilderness edge and pack in for 3-5 days. Bulls bugle actively in the rim ponderosa. Use wallows and meadow edges for setups.

Rifle Season

We glass the chaparral benches from high points off Highway 87 and the Four Peaks area forest roads. Elk feed in the open at first and last light and retreat to manzanita and oak thickets by mid-morning.

Pressure

Proximity to Phoenix means 21 sees more pressure than remote units. We hunt away from pavement — half a mile of walking off the road dramatically reduces hunter contact.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle25%

Muzzleloader22%

Archery18%

Unit 21 rifle elk hunters average 25-35% success. Archery runs 10-15%. Bull quality is modest-to-solid with 270-300 class typical and occasional 320+ animals. A reliable mid-tier Arizona elk unit with good road access.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	25	108	13.0%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	10	25	24.0%
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	15	102	9.8%
Rifle— Early Rifle	10	55	16.4%
Muzzleloader— Early Muzzleloader	10	88	5.7%
Archery— Early Archery	10	44	11.4%
Archery— Late Archery Nov	15	1	100.0%

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 21 draws via Arizona's weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus. With ~100 tags and ~442 recent 3-year applicants, mid-point hunters (5-9 bonus points) draw the preferred rifle codes. Archery codes typically draw at lower points. The loyalty bonus compounds for repeat applicants.

Turkey Hunting in Unit 21

Unit 21 lies below the Mogollon Rim in central Arizona, covering the Tonto National Forest country of the Four Peaks, Mazatzal Mountains, and ponderosa benchlands. Merriam's turkeys occupy the higher ponderosa and mixed-conifer stands above 6,000 feet. This is a moderately competitive draw with hunting that rewards hunters willing to work steep, rugged terrain away from the road network. The unit's proximity to the Phoenix metro area brings applicant pressure, but the quality of hunting in the roadless core is high.

Where to Find Turkey in Unit 21

Merriam's turkeys in Unit 21 concentrate in the higher-elevation ponderosa and mixed-pine stands above 6,000 feet on the Mazatzal rim country and Four Peaks benchlands.

Mazatzal Rim Ponderosa (6,000–7,500 ft)

The upper Mazatzals along the Rim have the most reliable turkey habitat in the unit. Ponderosa parklands with Gambel oak mix and grassy understory are classic Merriam's habitat. Glass the open parks and listen for gobbles carrying down drainages.

Four Peaks Country (5,500–7,500 ft)

The Four Peaks benchlands on the unit's eastern edge support a smaller but huntable turkey population. Less road access means lower pressure — worth prospecting for birds, particularly late in the spring season.

Creek and Drainage Corridors

Tonto Creek headwaters and the East Verde drainage pull birds to water and dense riparian cover. Gobblers often strut in the openings along these drainages mid-morning.

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How to Hunt Turkey in Unit 21

Unit 21 turkey hunting rewards hunters who push away from road-accessible areas. The steep, brushy terrain filters casual hunters and leaves mature gobblers in the roadless interior.

Pre-Dawn Roost Location

Drive the forest road network the evening before your hunt using owl hoots and locator calls. Mark every gobble. In Unit 21, the productive areas are at elevation — park at trailheads and hike in rather than hunting from roads.

Roost Setup and Traditional Calling

Slip in before first light and set up within 100–150 yards of roosted birds. Soft yelps and clucks at fly-down time are most effective. Aggressive cutting works on pressured Mazatzal birds who have moved away from road edges.

Midday Run-and-Gun

Once hens leave for nesting mid-morning, run-and-gun along ridges and bench terrain, yelping every 200–300 yards. Lonely gobblers in the roadless core of Unit 21 are responsive to mid-morning calling well into the season.

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Turkey Success Rates

Shotgun35%

Unit 21 Merriam's turkey success runs in the 20–35% range for spring hunts, which is typical for this type of rugged central-Arizona terrain. Hunters who scout in advance and identify roost locations before the hunt opening day consistently out-produce those who rely on road-edge hunting. The roadless core of the unit offers particularly rewarding hunting for physically fit callers.

Turkey Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Shotgun— Early Shotgun	2	8	0.0%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 21 turkey is a moderately competitive draw. The unit's proximity to Phoenix increases applicant pressure compared to more remote Arizona turkey units. Arizona's weighted bonus-point system provides incremental advantage with each accumulated point. The Hunter Education bonus is especially valuable here given the moderate competition. Most hunters draw within 0–3 bonus points with consistent applications.

Coues Whitetail Deer Hunting in Unit 21

Unit 21 encompasses the Dragoon Mountains and surrounding grassland of Cochise County, drawing over 3,100 cumulative Coues whitetail applicants. The Cochise Stronghold — the historic hideout of Chief Cochise — sits within the unit's core, offering rugged granite canyon terrain that holds mature bucks in an exceptionally scenic landscape. The Dragoons produce classic Arizona sky island Coues hunting on publicly accessible Coronado National Forest land.

Where to Find Coues Whitetail in Unit 21

Unit 21 Coues deer concentrate in the Dragoon Mountains' oak woodland, granite canyon terrain, and surrounding desert grassland.

Cochise Stronghold Drainages

The canyon systems within the Cochise Stronghold area (both east and west drainages) are primary deer habitat. Glass canyon walls from opposite rim positions — mature bucks bed in granite boulder fields and rocky drainages through the day.

Oak Woodland Parks

The oak woodland between 5,500–7,000 ft on the Dragoon flanks is the primary feeding zone. Glass park edges from elevated positions at dawn and dusk for the highest-probability buck sightings.

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How to Hunt Coues Whitetail in Unit 21

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Coues Whitetail Deer Success Rates

Success rate data not yet available for this species in this unit.

Unit 21 rifle Coues success typically runs 40–58%. The compact geography of the Dragoons allows hunters to efficiently cover the productive habitat. Mature bucks in the Stronghold granite hold tight and require careful stalks.

Coues Whitetail Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	225	378	42.1%
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	225	239	41.8%
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	25	399	4.5%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Over 3,100 cumulative applicants. Expect 6–11 bonus points for Unit 21 Coues rifle tags.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Unit 21 mule deer draw work?

AZGFD uses a weighted random bonus point system; each bonus point adds an additional random number to your application, improving but not guaranteeing odds.

What is the terrain like in Unit 21?

Unit 21 is rugged central Arizona country with steep canyons, chaparral brush, and oak pockets. Plan for tough access and physical hunting conditions.

How many bonus points for Unit 21 pronghorn?

Unit 21 pronghorn is effectively a max-point hunt for rifle tags. Most drawn tags go to near-maximum point holders, with occasional 0-point pass-through winners each year.

Is Unit 21 a pronghorn-first unit or an elk-first unit?

Primarily elk. Pronghorn populations are scattered in open parks below the rim. Hunters draw Unit 21 pronghorn for a quality low-pressure hunt in classic rim country, not for pronghorn density.

What bonus points do I need for Unit 21 elk?

Mid-point applicants (5-9 bonus points) draw Unit 21 rifle codes regularly. Archery codes often draw at 1-4 points. Arizona's weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus rewards annual applications.

Is Unit 21 good for public-land access?

Yes. Most of Unit 21 sits on Tonto and Coconino NF land with strong road access and walk-in wilderness options. Highway 87 bisects the unit for quick movement between hunt areas.

What turkey subspecies lives in Arizona Unit 21?

Unit 21 holds Merriam's turkeys in the higher ponderosa and mixed-pine zones of the Mazatzal Mountains and Four Peaks benchlands above 6,000 feet.

How hard is the Arizona Unit 21 turkey draw?

Moderately competitive. The unit's proximity to Phoenix drives applicant numbers up relative to more remote Arizona turkey units. Most hunters draw within 0–3 bonus points with consistent applications. The Hunter Education bonus provides meaningful improvement.

Is Unit 21 good turkey hunting given the proximity to Phoenix?

Yes — the quality is there, but only for hunters willing to hike away from roads. The road-accessible edges see moderate pressure from the Phoenix population, but the roadless Mazatzal and Four Peaks interior holds undisturbed birds with excellent responses to traditional calling.

Is the Cochise Stronghold campground accessible year-round for the deer season?

The Cochise Stronghold Campground is generally accessible year-round with 2WD vehicles. The road into the east stronghold may require high clearance — check conditions with the Douglas Ranger District before your hunt.

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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 Hunt Guidelines — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Hunt structure, Permit allocations · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Hunt Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Season dates, Unit boundaries · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Results & Bonus Points — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bonus point balances, Draw outcomes · accessed 2026-04-17
GMU 21 — Unit Landing Page — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 21 boundary and pronghorn habitat, Tonto NF jurisdiction, Mogollon Rim country · accessed 2026-04-17
2026 Arizona Pronghorn and Elk Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 21 pronghorn hunt, Season dates and permit counts, Hunt area boundary · accessed 2026-04-17
Tonto National Forest — Payson Ranger District — USDA Forest Service · supports: Road system and MVUM, Dispersed camping rules, Seasonal closures · accessed 2026-04-17
2025-2026 Arizona Hunting Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 21 turkey hunt codes, Spring season structure, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-18
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 21 turkey draw odds, Weighted bonus-point system, Historical applicant data · accessed 2026-04-18
AZGFD Big Game Draw — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Applicant counts, Draw odds · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 21 (21)

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 21

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 21

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 21

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 21

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 21

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 21

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 21

Where to Find Elk in Unit 21

Mazatzal Rim (6,500–7,900 ft)

Four Peaks Area

Water and Meadows

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 21

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Turkey Hunting in Unit 21

Where to Find Turkey in Unit 21

How to Hunt Turkey in Unit 21

Turkey Success Rates

Turkey Draw Odds

Coues Whitetail Deer Hunting in Unit 21

Where to Find Coues Whitetail in Unit 21

How to Hunt Coues Whitetail in Unit 21

Coues Whitetail Deer Success Rates

Coues Whitetail Deer Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Unit 22 — Elk

Unit 19A — Elk

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification