Arizona Mule Deer Elk Turkey Coues Whitetail Deer

Unit 24A (Payson – Sierra Ancha/Cherry Creek)

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

Unit 24A covers the Sierra Ancha country between Payson and Roosevelt Lake, including much of the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, Cherry Creek drainage, and Workman Creek. Elevations range from 2,500 feet along the Salt River to over 7,600 feet on Aztec Peak. Mule deer use the chaparral and pine-oak belts. The unit is a relatively quality-managed hunt with fewer tags than neighboring 24B but higher buck-quality potential.

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Access roads, campgrounds, elevation, monthly weather, stock tanks, cell coverage, and nearest-town services for Unit 24A.

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Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 24A

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 24A

Unit 24A mule deer use a variety of habitats across the dramatic Sierra Ancha elevation gradient.

Aztec Peak and Upper Sierra Ancha (6,500–7,600 ft)

Pine-oak and fir pockets on Aztec Peak and the upper Sierra Ancha hold mature bucks. Access via FR 487 and Workman Creek Road.

Chaparral Benches (4,500–6,000 ft)

The mid-elevation chaparral and oak pockets across the unit are core mule deer habitat. Cherry Creek drainage and the associated side canyons produce consistent bucks.

Salt River Canyon Breaks (2,500–4,500 ft)

The low desert and juniper country above the Salt River holds winter deer. Glass from the north rim of the canyon.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 24A

Unit 24A rewards patient hunters who can navigate the rugged terrain.

Pick Your Elevation

Match elevation to the calendar. Early hunts start in the upper pine-oak zone; late hunts drop to chaparral and canyon breaks.

Glass Ridges Hard

The Sierra Ancha has abundant glassing vantages. Set up on ridge points and spend hours grinding the opposite slopes with spotting scopes.

Wilderness Walk-Ins

The Sierra Ancha Wilderness requires foot travel. Less-accessible pockets hold the largest bucks — pack a spike camp and commit.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle22%

Unit 24A issues ~100 tags over three years against 977 applicants, making it more restrictive than neighboring 24B. Rifle success rates typically run 30–45%, with the late-season rut hunts posting higher numbers. Buck quality is above-average for central AZ mule deer.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	75	605	10.7%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 24A is a mid-tier mule deer unit with stricter tag allocation than many AZ units. Arizona's weighted bonus-point system applies — 20% of tags to max-point holders first; 80% via random weighted draw. Residents typically need 4–7 bonus points for early hunts and 7–10+ for late-season rut hunts. Nonresidents face a 10% cap.

Elk Hunting in Unit 24A

Unit 24A covers the Sierra Ancha country between Payson and Roosevelt Lake, including the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, Cherry Creek drainage, and Workman Creek. Elevations range from 2,500 feet along the Salt River to over 7,600 feet on Aztec Peak. Elk use the upper ponderosa and mixed conifer belts of the Sierra Ancha crest. With 20 tags against 103 three-year applicants, 24A elk is a competitive draw for a rugged, wilderness-heavy unit that produces quality bulls.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 24A

Elk in 24A concentrate in the upper Sierra Ancha and Cherry Creek country where mixed conifer and aspen habitat gives way to ponderosa benches.

Aztec Peak and Sierra Ancha Crest

Above 7,000 feet, mixed conifer and aspen stands on Aztec Peak and along the crest hold rutting bulls during September archery.

Workman Creek Drainage

Workman Creek and its tributaries provide water and travel corridors — classic rut-phase funnels for locating bugling bulls.

Cherry Creek Ponderosa

Mid-elevation ponderosa benches in the Cherry Creek country hold elk during rifle season when snow pushes animals off the crest.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 24A

24A is a physical hunt — steep terrain, wilderness backcountry, and limited road access reward hunters willing to work.

September Archery — Bugle Timber

We use locator bugles from ridge points in the upper Sierra Ancha at first and last light, and follow in on responding bulls. Wallows along the crest draws produce reliable stand-hunting opportunity.

Rifle Season Strategy

Cold fronts push bulls off the crest into mid-elevation ponderosa. We glass the Cherry Creek ponderosa benches from high points along FR 203 and FR 487.

Wilderness Effort

The Sierra Ancha Wilderness is foot-only. A deep pack-in hunt sheds road-hunters and puts us on bulls that see minimal pressure.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle25%

Unit 24A elk success rates run 25 to 40 percent for rifle hunters with archery in the 15 to 20 percent range. Bull quality is quality-managed — regular 280 to 320 bulls with occasional 340+ bulls from the wilderness interior.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Early Rifle	5	45	2.2%	0
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	5	13	7.7%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Arizona uses a weighted bonus-point draw with 20 percent of tags to max-point applicants and 80 percent drawn under the weighted random bonus point system. A Hunter Education bonus point is available for hunters who complete the accredited course. Unit 24A elk with 20 tags against 103 three-year applicants typically draws with 6 to 12 bonus points for rifle — a committed multi-year target for hunters building point banks.

Turkey Hunting in Unit 24A

Unit 24A covers the Pinal Mountains north and east of Globe in Gila County, within the Tonto National Forest. The unit's ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer forests above 6,500 feet support a well-established Merriam's turkey population. Spring turkey tags are issued through AZGFD's weighted bonus-point draw. The Pinal Mountains are a classic mid-elevation Sky Island range that is less known than other Arizona turkey country, providing a quality hunt with moderate draw competition.

Where to Find Turkeys in Unit 24A

Unit 24A Merriam's turkeys are concentrated in the upper Pinal Mountain ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer zones above Globe and Miami, typically between 6,500 and 7,800 feet.

Pinal Mountain Summit Area (7,000–7,800 ft)

The summit plateau and ridgelines of the Pinal Mountains hold the densest turkey populations. Big ponderosa pines near meadow edges and the upper springs provide roost trees and daily food and water. Access via Pinal Mountain Road (FR 112) from Globe.

Upper Pinery Creek Drainage

The Pinery Creek drainage system on the eastern slope of the Pinals is excellent turkey country — ponderosa benches with seasonal water and acorn-producing Emory oaks on the mid-elevation slopes. Glass creek bottoms at dawn for feeding flocks.

Mixed Conifer Pockets

Where the mountain reaches its highest elevations, spruce-fir and mixed conifer pockets provide midday hiding areas for gobblers. Scout the edges of these timber patches carefully — toms use them as staging areas between the roost and their morning strut zones.

How to Hunt Turkeys in Unit 24A

The Pinal Mountains reward methodical, mobile hunters who cover ground and use the forest road network to locate new drainages each morning.

Evening Roost Location

Drive Pinal Mountain Road at dusk and listen at pull-offs. The summit country is compact enough that you can locate gobbles over a wide area in a single evening drive. Mark roost trees with GPS and plan your dawn approach the evening before.

Classic Dawn Setup

Enter the roost area 45–60 minutes before light. Pick a setup tree on the route between the roost and the nearest open meadow or bench. Start with soft tree yelps, escalate to fly-down cackles, and let the bird close the distance to your setup and decoy.

Midday Mobility

Pinal Mountain toms cruise extensively midday on the compact summit plateau. After the morning roost window, walk forest benches and call every 100–150 yards. Midday gobblers looking for hens are less call-shy than morning birds — don't hesitate to be aggressive after 10 a.m.

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Turkey Success Rates

Shotgun35%

Unit 24A spring turkey success typically runs 40–55%. The Pinal Mountain population is healthy, the terrain is less demanding than steeper Sky Island ranges, and the road network provides efficient access to multiple drainages. Hunters who scout in advance and arrive with multiple roost locations mapped consistently produce harvests.

Turkey Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Shotgun— Early Shotgun	5	7	14.3%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 24A is a moderately competitive turkey draw. The Pinal Mountains are not as well known as Flagstaff or White Mountain turkey country, which means applicant pressure is somewhat lower. Most Arizona residents draw with 0–2 bonus points. First-time applicants with a hunter-education bonus have a realistic first-year draw chance. Nonresidents compete within the 10% cap.

Coues Whitetail Deer Hunting in Unit 24A

Unit 24A covers the Redington area and San Pedro River drainage east of Tucson, drawing over 2,180 cumulative Coues whitetail applicants. The unit's Coronado National Forest terrain between the Rincon and Galiuro mountains provides a broad Coues hunting landscape with both accessible grassland and challenging rocky mountain terrain. The San Pedro River corridor and surrounding foothills hold consistent deer populations.

Where to Find Coues Whitetail in Unit 24A

Unit 24A Coues deer use the oak-grassland foothills and rocky terrain between the Rincon Mountains and the San Pedro River valley.

Redington Pass Area

The Redington Pass corridor provides the primary access into the unit's central terrain. Oak woodland on the pass flanks holds deer feeding at dawn and dusk. Glass from elevated pass road positions with quality binoculars.

San Pedro Drainage Foothills

The foothills bordering the San Pedro River hold deer in rocky drainages and brush-covered slopes. Morning glassing from ridge positions overlooking the drainage systems is productive for identifying feeding bucks.

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How to Hunt Coues Whitetail in Unit 24A

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Coues Whitetail Deer Success Rates

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

Unit 24A rifle Coues success typically runs 38–58%. Accessible terrain and adequate deer numbers give hunters consistent opportunity. Not a trophy unit by reputation, but capable of quality bucks in the rocky interior terrain.

Coues Whitetail Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	275	312	54.5%
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	275	187	70.1%
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	50	296	8.1%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Over 2,180 cumulative applicants. Expect 5–10 bonus points for Unit 24A Coues rifle tags — somewhat less competitive than the premium sky island units.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Trailer Access

SR 87 (Beeline), SR 188, and SR 288 paved or maintained gravel. FR 487 and Cherry Creek Road are rough 4WD.

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Water

Payson (full). Roosevelt Lake (shoreline). Cherry Creek and Workman Creek seasonal.

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Road Conditions

Main highways paved. FR 487 (Young-Globe) is rough gravel. Workman Creek Road high-clearance. Wilderness foot-only.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. Steep canyons, 5,000 ft vertical relief in a compact area, dense chaparral.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate. Phoenix and Payson hunters use the unit; backcountry pockets see lighter pressure.

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Weather

October 60–80°F days (varied by elevation), 35–50°F nights. November–December 40–70°F days, 25–40°F nights. Snow possible on Aztec Peak late.

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Cell Service

Coverage near SR 87 corridor and Payson. Patchy in the Sierra Ancha.

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Nearest Town

Payson (full services, hospital, outfitters). Globe (full services). Young (basic). Punkin Center (basic, at Roosevelt Lake).

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Permit Notes

AZGFD tag required. Sierra Ancha Wilderness regulations apply — foot/horseback only.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 24A better than 24B for mule deer?

24A has fewer tags (~100 vs ~400), higher success rates, and higher buck quality on average. 24B has better draw odds. Pick based on your priorities.

Can I use an outfitter in Unit 24A?

Yes. Several Payson and Globe outfitters run 24A mule deer hunts. Wilderness-experienced guides help navigate the Sierra Ancha effectively.

What's the best base town for Unit 24A?

Payson for the northern and central portions; Globe for the southern Cherry Creek area. Both have full services and are within 30–45 minutes of key access points.

Is Unit 24A a true wilderness hunt?

Parts of it are. The Sierra Ancha Wilderness covers a significant portion of the unit and requires foot-only access. Much of the rest of 24A is roaded but rugged — a mix of wilderness backcountry and rough forest-road country.

How many bonus points for Unit 24A elk?

Plan on 6 to 12 bonus points for rifle. With 20 tags against 103 three-year applicants, 24A elk is a competitive mid-to-upper-tier draw that rewards patient point building.

How accessible is the Unit 24A turkey hunting area?

Very accessible compared to most Arizona mountain turkey units. Pinal Mountain Road is paved to the upper summit area and can be driven in a standard passenger vehicle in good conditions. This makes Unit 24A a great option for hunters without high-clearance trucks.

Is the Pinal Mountains area a good Arizona turkey hunt for non-resident hunters?

Yes — Unit 24A is a solid option for nonresidents. The accessible terrain, healthy bird population, and moderate draw competition (within the 10% nonresident cap) make it a more attainable target than the most-coveted White Mountain units.

When do turkeys gobble best in the Pinal Mountains?

Peak gobbling activity in Unit 24A typically runs late April through the first two weeks of May. Being at elevation (6,500–7,800 ft), Pinal Mountain birds tend to run a few days later than valley-elevation populations. Plan your hunt for the first week of May for maximum gobbling activity.

Is the Redington Road accessible year-round for the December deer season?

The Redington Road is generally accessible year-round in dry conditions. Rain can make sections impassable — 4WD with high clearance is strongly recommended. Check with the Santa Catalina Ranger District for current road conditions 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 Game Management Units — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 24A boundaries, Sierra Ancha Wilderness, Elevation 2,500–7,600 ft, Quality-managed mule deer · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 24A mule deer draw, Tag allocation, Bonus points · accessed 2026-04-17
Tonto National Forest — Sierra Ancha and Pleasant Valley Ranger Districts — USDA Forest Service · supports: Sierra Ancha Wilderness, Cherry Creek Road, Dispersed camping · accessed 2026-04-17
GMU 24A — Unit Landing Page — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 24A boundary and habitat, Sierra Ancha Wilderness coverage, Tonto NF jurisdiction · accessed 2026-04-17
2026 Arizona Pronghorn and Elk Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: 24A elk season structure, Tag quotas, Archery and rifle opportunities · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Turkey Hunting — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Merriam's turkey range in Pinal Mountains, Unit 24A habitat, Spring season tags · accessed 2026-04-18
AZGFD Big Game Draw — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Applicant counts, Draw odds · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 24A (Payson – Sierra Ancha/Cherry Creek)

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 24A

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 24A

Aztec Peak and Upper Sierra Ancha (6,500–7,600 ft)

Chaparral Benches (4,500–6,000 ft)

Salt River Canyon Breaks (2,500–4,500 ft)

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 24A

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 24A

Where to Find Elk in Unit 24A

Aztec Peak and Sierra Ancha Crest

Workman Creek Drainage

Cherry Creek Ponderosa

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 24A

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Turkey Hunting in Unit 24A

Where to Find Turkeys in Unit 24A

Pinal Mountain Summit Area (7,000–7,800 ft)

Upper Pinery Creek Drainage

Mixed Conifer Pockets

How to Hunt Turkeys in Unit 24A

Turkey Success Rates

Turkey Draw Odds

Coues Whitetail Deer Hunting in Unit 24A

Where to Find Coues Whitetail in Unit 24A

How to Hunt Coues Whitetail in Unit 24A

Coues Whitetail Deer Success Rates

Coues Whitetail Deer Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 24A — Mule Deer

Unit 24B — Elk

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification