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Arizona Bighorn Sheep Mule Deer Coues Whitetail Deer

Unit 24B (24B)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, Coues Whitetail Deer

Unit 24B is an Arizona desert bighorn sheep hunt area managed under AZGFD hunt guidelines. Sheep tag quotas are extremely limited and set annually based on population surveys. Draws use Arizona's weighted random bonus point system.

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Access roads, campgrounds, elevation, monthly weather, stock tanks, cell coverage, and nearest-town services for Unit 24B.
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Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 24B

Unit 24B is an Arizona desert bighorn sheep hunt area managed under AZGFD hunt guidelines. Sheep tag quotas are extremely limited and set annually based on population surveys. Draws use Arizona's weighted random bonus point system.

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 24B

Desert bighorns in Unit 24B hold on steep, rocky desert ranges with escape terrain, forage, and seasonal water. Focus glassing on rim rock, south-facing slopes, and saddles between feeding and bedding areas.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 24B

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%
Arizona desert sheep hunts typically produce very high success rates given conservative tag numbers. Review the AZGFD annual hunt arizona report for current Unit 24B harvest statistics.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle36620.5% 0
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec27660.3% 0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine
Sheep tags in Unit 24B are among the hardest draws in Arizona. The weighted random bonus point system rewards long-term point building. Residents receive 90 percent of sheep tags.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 24B bighorn sheep once-in-a-lifetime?
Arizona desert bighorn sheep is typically once-in-a-lifetime. Verify current rules in the AZGFD hunt regulations before applying.
How hard is the Unit 24B sheep draw?
Extremely competitive. Plan on building bonus points for many years under the weighted random system.
Can I hunt Unit 24B from a day-trip base in Phoenix?
The northern edges of the unit are 90 minutes from east Phoenix. Day-trip hunts are doable but cut into first-light opportunities. Spike out or base in Payson or Punkin Center for better access.
Is Four Peaks really hunt-able or just scenery?
Four Peaks is hunt-able but demanding. The Four Peaks Wilderness requires foot/horseback travel, and the terrain punishes hunters. Most 24B success comes from the chaparral foothills rather than the summit ridges.
Which hunt period is best in Unit 24B?
The late-December rut hunt (when offered) is the best. Cooler temperatures make the terrain manageable, and rutting bucks cruise daylight.
How does Unit 24B compare to Unit 23 for Coues hunting quality?
Unit 24B (north Catalinas) typically draws fewer applicants than Unit 23 (south Catalinas) and sees less hunting pressure. Trophy quality is comparable — the north-side terrain produces mature bucks. Hunters willing to do additional research and access work find excellent opportunities in 24B with slightly better odds than the more famous Tucson-side units.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

  1. AZGFD Hunt Guidelines — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Hunt structure, Sheep tag allocations · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. AZGFD Hunt Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Season dates, Unit boundaries · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. AZGFD Draw Results & Bonus Points — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bonus point balances, Sheep draw outcomes · accessed 2026-04-17
  4. AZGFD Game Management Units — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 24B boundaries, Tonto NF Tonto Basin and Mesa Ranger Districts, Four Peaks Wilderness inclusion, Roosevelt Lake shoreline · accessed 2026-04-17
  5. AZGFD Draw Portal — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 24B historical draw odds, Tag allocation, Bonus points · accessed 2026-04-17
  6. Tonto National Forest — Tonto Basin and Mesa Ranger Districts — USDA Forest Service · supports: Four Peaks Wilderness, Forest road access, Motor Vehicle Use Map · accessed 2026-04-17
  7. AZGFD Big Game Draw — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Applicant counts, Draw odds · accessed 2026-04-18