Arizona Pronghorn

Unit 35A/35B (Sulphur Springs Valley South)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Pronghorn

The combined GMU 35A/35B pronghorn hunt covers the southern Sulphur Springs Valley in southeastern Arizona — one of the state's most productive pronghorn corridors, spanning Cochise County grasslands between the Dos Cabezas and Dragoon Mountains. AZGFD issues a combined tag valid across both units, giving hunters access to a broad swath of open grama grass rangeland and agricultural plains that supports one of the stronger pronghorn populations in the Arizona draw system.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 35A/35B

Where to Find Pronghorn in GMU 35A/35B

Pronghorn in the combined GMU 35A/35B area are distributed across the Sulphur Springs Valley grasslands — a wide, flat to gently rolling plain of blue and black grama grass between the Dos Cabezas Mountains to the north and the Chiricahua foothills to the east.

Open Valley Grassland

The Sulphur Springs Valley floor holds the highest pronghorn densities in this combined unit. Glass across the open plains from road high points early morning and late afternoon. Herds in this valley can be large — scan broadly before fixating on the closest group.

Agricultural Edges and Stock Tanks

The valley has significant agricultural activity, and pronghorn regularly use edges of alfalfa and grain fields, especially in early season. Stock tanks on BLM and state land provide reliable water concentration points. Map water sources on public land before your hunt — private land requires landowner permission.

How to Hunt GMU 35A/35B Pronghorn

The combined unit tag gives hunters the flexibility to pursue pronghorn across a large open valley system — scout both units before the season and focus effort where deer activity is freshest.

Two-Unit Glassing Strategy

Split pre-season scouting between GMU 35A and 35B to assess which half of the valley holds the better buck population in the current year. Rainfall patterns can concentrate pronghorn in one unit over the other depending on where grass growth was strongest after the monsoon. Commit to the better unit for your opening day but remain willing to move if action is slow.

Long-Range Rifle Hunting

The flat Sulphur Springs terrain favors long-range rifle tactics. Identify and range a target buck before beginning any approach — pronghorn in open country spot movement at extraordinary distances. Set shooting positions carefully from available cover (vehicle, irrigation equipment, brush) before the buck becomes alert.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Rifle82%

Archery48%

The Sulphur Springs Valley is historically one of Arizona's strongest pronghorn draw zones. Combined 35A/35B rifle success rates are typically high — 80–90% or better — for hunters who draw. The open terrain and good pronghorn numbers make this one of the more productive combined draws in the state. Check AZGFD harvest reports for current data.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Early Rifle	2	555	0.4%	0
Archery— Early Archery	3	79	1.3%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

The GMU 35A/35B combined draw is one of the more sought-after pronghorn tags in southern Arizona due to the valley's strong pronghorn population and relatively accessible terrain. Applicant competition is meaningful — consistent bonus point accumulation through annual applications at draw.azgfd.com is essential.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy — flat valley grassland with good road network; standard truck sufficient throughout the valley floor

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Hunting Pressure

Low to moderate — combined unit structure and good pronghorn numbers offset applicant competition

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Nearest Town

Willcox (approx. 15–30 mi; fuel, groceries, lodging along I-10) or Douglas (approx. 30 mi south; full services)

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Permit Notes

Limited-draw tag valid across GMU 35A and 35B; significant private land in the valley — verify land ownership before accessing any area; apply through AZGFD bonus point draw each spring

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 35A/35B pronghorn tag let me hunt both units?

Yes. The combined unit tag issued through AZGFD's draw is valid across both GMU 35A and GMU 35B for the designated season. This lets you move freely between both halves of the Sulphur Springs Valley depending on where pronghorn activity is strongest.

How do I apply for the GMU 35A/35B pronghorn tag?

Apply through the Arizona Game and Fish Department draw portal at draw.azgfd.com during the annual application period (typically January–February). Accumulate bonus points through consistent annual applications to improve draw odds under Arizona's bonus point 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 2026 Pronghorn Hunt Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Combined 35A/35B pronghorn hunt structure, Season dates, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bonus point draw, Historical applicant data, Tags issued for 35A/35B · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Safford Field Office — Public Lands in Southeast Arizona — Bureau of Land Management · supports: BLM public land access in Sulphur Springs Valley, Road access information · accessed 2026-04-17