Arizona Mule Deer

Unit 39/40A/40B (Galiuro–Pinaleno Foothills)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Mule Deer

The combined GMU 39/40A/40B hunt covers a multi-unit area in southeastern Arizona spanning the Galiuro Mountains, Pinaleno foothills, and surrounding desert grassland. This is a multi-GMU draw hunt managed by AZGFD with a single tag valid across all three units, giving hunters extensive range across a diverse landscape of desert mountains, oak woodland, and semi-desert grassland. Mule deer bucks in this region are known for wide, heavy-framed antlers typical of the Sonoran Desert foothills.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 39/40A/40B

Where to Find Mule Deer in GMU 39/40A/40B

Mule deer in this combined unit occupy the Galiuro and Pinaleno mountain systems and their surrounding desert grassland foothills. The three-unit structure gives hunters flexibility to move between drainages to find undisturbed deer.

Oak and Juniper Woodland (4,500–6,500 ft)

The mid-elevation oak and juniper transition zone between desert and mountain conifer is the core mule deer habitat. Focus on south-facing slopes and canyon heads where acorn production is strong in fall. Bucks feed in the oaks at dawn and bed on shaded north slopes by mid-morning.

Desert Grassland Edges

In early morning and evening, bucks push down from the mountains to feed in the open grassland flats along unit edges. Glassing from ridge points overlooking these transition zones can reveal deer at long range before shooting light.

How to Hunt GMU 39/40A/40B Mule Deer

The multi-unit tag structure rewards hunters who scout all three units before the season and concentrate effort where deer sign is freshest.

Spot-and-Stalk in Mountain Terrain

Glass from ridge-top vantages early morning and work drainages once a buck is located. The rugged Galiuro terrain requires physical fitness and willingness to pursue deer into steep canyon country. Most mature bucks are taken well off the main roads.

Water Sources in Dry Years

In drought years, stock tanks and developed wildlife water catchments become concentration points. Map water sources in all three units before the hunt and check each one for fresh tracks and droppings during your pre-season scouting.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle22%

Multi-unit mule deer hunts in southeastern Arizona typically produce moderate success rates. The vast combined unit gives hunters the best chance to relocate and stay on deer. Check AZGFD's harvest reporting portal for current success data by unit and weapon type.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	450	952	42.8%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

The 39/40A/40B combined mule deer draw offers more tags than single-unit premium draws, but competition is still meaningful. Bonus points improve your annual odds — check draw.azgfd.com for current applicant-to-tag ratios and historical draw data.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to difficult — desert mountain terrain with steep canyon drainages; high-clearance 4WD recommended for back roads

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Hunting Pressure

Low to moderate — vast multi-unit area distributes hunter pressure across three GMUs

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Nearest Town

Safford (approx. 20–40 mi depending on access point; full services — fuel, groceries, lodging, medical)

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Permit Notes

Limited-draw tag valid across all three units; apply through AZGFD bonus point draw each spring

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the GMU 39/40A/40B tag let me hunt all three units?

Yes. The combined unit tag issued through AZGFD's draw is valid across GMU 39, 40A, and 40B for the designated season. This gives you flexibility to move between units during the hunt based on deer activity.

How do I apply for a mule deer tag in the 39/40A/40B combined unit?

Apply through the Arizona Game and Fish Department draw portal at draw.azgfd.com during the annual application period (typically January–February). Accumulating bonus points each year improves your 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 Mule Deer Hunt Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Multi-unit hunt structure for 39/40A/40B, Season dates, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Draw odds, Bonus point system, Historical applicant data · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Hunting — Unit Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit boundary and species management overview · accessed 2026-04-17