Arizona Elk Pronghorn Mule Deer Turkey

Unit 3B

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

Unit 03B is an Arizona elk unit managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). Permits are allocated through AZGFD's weighted-random bonus-point draw, where bonus points function as additional chances in the random selection rather than as guaranteed preference. Hunters applying for this unit should consult AZGFD's Hunt Guidelines, current regulations, and historical draw results to build a realistic point-building plan.

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Logistics & Planning Guide →

Access roads, campgrounds, elevation, monthly weather, stock tanks, cell coverage, and nearest-town services for Unit 3B.

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Elk Hunting in Unit 3B

Where to Find Elk in Unit 03B

Elk distribute across public land within the unit boundary. Scout transition zones between meadow feeding and timbered bedding, active water sources, and glassing ridges that open at first and last light. AZGFD unit pages and USFS/BLM maps are the right starting point for narrowing access.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 03B

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Elk Success Rates

AZGFD publishes harvest and success-rate data by hunt code. Expect variation across archery, muzzleloader, and rifle seasons. Multi-year averages are a more reliable planning anchor than a single year for Unit 03B elk.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Muzzleloader— Early Muzzleloader	30	751	2.4%
Muzzleloader— Late Muzzleloader Dec	200	216	43.1%
Muzzleloader— General Muzzleloader Oct	100	227	27.8%
Muzzleloader— Late Muzzleloader Dec	250	323	43.0%
Muzzleloader— Late Muzzleloader Nov	200	282	39.0%
Archery— Early Archery	75	535	8.0%
Archery— Early Archery	25	42	28.6%
Rifle— Early Rifle	75	537	7.4%
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	200	265	30.9%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	100	256	21.5%
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	250	346	41.9%

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Arizona's weighted-random bonus-point system rewards persistence without guaranteeing a tag. Apply every year and use AZGFD's published draw results to model realistic point ranges for your Unit 03B elk hunt code.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 3B

Unit 3B covers the grassland plains between Concho and Springerville in Apache County, east-central Arizona. Terrain is rolling short-grass prairie and juniper savanna at 5,500–6,500 feet elevation, broken by shallow drainages and occasional volcanic outcrops. The unit is a patchwork of state trust land, BLM, Apache-Sitgreaves NF, and private ranches. Pronghorn favor the open grassland flats and hay meadow edges along US-60 and SR 61.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 3B

3B pronghorn concentrate on open grasslands and hay meadow margins.

US-60 Corridor

The grasslands flanking US-60 between Concho and Springerville hold primary buck groups. Glass from elevated county roads before pushing off-road.

SR 61 and Vernon

The grasslands south of Vernon and along SR 61 hold secondary buck groups. State trust permits required for most access.

Hay Meadow Margins

Private hay meadows draw pronghorn during summer and early fall. Public access on adjoining state trust typically gives us shots at pronghorn entering/exiting private pivots.

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How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 3B

3B is classic open-country pronghorn hunting with strong tag availability.

State Trust Permit

Much of 3B is state trust checkerboard. Buy an Arizona State Land Department recreation permit online and carry proof during the hunt.

Stalk Planning

Mature bucks demand 400–600 yard crawls. Use every inch of topography and plan for monsoon tail-end weather during August–September hunts.

Early Season Water

Late monsoon rains leave scattered waters. Focus on stock tanks and developed catchments — pronghorn water in the cool hours.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Unit 3B is one of AZ's better pronghorn draws for tag availability (~21 tags across three recent years against ~728 applicants). Success rates on AZ pronghorn hunts run 70–90%. Trophy quality in 3B is solid.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Muzzleloader— Early Muzzleloader	3	260	0.4%
Archery— Early Archery	7	138	1.4%
Rifle— Early Rifle	3	272	1.1%

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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3B pronghorn is a middle-tier AZ pronghorn draw — roughly 35:1 applicant-to-tag ratio. Arizona's weighted bonus-point system routes 20% to max-point holders first and 80% via random weighted draw. Expect to need 5–12 bonus points for realistic competitiveness. A hunter-ed bonus point is available to applicants who complete AZGFD-recognized hunter education.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 3B

Unit 3B sits on the Apache-Sitgreaves and private ranch country between Concho and Springerville in northeast Arizona. The unit is a mid-opportunity mule deer hunt with ~225 tags against ~328 recent 3-year applicants — roughly 70% odds average for the primary hunt code. Habitat runs from pinyon-juniper plateau country into ponderosa stringers on the unit's southeast edge. Per AZGFD, 3B deer shift between summer high country and winter PJ-sage benches, with buck quality steady in the 130-150 class range and occasional 160+ animals.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 3B

3B deer move between three elevation bands through the season.

PJ Plateau (6,000–7,000 ft)

Most of the unit's huntable public ground sits in the pinyon-juniper plateau north of Highway 60. Deer concentrate here during October rifle season in cooler weather.

Ponderosa Fringe (7,000–8,000 ft)

The southeast corner of 3B climbs into ponderosa on the Apache-Sitgreaves NF. Early-season archery deer hold here before pressure and weather push them lower.

Browse Drainages

Oak-brush and cliff rose draws throughout the plateau hold deer through winter. Focus the side canyons off the primary forest roads.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 3B

We approach 3B as a classic PJ glassing unit with ponderosa options for early season.

Glassing Points

Pre-hunt we identify 4-5 high points with road access and long sight lines into drainages. Bucks feed out at first light and work back to bedding by 9 AM.

Land-Ownership Work

3B is a patchwork of public and private ranch. We onX every stalk. State trust permit required for crossing.

Weather Timing

Cold snaps push deer out of the upper ponderosa into the PJ. We watch the forecast closely the week before the hunt and adjust our starting habitat accordingly.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Unit 3B rifle hunters average 22-32% success. Archery runs 10-15%. Buck quality is steady in the 130-150 class with occasional 160+ animals. A reliable mid-tier Arizona mule deer unit for mid-point applicants.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Muzzleloader— General Muzzleloader Oct	125	151	47.7%	0
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	125	203	38.9%	0

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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3B draws via Arizona's weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus. With ~225 tags against ~328 recent 3-year applicants, this is a relatively shallow draw — low-to-mid-point applicants (1-4 bonus points) regularly pull tags for the main rifle code. HAM and archery draw with fewer points.

Turkey Hunting in Unit 3B

Unit 3B turkey hunting covers the western White Mountain country of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests between Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside. The unit holds strong Merriam's turkey populations in the mixed ponderosa-oak-juniper transition zones and meadow systems of the Mogollon Rim country. AZGFD issued 150 tags over three years against 153 applicants, making Unit 3B one of Arizona's most accessible turkey draws and a reliable bet for resident hunters wanting quality White Mountains spring gobbler action.

Where to Find Turkeys in Unit 3B

Merriam's in 3B use the mixed ponderosa-oak transition country between the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountain foothills. Flocks favor meadow edges, oak draws, and spring-fed drainages.

Show Low / Pinetop Ponderosa Country

The ponderosa parks south of Show Low and around Pinetop hold roost flocks. Listen at dawn from forest road high points for gobbling activity.

Oak-Ponderosa Transition

Focus on the lower-elevation oak draws and transition zones where ponderosa meets oak-juniper. These are classic Merriam's strutting and feeding zones during spring.

How to Hunt Unit 3B Turkeys

Unit 3B rewards classic Merriam's tactics — roost scouting the night before, decisive dawn setup, and patient calling through the morning.

Evening Roost Scouting

Spend the afternoon before opening day driving forest roads listening for gobbling at last light. Pin roost trees on GPS and plan a quiet dawn approach 150–250 yards downwind.

Aggressive Mid-Morning Calling

Once birds are on the ground, mid-morning cutting and aggressive yelps pull in stubborn toms. Set decoys in open strutting zones with the hunter in shadow along a downed log or timber edge.

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Turkey Success Rates

Unit 3B Merriam's success typically runs 45–65% for spring hunters given the strong bird numbers and reasonable hunter density. Mature toms in the 18–22 lb range are common. Check AZGFD turkey harvest reports for current data.

Turkey Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Shotgun— Early Shotgun	75	65	44.6%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 3B is one of Arizona's most accessible turkey draws. With 150 tags issued against 153 applicants over three years, odds essentially approach 100% per application for residents. Arizona uses a weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus — 20% of tags to max-point holders, 80% to a random weighted draw. Expect leftover tags available after the main draw in most years.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

Mix of paved highways, maintained gravel, and unmaintained forest/BLM roads. High-clearance recommended; 4WD useful after rain or snow.

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Hunting Pressure

Tag-limited, so pressure is defined by permit counts. Opening weekends tend to be busiest.

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Weather

Hot dry early-season days give way to freezing mornings and possible snow in late seasons.

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Cell Service

Coverage is patchy to nonexistent in the backcountry. Plan on a satellite communicator.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for an Arizona Unit 03B elk tag?

Apply through AZGFD's online draw portal during the published application window. Arizona uses a weighted-random bonus-point system, so applying every year — even in years you don't expect to draw — keeps your point total growing.

Do low-point applicants have any realistic chance in Unit 03B?

Arizona's draw has a random component, so low-point applicants occasionally pull tags. Hunt code matters a lot — check AZGFD's published draw results for specifics.

How's 3B compare to 3C for pronghorn?

3B has substantially more tags (~21 vs ~2 recent 3-year totals) and better draw odds. 3C has slightly better trophy potential historically. Both are classic Arizona grassland pronghorn hunts.

Do I need a state trust permit for 3B?

Yes. 3B has extensive state trust checkerboard. Buy an Arizona State Land Department recreation permit online and carry proof.

What's the best base town for 3B?

Springerville for east-side access (closer to US-60 corridor), or St. Johns for central access. Show Low has the best full-service options within 45 minutes.

What bonus points do I need for Unit 3B mule deer?

Low-to-mid-point applicants (1-4 bonus points) draw the main 3B rifle code in most years. HAM and archery codes often draw with 0-2 points. Arizona's weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus rewards annual applications.

Is private land a problem in Unit 3B?

Yes, 3B has significant private ranch acreage interspersed with public. Run onX Hunt with Arizona state trust and BLM layers for every stalk. A State Trust Land Recreational Permit is required if you cross trust land.

Can I get a leftover Unit 3B turkey tag?

Often yes. With 150 tags issued against 153 applicants over three years, Unit 3B frequently has leftover tags available after the main draw. Check the AZGFD leftover tag list each spring.

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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 Hunt Guidelines — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Hunt structure, Permit allocation framework · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Hunt Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Season dates, Unit boundaries, Legal methods · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Results & Bonus Points — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bonus-point draw mechanics, Historical draw results · accessed 2026-04-17
GMU 3B — Unit Landing Page — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 3B boundaries, Land ownership mix, Pronghorn distribution · accessed 2026-04-17
2026 Arizona Pronghorn and Elk Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Pronghorn season structure, Unit 3B tag allocation, Hunt area boundaries · accessed 2026-04-17
Arizona State Land Recreation Permits — Arizona State Land Department · supports: State trust land recreation permit required, Access rules, Closure notices · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Weighted bonus point draw, 3B pronghorn historical odds · accessed 2026-04-17
2026 Arizona Hunting Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Deer season structure, Hunt codes, Tag allocations · accessed 2026-04-17
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests — USDA Forest Service · supports: Road status, MVUM, Dispersed camping · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Turkey Hunting — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Merriam's turkey management, Unit 3B distribution, Season structure · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 3B

Elk Hunting in Unit 3B

Where to Find Elk in Unit 03B

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 03B

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 3B

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 3B

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 3B

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 3B

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 3B

PJ Plateau (6,000–7,000 ft)

Ponderosa Fringe (7,000–8,000 ft)

Browse Drainages

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 3B

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Turkey Hunting in Unit 3B

Where to Find Turkeys in Unit 3B

Show Low / Pinetop Ponderosa Country

Oak-Ponderosa Transition

How to Hunt Unit 3B Turkeys

Turkey Success Rates

Turkey Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 3A — Mule Deer

Unit 4A — Mule Deer

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification