Arizona Elk Mule Deer Pronghorn Turkey Bighorn Sheep

Unit 4A (Mogollon Rim)

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

Unit 4A straddles the Mogollon Rim along the Apache-Sitgreaves and Coconino National Forest boundary, encompassing the East Clear Creek drainage and surrounding rim country. The unit spans ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and pinyon-juniper from 6,000 to 8,000 feet, providing diverse elk habitat along one of Arizona's most dramatic terrain features. Bull quality is above average with consistent 280-320 class bulls available to hunters who put in the work.

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Logistics & Planning Guide →

Access roads, campgrounds, elevation, monthly weather, stock tanks, cell coverage, and nearest-town services for Unit 4A.

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Elk Hunting in Unit 4A

Where to Find Elk in Unit 4A

Elk in Unit 4A distribute along the Mogollon Rim and down through the East Clear Creek drainage, using the full elevation gradient.

Rim Top Ponderosa (7,000–8,000 ft)

The ponderosa parks and meadow systems on top of the Mogollon Rim hold elk during the warmer months and early archery season. Meadow edges and park openings within the timber are primary feeding areas. Focus on areas with nearby water sources along the Rim.

PJ Transition Zone (6,000–7,000 ft)

As temperatures drop and hunting pressure builds, elk shift into the pinyon-juniper zone below the Rim and along the East Clear Creek drainage. This transition country offers broken terrain with good cover and browse. Elk use the juniper pockets for midday bedding.

Stock Tanks and Springs

Water drives elk movement in Unit 4A. Active stock tanks along the Rim and in the East Clear Creek area are hotspots, especially during dry fall conditions. Check tanks for fresh sign — tracks, droppings, and wallowed mud — to identify current patterns.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 4A

Unit 4A offers a blend of Rim-edge glassing and timber hunting opportunities along the Mogollon Rim.

Archery Rut Hunts

September archery season puts you in the ponderosa timber along the Rim during peak bugling. Work the meadow edges and parks at first light, calling aggressively with cow calls and challenge bugles. Bulls in 4A respond well early in the season before they become pressured.

Rifle Season — Glass and Move

During rifle season, set up on Rim-edge vantage points above meadow systems and glass at dawn and dusk. The East Clear Creek drainage provides excellent long-range glassing. Expect to cover significant ground to locate bulls.

Late Season Push

Late-season hunts in Unit 4A can be productive when cold weather pushes elk onto south-facing slopes below the Rim. Snow cover makes tracking easier and concentrates animals into predictable patterns along the Rim breaks.

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Elk Success Rates

Unit 4A elk success rates typically range from 25-40% for rifle and 10-18% for archery. The unit produces consistent results thanks to healthy herd numbers and moderate tag allocation. Bull quality does not reach the heights of Unit 1 but remains above the statewide average.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	169	650	16.3%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	3	1	100.0%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	146	283	34.3%
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	1	0	0.0%
Rifle— Early Rifle	3	4	50.0%
Rifle— Early Rifle	3	1	100.0%
Archery— Early Archery	97	1,144	6.0%
Archery— Late Archery Nov	29	44	43.2%
Archery— Early Archery	97	91	36.3%

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 4A elk tags require 10-18 bonus points for most weapon types. A long-term application commitment but the Mogollon Rim habitat and above-average bull quality justify the investment. The loyalty bonus rewards consistent annual applications.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 4A

Unit 4A's Mogollon Rim terrain supports a healthy mule deer herd across the Apache-Sitgreaves and Coconino NF boundary. The diverse habitat from Rim-top ponderosa down through PJ and oak brush along East Clear Creek provides excellent multi-zone deer range. Draw odds are more attainable than neighboring premium units, making this an excellent mid-range application target.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 4A

Mule deer in Unit 4A favor the transition zones along the Mogollon Rim between ponderosa forest and lower pinyon-juniper country.

PJ Woodland Edges

The pinyon-juniper margins below the Rim and along East Clear Creek hold the best mule deer concentrations. Bucks bed in thick juniper stands and feed in adjacent openings. Glass juniper edges thoroughly — bucks blend in remarkably well.

Rim Top Meadows

Higher-elevation meadows within the ponderosa belt on top of the Rim hold bucks during early seasons. Focus on the meadow edges where deer stage before moving to feed at dusk.

Rim Breaks

Bucks use the broken Rim escarpment and canyon terrain along East Clear Creek for escape and bedding cover. These areas are less accessible but hold mature deer that avoid open-country hunters.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 4A

Unit 4A mule deer hunting combines open-country glassing with PJ woodland stalks.

Dawn Glassing Sessions

Set up on elevated points above PJ edges and meadows before first light. Glass systematically as deer move from bedding to feeding areas. Mark locations of mature bucks and plan stalks for subsequent sessions.

Midday Still-Hunting

During midday, slowly work through juniper pockets where bucks bed. Move 20-30 yards between glassing stops, using binoculars to pick apart the brush. Bucks often hold tight in their beds until you are very close.

Rut Activity

November rut activity increases buck visibility dramatically. Hunt all day during peak rut — bucks cruise actively between doe groups across open terrain from mid-morning through mid-afternoon.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle success for mule deer in Unit 4A averages 35-50%. The accessible terrain and healthy deer numbers contribute to solid results. Buck quality is above the Arizona average, though a step below Unit 1's trophy potential.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	10	11	81.8%	0
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	9	344	1.7%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 4A mule deer tags are competitive but more attainable than some premium units. Expect to need 8-14 bonus points for rifle tags. Archery tags may draw with fewer points. This unit hits a sweet spot between trophy quality and draw accessibility along the Mogollon Rim.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 4A

Unit 04A is an Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) pronghorn unit. Tags are awarded through AZGFD's weighted-random bonus-point draw, with quotas set annually based on survey data and habitat conditions. Review AZGFD hunt guidelines, regulations, and the draw results page to confirm season dates, legal weapons, and historical odds before applying.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 04A

Pronghorn prefer open grasslands, sagebrush flats, and rolling terrain with good visibility. Glass from high points at first and last light.

Water sources and fence crossings are key concentrating features. Review the AZGFD unit page for access notes and check MVUM maps before you go.

How to Hunt Unit 04A

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Arizona pronghorn hunts typically post strong success rates due to animal visibility and controlled permit numbers. Consult AZGFD hunt reports for recent Unit 04A harvest data.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Early Rifle	3	18	16.7%
Archery— Early Archery	1	65	1.5%
Archery— General Archery	1	1	100.0%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Pronghorn tags in Arizona are drawn through the weighted-random bonus-point system. Applicants with more points have more random entries. Check AZGFD's draw results page for unit-level odds.

Turkey Hunting in Unit 4A

The combined Unit 4A/4B turkey hunt covers the Mogollon Rim country from Happy Jack and Long Valley east toward Blue Ridge, spanning the Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. This Rim-country block is one of Arizona's most productive Merriam's corridors — dense ponderosa, oak drainages, and seasonal creek bottoms hold strong roost flocks. With ~199 tags across three years against 277 applicants, the combined hunt offers favorable odds and extensive public access. We treat 4A/4B as a big-country hunt where road scouting and drainage-by-drainage listening set up the morning.

Where to Find Turkeys in Units 4A/4B

Merriam's turkeys in 4A/4B work the ponderosa-oak transition along the Rim.

Happy Jack / Long Valley

Ponderosa benches around Happy Jack and Long Valley hold strong roost flocks. Creek drainages with big yellow pines and Gambel oak are prime. Glass meadow edges at first light.

Blue Ridge / FR 300 (Rim Road)

The Rim Road corridor from Blue Ridge Reservoir east toward Woods Canyon gives access to countless roost drainages. Birds often feed on the grassy benches just off the Rim.

Clear Creek / East Clear Creek

The Clear Creek drainages drop off the Rim and hold roost trees in mature cottonwood-ponderosa pockets.

How to Hunt Turkeys in Units 4A/4B

This is big country. We cover ground by truck between calling sets and commit on foot only when we've cut gobbling birds.

Drive-and-Listen at Dawn

Start on FR 300 or a secondary spur an hour before legal shooting light. Stop every quarter mile, cut the engine, and hoot an owl call. Once a bird answers, set up within 150 yards of the roost and wait for fly-down.

Mid-Morning Cruise

After 9 a.m., walk ridgelines and call aggressively every 200 yards. Rim-country toms will often come to cutts and yelps well after the initial gobble burst.

Strut-Zone Ambush

Grass parks and old landings become strut zones mid-morning. Hen-and-jake decoy sets in the open, with the hunter in partial concealment, turn cruising gobblers predictable.

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Turkey Success Rates

Combined 4A/4B spring Merriam's success runs 40–55% — among the best in the state thanks to dense roost habitat, extensive road access, and high bird density. Fall hunts (when offered) post 20–30% as flocks break up and birds grow quieter.

Turkey Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Shotgun— Early Shotgun	100	94	25.5%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 4A/4B turkey is a favorable mid-odds draw. Arizona uses a weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus — 20% of tags go to max-point holders, 80% to a random weighted draw. With ~199 tags against 277 applicants over three years, residents frequently draw with 0–1 bonus points. Nonresidents face a 10% cap but still see reasonable odds.

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 4A

The combined Unit 4A/5A bighorn hunt targets a small reintroduced Rocky Mountain bighorn herd along the Mogollon Rim and Bill Williams Mountain country in north-central Arizona. Translocated from Wyoming and Colorado source herds, this population uses the cliff bands and volcanic formations along the Rim edge and Bill Williams Mountain. With only ~1 tag over three years against 218 applicants, it's one of Arizona's rarest Rocky Mountain bighorn opportunities — a genuine once-in-a-lifetime draw. We treat any 4A/5A tag as a full-scale expedition.

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Units 4A/5A

Rams use the cliff bands and volcanic outcrops of the Rim and Bill Williams.

Mogollon Rim Cliff Bands

The Rim edge north of Strawberry and Pine holds scattered rams on limestone cliff faces. Glass from FR 300 (Rim Road) pullouts.

Bill Williams Mountain Flanks

Bill Williams Mountain's volcanic slopes west of Williams produce occasional rams on the steep north and east faces.

Sycamore Canyon Rim

Rims along Sycamore Canyon (NW of Flagstaff) may hold groups. Wilderness access means foot travel only.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Units 4A/5A

With ~1 tag per three years, we treat any draw as a full-commitment expedition.

Start with AZGFD Region II

Flagstaff Region II biologists track the small herd closely and know which groups have mature rams. Contact them the moment your tag is confirmed.

Scout Summer and Fall

Make multiple scouting trips before the hunt. Ram movement across this broad combined unit is dispersed, so locating a shooter takes legwork.

Glass-and-Commit

Once a ram is found, commit fully — these rams are few and isolated, so extended surveillance and patient stalking are required.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Sample size is tiny with ~1 tag per three years. Recent harvest rates have been near 100% thanks to the hunter commitment required and AZGFD biologist coordination. Ram quality is good for a reintroduced Rocky Mountain herd — 155–170 B&C range.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	2	477	0.4%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 4A/5A bighorn is one of Arizona's rarest Rocky Mountain bighorn draws. With only ~1 tag over three years against 218 applicants, odds run well under 1% per application. Arizona uses a weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus — 20% to max-point holders, 80% to a random weighted draw. Plan on 20+ bonus points before expecting competitiveness. Arizona residents who harvest any bighorn lose eligibility for future bighorn applications.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Campgrounds along Highway 260 near the Mogollon Rim. Some forest campgrounds with RV-accessible sites.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping on Apache-Sitgreaves and Coconino NF land along the Rim. Numerous forest road pulloffs and flat sites.

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Trailer Access

Highway 260 is paved and handles all sizes. Forest roads vary — many are passable for short trailers.

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Water

Carry all water. Stock tanks are present but unreliable for human consumption. Nearest towns for resupply are along Highway 260.

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Road Conditions

Highway 260 provides good paved access. Forest roads along the Rim vary from graded gravel to rough two-track. 4WD recommended off highways.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Mix of open Rim-top parks, timbered ridges, and steep Rim breaks. East Clear Creek drainage adds rugged canyon terrain.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate. The Rim country sees consistent hunting interest due to quality habitat.

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Weather

Fall temps 20-55°F. Freezing nights from October on. Snow possible on the Rim top in late season. Be prepared for rapid weather changes at elevation.

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Cell Service

Spotty near Highway 260. No service in the backcountry and Rim breaks.

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Nearest Town

Heber-Overgaard (basic services). Payson (45 min west) or Show Low (45 min east) for fuller services.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Unit 4A compare to Unit 1 for Arizona elk?

Unit 4A offers above-average elk hunting along the Mogollon Rim with somewhat easier draw odds than Unit 1. Bull quality is solid, driven by the diverse Rim habitat. It is an excellent option for hunters who want quality Arizona elk without the extreme point requirements of Unit 1.

What is the best season for elk in Unit 4A?

The September archery season during the elk rut is the most exciting option, with bugling bulls across the ponderosa parks. Rifle season in October-November offers higher overall success rates.

Are Unit 4A mule deer tags easier to draw than Unit 1?

Yes. Unit 4A typically requires 8-14 bonus points compared to 15-20+ for Unit 1. The trade-off is slightly lower average trophy quality, but bucks above 170 inches are taken each year along the Mogollon Rim.

What is the terrain like in Unit 4A for deer hunting?

Rolling pinyon-juniper woodland and ponderosa parks on the Rim top with steeper terrain in the Rim breaks and East Clear Creek drainage. Moderate overall difficulty with good forest road access along Highway 260.

How do I apply for a Unit 04A pronghorn tag?

Apply through the AZGFD online draw portal during the posted pronghorn application window. Tags are awarded through Arizona's weighted-random bonus-point draw.

How does Arizona's bonus-point system work?

Each unsuccessful year you apply, you earn a bonus point. Bonus points create additional random entries in the draw, improving your odds over time.

Is the combined 4A/4B turkey hunt a good unit for first-time Merriam's hunters?

Yes — the combination of extensive road access, strong bird populations, and favorable draw odds makes 4A/4B one of Arizona's most approachable Merriam's hunts for newcomers.

How many bonus points for a 4A/4B turkey tag?

Residents routinely draw with 0–1 bonus points. Nonresidents may need 1–2 given the 10% cap. The hunter-education bonus ticket helps first-time applicants.

Where should I base camp for Units 4A/4B?

Dispersed camping along FR 3 or FR 95 near Happy Jack puts you in the middle of prime Rim turkey country. Blue Ridge and Rock Crossing developed campgrounds offer water and toilets.

What bighorn subspecies is in Units 4A/5A?

Rocky Mountain bighorn — translocated from Wyoming and Colorado source herds. Most AZ bighorn hunts target desert bighorn; this is one of the very few Rocky Mountain hunts in the state.

How hard is the Unit 4A/5A bighorn draw?

Extremely — with ~1 tag over three years and 218 applicants, odds are well under 1%. Plan on 20+ bonus points and apply annually for the loyalty bonus.

Do I need a guide for Units 4A/5A bighorn?

Not required, but with rams so dispersed across the combined unit, hiring a guide with current AZGFD coordination or doing heavy personal scouting is almost essential.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

GMU 4A — Expanded Hunt Information (June 2022) — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit boundaries and land ownership categories, Species present in the unit, Seasonal distribution and hunt areas, Habitat and access notes · accessed 2026-04-16
GMU 4A — Unit Landing Page — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Canonical unit info page · accessed 2026-04-16
2026 Arizona Pronghorn and Elk Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Season structure, Tag quotas, Hunt area boundaries · accessed 2026-04-16
2025-26 Arizona Hunting Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Season structure, Bag limits, Legal equipment · accessed 2026-04-16
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bonus point system, Draw application portal, Historical draw data · accessed 2026-04-16
AZGFD Hunt Guidelines — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Hunt guidelines, Pronghorn management objectives, Unit boundaries · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Hunt Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Season dates, Legal weapons, Bag limits · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Results & Bonus Points — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Draw results, Bonus point totals, Pronghorn draw odds · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Turkey Hunting — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Merriam's turkey distribution along the Mogollon Rim, Combined 4A/4B hunt structure, Spring and fall turkey seasons, Tag allocation and draw rules · accessed 2026-04-17
Coconino National Forest — Mogollon Rim and Blue Ridge RDs — USDA Forest Service · supports: FR 3, FR 300 (Rim Road) access, Dispersed camping, Motor Vehicle Use Map · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Bighorn Sheep Management — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Rocky Mountain bighorn reintroduction in Arizona, Unit 4A/5A combined hunt structure, Mogollon Rim and Bill Williams habitat, Translocation source herds · accessed 2026-04-17
Kaibab National Forest — Williams Ranger District — USDA Forest Service · supports: Bill Williams Mountain access, Mogollon Rim trails, Dispersed camping · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 4A (Mogollon Rim)

Elk Hunting in Unit 4A

Where to Find Elk in Unit 4A

Rim Top Ponderosa (7,000–8,000 ft)

PJ Transition Zone (6,000–7,000 ft)

Stock Tanks and Springs

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 4A

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 4A

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 4A

PJ Woodland Edges

Rim Top Meadows

Rim Breaks

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 4A

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 4A

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 04A

How to Hunt Unit 04A

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Turkey Hunting in Unit 4A

Where to Find Turkeys in Units 4A/4B

Happy Jack / Long Valley

Blue Ridge / FR 300 (Rim Road)

Clear Creek / East Clear Creek

How to Hunt Turkeys in Units 4A/4B

Turkey Success Rates

Turkey Draw Odds

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 4A

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Units 4A/5A

Mogollon Rim Cliff Bands

Bill Williams Mountain Flanks

Sycamore Canyon Rim

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Units 4A/5A

Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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