Arizona Elk Mule Deer Pronghorn

Unit Camp Navajo (Camp Navajo — Military Installation Elk Hunt)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn

The Camp Navajo elk hunt is a special limited-access draw on the Camp Navajo Army National Guard installation west of Flagstaff, Arizona. The installation covers roughly 28,000 acres of ponderosa pine forest and grassland at 7,000 feet on the Colorado Plateau. AZGFD partners with the Arizona National Guard to manage a limited draw allowing a small number of hunters onto the post each season. With 71 tags issued over three years against 150 applicants, Camp Navajo is a moderately difficult draw for a rare military-base elk hunting opportunity.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit Camp Navajo

Where to Find Elk at Camp Navajo

Elk at Camp Navajo use the ponderosa pine forest and grassland meadow complex that dominates the installation. The resident herd benefits from the installation's controlled access, which reduces hunting pressure and vehicle disturbance relative to surrounding public land.

Ponderosa Parks

Open ponderosa parks and meadow systems across the installation hold feeding elk. Access is restricted to the designated routes on the military-provided map — hunters may not leave authorized roads and hunt zones.

Meadow Edges at Dawn/Dusk

Classic elk pattern — meadow edges produce at first and last light. The installation's lower hunting pressure means elk often feed well into the morning before retreating to timber.

How to Hunt Camp Navajo Elk

Camp Navajo is a structured hunt — you must complete a mandatory check-in with the military range control, carry a current hunt pass, and stay within designated hunt zones. Within those rules, the lower pressure and solid elk numbers make this a very productive hunt.

Pre-Hunt Briefing

Review the installation map, hunt zone boundaries, and range control communication requirements before opening day. Range closures and active training areas can shift during the hunt — stay in communication with the range office.

Glassing Strategy

We glass from road high points into the meadow complexes early and late. Elk at Camp Navajo are relatively undisturbed and often feed longer into daylight than elk on surrounding public land. Cover ground efficiently; the installation is finite and productive areas are well-known.

Pro Members Only

Unlock elk tactics for Camp Navajo

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Elk Success Rates

Rifle25%

Muzzleloader22%

Archery18%

Camp Navajo elk success rates are strong — typically 50–70% for rifle hunters — driven by the installation's controlled access, strong resident herd, and lower overall pressure. Bull quality is solid with regular 280–320 bulls in the harvest. Check AZGFD data for current figures.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Early Rifle	10	48	16.7%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	5	1	100.0%
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	5	6	50.0%
Rifle— Early Rifle	2	57	3.5%
Rifle— General Rifle Oct	3	1	0.0%
Muzzleloader— General Muzzleloader Oct	5	2	100.0%
Muzzleloader— General Muzzleloader Oct	2	10	10.0%
Archery— Early Archery	7	2	100.0%
Archery— General Archery Oct	5	0	0.0%
Archery— Late Archery Nov	7	0	0.0%
Archery— Early Archery	5	11	27.3%
Archery— General Archery Oct	10	9	33.3%
Archery— Late Archery Nov	5	3	100.0%

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Camp Navajo elk is a moderate-difficulty draw. With 71 tags issued against 150 applicants over three years, odds run near 47% per application year. Arizona uses a weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus — 20% of tags to max-point holders, 80% to a random weighted draw. Consistent annual application builds points and the loyalty bonus.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit Camp Navajo

Camp Navajo is an Arizona Army National Guard installation on the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau near Bellemont, northwest of Flagstaff. The reservation sits at 7,000–7,800 ft in ponderosa pine forest and open grassland parks — classic Arizona mule deer habitat. Limited civilian mule deer tags are issued through the AZGFD draw. Deer on the installation experience minimal hunting pressure outside of the controlled program, resulting in above-average buck quality. Hunters must coordinate access through AZGFD and Camp Navajo installation management.

Where to Find Mule Deer at Camp Navajo

Camp Navajo's ponderosa pine flats and open parks hold resident mule deer year-round. The plateau elevation produces cooler summer temperatures that keep deer in the area through the October rifle season.

Ponderosa Parks and Meadows

Open grassland parks surrounded by ponderosa pine are the primary feeding areas. Bucks stage in the timber edge at dawn, then feed into openings as light improves. Glass park edges methodically before moving.

Pinyon-Juniper Transition (Lower Flanks)

The lower edges of the installation transition to pinyon-juniper and cliffrose-covered slopes. Mature bucks often retreat to this thicker cover after pressure increases. Scout access roads to the lower boundary before your hunt.

Water Sources

Stock tanks and natural catchments on the installation concentrate deer during dry fall periods. Locate water sources on your map and plan morning and evening approaches accordingly.

Pro Members Only

Unlock mule deer hotspots for Camp Navajo

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

How to Hunt Mule Deer at Camp Navajo

Camp Navajo hunts are conducted in designated zones. Hunters must check in at the installation gate and follow all base rules. Access hours are typically restricted — plan arrival before first light with documentation ready.

Spot-and-Stalk in Open Ponderosa

The open ponderosa parkland allows long-range glassing. Bring a quality tripod and spotting scope to cover ground from high points before committing to a stalk. Mule deer on the installation are not skittish compared to public land deer, but still require careful approach.

Still-Hunting Timber Edges

On windy or overcast days, slow-still hunting through the ponderosa-to-meadow transitions can produce close encounters. Move upwind, pause frequently, and glass ahead before each step.

Required Documentation

Bring your AZGFD tag, valid government ID, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. Obtain the installation hunting permit from the Camp Navajo Range Control office before your hunt date.

Pro Members Only

Unlock hunting tactics for Camp Navajo

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Mule Deer Success Rates

Archery15%

Mule deer success at Camp Navajo is above average for Arizona's controlled military hunts, typically 35–50%. Reduced pressure across the installation means bucks reach maturity at higher rates than adjacent public land units.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Early Archery	20	30	53.3%	0

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Camp Navajo mule deer tags are limited. The draw unit appears as 'Camp Navajo' or 'CN' in the AZGFD portal. Bonus points in the 4–10 range are typically competitive for rifle hunts. Demand has grown as word spreads about buck quality — apply early in your point-building cycle.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit Camp Navajo

Camp Navajo's open grassland plateaus and ponderosa parks near Bellemont, Arizona support a resident pronghorn population that receives virtually no hunting pressure outside of the limited civilian draw. At 7,000–7,800 ft elevation, the installation's wide-open terrain is ideal pronghorn habitat — long sightlines, mixed grass-forb cover, and minimal disturbance from vehicle traffic outside the base. Tags are issued through AZGFD; access requires coordination with Camp Navajo Range Control after drawing a tag.

Where to Find Pronghorn at Camp Navajo

Camp Navajo pronghorn favor the open grassland parks and wide meadows on the plateau, often in mixed herds of does and bucks during the late summer and fall season window.

Open Grassland Parks

The wide-open flats near the center of the installation hold pronghorn daily. Glass from elevated points along the perimeter roads early in the morning — herds are visible at 1–2 miles on clear days.

Fence Lines and Water

Pronghorn don't jump fences — they go under or around. Map fence crossings and water sources to predict movement corridors. Water tanks on the installation are reliable congregation points in September.

Transition Zones

Where open grassland meets the ponderosa edge, bucks often hold in mixed cover during midday heat. Glass these transition zones during the middle of the day when animals are less visible in open country.

Pro Members Only

Unlock pronghorn hotspots for Camp Navajo

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

How to Hunt Pronghorn at Camp Navajo

Pronghorn hunting at Camp Navajo is open-country stalking with excellent visibility. The challenge isn't finding animals — it's getting within range without being spotted.

Spot-and-Stalk

Glass extensively from your vehicle along base roads before exiting. Once you've located a target buck, plan your stalk using terrain features and prevailing wind. Pronghorn have exceptional eyesight — keep below the skyline and use any available terrain break.

Waterhole Ambush

Setting up a ground blind at an active water tank 48 hours before your hunt is highly effective in September when temperatures remain high. Pronghorn typically visit water once per day, often mid-morning.

Archery Tactics

If hunting archery season, decoys and stalking in groups of two (one as the "body" behind the decoy) have proven effective on pronghorn across the Arizona plateau. Pronghorn are often aggressive and curious during the late August–September rut.

Pro Members Only

Unlock pronghorn tactics for Camp Navajo

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Pronghorn Success Rates

Archery48%

Pronghorn success rates at Camp Navajo are high — typically 50–70% for rifle hunters owing to open terrain, good visibility, and limited hunting pressure. Archery success is lower at 20–35% but still above state average.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— General Archery	6	44	11.4%	0

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Camp Navajo pronghorn tags are limited but the draw unit is less over-subscribed than mule deer on the same installation. Bonus points in the 2–6 range can be competitive for some hunt types. Check the AZGFD portal under 'Camp Navajo' or 'CN'.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

🛣️

Road Conditions

I-40 paved to Camp Navajo exit; installation interior roads maintained gravel; access restricted to designated routes

🥾

Terrain Difficulty

Easy to moderate — flat to gently rolling ponderosa plateau at 7,000 ft

👥

Hunting Pressure

Very low — limited-access military installation caps hunter density

🌦️

Weather

Fall hunts: 40–70°F days, 20–40°F nights; early snow possible late season

📱

Cell Service

Varies across the installation; carry range-office radio contact info

🏘️

Nearest Town

Bellemont/Flagstaff (full services, 10–20 min east)

📋

Permit Notes

Access pass and safety briefing required; hunters must comply with all military range rules, range-office check-in, and zone closures; non-compliance revokes access mid-hunt

Pro Members Only

Unlock logistics for Camp Navajo elk

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need special clearance to hunt Camp Navajo?

Yes. Drawing a Camp Navajo tag grants conditional access — you must complete the installation's mandatory pre-hunt safety briefing, carry a current hunt pass, check in with range control, and comply with all military range rules. Civilian hunters without the tag cannot access the installation.

Can I use my own rifle at Camp Navajo?

Yes. You hunt with your own legal Arizona hunting firearm per AZGFD elk regulations. Installation rules govern transport — firearms must be cased and unloaded outside designated hunt zones, and ammunition restrictions per AZGFD apply.

How do civilians access Camp Navajo for hunting?

After drawing an AZGFD tag for the Camp Navajo draw unit, hunters must contact the Camp Navajo Range Control office to obtain an installation hunting permit. Valid government ID, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance are required at the gate.

What species can civilians hunt at Camp Navajo?

AZGFD issues limited civilian tags for mule deer and pronghorn on Camp Navajo. Both hunts go through the standard AZGFD draw process.

When is the pronghorn rut at Camp Navajo?

Arizona pronghorn rut typically occurs late August to mid-September. Archery hunts that overlap this window offer opportunities to use decoys and calling tactics on actively breeding bucks.

Do I need a different access permit for pronghorn vs. mule deer at Camp Navajo?

Yes — you'll need a separate installation hunting permit for each hunt. Contact Camp Navajo Range Control after drawing each specific AZGFD tag to arrange access.

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Unlock advanced tactics, the Tag-to-Trail Planner, AI hunt strategy assistant, and personalized camp and trip execution plans.

Upgrade to Pro+AI — $79/yr

Sources & Verification

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

AZGFD 2026 Elk Hunt Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Camp Navajo special hunt structure, Access requirements, Tag allocation · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Camp Navajo elk draw odds, Weighted bonus-point system, Applicant history · accessed 2026-04-17
Camp Navajo — Arizona National Guard — Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs · supports: Camp Navajo installation overview, Size and habitat, Public-access limitations · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Military Base Hunt Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Civilian hunt program, Camp Navajo tag draw, Access requirements · accessed 2026-04-18
Camp Navajo — DEMA — Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs · supports: Installation location, Mission and land use · accessed 2026-04-18