Overview: Approximately 95 percent of the Unit is public land administered by the US Forest Service. Ponderosa pine is the dominate vegetation type in the higher elevations above 6,000 feet with scattered gamble oak. The mixed conifer vegetation type is most common on Bill Williams Mountain and the pinyon/juniper vegetation type is found at lower elevations.  Water sources consist of mainly man-made lakes, stock tanks and wildlife waters with the Verde River making up the southern boundary.

The Unit is divided roughly north and south by the western extent of the Mogollon Rim with Sycamore Canyon on the east and the Welch Interchange along I-40 between Williams and Ashfork on the west. The lower elevation ranges from 3600-5500 feet with the higher elevation ranging from 6000 to 9200 feet.  Most roads are on the Kaibab National Forest map. Access is fairly good with two-wheel-drive, but poor weather could cause hazardous conditions that would require four-wheel-drive operations.

Current Information:  The pronghorn population appears to be stable.  The 2010 survey resulted in 256 pronghorn observed for ratios of 17 bucks per 100 does and 26 fawns per 100 does. The 2008 harvest for GMU 8 was 23 bucks, for a 70% hunt success.  Further data can be found in the Game and Fish Department publication, “Hunt Arizona”.

Areas: The two main areas to find concentrations of pronghorn in the unit are Garland Prairie and Wagon Tire Flat.  Other areas to find pronghorn are the areas west of the Hat Ranch, Putney Flat, Sunflower Flat, McDougal Flat and Page Flat.  After opening day look for the pronghorn to move into the trees around these flats.  If drought conditions exist, antelope distribution may vary throughout the unit due to water availability.
Garland Prairie is located in the northeast portion of the unit. Over the years, 50 percent of the harvest in Unit 8 comes from this area. There are private land blocks on the north, west and south ends of the prairie. Be careful of shooting within ¼ mile of a residence, please be courteous.

Overview: Approximately 95 percent of the Unit is public land administered by the US Forest Service. Ponderosa pine is the dominate vegetation type in the higher elevations above 6,000 feet with scattered gamble oak. The mixed conifer vegetation type is most common on Bill Williams Mountain and the pinyon/juniper vegetation type is found at lower elevations.  Water sources consist of mainly man-made lakes, stock tanks and wildlife waters with the Verde River making up the southern boundary.

The Unit is divided roughly north and south by the western extent of the Mogollon Rim with Sycamore Canyon on the east and the Welch Interchange along I-40 between Williams and Ashfork on the west. The lower elevation ranges from 3600-5500 feet with the higher elevation ranging from 6000 to 9200 feet.  Most roads are on the Kaibab National Forest map. Access is fairly good with two-wheel-drive, but poor weather could cause hazardous conditions that would require four-wheel-drive operations.

Unit 8 has some outstanding bear habitat with numerous canyons, high-country mountains and high desert areas. Hunters can use a variety of different hunting techniques including glassing, still-hunting, sitting water, varmint calling and pursuit with dogs. The harvest is limited to three sows before the season is closed. Call 1-800-970-BEAR (2327) to determine if your desired hunt unit is still open.

Current Information:  The summer of 2010 saw great grass production throughout the district.  Only the gambles oak above 7500’ produced any substantial amounts of acorns this year as well as the scrub live oak at lower elevations.  The prickly pear should be decent.  Water is abundant throughout the district and the bears seem to be spread out well this year.

Areas: Bear distribution is throughout the unit mostly above 5000 feet elevation. Some areas where bears are commonly found include Bill Williams Mountain, Summit Mountain, Round Mountain, Morgan Hill and the canyons dropping off the Mogollon Rim such as Sycamore, Tule, Government, MC, and Hell canyons.   2009 saw good acorn production in the mid to lower elevations and moderate prickly pear production at the lower elevations
Remember that some areas are remote and access is difficult, hot to warm weather conditions can exist, be prepared to pack out the bear, including all edible parts.

Overview: Approximately 95 percent of the Unit is public land administered by the US Forest Service. Ponderosa pine is the dominate vegetation type in the higher elevations above 6,000 feet with scattered gamble oak. The mixed conifer vegetation type is most common on Bill Williams Mountain and the pinyon/juniper vegetation type is found at lower elevations.  Water sources consist of mainly man-made lakes, stock tanks and wildlife waters with the Verde River making up the southern boundary.

The Unit is divided roughly north and south by the western extent of the Mogollon Rim with Sycamore Canyon on the east and the Welch Interchange along I-40 between Williams and Ashfork on the west. The lower elevation ranges from 3600-5500 feet with the higher elevation ranging from 6000 to 9200 feet.  Most roads are on the Kaibab National Forest map. Access is fairly good with two-wheel-drive, but poor weather could cause hazardous conditions that would require four-wheel-drive operations.

Current Information:  Unit 8 has some outstanding mountain lion habitat with numerous canyons, high-country mountains and high desert areas. Hunters can use a variety of different hunting techniques including glassing, still-hunting, sitting water, varmint calling and pursuit with dogs.  Remember to purchase your lion tag before you head to the hills on your deer or elk hunt as you never know when you might run into one.

Areas: Mountain lion distribution is throughout the unit.  Some areas where lions are commonly found include Bill Williams Mountain, Summit Mountain, Round Mountain, Morgan Hill and the canyons dropping off the Mogollon Rim such as Sycamore, Tule, Government, MC, and Hell canyons.   Key in on areas with good deer and elk sign since this is where the lions will be.

Overview: Approximately 95 percent of the Unit is public land administered by the US Forest Service. Ponderosa pine is the dominate vegetation type in the higher elevations above 6,000 feet with scattered gamble oak. The mixed conifer vegetation type is most common on Bill Williams Mountain and the pinyon/juniper vegetation type is found at lower elevations.  Water sources consist of mainly man-made lakes, stock tanks and wildlife waters with the Verde River making up the southern boundary.

The Unit is divided roughly north and south by the western extent of the Mogollon Rim with Sycamore Canyon on the east and the Welch Interchange along I-40 between Williams and Ashfork on the west. The lower elevation ranges from 3600-5500 feet with the higher elevation ranging from 6000 to 9200 feet.  Most roads are on the Kaibab National Forest map. Access is fairly good with two-wheel-drive, but poor weather could cause hazardous conditions that would require four-wheel-drive operations.

Current Information:  The winter of 2009/2010 saw high mortality in the Unit 8 turkey population.  The 2010 poult productions was fair to good, but with low numbers of adult hens, expect to see low numbers of birds during the 2010 fall hunt.

Overview: Approximately 95 percent of the Unit is public land administered by the US Forest Service. Ponderosa pine is the dominate vegetation type in the higher elevations above 6,000 feet with scattered gamble oak. The mixed conifer vegetation type is most common on Bill Williams Mountain and the pinyon/juniper vegetation type is found at lower elevations.  Water sources consist of mainly man-made lakes, stock tanks and wildlife waters with the Verde River making up the southern boundary.

The Unit is divided roughly north and south by the western extent of the Mogollon Rim with Sycamore Canyon on the east and the Welch Interchange along I-40 between Williams and Ashfork on the west. The lower elevation ranges from 3600-5500 feet with the higher elevation ranging from 6000 to 9200 feet.  Most roads are on the Kaibab National Forest map. Access is fairly good with two-wheel-drive, but poor weather could cause hazardous conditions that would require four-wheel-drive operations.

Areas: Javelina can be found throughout unit 8, however most hunters concentrate their effort at lower elevations and along canyon edges. Glassing is the preferred technique for locating foraging javelina herds. Good areas to locate javelina are Bear, MC and Government Canyons. Other areas to check are the numerous side draws and washes of small side canyons along Highway 89 and those canyons that drop into the Verde River.