Pronghorn, a.k.a Antelope

Overview: This unit's pronghorn population shows the influences of prolonged dry conditions. The severe droughts of 1996, 2002 and 2007 resulted in virtually no fawn survival, thus no adults in those age classes. Although total numbers have been reduced, a healthy buck surplus exists for an enjoyable hunt. General hunt success is typically between 85-90 percent.

Land ownership of the pronghorn range is a checkerboard pattern of private and State Trust lands. The Prescott National Forest map covers most of this area, but does not show recent road changes on non-Forest Service lands. Access varies among ranches so watch for posted access signs and related restrictions. Maintaining good sportsmen-landowner relations is essential to continued access. Off-road travel is prohibited.

Pronghorn occur throughout this unit except the dense pinyon-juniper woodlands. The terrain can vary from flat, open grassland, to rolling hills, to savanna habitats. This presents the sportsman with an opportunity for a variety of hunting techniques. Hint: coyotes have been training pronghorn for a long time about the danger of crawling objects.

In general, pronghorn utilize the open grasslands during the August and September hunts. During hot years, use of the adjacent woodlands increases as animals shift to shade shortly after sunrise. Pre-hunt scouting of a buck's daily movement patterns will allow selection of a natural blind for opening morning.

Over the past several years, an increasing number of blinds have be constructed and left in the field. This is littering and will be treated as an unlawful violation. Blinds near windmills and water sources should not be constructed without the landowner's permission. These issues have resulted in lost access.

Over the years of patrolling pronghorn hunts, I have two general observations: 1) Never shoot at a buck in a running herd (strange but true; the hunter always hits a doe), and 2) The open grassland creates a false image of closeness. If you are camped, place flags at 100-yard intervals out to 500 yards to sharpen your judgment of distance.

Hunters must be cautious about rattlesnakes. Mojave rattlers are throughout the grasslands, especially near windmills. Snake-guard leggings for pre-dawn hikes are advised.

Areas: The main pronghorn areas are the Deep Well Ranch, Big Chino Valley, Campbell Pasture, The Strip, and southwest of Ash Fork. Since access and pronghorn densities may vary greatly, pre-hunt scouting is essential for a good hunt.

The Deep Well Ranch is between Prescott and Chino Valley. Although smaller in size, this grassland contains a good population of pronghorn. Prior to hunting, check in at the ranch headquarters northwest of the Prescott Airport.

Big Chino Valley is the unit's main grassland. It can be accessed off Williamson Valley Road and partially by Big Chino Road. Williamson Valley Road is the western boundary of the unit. Big Chino Road is the paved county road just north of the Paulden railroad overpass, but access is locked at about mile 10. Prior to the locked gate, pronghorn use public lands north of the road as shown on the Prescott National Forest map.

As of August 12, 2009 no public access is granted to the Chino Grande Ranch (previously the CV/CF Ranch) in upper Big Chino Valley.  This lost resulted from rude, unethical and criminal activities of a few persons to which all ethical sportsmen must pay the price. 

Overview: Since 1997, this unit has been in a multi-unit hunt structure that permits sportsmen to hunt among several different units during their season. This strategy was instituted to manage the widely dispersed elk population while providing a recreational opportunity. In general, hunts include one archery and three general seasons during elk rut and post-rut conditions. Since 2003, elk population management hunts have been held in croplands. Typically, 20 to 40 elk forage in Unit 19B during the hunting seasons, but seasonal numbers in excess of 60 have been observed. This estimate is based on incidental observations and interviews with sportsmen and landowners since separate elk surveys are not conducted in this unit. The annual number may vary depending on forage and water availability.

Sportsman success in this unit is unpredictable. The archery and early general hunts often have greater harvest at the TC and K-4 Farms. During the later seasons, higher elk concentrations occur on the Kaibab National Forest and the mesas to the north and west of the TC Farms. The availability of corn and alfalfa determine the elk distribution in the center of the unit.

Animal movements during the early hunts reflect basic foraging and breeding behaviors. Rutting bulls often use the alfalfa fields during dawn and dusk. Water sources near fields are also good locations. Elk day-use patterns may frustrate hunters. Elk leave the fields at dawn, frequently prior to shooting hours, for the juniper woodlands. During the late hunts when the crops have been harvested, elk move to the mesas and hills to the west and north of the K-4 Farms.

During later seasons, the elk show increased use of the Kaibab National Forest. This use pattern is directly related to elk occurrence east of SR 89, which separates Units 8 and 19B. Since much of the 19B portion of the Kaibab National Forest is level woodland, monitoring fresh sign and waiting near openings are the most used techniques.

Areas: Elk are mainly found associated with the following locations: TC and K-4 Farms, Prescott National Forest, Kaibab National Forest, and Picacho Butte. These are dependent on seasonal influx of elk from adjacent units such as Units 8, 10, 17A/B and 18A.

As of August 12, 2009 no public access is granted to the Chino Grande Ranch (previously the CV/CF Ranch) in upper Big Chino Valley.  This lost resulted from rude, unethical and criminal activities of a few persons to which all ethical sportsmen must pay the price.

With this closure, no public access is available to the TC and K-4 Farms.  However, these animals do travel to public lands to the west and east of the fields.

Vandalism and unlawful dumping have already closed other ranches to public hunting. Unlawful, unsporting behavior has resulted in the closure of following ranches in Big Chino Valley: K-4 Ranch, Lobo Ranch, and T-2 Ranch. These ranches are clearly posted closed to public hunting. It is unlawful to trespass on private property to access public or State Trust lands.

The Prescott National Forest occupies the mesas that are east and west of Big Chino Valley. The Juniper Mountains (a.k.a. High and Lonesome Mesa) borders the western boundary of the unit and can be accessed off Williamson Valley Road. Big Black Mesa occupies the eastern portion of the unit and can be accessed off SR 89. In general, more elk are found on the western portion of the unit, although elk occur on Big Black Mesa.

The Kaibab National Forest is located about three miles south of Ash Fork. It can be accessed from several roads off SR 89, but the flat terrain makes it difficult to locate animals. West of the Kaibab NF is private property of the Juniper Woods Estates subdivision. Access is dependent upon the owners of the individual lots. Whereas elk occurrence varies, they are most frequently found in grasslands east of State Route 89, outside of this hunt unit.

Overview: Javelina are well dispersed throughout this management unit. Their total population has stabilized over the last several years because of drought conditions. Based on observations, there are about 25 accessible herds. The five-year hunt success is about 16 percent.

Javelina live near water sources, e.g. earthen livestock tanks. Although most active in early morning, javelina forage throughout the day. Since detecting javelina in juniper woodlands is frustrating even to the most dedicated hunter, hunting efforts should be concentrated near grassland borders and open hilly slopes. Just remember, if there is fresh sign, javelina are nearby. Persistence in glassing is your best hunting strategy.

Areas: There are five general areas that provide most of the unit's hunting opportunity: Big Black Mesa, Picacho Butte, High and Lonesome Mesa, Lead Quartz Wash, and Walnut Creek.

Big Black Mesa is located in the east central part of the unit. Although much of the mesa is public land (Prescott National Forest), the western and northern portions are either private or State Trust lands. The main access route is Bullock Road (FR 753/Yavapai Road 136), which junctions with SR 89 about Mile Post 345. Please obey USFS travel regulations.

Picacho Butte rises over 7,000 feet in the northern portion of 19B. This volcanic cone and its associated hills can be accessed from Route 66 or Williamson Valley Road. Land ownership is checkerboard private and State Trust. The road system is often demanding of drivers and their equipment.

As of August 12, 2009 no public access is granted to the Chino Grande Ranch (previously the CV/CF Ranch) in upper Big Chino Valley.  This lost resulted from rude, unethical and criminal activities of a few persons to which all ethical sportsmen must pay the price.

Big Chino Road is the paved county road just north of the Paulden railroad overpass but access is locked at about Mile 10, thus denying access to the K-4 Farms.

Overview: Mule deer are found throughout the pinyon-juniper woodlands that surround Big Chino Valley. Presently, the deer population is low because of drought-caused mortality. Hunt success continues lower than desired. This unit provides a very challenging hunt.

Hunting techniques depend on habitat and terrain. Dense old-growth woodlands require blinds in high saddles, quiet stalking or persistent glassing of opposite slopes. Dedicated use of binoculars is the best method to spot bucks bedded on the more savanna habitats. Watch large canyons and washes for deer during dawn and dusk. Water sources are usually productive during dry years for patient hunters. Pre-hunt scouting is highly recommended.

Land ownership includes public, State Trust, and private, often in a checkerboard pattern. Sportsman access is open for most of the unit with some restrictions, e.g. required sign-in or foot-only access. Areas of "No Trespass" are posted. No off-road travel is permitted except for retrieval of lawfully taken big game on public and State Trust lands.  It is unlawful to trespass on private property to access public or State Trust lands.

The best general map for the unit is the Prescott National Forest map, but it does not show the northern area. USGS maps are readily available for the entire unit.

Areas: There are five general areas that constitute the major deer hunting regions. These are Big Black Mesa, Picacho Butte, High and Lonesome Mesa, Lead Quartz Wash, and Walnut Creek.

Big Black Mesa is north of Paulden, in the east central part of the unit. The majority of the mesa is on the Prescott National Forest, although the western and northern portions are on private or State Trust lands. The pinyon-juniper woodland, which is the dominant habitat type, is often very dense. The main access route is Bullock Road (FR 753/Yavapai Rd. 136), which junctions with State Route 89 at Mile Post 345. Please obey USFS travel regulations.

West of Ash Fork, Picacho Butte rises over 7,000 feet and provides good canyons, hills, and woodlands for deer hunting. Land ownership is a checkerboard of private and State Trust lands. Access is from Route 66 or Big Chino Valley. This volcanic area has some interesting, but demanding roads. Many hunters also carry a mountain lion tag.

Big Chino Valley can be accessed off Williamson Valley Road and partial by Big Chino Road. Williamson Valley Road is the western boundary of the unit. Big Chino Road is the paved county road just north of the Paulden railroad overpass, but access is locked at about mile 10.

As of August 12, 2009 no public access is granted to the Chino Grande Ranch (previously the CV/CF Ranch) in upper Big Chino Valley.  This lost resulted from rude, unethical and criminal activities of a few persons to which all ethical sportsmen must pay the price.

Vandalism and unlawful dumping have already closed some ranches to public hunting.  Unlawful, unsporting behavior has resulted in the closure of following ranches in Big Chino Valley: K-4 Ranch, Lobo Ranch and T-2 Ranch. These ranches are clearly posted closed to public hunting. It is unlawful to trespass on private property to access public or State Trust lands.

High and Lonesome Mesa is the northeast corner of the Juniper Mountains and found in the northwest portion of the unit. Land ownership is a checkerboard of private, State Trust, and public lands. You can gain access it off Williamson Valley Road (Yavapai Road 5). As with Big Black Mesa, old growth pinyon-juniper woodlands make this area a challenge to hunt.

South of High and Lonesome Mesa is Lead Quartz Wash. From Williamson Valley Road you can see White Quartz Hill. The wash drains to the east, through juniper-covered hills until grasslands dominate the terrain. Much of this area is on the K-4 ranch, closed to public hunting.

Further south, Williamson Valley Road crosses an iron bridge over Walnut Creek. This drainage extends to the east as the pinyon-juniper woodland fingers onto the Big Chino grasslands. The public lands on the south side of Walnut Creek offer good camping. This area presents hikers with an opportunity to avoid vehicular traffic.

Overview: This unit's dove population varies with annual precipitation. Mourning doves are readily found near permanent water sources during morning and evening hours although their numbers vary. Hunting is 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Be sure to check the time for legal sunrise and sunset.

This unit is best described as a large grassland valley (Big Chino Valley) that is surrounded by pinyon-juniper covered mesas, buttes, and hills. Land ownership is a combination of public lands, State Trust Lands, and private lands. In general, posting indicates ranches with no access.

Areas: Specific sites are difficult to describe for this unit due to the dispersed nature of its dove population. Cropland, railroad right-of-ways, and water holes are good sites for activity.

Big Chino Valley can be accessed off Williamson Valley Road and partial by Big Chino Road. Williamson Valley Road is the western boundary of the unit. Big Chino Road is the paved county road just north of the Paulden railroad overpass, but access is locked at about mile 10.

As of August 12, 2009 no public access is granted to the Chino Grande Ranch (previously the CV/CF Ranch) in upper Big Chino Valley.  This lost resulted from rude, unethical and criminal activities of a few persons to which all ethical sportsmen must pay the price.