Beginning at U.S. Hwy 93 and the Santa Maria River; northeasterly along the Santa Maria River to AZ Hwy 96; easterly on AZ Hwy 96 to Kirkland Junction; southeasterly along the Kirkland Junction-Wagoner-Crown King-Cordes road to the Hassayampa River (at Wagoner); southwesterly along the Hassayampa River to U.S. Hwy 93; northwesterly on U.S. Hwy 93 to the Santa Maria River.
Overview: Javelina can be found in most areas throughout the unit although densities vary significantly. Unit 20C serves as a transitional zone between the lower desert to the west and the more mountainous terrain to the east; because of this the unit contains a diverse array of quality javelina habitat. The higher javelina densities are associated with the mountainous portions of the unit with perennial water and prickly pear cactus on south facing slopes. The mountains are rugged and contain areas difficult to access. Javelina also use the grassland and chaparral interface throughout the Weaver Mountains. Similar areas can be found in the Date Creek Mountains and the mountainous areas north of Date Creek. Hunters should also work those desert areas that have Palo Verde and prickly pear cactus. Much of the unit is private property. Hunters are reminded to honor landowner requests and to secure verbal permission to access private property. Access can be a problem and frustrating to hunters unfamiliar with the unit. A land status map is recommended and can by found at most map stores. Generally the western half of the unit has fewer access problems than the eastern half.
Areas: Highway 89 generally bisects the unit. Highway 89 begins north of Wickenburg. The highway then bypasses Congress and heads towards Yarnell Hill. About a mile north of Congress are two county maintained dirt roads. The road to the north (Date Creek Road) runs 20 miles to Hillside. There are several side roads leading off the Date Creek Road. The majority of javelina hunter will end up hunting off the Date Creek Road. The county road to the south (Stanton/Octave Road) goes, eventually, to the southern end of the Weaver Mountains. At both Stanton and Octave are side roads that run into the Weaver Mountains. The road at Stanton eventually joins Highway 89 near Yarnell. Continuing north on 89 beyond Peeples Valley, just past milepost 283, is the Sorrells Ranch Road. This road allows hunters to access State Land off Highway 89. Just before 89 reaches Kirkland Junction the Wagoner/Crown King Road turns to the south. Another popular area, Sour Grass Flats, can be reached by driving several miles south and taking the dirt road, to the right, where the asphalt begins. The Sour Grass Flats road access is a significant amount of rolling grassland and chaparral before ending at private property. Unless hunters know the landowners there is no other access between Kirkland Junction until just before the junction to Hillside.
Highway 93 runs along the unit's western boundary. At the highway 71 junction take 71 towards Congress. Along this stretch of highway before Congress are several roads that go north into the Date Creek Mountains. Continuing north on 93 and at milepost 171.2 is a road that will run east and eventually lead to mountainous topography. Just before Highway 93 crosses the Santa Maria River there is another road that parallels the Santa Maria and eventually joins with the highway running between Hillside and Bagdad. There are several roads that run south into mountainous topography.
Overview: Mule deer can be found in most areas throughout the unit although densities vary significantly. The higher deer densities are associated with the mountainous portions of the unit. The mountains are rugged and contain areas difficult to access. Generally deer tend to utilize the lower portions and areas immediately adjacent to the mountains. Deer tend to use the grassland and chaparral interface throughout the Weaver Mountains. Similar areas can be found in the Date Creek Mountains and the mountainous areas north of Date Creek. The unit also contains lower desert areas. Hunters more familiar with these spots are sometimes successful in taking older aged bucks. Much of the unit is private property. Hunters are always reminded to honor landowner requests and to secure verbal permission to access private property. Access can be a problem and frustrating to hunters unfamiliar with the unit. A land status map is recommended and can by found at most map stores. Generally the western half of the unit has fewer access problems than the eastern half.
Areas: Highway 89 generally bisects the unit. Highway 89 begins north of Wickenburg. The highway then bypasses Congress and heads towards Yarnell Hill. About a mile north of Congress are two county maintained dirt roads. The road to the north (Date Creek Road) runs 20 miles to Hillside. There are several side roads leading off the Date Creek Road. The county road to the south (Stanton/Octave Road) goes, eventually, to the southern end of the Weaver Mountains. At both Stanton and Octave are side roads that run into the Weaver Mountains. The road at Stanton eventually joins Highway 89 near Yarnell. Continuing north on 89 beyond Peeples Valley, just past milepost 283, is the Sorrells Ranch Road. This road allows hunters to access State Land off Highway 89. This is a popular area and during some hunts becomes congested with hunters. Just before 89 reaches Kirkland Junction the Wagoner/Crown King Road turns to the south. Another popular area, Sour Grass Flats, can be reached by driving several miles south and taking the dirt road, to the right, where the asphalt begins. The Sour Grass Flats road access is a significant amount of rolling grassland and chaparral before ending at private property. Unless hunters know the landowners there is no other access between Kirkland Junction until just before the junction to Hillside.
Highway 93 runs along the unit's western boundary. At the highway 71 junction take 71 towards Congress. Hunters can access several roads that lead north into the Date Creek Mountains. Continuing north on 93 and at milepost 171.2 is a road that will run east and eventually lead to mountainous topography. Just before Highway 93 crosses the Santa Maria River there is another road that parallels the Santa Maria and eventually joins with the highway running between Hillside and Bagdad. There are several roads that run south into mountainous topography.
Overview: Mourning dove is found along the western edge of this unit primarily in the lower desert areas. Hunters usually concentrate around the stock ponds scattered throughout these desert areas. Wetter years produce abundant annual plants that in turn produce tremendous quantities of seed that dove feed on all summer long. During these conditions desert stock ponds are excellent locations to hunt. When hunting stock ponds do not expect much activity until mid to late morning. Dove feed first thing in the morning before going to water. Often hunters will not begin seeing flights of dove until after 9am or even later. Remember that these stock ponds are most effective if there is feed on the desert. Also, hunters are reminded to not camp within a 1/4 mile of these stock ponds.
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Areas: Typically any dirt road leaving highway 93 north of Wickenburg will eventually lead to a stock pond. Sometimes these spots become crowded with hunters. If that happens, knowing the location of other ponds helps, or try to determine flight paths (sometimes the drainage leading to the pond) and position yourself along the path and away from the hunters. Sometimes hunting too close to the pond creates problems with the birds falling into the water.
During years when there is an abundant feed in the desert the mid-winter hunt can be exceptional and with fewer hunters. Dove will exhibit the same pattern of going to water mid-morning. This hunt overlaps the quail hunt and offers and under utilized opportunity to hunt two bird species during cooler conditions in the desert. Hunters are again reminded to camp more than a 1/4-mile from water.
Overview: Quail are found in many areas of the unit especially along mountain edges and throughout the desert locations. Much of the unit is a shrub and grassland mix and these areas usually produce good quail numbers. Wet winters are key in producing good quail numbers. Each of the last two years saw increases in the quail population. This year's quail season will be better than it has been for quite some time. Hunters not familiar with a particular area should drive the roads and where they cross small washes check for quail tracks. If you see fresh tracks walk these areas. Getting out of the vehicle allows hunters to hear quail calling and if the covey is close you will hear their typical clucking. In a dry year quail frequently concentrate around water. Hunters should drive to stock ponds and walk areas within a half-mile or so of the water. Checking the edges of the pond for tracks will indicate quail use at that stock pond.
Areas: Quail can be found throughout all elevations in Unit 20C from 2000 to 5500 feet. Quality bird hunting (especially in good years) is usually found at mid elevations where the vegetation is a grassland and shrub mix. Also those areas adjacent to permanent water whether a stock pond or creek are always prime locations. Drainages in the unit that are perennial at least along portions of their length include Date Creek, the Hassayampa, Waterman Creek, South Fork of the Santa Maria, and Kirkland Creek. The Date Creek road running north from Congress to Hillside is a popular area. Also the Joshua forest adjacent to Highway 93 northwest of Wickenburg is a good area that does not seem to attract high hunter numbers.
Other
Pertinent Climate Information A
number of dirt roads
cross drainages that
are prone to significant
flooding during heavy
rains. Mountainous
terrain adjacent
to desert bottoms
creates these conditions.
Cities,
Roads & Campgrounds
Major
Cities and Towns in or Near Game
Management Unit and Nearest Gas,
Food, and Lodging Wickenburg,
Yarnell, Congress
Major
Highways and Roads Leading To From
the East: State Hwy 89 From
the West: U.S. Hwy
60, State Hwy 71
From the North: U.S. Hwy 93
From the South: U.S. Hwy 60, 93, State Hwy 89
Developed
Campgrounds None.
Undeveloped
Campgrounds None.
Brief
Description of Terrain, Elevation,
and Vegetation
Elevations range from roughly 2,000' near Wickenburg to more than 6,000' in the Weaver Mountains. Terrain is highly variable, from desert flatland to steep, rocky mountains. Vegetation shifts from desert scrub throughout the southern and western portions of the unit to grassland/chaparral mix at higher elevations. Pinyon and juniper grow at the highest elevations of the Weaver Mountains. Many drainages support typical riparian vegetation within the Weaver and Date Creek mountains.
Government
Agencies and Phone Numbers Arizona
Game and Fish Department, Region
IV -928-342-0091
Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix Field Office -602-780-8090
Hassayampa River Preserve -928-684-2772
