Beginning
at AZ Hwy 85 and the Gila River; east along
the Gila River to the western boundary of
the Gila River Indian Reservation; southeasterly
along the reservation boundary to Maricopa
road; south on this road to AZ Hwy 84; east
on AZ Hwy 84 to Stanfield; south on the Stanfield-Cocklebur
road to I-8; westerly on I-8 to Exit 87;
north on the Sentinel- Sundad road to the
Cotton Center-Palo Verde road; northeasterly
on the Cotton Center-Palo Verde road to AZ
Hwy 85; southerly on AZ Hwy 85 to the Gila
River; except those portions that are sovereign
tribal lands of the Tohono O'odham Nation
and the Ak-Chin Indian Community.
Overview: Desert Bighorn Sheep can be found throughout the Maricopa and Estrella Mountains. Past rams harvested from unit 39E have scored 140-160+; no ram score has yet exceeded 170+. Past rams harvested from 39W have scored 150-170+. July 2004 I observed a significantly large ram at Bunyan Peak Catchment while conducting a catchment flight over the Gila Bend Mountains.
I recommend hunters to scout early, to allow themselves plenty of time to explore all areas and especially see as many sheep as possible. In late August and into September the rams are in the rut; excellent opportunity to observe several rams in one area fewer areas. Keep in mind that the temperatures will range into the hundreds and that its monsoon season. Between personally dehydrating and being stranded by flooded washes, please use common sense and be prepared for desert survival. The rams you may have observed in September will not necessarily be there in December. Mature rams have been known to roam in small bachelor groups or be solitaire; do not over look adjacent small hills to a large mountain as your hunt approaches. The Department completes sheep surveys by October; I recommend you call me or the regional office for insight into completed surveys.. Note, not all units are surveyed each year. Unit 39 will not be surveyed this year.
A strategy for your hunt; round up friends prior to your hunt, to
scout out the unit. The more eyes helping you look will increase
your odds in finding them. A great time to carry a camera or video
camera. By late November, you should have a good feel where to start
your hunt. Hopefully you have in your mind the ram you plan to harvest
from your earlier scouting effort.
In locating sheep, I prefer to observe with an at least a 10 or 20
power binocular/scope first from the base of the mountain. This allows
sheep plenty of escape room and sheep that are there may stay and
watch you. Otherwise, a direct assault on the mountain will more
likely send sheep fleeing before you see them. As curious as sheep
are, they may watch you approach with out running. Make an indirect
approach, as if you're searching for your keys (avoid eye contact),
you'll surprise yourself how close you may get. Practice this technique
during your scouting effort. When you are on the mountain, stay with
in the first two-thirds of the way up the mountain; the third
above you will still
provides sheep escape room. Regularly stop and sit and listen as
you use your binoculars. Chances are you'll hear sheep before you
see them, as rocks fall from the sheep's movements.
If drawn, guides and taxidermist will find you. I recommend you attend
the October sheep clinic held each year in Phoenix, sponsored by
Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, ADBSS. You can ask questions
in person to wildlife biologists, wildlife managers and various government
agencies that administer the land your hunt is on. If your not drawn,
I encourage you to participate as a helper in a sheep hunt.
Areas: Unit 39E includes the Maricopa and Estrella Mountains; the
majority of these areas are wilderness areas. Unit 39E may be accesses
by numerous cattle gates along state route 85, S.R. 85, between Gila
Bend and Buckeye, as well as along the north side of Interstate 8,
I-8, between Gila Bend and Stanfield. Unit 39W includes the Gila
Bend and Buckeye Mountains. Unit 39W may be accessed along the Agua
Caliente Road between Sentinel and Arlington and Old US Hwy 80 between
Gila Bend and Arlington, as well as along the north side of Interstate
8, I-8, between Sentinel and Gila Bend. Note that S.R. 85 is the
east and west divider. I recommend that you contact BLM at 623-580-5500
to obtain wilderness area information regarding access and activities
constraints. One last note, January 17th, 2001 President Clinton
signed the areas of the North and South Maricopa Mountains to be
included into the Sonoran Desert National Monument. BLM is now preparing
a comprehensive management plan and will be conducting public and
inter-agency scoping meetings now and for the next few years. You
can be put on a mailing list for updates and scheduled meetings through
BLM. Additional information can be found in February 1998's issue
of Arizona Wildlife Views.
Overview:
Currently most deer are staying near
the Gila River and adjacent to agricultural
fields, if you hunt these areas you
will increase your chance for success,
otherwise finding deer in units 39 & 40A
will be difficult. Sonoran desert mule
deer during the general rifle hunt
can be found along
the mountain bases, low rolling hills
and throughout the network of desert
washes. The general hunter will usually
hunt along mountain bases and use the
higher elevation to increase visibility.
The more adventure some hunter will
work the low land washes; the hunter
will sign cut the washes looking for
sign of a large trophy buck. Hunting
the desert mulie is not an easy challenge;
the hunt will test your endurance and
persistence to continue hunting after
possibly going days without seeing
a deer. I find that when hunters congregate
in an area the bucks move on to adjacent
areas, while the does and fawns are
more prone to stay in the area. Mature
bucks may be found in small bachelor
herds or solitaire during the general
season, their visibility is low. However
during the rut when the bucks join
the does, visibility goes up with more
animals to spot. It has been my experience
that hunts during the rutting period
will increase your odds immensely.
These hunts are with primitive weapons
only, i.e. archery and/or muzzleloader.
White-tailed deer does not regularly come to mind in the Sonoran
desert; however, there are a few small populations found in unit
40A. I have seen several very nice pickups, too include a pickup
that scored roughly 122 1/2. I have known hunting camps from time
to time take both a white-tailed and mule deer bucks out of the same
area.
I personally review a good field dressing video prior to going to
the field. This helps me organize my thoughts when the real work
begins after the animal is down. Remember, before you take your shot
be aware of your location to your camp and/or vehicle and also take
into account the weather.
In December, an any antler deer muzzleloader hunt is open in the
units of 39/40A&B/ 41/42. For more information on Units 41 & 42
review their perspective mule deer hunt page or contact the regional
office at 928-342-0091. Wildlife Manager Lowell Whitaker manages
in Unit 41 (Home office 928-785-4589) and Wildlife Manager Craig
Heath (Home office 623-882-2140) manages in Unit 42.
In January, antler deer archery hunt is open in a multi-unit
hunt too include units 39/40A&B.
In December, any antler deer
archery hunt is open in a multi-unit hunt too include units 39/40A&B.
December and January archery tags are available over the counter.
Areas: The area encompasses several wilderness areas, Sonoran Desert
National Monument and the Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR). The wilderness
areas are the Tabletop, Estrella, Maricopa, Woolsey, and Signal Peak
Mountains. The Bureau of Land Management,
(BLM), administers all these wilderness areas. The Barry M. Goldwater
Range is unique, because Luke Air Force Base regulates access and
activities on the Barry M. Goldwater Range through its sister base
the Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field, Gila Bend A.F.A.F.
Unit 39 may be accessed by numerous cattle gates along state route
85, State Route 85, between Gila Bend and Buckeye, as well as along
the north side of Interstate 8, Interstate 8, between Sentinel and
Stanfield. I recommend that you contact BLM at 623-580-5500 to obtain
wilderness area information regarding access and activities constraints.
Additional information can be found in February 1998's issue of Arizona
Wildlife Views.
Unit 40A is accessible by cattle gates along the south side of Interstate
8 between Gila Bend and Stanfield, as well as along the east side
of State Route 85 between Gila Bend and Why. The Barry M. Goldwater
Range boundary will be posted and have locked gate entrances. Permits
are now available through several federal governmental agencies as
follows: BLM at the Deer Valley and Yuma office, Gila Bend Air Force
Auxiliary Field, Yuma U.S. Marine Corps Air Station, and the Cabeza
Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. All off road vehicles will be required
to meet street legal requirements, i.e. registration, insurance,
and specific equipment, prior to entering the range. To access the
Barry M. Goldwater Range, you and all your party members
18 and older will require written permission through the Gila Bend
A.F.A.F., the security station 928-683- 6220/6200. Note the new
changes
to the BMGR Access Program. Currently, you have to view a
video release; it is about twenty minutes long and well done.
Thereafter, you'll sign a hold harmless document and obtain a one-year
permit from July 1st to June 30th of the following year. The permit
is to be presented upon request to any government law enforcement
or range security officer. Once these requirements are met, you are
required to call a 1-800-number or range security at 928-683-6220/6200
to coordinate your entry and departure from the range. Note: the
Barry M. Goldwater Range is an active tactical U.S. Air Force Range
and these precautions are necessary to avoid placing yourself in
harms way. Tactical ranges where air to surface impacts occur are
closed to public access. Ranges A & B are overflight
areas open for recreation generally all year round to the public
after meeting the above requirements. One last note, Area A has been
relinquished back to BLM and January 17th, 2001 President Clinton
signed the Sonoran Desert National Monument proclamation that includes
Area A. BLM is now preparing a comprehensive management plan and
will be conducting public and inter-agency scoping meetings now and
for
the
next few years. You can be put on a mailing list for updates and
scheduled meetings through BLM at 623-580-5500. Additional information
can also be found in issues of August 1995, May 1997, and November
1997 of the Arizona Wildlife Views.
Unit 40B is split east and west of the Mohawk Mountains. 40B East
is administered the same as 40A on the Barry M. Goldwater Range.
However, 40B East Barry M. Goldwater Range consist of only tactical
ranges and no access will be granted, unless you have official business.
Hunting opportunities for mule deer are limited to the surrounding
Ajo area. Ajo is located 40 miles south of Gila Bend on State Route
85. The U.S. Marines Corps Air Station, Yuma (928-341-3318) administers
unit 40B west from the Mohawk Mountain to Yuma. If you'd like further
information on the west-side, contact Wildlife Manager Mike Sumner's
home office 928-317-9706 or the Yuma
Regional
Office
at 928-342-0091.
In November, temperatures will range from 80 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit
throughout the units. Precipitation in November is higher for the
areas west of the Mohawk Mountains, accumulating as much as an inch.
December and January weather are
similar, with less precipitation.
Overview:
The 2003-2004 dove flights have been
very encouraging, it should be a great
season.
Be a responsible hunter and keep your
harvested birds separate from your
fellow hunters’ birds. Doves
can be found throughout the units where
open water and/or agriculture
operations are located. A common hunting
practice is to set up near water or
agriculture fields at day break and
take your shots as they fly by. Caution
to all hunters about hunting near a
baited field; this is a federal offense.
Therefore, hunt fields that follow
normal farming operations.
It is your responsibility to scout
your hunting area to assure it is not
baited. Note that in these units during
the first dove season (September) is
a morning hunt only; this hunt also
has
a white
- winged dove limit. A new change,
the first season will include a junior
hunt in the afternoon for persons up
to and throughout the calendar year
of their 17th birthday. Junior hunters
that participant in the morning are
still restricted to the daily bag limit,
if they choose to hunt in the evening
as well. When the second hunt season
(November) starts, you'll note that
the hunt is
open all day and is restricted to mourning
doves, only. Junior hunters check with
the Arizona Game and Fish Department
in Mesa (480-981-9400) about a special
dove hunts on the Robbins Butte Farm
near the Gila River and S.R.85.
If you what to avoid the congestion of hunters along a farm field,
another alternative is to locate a remote stock tank that maintains
water year round. These stock tanks provide good to excellence hunting
opportunities.
Areas: The area encompasses several wilderness areas, the Sonoran
Desert National Monument, and the Barry M. Goldwater Range, BMGR.
The wilderness areas are the Tabletop, Estrella, Maricopa, Woolsey,
and Signal Peak Mountains. All these wilderness areas are administered
by the Bureau of Land Management, BLM. The BMGR is unique, because
Luke Air Force Base regulates access and activities on the BMGR through
its sister base the Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field, Gila Bend
A.F.A.F. One last note, January 17th, 2001 President Clinton signed
the areas of the North and South Maricopa Mountains to be included
into the Sonoran Desert National Monument. BLM is now preparing a
comprehensive management plan and will be conducting public and inter-agency
scoping meetings now and for the next few years. You can be put on
a mailing list for updates and scheduled meetings through BLM. Additional
information can be found in February 1998's issue of Arizona Wildlife
Views.
Unit 39 may be accesses by numerous cattle gates along state route
85, S.R. 85, between Gila Bend and Buckeye, as well as along the
north side of Interstate 8, I-8, between Sentinel and Stanfield.
I recommend that you contact BLM at 623-580-5500 to obtain wilderness
area information regarding access and activities constraints. Additional
information can be found in February 1998's issue of Arizona Wildlife
Views. Farmers in unit 39 have been very tolerant towards dove hunters,
especially those that take the time to contact the farmer before
the season to obtain permission to hunt on his property. A hunter
access program is currently used for the Paloma Ranch. A hunter access
program is no longer used for the Paloma Ranch, due its recent break
up and purchase among several different landowners. Hunter can obtain
permission from a few farms allowing access such as: Lee Banning,
William Perry, Tyson Stuhr, and Sunset Farms. Contact numbers for
the farms can be obtained at the farm areas north of I-8 between
mp 102 and 110. Remember to pick up your shotgun hulls; this is a
citable offense. Obey the rules
of the ranch and enjoy yourself.
Overview:
Expectations of this coming Gambel's
quail season is looking up. Earlier
this year, many coveys were observed.
Currently, the area has received some
November and January rainfalls and
the results have been significantly
more observations.
Gambel's quail can be generally found along large washes and closely
associationed to mountainsides. I recommend you acquire a quail call
to assist you in locating coveys, as they call back.
Areas: The area encompasses several wilderness areas, the Sonoran
Desert National Monument, and the Barry M. Goldwater Range, BMGR.
The wilderness areas are the Tabletop, Estrella, Maricopa, Woolsey,
and Signal Peak Mountains. The Bureau of Land Management, BLM, administers
all these wilderness areas. The BMGR is unique, because Luke Air
Force Base regulates access and activities on the BMGR through its
sister base the Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field, Gila Bend A.F.A.F.
One last note, January 17th, 2001 President Clinton signed the areas
of the North and South Maricopa Mountains to be included into the
Sonoran Desert National Monument. BLM is now preparing a comprehensive
management plan and will be conducting public and inter-agency scoping
meetings now and for the next few years. You can be put on a mailing
list for updates and scheduled meetings through BLM. Additional information
can be found in February 1998's issue of Arizona Wildlife Views.
Unit 39 may be accesses by numerous cattle gates along state route
85, S.R. 85, between Gila Bend and Buckeye, as well as along the
north side of Interstate 8, I-8, between Sentinel and Stanfield.
I recommend that you contact BLM at 623-580-5500 to obtain wilderness
area information regarding access and activities constraints.
In November, temperatures will range from 80 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit
through out the units. Precipitation in November is high for the
area, accumulating as much as an inch. December and January weather
are similar, with less precipitation.
POWERS BUTTE WILDLIFE AREA
When looking for a day of bird-watching with family or a morning of dove hunting with friends, Powers Butte Wildlife Area is the place to go. Bordering the Gila River, this wildlife area offers many opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast, including hiking, bird-watching, hunting, and fishing.
Recreational Opportunities
Riparian habitats like wetlands and streamside forests provide critical nesting, cover and food resources for many types of birds, including sensitive and rare species. The wildlife attracted to these habitats provide valuable recreational opportunities.
Restrictions:
a.
No open fires.
b.
No firewood cutting or gathering.
c.
No overnight public camping.
d.
Motorized vehicle travel permitted on designated roads, on designated trails, or in designated areas only.
e.
Open to hunting in season.
Location
The Powers Butte Wildlife Area is located along the east side of the Gila River, about 20 miles north of Gila Bend, in Maricopa County. Powers Butte Wildlife Area, which encompasses 1,120 acres, is located within Game Management Unit 39.
Directions: From Buckeye, take Highway 85 south to the Robbins Butte turn off (about 1 mile south of the Gila River bridge). Turn West onto the Robbins Butte road. At about ½ mile, the road “Y’s” – take this Y to the left. Follow this road for about another 10 miles to Powers Butte Wildlife Area.
Wildlife
Mourning doves, white-winged doves, Gambel's quail, and cottontail rabbits inhabit the Powers Butte Wildlife Area all of which can be hunted during the appropriate season.
Robbins Butte Wildlife Area
DIRECTIONS : The Robbins Butte Wildlife Area (RBWA) is located approximately seven miles southwest of Buckeye, Arizona, comprising approximately 1681 acres. From Buckeye, take Highway 85 South toward Gila Bend. At about 5 miles, you will cross the Gila River Bridge. After crossing the Gila River bridge, turn west onto the Robbins Butte Road (follow the signs to Robbins Butte).
Wildlife Species
A combination of wildlife food crops, natural foods and nesting habitat attracts many breeding white-winged and mourning doves (Zenaida asiatica and Z. macroura). An average combined number of 5,000 doves usually are present at RBWA before the September hunt. Hunting during the first dove season is restricted to the south of the main access road and provides good hunting opportunity for dove hunters during the September season. After the first dove season concludes, the fields to the North of the main access road are open for entry by hunters pursuing dove, quail and cottontail rabbits.
RBWA is the center of the annual Gila River Christmas Bird Count, and over 115 species of winter-resident birds have been observed in the vicinity. In addition, many raptors winter in and near RBWA, including the White-tailed Kite (Elanus caeruleus). The summer avian community has not been counted, but species numbers probably exceed those of winter.
Other
Pertinent Climate Information November
deer hunters should
come prepared for
rain. Summer climate
is extreme and harsh,
so plenty of water
is essential.
Cities,
Roads & Campgrounds
Major
Cities and Towns in or Near Game
Management Unit and Nearest Gas,
Food, and Lodging Gila
Bend, Sentinel, Buckeye, Maricopa
Major
Highways and Roads Leading To From
the East: I-8 From
the West: I-8, I-10
From the North: State Hwy 85
From the South: State Hwy 85
Developed
Campgrounds A
Wheel Inn in Gila
Bend; FAM Camp, Gila
Bend Air Force Auxiliary
Field (active/reserve/retired
military only)
Undeveloped
Campgrounds Camping
is allowed on Bureau
of Land Management
lands throughout
the unit.
Brief
Description of Terrain, Elevation,
and Vegetation
The unit's terrain is primarily flat desert land cut by a network
of washes and interrupted by several low mountain ranges. Elevations
range from approximately 700' on the flats to 4,300' on Montezuma
Peak in the Estrella Mountains. The Gila River flows through
the western portion of the unit. Riparian communities are concentrated
near Painted Rock and Gillespie dams. Creosote-bursage communities
are abundant throughout the unit. Saguaro-paloverde communities
occur sparsely along major drainages and on the southern Maricopa
Mountains.
Government
Agencies and Phone Numbers Arizona
Game and Fish Department, Region
IV - 928 342-0091
Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix Field Office - 602 580-5500
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Painted Rock Office - 928 683-6488
DIRECTIONS : The Robbins Butte Wildlife Area (RBWA) is located approximately seven miles southwest of Buckeye, Arizona, comprising approximately 1681 acres. From Buckeye, take Highway 85 South toward Gila Bend. At about 5 miles, you will cross the Gila River Bridge. After crossing the Gila River bridge, turn west onto the Robbins Butte Road (follow the signs to Robbins Butte).
