Beginning
at I-8 and AZ Hwy 95 (in Yuma); easterly
on I-8 to exit 87; northerly on the Sentinel-Sundad
road to the Cotton Center-Palo Verde road;
northerly and easterly on the Cotton Center-Palo
Verde road to AZ Hwy 85; northerly on AZ
Hwy 85 to Oglesby road; north on Oglesby
road to I-10; westerly on I-10 to Exit 45;
southerly on Vicksburg-Kofa National Wildlife
Refuge road to the Refuge boundary; easterly,
southerly, westerly, and northerly along
the boundary to the Castle Dome road; southwesterly
on the Castle Dome road to U.S. Hwy 95; southerly
on U.S. Hwy 95 to I-8.
Overview: Currently unit 41 is divided into 41 EAST (Eagletail Mountains and Picacho Hills) and 41 West ( Palomas Mountains, Tank Mountains and Little Horn Mountains). Most mountain ranges are surveyed via helicopter every three years and the bighorn population appears to be remaining steady.
41 East: The Eagletail Mountains have long been noted for producing nice rams. Historically a large population of bighorn sheep inhabited the Eagletails. During the late 1960s and early 1970s the population, for no apparent reason, experienced a sharp decline. In the early 1980s the Arizona Game and Fish Department transplanted two groups of bighorn sheep into the Eagletail Mountains in an effort to increase the population. Survey observations in 2006 were somewhat below the ten year average.
Bighorn can be found throughout the Eagletail Mountains. Favorite spots are the Anvil Tank area (in the middle of the range) to the Triple Eye Tank area on the west end of the mountains. Access: Take Interstate 10 west of Buckeye to the Harquahala Valley exit, then south to Courthouse Road, then west along Courthouse Road to the El Paso natural gasline road. From the gasline road a number of roads will take you to the wilderness boundary. Most of the Eagletail Mountains. lie within the Eagletail Mountains Wilderness and special regulations apply. For complete wilderness use regulations contact:
Bureau of Land Management
Yuma District Office
2555 E. Gila Ridge Road
Yuma, AZ. 85365
Phone: (928) 317-3200
Picacho Hills: Although the Picacho Hills appear small at first, a very good population of bighorn sheep is found there. Bighorn can be found throughout the range. Favorite spots are Picacho Tanks area on the southeast side to Bucket Tank on the northwest end. Access: Take the Harquahala Valley Road south from Interstate 10 to Baseline Road, the west on Baseline to Avenue 543 then south on 543 about 10 miles where you will find the Picacho Hills immediately west of the road. You can also access the Picacho's by taking the Sentinel Highway north from Interstate 8 west of Gila Bend. Take the Sentinel Highway north to the railroad, then north on avenue 571 to the Butterfield Rd., then west for 1 mile, then north on avenue 579 about 10 miles to the Picacho Hills.
41 WEST: Overall, 2006 survey observations were slightly above the ten year average.
Palomas Mountains: Occasionally a nice ram can be found here, but, due to the large size of the range, finding a sheep can be (Unit 41 bighorn sheep continued) difficult at times. The west end of the Palmoas Mountains lie on the Yuma Proving Grounds and access is restricted.
Access: Take the Dateland Highway (64 miles east of Yuma on Interstate 8) north to the railroad tracks, then west on the dirt road along the south side of the tracks about 2 miles to the only crossing over the tracks to the north. You will notice a large rock pyramid here. The west 100 yards, then north along the west side of an irrigation ditch to the end where it intersects with an east-west road, then west along this road to the last well. Here a small road leads north through a boulder field directly to the Palomas Mountains about three miles to the north.
Tank Mountains: Located about 5 miles directly north of the Palomas Mountains, the Tank Mountains currently hold a bighorn sheep population of 30 to 50 animals. Most of the bighorn are found on the west half of the range from White Tanks to the boundary of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. This area lies on the Yuma Proving Grounds and access is restricted. Rams typically end up on the southwest corner of the range during the winter months. Access: Take the Dateland Highway (64 miles east of Yuma on Interstate 8) north to Whitewing Ranch. About three fourths of a mile east of the entrance to the ranch is a crossing over the railroad tracks. Take this road north and west 18 miles to the east end of the Tank Mountains. Continuing due west along the north side of the mountains about 10 miles to an intersection with two old military trailers and an Arizona Game and Fish Department water catchment on the northwest quadrant of the intersection. This is the White Tanks road. Take this road south to White Tanks. No vehicle travel is permitted within ½ mile of the tanks.
LITTLE HORN MOUNTAINS: The Little Horn Mountains are located about 12 miles directly north of the Tank Mountains. Currently about 25 to 40 bighorn sheep inhabit the range. Most of the Little Horns are comprised of a large mesa complex. Most of the bighorn are found on top of this mesa which makes it very hard to see bighorn without having to climb to the top. Further complicating the matter is a series of deep canyons that transect the top of the mesa. These canyons provide good forage and bedding areas for bighorn. Occasionally bighorn can been found on the low hills immediately just north of the main mountain mass. Also the low hills just west of the Hovatter Road that lie along the boundary of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, especially in the Sheep Tank Mine area. For access take the Dateland Highway (64 miles east of Yuma on Interstate 8) north to Whitewing Ranch. About three fourths of a mile east of the entrance to the ranch is a crossing over the railroad tracks. Take this road north and west 18 miles to the east end of the Tank Mountains. Just pass the Tank Mountain. cabin (really a tin shed!) you will find an intersection with a three roads (one goes due west, one goes northwest, and one goes due north), take the due north road 1.6 miles north, at this intersection head due west and eventually north to the Little Horns. You can also access the Little Horns by taking the Hovatter Road south from Interstate 10 directly to the Little Horns.
Overview: With mule deer densities at about 1 deer per square mile, hunting mule deer in Unit 41 on the best years and under the best circumstances is a tough hunt, but, the rewards can be great as some of the largest mule deer bucks in western Arizona are found in the unit. There are reasons that mule deer grow to old age and large size in the southwest deserts. Low deer densities of less than one deer per square mile makes it very difficult to locate deer. Complicating the issue is the fact that almost all of the deer are limited to the very flat terrain that limits the use of optics. Many of the deer are found in the large desert riparian areas or washes that are very dense with vegetation and visibility is limited to a few yards.
The best way to hunt these "flat-landers" is to hunt in pairs and glass the flats from the top of hills which are found throughout the unit. When a deer is spotted one person can remain on the high ground and guide his partner to the deer with the use of hand signals. Be sure to practice the signals before hand.
Deer may also be found in the washes and canyon bottoms found throughout the Little Horn Mountains, Tank Mountains, Palomas Mountains, and the Picacho Mountains north of Hyder.
A few deer are also found along the Gila River just north of Interstate 8. These deer are very difficult to find because of the dense vegetation and low numbers, but the rewards can be great for some very large mule deer bucks can be found here. The people that have the most success taking deer in the dry Gila River area do it by finding a large track and then tracking the deer, usually for days.
During dry years many deer may be found in and around the agriculture areas of Harquahala Valley, Hyder Valley and the Wellton-Mohawk Valley. Deer typically feed or water at night in these areas, then return to the adjacent desert during the daytime. Sometimes deer can be found in the fields just before dark or at sunrise. When hunting the agriculture areas be sure to observe all safety rules and watch for farm workers and equipment. Many of these areas are posted private land. Be sure to check the land status before hunting these areas.
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Numerous Arizona Game and Fish Department water catchments are found throughout the unit and no camping is permitted within 1/4 mile of these waters. You can purchase a copy of Arizona Wildlife Water Maps at any Department office. Please remember that these waters are the only available water for wildlife in this vast area, so limit your stay and activities when visiting catchments. Report any problems with catchments to the Arizona Game and Fish Department Region IV Headquarters, Yuma at (928) 342-0091.
Palomas Plains : Although mule deer are found throughout the unit, most of the deer are found in the Palomas Plains area north of Dateland. The Palomas Plains are very flat and are bisected by large desert riparian areas. Theses large desert washes are very thick, which makes seeing the deer very difficult. Use a partner and glass the flats from high point method to take large bucks in this area.
To reach the Palomas Plains from the north (Interstate 10) take the Hovatter Road or Harquahala Valley Road straight south into the north part of the unit. From the south, take the Sentinel Highway through Hyder or the Dateland Highway north to ½ mile east of the entrance to White Wing Ranch. This road will take you to the heart of the Palomas Plains and the best mule deer hunting.
Wellton-Mohawk Valley: During dry years, mule deer can be found in the agriculture and desert areas along the north side of the Wellton-Mohawk Valley. Typically, the deer feed and or water at night in the fields, then spend the days in the desert areas just north of the agriculture area. Please take note of any private land and be careful not to shoot near buildings. To reach this area take exits 29,36,40 and 52 off Interstate 8 east of Yuma. Follow these roads straight north until you reach the desert.
Hyder Valley: During dry years deer can be found around the agriculture areas in the Hyder Valley. Please take note of any private posted lands and don't shoot near buildings. To reach the Hyder area, take the Sentinel Highway north from Interstate 8 west if Gila Bend.
Harquahala Valley: During dry years deer can be found around the agriculture areas in Harquahala Valley. Please take note not to enter posted private land and don't shoot near buildings. To reach this area, take the Harquahala Valley Road south off of Interstate 10 west of Buckeye.
Eagletail Mountains: The Eagletail Mountains. located just southwest of Harquahala Valley is the only mountain range in Unit 41 that contains significant numbers of deer. Deer numbers in the Eagletail Mountains are currently depressed due the recent extended drought. The Eagletail Mountains are noted for large trophy mule deer. Almost all of the Eagletail Mountains lie within the Eagletail Mountain Wilderness Area. This allows for an excellent opportunity for a backpack or horse pack mule deer hunt away from the majority of hunters and an opportunity to take a large desert mule deer. Special BLM wilderness use regulations apply here. To plan your hunt contact the Yuma District BLM office at:
Bureau of Land Management
Yuma District Office
2555 E. Gila Ridge Rd.
Yuma, AZ 85365
Phone: (928) 317-3200
Access: Take the Harquahala Road south from Interstate 10 (west of Buckeye) to Courthouse Road, then west to the gas line road, then west along this road. There are several roads leading to the edge of the wilderness from this road.
OHV Use: Most of Unit 41 mule deer inhabit large flat areas that can be negotiated by various types of OHV vehicles. Most of the land in Unit 41 is under the jurisdiction of the BLM. Vehicles are restricted to existing roads, trails and large desert washes on BLM land. Travel across country is not permitted under any circumstance. Operators of OHV's are also responsible for damage to native plants. These regulations are enforced by both the Arizona Game and Fish Department and BLM Rangers.
There is a small amount of state land scattered throughout the unit. OHV use on state land is restricted to existing trails and roads, however, a vehicle may be used to retrieve a downed and legally taken big game animal on or off road. Operators of OHV's retrieving downed big game are still responsible for damage to native plants
Overview: Historically, unit 41 probably had the best dove hunting in the state, specifically, the Wellton Mohawk and Hyder valleys. Due to habitat loss and changes in crop patterns the dove hunting has been greatly reduced, but remains good to very good in localized areas.
Areas: Wellton Mohawk Valley: During the 1970's the Wellton Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District had tremendous populations of mourning and whitewing dove populations. Habitat loss and changes in crop patterns have reduced these populations greatly. Most of the wheat and maze fields that hunters traditionally hunted in the Wellton Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District are now planted in vegetables by dove season. Drive around the valley and look for any remaining wheat stubble fields that are not yet put into vegetables. Good shooting can also be found in some spots along the Gila River that runs through the middle of the valley. Some citrus still remains and good dove hunting can be found there as the doves come off the roost in the early morning. When hunting both roost and feeding fields remember that whitewing fly a little later in the morning than Mourning Doves. Some good flights of doves can be found around the edge of the desert as doves fly from their desert roost into the valley to feed.
Access: Take Interstate 8 east of Yuma about 30 miles, then any of the following exits: exits 20,29,36, 40 and 52 north into the valley.
Hyder Valley: Due to reduction of farming activities in the Hyder area, this area no longer provides the fine dove hunting that it once did. Good localized flights can still be found around the few remaining fields and citrus.
Access: West of Gila Bend on Interstate 8, take the Sentinel Highway north about 10 miles to the Hyder valley.
Private Property: Much of the dove hunting in Unit 41 takes place on or near private property. Many farms post their land during the dove hunt. Please take notice of these postings. Before hunting on non-posted land try to find the owner and get permission. Do not enter fields where there are standing crops. The Whitewing Ranch and Dateland Farms are closed to hunting.
Other: Do not clean birds in the canals or on roadsides. Bury all remaining carcasses and feathers. Pick up all litter and empty shell cases. Please not that large piles of empty shell cases are considered littering!
Overview: The 2009 hunt is expected to be a good one, with areas near agriculture experiencing the best hatches
Areas: Desert: The heart of the desert quail hunting in the unit is the Palomas Plains area north of Dateland. Numerous large desert riparian areas that provide good quail habitat bisect this large, flat area. Access: About 65 miles east of Yuma on Interstate 8, take the Dateland highway north to ½ mile east of the entrance to Whitewing Ranch, then north on this road into the desert area. Vehicles are restricted to existing roads, trails and desert washes.
Wellton Mohawk Valley and Gila River area: A fair hatch has produced fair to good numbers along the north side of the valley and the Gila River area. Birds along the Gila River are very difficult to hunt because of the dense brush. Please take notice of private land and posting and don't enter fields where standing crops are growing. Access: About 30 miles east of Yuma on Interstate 8, take exits 20, 29, 36, 40 and 52 north to the valley and the Gila River area.
Hyder Valley and Gila River Area: Fair numbers of birds can be found around the agriculture areas of the Hyder valley and the Gila River area north of Sentinel. Please take notice of private land and posting. Access. From Sentinel on Interstate 8 west Gila Bend, Take the Sentinel highway north to the Gila River and then on north to Hyder.
Harquahala Valley: Fair numbers of birds can be found around the agriculture areas and the adjacent desert areas of the valley. Please take notice of private land and posting. Access: West of Buckeye on Interstate 10, take the Harquahala Valley road to the valley (98-7).
Other
Pertinent Climate Information Most
of this area is extremely
remote and waterless,
so planning is very
important when making
a trip into the heart
of Unit 41. Leave
a written itinerary
and bring along maps
and extra water and
equipment.
Cities,
Roads & Campgrounds
Major
Cities and Towns in or Near Game
Management Unit and Nearest Gas,
Food, and Lodging Gila
Bend, Wellton, Yuma
Major
Highways and Roads Leading To From
the East: Arlington Rd From
the West: None
From the North: Hovatter, Harquahala Rds from I-10
From the South: Sentinel, Dateland Rds from I-8
Developed
Campgrounds None.
Undeveloped
Campgrounds Camping
is allowed on BLM-administered
public lands throughout
the unit.
Brief
Description of Terrain, Elevation,
and Vegetation
Most of the unit is flat desert land cut by deep, lushly vegetated
riparian drainage. The unit encompasses several very rough
and barren mountain ranges, the Eagletail, Little Horn, Tank,
and Palomas mountains. Elevation ranges from just 400' on the
desert plain to nearly 3,000' on some of the higher peaks.
The flats are sparsely vegetated with creosote ironwood, paloverde,
and saguaro cactus; the mountains with creosote and paloverde.
Government
Agencies and Phone Numbers Arizona
Game and Fish Department, Region
IV - (928) 342-0091 BLM Yuma Field
Office - (928) 317-3200
Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District - (928) 785-3351
