Overview: Mule deer utilize habitat throughout Unit 6B. The upland conifer forest north of the Mogollon Rim supports a higher density of deer, but older and larger bucks are observed with greater frequency in the chaparral and juniper-pinyon habitats in the Dry Creek and Spring Creek basins of the Verde Valley.

Successful Archery Season deer hunters must contact an Arizona Game and Fish Department in person or by telephone (1-866-903-3337) within 10 days of taking a deer unless the deer has been checked through a mandatory deer check station.

The unit includes a diversity of access options. Sycamore Canyon Wilderness and Red Rock - Secret Mountain Wilderness feature spectacular rugged canyon topography. Access in wilderness is limited to foot or horseback travel. Camp Navajo operated by the Arizona National Guard allows limited civilian access to permitted big game hunters. Woody Ridge Quiet Area in the northeast quarter of the unit restricts access by motor vehicles. Bicycles are legal in the Quiet Area but are prohibited in the wilderness.

Areas: Turkey Butte - East Pocket: This area is located on the plateau north of the Mogollon Rim. The forest in the area is diverse, including Gambel oak/ponderosa pine stands and mixed conifer stands. Many mule deer utilize this area during the fall, especially in years with an abundant Gambel oak acorn crop.

Harding Point - Howard Pocket: This area is located on the north rim of West Fork Canyon. High densities of Gambel oaks intersperse with the dominant ponderosa pine. Mule deer find this area attractive during the fall, especially if acorns are available.

Brins Mesa - Soldiers Pass: This area is located north of Sedona and can be accessed from Dry Creek Road. The land status is Red Rock - Secret Mountain Wilderness, so access is limited to hiking and horseback. This area usually has a high density of general hikers. The vegetation consists of high-density chaparral and cypress, limiting vision to short distances or hilltop-to-hilltop glassing opportunities.

Casner Mountain: This area is located on the west edge of the unit and can be accessed by Red Canyon Road. Most of the area is wilderness status with a narrow corridor along the powerline that crests the mountain that can be accessed by quads, motorcycles and bicycles.

Notice: The fall hunting season is now a limited weapon-shotgun shooting shot season only. There is still a fall archery-only over-the-counter permit hunt available in fall.

Overview: The vertical escarpment of the western Mogollon Rim divides Unit 6B into a northern upland half and a southern valley half. The upland half features ponderosa pine forests with smaller areas of meadows, mixed conifer forest, and pine-oak forest. Merriam turkeys inhabit all of the upland habitat types. Both spring and fall hunt opportunities are offered in the unit. Extreme wet road and soil conditions during the spring turkey season may require local or general restrictions and/or road closures that reduce access to the unit for hunting.

The unit offers a diversity of access opportunities. Sycamore Canyon Wilderness and Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness both contain turkey habitat available by hiking or horseback. Woody Ridge Quiet Area in the northeast part of the unit restricts vehicle access but can be accessed by bicycles. Camp Navajo, operated by the Arizona National Guard, generally restricts access but does offer a limited permit opportunity. The spring hunts are limited to shotguns shooting shot.

Areas:

Harding Point - Howard Pocket: This area can be accessed by Forest Road 535. Snow depth can limit access during the early spring hunting season. Turkeys favor the ridge and canyon complexes that develop off of drainages feeding the West Fork of Oak Creek.

South Pocket - Turkey Butte: This area can be accessed by FR 231 (Woody Mountain Road) from Flagstaff. Snow depth can limit access during the early spring hunting season. The ridge and canyon complexes that characterize the upper drainages in this area provide good turkey habitat.

Dutton Hill - Mooney Mountain: This area can be accessed by FR 231 or FR 141 from Parks. Turkey favor the areas around the hills, especially during the spring.

Woody Ridge: This area can be accessed during all seasons because Highway 89A parallels the east side of the area.

Concerns: Never wear black, red, or blue when hunting nor should you make noises that may identify you as being a turkey. Never stalk up to noises you believe are a turkey, it could be another hunter.

In the spring, call turkeys to you by imitating the sounds of a hen. There are many quality calls on the market. If you're a beginner, try a box type call with a plunger device and invest in a turkey calling tape. Remember that shotguns shooting shot are the only legal weapons for the spring and fall hunt and they cannot hold more than five shells in the magazine.

Overview: The canyon systems and Mogollon Rim area of Unit 6B feature chaparral and mixed conifer forest habitats preferred by whitetail deer. Major canyons such as Sycamore and the West Fork of Oak Creek provide good opportunities to observe whitetail, especially along the rims and upper slopes. Isolated mountains along the Rim such as Wilson Mountain, East Pocket, Bunker Hill, Bear Mountain and Secret Mountain also offer opportunity. Most of these areas are located in either the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness or Red Rocks-Secret Mountain Wilderness. Wilderness access is limited to hiking and horseback modes. Mule deer share all of these areas with whitetail deer, especially during the winter. One must be careful to properly identify the species before shooting. Extreme wet road and soil conditions during the deer season may require local or general restrictions and/or road closures that reduce access to the unit for hunting.

Successful Archery Season deer hunters must contact an Arizona Game and Fish Department in person or by telephone (1-866-903-3337) within 10 days of taking a deer unless the deer has been checked through a mandatory deer check station.

Plan on spending many hours glassing. Quality optics are a must. Good spotting scopes and binoculars can save you many miles of walking. If you climb to a high point to glass, you should spend several hours at that location looking for movement.

Areas: Mogollon Rim: Road access to most of these areas must come from the upland side via FR 231 (Woody Mountain Road) from Flagstaff. December access often is limited by heavy snow accumulations. Wilson Mountain and Bear Mountain trailheads can be accessed from lower elevation near Sedona.

Sycamore Canyon: The upper end of Sycamore Canyon (L O Pocket) can be accessed from Garland Prairie via FR 141 and FR 527. The dense vegetation here makes glassing for whitetail difficult.