Unit 24A, Arizona

Elevation ranges from approximately 2,000 feet in the lower Sonoran desert drainages along the Gila River corridor to 7,848 feet at Pinal Peak in the Pinal Mountains south of Globe (elevation confirmed via USGS/Wikipedia). Terrain is characterized by very steep slopes, large rugged canyons, and abrupt relief transitions from desert flats to high desert peaks. Major mountain ranges include the Pinal Mountains, Apache Mountains, Timber Camp Mountains, Dripping Springs Mountains, and Mescal Mountains. Interior drainages can be significantly steeper than surrounding terrain.

The unit is approximately 87% public land (GoHunt reports 86.8%): roughly 59% Tonto National Forest (Globe Ranger District, headquartered in Globe), 16% BLM (Phoenix Field Office / Lower Gila district), and 13% private. The San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation — located in Gila, Pinal, and Graham counties — forms the northeastern boundary along the Salt and Gila Rivers; hunting there requires tribal permits and is not covered by Arizona game licenses. Primary highway access: US 60 along the south and southwest boundary (Globe–Superior corridor); AZ Hwy 177 on the west; AZ Hwys 288 and 188 on the east; AZ Hwy 77 runs through interior portions near Globe. Key Tonto NF forest roads providing interior access include FR 219 (Horseshoe Bend area), FR 220, FR 223, FR 303, FR 304, FR 360, FR 580 (Nugget Mesa); Dripping Springs Road is the primary north–south spine accessed south of Globe off Hwy 77. Some private-land corridors require hunter sign-in at AZGFD-approved sign boxes (notably Horseshoe Bend). Motor vehicle use on Tonto NF is restricted to designated roads. Established campgrounds in the Globe Ranger District include Pioneer Pass, Pinal, Six Shooter, Sulphide Del Rey, and Jones Water.

Vegetation follows strong elevational gradients. Lower elevations (2,000–3,500 ft) support Sonoran desertscrub with palo verde, saguaro, cholla, mesquite, and prickly pear. Mid elevations (3,500–5,500 ft) transition into chaparral and high Sonoran shrubland dominated by thick scrub oak and manzanita — the primary Coues deer habitat. The Pinal Mountains carry pinyon-juniper woodlands through mid elevations and transition to ponderosa pine with mixed conifer (fir, spruce) and Gambel oak near the summit. Riparian corridors along the Gila River, Salt River, and interior drainages support cottonwood, willow, and mesquite bosques.

White-tailed deer (Coues) are the primary big game and have shown increasing population trends in recent years, with multiple older-age-class bucks documented. Mule deer inhabit lower-elevation areas and their population has declined since the mid-1990s; they are less abundant than Coues deer. Elk occur in very low numbers in the northeastern portion of the unit near tribal land boundaries; this is not traditional elk range and the state manages it as a limited-opportunity hunt. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep have a small population shared with neighboring Unit 23, concentrated in canyon systems along the Salt River drainage. Black bears are present throughout with significant populations foraging on acorns, juniper berries, manzanita berries, and prickly pear; the unit supports archery and general hunting seasons. Mountain lions maintain a stable population with immigration to and from the San Carlos Apache Reservation; historical harvest has averaged approximately 8 lions annually. Javelina occur throughout the unit except on the high Pinal Mountain summit, with highest densities on south- and west-facing slopes and desert drainages. A small Abert's squirrel population exists in the Pinal Mountains. Gambel's quail are present across the unit's desert habitat. Cottontail rabbits concentrate in southern desert areas.