Unit 24B, Arizona

Elevation ranges from approximately 1,600 feet in the lower desert plains of the southwestern corner to 6,266 feet on Mound Mountain (the high point of the Superstition Wilderness) and approximately 6,300 feet on other ridges. The southwest portion transitions from rolling desert hills and mesas to steep, rugged canyons and rocky mountains through the central and western areas. The Superstition Wilderness (159,757 acres, roughly one-third of the unit area) is characterized by vertical-walled canyons, narrow drainages, and high rocky ridges with no vehicle access — AZGFD notes it as remote, requiring extensive strenuous hiking or horses and mules. The unit's eastern edge approaches the Sierra Anchas, where Cherry Creek has carved a substantial valley with a roughly 4,000-foot elevation change from mesa tops to river level. The Sierra Ancha Wilderness (20,850 acres, Gila County) lies adjacent to the eastern boundary.

Primary access is via U.S. Highway 60 through Superior on the unit's southern boundary, Arizona State Route 88 (Apache Trail) along the northern edge near the Salt River, and Arizona State Routes 188 and 288 providing access along the eastern side. The unit boundary runs from US 60 in Superior northeast to AZ 188, then north on AZ 188/288 to the Salt River, west along the Salt River to the Tonto National Forest boundary near Granite Reef Dam, southeast along the forest boundary to Forest Route 77 (Peralta Road), and southwest back to US 60. Key Forest Service roads providing interior access include FR 77 (Peralta Road, a primary Superstition trailhead corridor), FR 49, 80, 83, 172, 213, 225, 229, 344, 449, and 650. The Sierra Ancha area is reached via AZ 288 and Cherry Creek Road (FR 203), which follows the east side of the Sierra Ancha Wilderness for approximately 40 miles. Tonto National Forest's Travel Management Plan has implemented designated-road-only travel; off-road motorized vehicle retrieval of game is not permitted under the Tonto's MVUM rules. The Superstition Wilderness prohibits all motorized and mechanized travel; it is open to hunting on foot or by horse/mule. Tonto National Monument, located along Roosevelt Lake, is closed to all hunting. Roosevelt Wildlife Area within units 22, 23, and 24B is closed to hunting from November 15 through February 15 (Note 88). Bulldog Canyon Recreation Area in the western portion requires a free permit from the Mesa Ranger District. State Trust Land in the southwestern corner is accessible to properly licensed hunters per R12-4-110. Nearest towns providing services: Superior (US 60), Globe (AZ 60/70), and Apache Junction (US 60/AZ 88). Tonto National Forest Phoenix Supervisor's Office: 602-225-5200. Mesa Regional Office (AZGFD Region 6): 7200 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85207, (480) 981-9400.

Lower elevations (below approximately 3,000 feet) support Sonoran Desert scrub with saguaro, palo verde, cholla, and desert hackberry. Mid-elevations carry dense stands of scrub oak, manzanita, and chaparral transitioning to mixed juniper-oak woodland. Upper elevations (above approximately 5,000 feet) support pinyon pine, juniper, and scattered ponderosa pine. Mesquite-lined washes and riparian corridors thread through the unit along Cherry Creek and seasonal drainages. Mule deer habitat is concentrated below 4,500 feet in open desert scrub and grassland, while Coues whitetail occupy the brushier oak and chaparral zones above 3,500 feet (occasionally found lower).

Mule deer inhabit the lower and mid-elevation desert scrub and open grassland habitats, generally below 4,500 feet; populations have experienced long-term decline linked to drought conditions. Coues white-tailed deer are concentrated in the brushier oak-chaparral and juniper-oak woodland above 3,500 feet and have maintained more stable permit numbers than mule deer over the past decade. A restored desert bighorn sheep population occupies the Superstition Mountains; AZGFD manages for an annual harvest with typically 2 permits issued for the Superstition Wilderness Hunt Area; the population was re-established beginning in the early 1980s. Javelina occur throughout the unit in intermediate desert and grassland habitats and in moist canyon areas, with herd sizes averaging approximately eight animals. Black bears are present at low to medium densities in upper elevations and wooded canyons with a female harvest limit of 2 for Unit 24B. Mountain lions maintain a population across the unit (Zone J, comprising Units 21/22/23/24B/25M/26M, statewide harvest threshold 54 lions). Mountain lions are taken primarily by predator calling and by hound hunters. Gambel's quail are widespread in lower desert areas, dependent on winter rainfall for reproduction. Roosevelt Lake on the northwestern boundary attracts wintering waterfowl including mallards, northern shovelers, American wigeons, gadwalls, teals, and Canada geese. Cottontail rabbits and jackrabbits are common; dove hunting occurs around stock tanks in the unit.