Unit 46B, Arizona

Low to moderate Sonoran Desert terrain dominated by broad alluvial plains and isolated volcanic mountain ranges running north-south. Elevations range from roughly 700 feet in the valley floors to approximately 2,500 feet on the higher peaks. Named ranges within or adjacent to the unit include the Sierra Pinta, Cabeza Prieta Mountains, Tule Mountains, Bryan Mountains, and Mohawk Mountains. The unit covers approximately 712 square miles (455,974 acres). Terrain is characterized by large flat desert expanses broken by steep, rugged mountain ranges. A five-mile-wide Pinacate Lava Flow is present near the eastern edge of the unit. Much of the sheep habitat is 6 to 12 miles from the nearest road, requiring extensive backcountry hiking.

Unit 46B is 100% public land, managed as the western half of Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS). Approximately 93% of the refuge is federally designated Wilderness (Cabeza Prieta Wilderness). Three unpaved public access roads exist within or adjacent to the unit: (1) El Camino del Diablo — a historic 120-mile dirt road traversing the southern portion, requiring four-wheel drive with high clearance; (2) Christmas Pass Road — four-wheel drive and high clearance required; (3) Charlie Bell Road — two-wheel drive with high clearance acceptable for approximately the first 16 miles from Ajo on AZ-85, though 4WD is recommended. Speed limit throughout is 25 mph (15 mph near pronghorn recovery pen on Charlie Bell Road). Vehicles must remain on designated roads; parking is limited to within 50 feet of road centerline. The unit borders the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range (BMGR) to the north and west. All visitors must obtain a free Cabeza Prieta NWR visitor permit online at https://bmgr.recaccess.com/ and sign a Military Hold Harmless Agreement before entry. Permits also available at refuge headquarters at 1611 N. 2nd Ave., Ajo, AZ 85321 (Mon-Fri, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., phone 520-387-6483). Hunters should carry at minimum two spare tires and ample water (2+ gallons/person/day in summer). Seasonal access closures occur during Sonoran pronghorn fawning (mid-March through mid-July) and military training exercises. No gas, sanitation facilities, cell service, or potable water exists within the unit. Pack and saddle animals may be used with a special use permit from the refuge. Maximum group size is 4 vehicles. The nearest services are in Ajo (~40 miles north via AZ-85) and Gila Bend (~40 miles northeast).

Sonoran Desert scrub throughout, dominated by creosote-bursage flats (creosote, white bursage), with ironwood, palo verde, mesquite, ocotillo, saguaro cactus, cholla, and other desert succulents. No ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper, or sky-island cover types are present. Riparian corridors are minimal and seasonal; permanent surface water is absent on the refuge. Approximately 400 plant species are documented on the refuge.

Desert bighorn sheep are the primary hunted species and are more numerous in 46B than in neighboring 46A. Rams harvested in the unit have historically scored between 125 and 170 Boone and Crockett points, with many exhibiting distinctive red-stained horns. The sheep rut occurs in late August through September. Mule deer are present in the unit but are characterized as protected/not available for general hunting by AZGFD unit profiles (GoHunt). Sonoran pronghorn (federally endangered) are present but fully protected and not available for hunting. Mountain lion and coyote are present. The refuge supports over 275 documented animal species including Gila monster, desert tortoise, golden eagle, and a variety of raptors and reptiles. Most wildlife is crepuscular or nocturnal given extreme heat. Quail, dove, rabbit, bobcat, and fox may also be hunted per refuge regulations.

1. Mule deer: both GoHunt and refuge unit profiles characterize mule deer as protected/not huntable in 46B; removed from species_data pending official confirmation from 2026-27 regulations PDF. 2. Bighorn sheep draw odds (2025 official AZGFD data): 46B East ~1.8% (3 permits, ~169 first-choice applicants); 46B West ~1.2% (4 permits, ~345 first-choice applicants) — PDF was binary-encoded and not directly parseable; figures from draft sourcing. 3. Hunter success and reported harvest not reliably published; HuntScore reports 6 hunters / 100% success for 2020 only (very small sample). 4. Javelina are present but the unit does not appear in the javelina commission order for legal hunting. 5. Quail, dove, rabbit, bobcat, fox, coyote, and mountain lion confirmed as huntable per USFWS refuge hunting page.