Unit 4A, Arizona

Elevation ranges from approximately 5,000 feet in the northern grassland flats to 7,900 feet along the Mogollon Rim in the south, with Promontory Butte approaching 8,000 feet. The terrain is defined by numerous north-south draining canyons — Leonard, Willow Creek, Chevelon, Turkey, Bear, Clear Creek, Alder, and West Chevelon — that cut from the rim country down to open juniper-grassland flats. Relief in the canyon country is moderate; the terrain is generally described as flat to rolling with dense timber, not a physically demanding mountain hunt. Glassing is limited by flat, densely timbered terrain. Late-season hunts along the Rim can encounter heavy snow limiting road access. Chevelon Canyon forms the eastern boundary dividing Unit 4A from Unit 4B.

Public land comprises approximately 72% of the unit (USFS 43% per HuntScore/GoHunt; remainder BLM and state trust). The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest (Mogollon Rim Ranger District) governs the southern half. The northern portion is managed by BLM (Holbrook Field Office), Arizona State Land Department, and includes privately-held Hopi Trust lands — specifically the Ohaco Cattle Company ranches and the Hopi 3 Canyon Aja Ranch — where hunters must obtain written permission through the AZGFD Landowner Relations Program (azgfd.gov). Primary access routes: Highway 260 from the south (Show Low/Heber) with the Woods Canyon Lake turnoff onto Forest Road 300 (the Rim Road); State Highway 99 from the north (Winslow); Forest Road 504 entering from the east from Heber; and FR 300 connecting from the west (Unit 5A). Primitive roads throughout require 4WD vehicles; road conditions and seasonal closures change without notice. No designated wilderness areas identified within the unit.

Three distinct vegetation zones exist north to south. The southern zone along and below the Mogollon Rim supports mixed conifer (ponderosa pine, white fir, Douglas-fir) and oak forest. A mid-unit band transitions through pinyon-juniper-oak woodland. The northern sector opens into high grassland and brush flats with scattered juniper — a checkerboard of Hopi Trust and State Trust lands that forms the primary pronghorn range. Riparian corridors run through the canyon bottoms, with acorn-producing oak areas important for bear and turkey. Notable water features include Chevelon Canyon Lake and Woods Canyon Lake in the southern Forest section.

Elk are the primary big game draw, with the highest densities concentrated in the ponderosa pine and mixed conifer of the southern National Forest during early season. The herd moves northward onto juniper-grassland flats as seasons progress and snow accumulates. Water holes attract elk during hot, dry early-season conditions. Unit 4A sees significantly less recreational pressure than neighboring units 4B and 5A. Bulls in the 280-330 inch class are realistic; early archery hunters call bulls in dense ponderosa and mixed conifer. Mule deer numbers are documented as low; the unit is not considered a trophy mule deer destination. Coues deer are present in very low numbers. Pronghorn occupy the northern grassland and Hopi-trust-land flats in small but huntable numbers with high rifle hunter success rates. Black bear are present throughout the forested southern half with fall movements driven by acorn and berry crops; the 2025 annual female harvest limit for combined Units 4A and 5A is 8. Mountain lion range across the unit year-round. Merriam's turkey are present in the forest zone. Band-tailed pigeon use the upper-elevation conifer stands near water and acorns. Waterfowl (Canada geese, mallards, teal, pintails, mergansers) use the canyon lakes and creek bottoms. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are listed for this GMU (GoHunt) though no draw quota data was confirmed.

1. Deer quota of 280 (Hunt 1005) covers combined Units 4A and 4B; OTC archery harvest limit of 15 is also combined 4A/4B. 2. Elk data from 2025 draw booklet (applications Feb 2025); 2026 quotas may differ. 3. HuntScore 2021 aggregate: 151 hunters, 16 animals harvested, 10.6% overall success rate across reported hunts. 4. Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep listed by GoHunt for Unit 4A; no draw quota or season data confirmed. 5. Coues deer present in very low numbers per GoHunt; general deer hunts (1005/1006) cover any antlered deer. 6. Public land: HuntScore cites 66%, GoHunt cites 72.1%; 72% used as primary figure. 7. Javelina present on OTC nonpermit-tag (Jan 1 – Dec 31) but not a primary target species at this latitude.