Unit 5BS, Arizona

Terrain is largely a rolling high plateau — the southern extension of Anderson Mesa — with scattered shallow canyons and drainages cutting northeast off the Rim. Elevations range from roughly 5,500 feet on the lower pinyon-juniper fringes to approximately 7,500 feet in the ponderosa pine benchlands near Happy Jack (the unincorporated community sits at 7,493 ft). The unit boundary is defined by the junction of FH 3 (Lake Mary/Clint's Well Road) and FR 125 on the northwest, then FR 125 east to FR 82, south on FR 82 to FR 69B, and east on FR 69B to FR 69. Much of the high plateau is old volcanic basalt, producing rocky soils that make some two-track roads rough.

The unit is approximately 98 percent public land (Coconino National Forest and Arizona State Land), with minimal private inholdings. Primary paved access corridors are Lake Mary Road (FH 3), which forms part of the 5BN/5BS boundary, and State Route 87 (Beeline Highway) to the west. Within the unit, FR 135D (Happy Jack area) is listed as Open in the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. Other secondary routes include FR 211 and FR 300-series spurs off Lake Mary Road. Dispersed camping is permitted on designated roads. Happy Jack Lodge and RV provides developed facilities, lodging, and fuel. Off-road vehicle travel is restricted to designated roads; the Coconino National Forest does not allow cross-country motorized game retrieval in Unit 5BS (cross-country elk retrieval is only permitted on Coconino NF in units 6A, 6B, 7, and 8). No wilderness areas fall within 5BS. Contact: Coconino National Forest Mogollon Rim Ranger District, (928) 477-2255. AZGFD Region II Flagstaff: (928) 774-5045.

The high-elevation core is ponderosa pine forest with openings of native grassland and meadow systems — prime summer and fall elk range. Below the Rim breaks, the landscape transitions through Gambel oak and mixed conifer benches into pinyon-juniper woodland with open grass and brush flats at lower elevations. Riparian corridors associated with Jacks Canyon and associated drainages support cottonwood and willow stringers. The Arizona Trail Passage 28 (Happy Jack segment) traverses ponderosa and pinyon-juniper country in the southern portion of the unit.

Rocky Mountain elk are the primary big game species, with a large herd using the ponderosa pine meadow systems as summer and fall range and descending to lower pinyon-juniper and grass flats in winter. Mule deer maintain stable populations in transition zones between ponderosa and pinyon-juniper. Pronghorn antelope occupy the open grass flats and mesa-top areas of the unit. Merriam's turkey occupy pine and oak drainages throughout. Black bear are present at meaningful densities in the timber and drainages (combined 5B and 6A female harvest limit of 12 in 2026). Mountain lion occur at low but consistent densities (Zone G1 covering units 4A/4B/5A/5B has a harvest threshold of 15). Coues white-tailed deer are a bonus presence in the lower broken canyon country. Javelina are not confirmed residents — unit 5B does not appear in any AZGFD draw or nonpermit javelina season. Several stocked and natural lakes support fishing (Long Lake, Soldier Lake, Tremaine Lake).

1. The 98% public land figure is from GoHunt unit profile tool; AZGFD does not publish per-unit public land percentages. 2. Antlerless rifle quota is 325 permits (Hunt 3041) per official 2026 PDF — draft had 375, now corrected. 3. Bear female harvest limit is 12 for combined 5B and 6A per the 2026 Annual Female Harvest Limits table — draft erroneously stated 2. 4. Turkey hunt number is 4505 for 5B South (75 permits, Oct 2-8) — draft had Hunt 4506 and 175 permits, which is actually the 6A hunt. 5. No 5B-specific muzzleloader deer or muzzleloader elk draw exists in 2026 regulations. 6. Javelina: unit 5B does not appear in any AZGFD javelina season; confirmed absent from all draw and nonpermit javelina tables. 7. The Coconino NF does not allow cross-country motorized retrieval in 5BS per 2026-27 regs p.21.