GMU 1 Unit 1 — Pinetop
Premier White Mountains elk country on the edge of the Mogollon Rim
White Mountains — Apache-Sitgreaves NF · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
847
sq mi
Public land
80%
approx.
Elevation
6,800–11,000
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
Unit 1 sits in Arizona's high White Mountains east of Pinetop-Lakeside, a mix of dense ponderosa and spruce-fir forest, big mountain meadows, and lakes that produces some of the state's most consistent bull elk hunting. Rocky Mountain elk dominate the harvest here by a wide margin, with a productive supporting cast of mule deer, pronghorn on the open parks, and black bear in the timber. The unit's western and southern edges abut the Fort Apache Indian Reservation (White Mountain Apache), which is closed to general AZGFD hunting and requires separate tribal permits.
Terrain
Volcanic high country climbing off the Mogollon Rim into the White Mountains, cut by drainages, cinder cones, and glacial meadows.
Cover: Ponderosa pine transitioning to mixed conifer and spruce-fir at elevation, with extensive grassy parks, aspen stands, and riparian meadows along the Little Colorado headwaters.
Landmarks: Greer · Big Lake · Sunrise Lake area · Escudilla-facing high parks · Little Colorado River headwaters · South Fork
Access
Overwhelmingly Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest with dense Forest Service road access. State Trust parcels require an Arizona State Land recreation permit. The Fort Apache Reservation forms the western/southern boundary and is NOT open to general hunting — know exactly where the reservation line is. High-elevation roads and campgrounds can close early with snow.
Managers: USFS Apache-Sitgreaves NF, AZ State Trust, Tribal (Fort Apache / White Mountain Apache — closed), Private (Greer/Nutrioso inholdings)
Access points: AZ-260 corridor from Pinetop-Lakeside · AZ-273 to Sunrise/Big Lake · AZ-261 (Big Lake road) · FR 87 and FR 116 forest road network · Greer via AZ-373
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant qualityThe marquee species and by far the largest harvest in the unit; healthy bull numbers in classic White Mountains habitat with good age structure on limited-entry tags.
- →Glass big meadows and park edges at first and last light
- →Hunt water tanks and lakes during dry early seasons
- →Move to timbered north slopes and dark mixed conifer for bulls in heat
- →Work drainages between feeding parks and bedding timber
- →Call the September rut near meadow-timber transitions
Mule Deer
common opportunitySolid mule deer numbers through the mid-elevation ponderosa and meadow edges; a good general hunt rather than a trophy destination.
- →Glass open ridges and meadow fringes at dawn
- →Focus mid-elevation transition zones between pine and oak brush
- →Still-hunt timber pockets during midday
- →Hunt storm fronts that push deer to lower parks
Pronghorn
limited qualityPronghorn hold the larger grassy parks and open valleys; tags are scarce and coveted, with respectable success when drawn.
- →Glass wide-open parks from vehicle-accessible high points
- →Spot-and-stalk using terrain rolls and cinder rises
- →Watch fence lines and stock tanks
- →Set up on morning feeding movement
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bear are well distributed through the timber and oak brush; a genuine draw with fall mast and berry concentrations.
- →Glass oak brush and berry patches in early fall
- →Work drainages and riparian corridors
- →Check acorn and manzanita concentrations
- →Hunt slowly along timber edges at dawn and dusk
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyA very small, tightly limited bighorn presence — essentially a once-in-a-lifetime draw; not a species to plan a general trip around.
- →Only relevant with a drawn tag
- →Glass rugged rimrock and rocky escarpments
- →Coordinate with AZGFD field staff on current herd locations
Pro tips
- →Know the Fort Apache Reservation boundary cold — much of the country just west/south of the unit is tribal and closed to general hunting
- →Elk are the reason to draw this unit; prioritize meadow-timber edges and water over covering ground
- →Early archery elk revolve around lakes and stock tanks — sit water in dry years
- →Buy a State Trust recreation permit before hunting scattered state parcels
- →Have a snow contingency and check road conditions for late hunts near Big Lake
Watch out for
- !Fort Apache (White Mountain Apache) Reservation on the west/south boundary is closed to general AZGFD hunting and needs tribal permits
- !State Trust land requires an Arizona State Land recreation permit
- !Early and heavy snow can close high roads and campgrounds
- !Cold, wet high-country weather — hypothermia risk
- !Fire restrictions and possible area closures in dry years
Logistics
Base out of Pinetop-Lakeside or Show Low for services, or camp at Forest Service sites near Big Lake and Greer for closer access to the high country. Full fuel, groceries, and lodging in the towns; developed campgrounds and dispersed camping throughout the forest. Come prepared for cold, wet, and possible snow at elevation.
Nearest towns: Pinetop-Lakeside, Show Low, Springerville, Eagar, Greer
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD Hunt Arizona / Unit 1 hunt guidelines · Apache-Sitgreaves NF motor vehicle use and recreation maps · Arizona State Land Department recreation permits
FAQ
- How big is GMU 1 in Arizona?
- GMU 1 (Unit 1 — Pinetop) covers about 847 square miles, ranging from roughly 6,800 to 11,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 1?
- Approximately 80% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Apache-Sitgreaves NF, AZ State Trust, Tribal (Fort Apache / White Mountain Apache — closed), Private (Greer/Nutrioso inholdings). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 1?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Black Bear, Bighorn Sheep. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Arizona agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 1 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.