GMU 15B Unit 15B — Kingman
Sprawling BLM desert-mountain unit with premium bighorn and a Music Mountains elk herd
Northwest Arizona — Cerbat/Peacock Mountains, Kingman to the Colorado River · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,873
sq mi
Public land
—
approx.
Elevation
1,200–7,150
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 15B wraps around Kingman from the Cerbat and Peacock Mountains northwest to the Colorado River and Hoover Dam, taking in a big swath of Lake Mead NRA. Like its neighbor 15A, it is prized for premium desert bighorn sheep in the cliff country and shares the small Music Mountains elk herd. Desert mule deer and a variable pronghorn population fill out the big game, all at low desert densities that reward hard scouting.
Terrain
Rugged desert mountain ranges and cliff country dropping to the Colorado River and Lake Mead, separated by wide creosote valleys and rough washes. Remote and expansive.
Cover: Mojave desert scrub and grassland across the basins, thickening to pinyon-juniper on the upper Peacock and Music Mountains where wildlife densities are highest.
Landmarks: Cerbat Mountains · Peacock Mountains · Music Mountains · Lake Mead / Colorado River · Grand Wash Cliffs
Access
Predominantly BLM public land, with a large portion of the western unit inside Lake Mead NRA where off-road travel and target shooting are restricted. The Music Mountains border the Hualapai Reservation; some approaches require a Hualapai Wildlife Department trespass permit and sign-in, and reservation land is otherwise not open to general AZGFD hunting. State Trust parcels require an Arizona recreation permit.
Managers: BLM, Lake Mead NRA, AZ State Trust, Tribal (Hualapai, closed)
Access points: US Hwy 93 corridor between Kingman and Hoover Dam · Antares Road and Hackberry Road off AZ Hwy 66 · Pearce Ferry Road · Temple Bar / South Cove roads into the Lake Mead country
Species notes
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyDesert bighorn are the headline hunt, split into 15B West (heavily within Lake Mead NRA) and an eastern area shared with 15A. Very high success on scarce, coveted tags.
- →Glass the steepest cliff and canyon escape terrain — Salt Spring Wash, Greggs Hideout, Grapevine Wash, South Cove
- →Set up on high vantage points at first light and stay put
- →Prepare for rough foot access into roadless canyon country
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited opportunityThe same small Music Mountains elk herd that reaches into 15A provides a limited, unusual desert elk opportunity. Modest success and few tags.
- →Hunt the higher pinyon-juniper of the Music and Peacock Mountains
- →Key on the few reliable water sources and feed pockets
- →Verify access near the Hualapai boundary before committing
Mule Deer
limited opportunityDesert mule deer occur at low densities throughout the ranges, with success in the low-30s percent. A patient spot-and-stalk hunt over big, dry country.
- →Glass rocky slopes, saddles, and canyon heads in the Peacock and Music Mountains
- →Hunt near water and the thicker pinyon-juniper
- →Plan to cover ground and look over lots of country per buck
Pronghorn
limited opportunityA small, variable pronghorn herd ranges the open valleys, its numbers influenced by movement to and from adjacent reservation lands. Limited, opportunity-level hunting.
- →Glass the broad grassland flats between ranges at dawn and dusk
- →Expect herds to shift on and off huntable ground
- →Run vehicle glassing loops to locate scattered groups
Pro tips
- →Confirm your access plan early — western sheep country is Lake Mead NRA and some Music Mountains routes cross Hualapai land needing a trespass permit
- →This is a spotting-scope-and-tripod unit; glassing quality beats boot miles
- →Learn the reliable water sources — game and hunting both revolve around them
- →The Peacock and Music Mountains hold the highest wildlife densities; focus effort there
- →Give yourself extra scouting days given the low desert densities
Watch out for
- !Hualapai Reservation land is closed to general AZGFD hunting — some routes require a Hualapai trespass permit
- !Large portions of the western unit are Lake Mead NRA with off-road and shooting restrictions
- !Scarce water and desert heat, especially early season
- !Rough 4WD roads far from help — full-size spare and recovery gear essential
- !State Trust parcels require an Arizona recreation permit
Logistics
Kingman anchors fuel, lodging, groceries, and repairs; Dolan Springs and Meadview offer limited services toward the Lake Mead end. Roads range from paved corridors to rough 4WD tracks — carry a full-size spare, extra water, and recovery gear. Cell service fades fast off the highways.
Nearest towns: Kingman, Dolan Springs, Meadview, Chloride
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD Hunt Arizona / Where to Hunt · Hunt Now Arizona — Unit 15B · HuntScore — Arizona GMU 15B
FAQ
- How big is GMU 15B in Arizona?
- GMU 15B (Unit 15B — Kingman) covers about 1,873 square miles, ranging from roughly 1,200 to 7,150 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 15B?
- Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Arizona agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 15B on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.