GMU 15D Unit 15D — Kingman
The heart of Arizona's biggest desert-bighorn range, rugged wilderness above the Colorado River
Northwest Arizona desert — southern Black Mountains, Mohave County · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
877
sq mi
Public land
80%
approx.
Elevation
500–5,500
feet
Motorized
limited
access
Overview
Unit 15D covers the rugged southern Black Mountains south of SR-68, running down the Arizona side of the Colorado River past Oatman toward Lake Havasu. Desert bighorn sheep are the featured big game species and are found throughout the entire range — this unit anchors the largest contiguous desert bighorn population in Arizona and posts near-100% sheep success. A low-density desert mule deer herd shares the ground but sees relatively little hunter use. Large portions of the Black Mountains are designated BLM wilderness, so expect limited vehicle access and a lot of hiking.
Terrain
Extremely rugged, steep volcanic mountains and knife-edge ridges dropping to the Colorado River, sliced by deep rocky canyons and desert washes.
Cover: Mohave/Sonoran desert scrub — creosote, brittlebush, ocotillo, cholla and catclaw, with paloverde and mesquite in the drainages and sparse grass on the highest slopes.
Landmarks: Southern Black Mountains · Oatman · Mount Nutt Wilderness · Warm Springs Wilderness · Colorado River / Lake Havasu
Access
Predominantly BLM, including the Mount Nutt and Warm Springs Wilderness areas where motorized and mechanized travel is prohibited — plan to hike in. Arizona State Trust parcels require an individual recreation permit. Primary access is via SR-68, the historic Route 66 through Oatman, and dirt roads off US-95 near the river; interior sheep country must be reached on foot.
Managers: BLM, BLM Wilderness (Mount Nutt, Warm Springs), AZ State Trust, Private
Access points: SR-68 (Golden Valley to Bullhead City) · Historic Route 66 / Oatman Highway · US-95 river corridor · BLM roads to wilderness boundaries
Species notes
Bighorn Sheep
common trophyDesert bighorn are the signature species and can be found throughout the entire Black Mountains range in 15D. Success on this once-in-a-lifetime tag runs near 100%; rams are consistent though not known for exceptional record-book size.
- →Set up on high vantage points and glass the rugged volcanic faces at dawn and dusk
- →Key on springs, guzzlers and the river as water anchors sheep in the heat
- →Be prepared for long, steep hikes into wilderness — the best ground has no roads
Mule Deer
limited opportunityA low-density desert mule deer population occupies the washes and lower slopes with relatively low hunter use. It's a bonus opportunity, not a numbers unit.
- →Work brushy desert drainages and bajadas early and late
- →Glass shaded north-facing draws where deer bed out of the heat
- →Hunt near water sources and expect to cover a lot of country to find deer
Pro tips
- →Scout and map the wilderness boundaries in advance so you know exactly where motorized travel stops
- →Invest your effort in glassing from high points — sheep are found with optics, not by driving
- →Prioritize the roughest, steepest volcanic terrain; that's prime bighorn security cover
- →Cache water at your glassing basecamp before opening day
- →Historic Route 66 through Oatman is scenic but slow and clogged with tourists and wild burros — budget extra drive time
Watch out for
- !Mount Nutt and Warm Springs Wilderness prohibit motorized/mechanized travel — no vehicles, e-bikes or game carts
- !Severe desert heat and almost no natural water away from the Colorado River
- !Arizona State Trust parcels require a recreation permit
- !Very rugged, roadless sheep terrain — a downed animal may mean a brutal pack-out
- !Rattlesnakes, sharp rock and remote country far from help
Logistics
Bullhead City and Kingman are the main hubs for fuel, lodging and supplies; Oatman is a small historic tourist town with minimal services. High-clearance 4x4 is essential on the rough BLM roads, and wilderness designations mean you'll leave the truck at the boundary and hike. Water is scarce away from the river — carry and cache generously.
Nearest towns: Bullhead City, Golden Valley, Kingman, Oatman, Lake Havasu City
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD GMU 15D unit information · AZGFD Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy — Black Mountains · GOHUNT Arizona Unit 15D profile
FAQ
- How big is GMU 15D in Arizona?
- GMU 15D (Unit 15D — Kingman) covers about 877 square miles, ranging from roughly 500 to 5,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 15D?
- Approximately 80% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, BLM Wilderness (Mount Nutt, Warm Springs), AZ State Trust, Private. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 15D?
- Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Arizona agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 15D on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.