GMU 18A Unit 18A — Kingman
Big-country pronghorn and juniper mule deer on a state-trust and BLM checkerboard north of Kingman.
West-central Arizona — Kingman / BLM & state-trust grasslands (Region III) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,229
sq mi
Public land
45%
approx.
Elevation
3,500–7,100
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
Unit 18A sprawls across open chaparral, short-grass flats and pinyon-juniper woodland east of Kingman and Seligman, broken by the rocky Cerbat, Music and Peacock mountains in the south. It is best known as trophy-class pronghorn country, with a spread-out mule deer herd and a low-density but real elk population that surprises hunters willing to cover ground. Game densities are modest, so glassing wide grasslands and sitting water are the plays. The Hualapai Reservation forms much of the northern and eastern edge and is closed to general Arizona hunting.
Terrain
Rolling grassland and mesa country in the east giving way to rougher canyons and rocky mountains in the south and west; the eastern half is notably flatter and easier walking than the western half.
Cover: Open chaparral and short grasses interspersed with stands of pinyon-juniper and cliffrose; scattered ponderosa on the higher peaks.
Landmarks: Cerbat Mountains · Music Mountains · Peacock Mountains · Grand Wash Cliffs area · Hualapai Reservation boundary
Access
State and private land form a checkerboard over roughly two-thirds of the unit, with a large contiguous block of BLM in the northwestern corner. A recreation permit from the Arizona State Land Department is required to access state-trust sections. Large private ranches can block access to interior state parcels; the Hualapai Reservation on the north/east is not open to general AZGFD hunting.
Managers: BLM, AZ State Trust, Private (large cattle ranches), Tribal — Hualapai (closed)
Access points: US-93 / I-40 out of Kingman · Stockton Hill Road north · BLM roads into the northwest corner · Ranch/BLM two-tracks off Antares Road and Big Sandy roads
Species notes
Pronghorn
common trophyThe unit's marquee species — open grasslands hold well-fed, trophy-class bucks, and tag success runs high for the lucky few drawn.
- →Glass the open eastern grass flats at first and last light
- →Use terrain folds and decoys to close on rutting bucks
- →Pre-scout waters and stock tanks in the weeks before the hunt
Mule Deer
common opportunityDesert mule deer are spread thin across the juniper and chaparral; success is modest and rewards hunters who walk far from roads.
- →Glass juniper edges and canyon heads at dawn
- →Hunt the rougher southern mountains where deer concentrate
- →Sit water and pinch points during warm early seasons
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited qualityA low-density elk herd persists in the denser juniper; sightings and fresh sign are more common than the reputation suggests, but tags are limited.
- →Build or use ground blinds near reliable water
- →Focus on thick pinyon-juniper stands away from ranch roads
- →Sit water hard during dry late seasons
Pro tips
- →Water is the whole game — locate every functioning tank and spring before opening day
- →The flat eastern grasslands are the pronghorn engine; the rocky southern mountains hold the mule deer
- →Confirm you have a State Land recreation permit before crossing state-trust sections
- →Knock on ranch doors early — access to landlocked state parcels can hinge on private permission
- →Expect low densities; success favors the hunter willing to glass and walk all day
Watch out for
- !Hualapai Reservation on the north/east is closed to general AZGFD hunting — know the boundary
- !State-trust access requires a current Arizona State Land Department recreation permit
- !Checkerboard private ranches can block interior public parcels
- !Little natural water and long dirt roads — carry extra water, fuel and recovery gear
- !Summer/fall fire restrictions and monsoon flash-flooding on dirt roads
Logistics
Kingman (I-40/US-93) is the full-service hub for fuel, lodging and supplies; Seligman offers limited services on the east side. Cell coverage drops fast off the highways — carry paper/offline maps and plan for long dirt drives between camps and water.
Nearest towns: Kingman, Seligman, Peach Springs
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD — Where to Hunt / GMU information · GOHUNT — Arizona Unit 18A profile · BLM — Kingman Field Office public lands
FAQ
- How big is GMU 18A in Arizona?
- GMU 18A (Unit 18A — Kingman) covers about 1,229 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,500 to 7,100 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 18A?
- Approximately 45% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, AZ State Trust, Private (large cattle ranches), Tribal — Hualapai (closed). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 18A?
- Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Arizona agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 18A on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.