GMU 18B Unit 18B — Kingman
Rugged Hualapai high country with trophy pronghorn, elk, a rebuilding desert sheep herd and desert mule deer.
West-central Arizona — Hualapai Mountains / Kingman (Region III) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,216
sq mi
Public land
45%
approx.
Elevation
2,500–8,417
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 18B rises from desert grassland south and east of Kingman into the timbered Hualapai Mountains, backing against the Prescott National Forest on its eastern border. It is a genuine mixed-bag unit: trophy-class pronghorn and elk on the open ranch country, desert mule deer through the foothills, black bear in the higher forest, and a small but re-established desert bighorn sheep herd in the rocky ranges. Terrain is slow and steep in the mountains, and large private cattle ranches — some closed, some in access programs — dictate a lot of where you can hunt.
Terrain
Desert grassland and creosote flats climb into steep, rocky mesas, canyons and the pine-clad Hualapai Mountains, capped by Hualapai Peak; travel through the ranges is slow and rough.
Cover: Creosote and desert scrub low, grading through pinyon-juniper and chaparral to ponderosa pine and mixed conifer on the highest Hualapai slopes.
Landmarks: Hualapai Mountains · Hualapai Peak · Aquarius Mountains · Rawhide Mountains · Prescott NF boundary (east)
Access
A mixture of private, BLM and state land with the eastern border resting against the Prescott National Forest. State-trust sections require an Arizona State Land Department recreation permit. Some large private ranches do not allow hunting and can block elk access; others lease to outfitters or participate in state access programs.
Managers: BLM, AZ State Trust, USFS Prescott NF (east edge), Private (large cattle ranches)
Access points: Hualapai Mountain Road out of Kingman · Hualapai Mountain Park · DW Ranch Road · US-93 south toward Wikieup · Prescott NF roads on the east edge
Species notes
Pronghorn
common trophySome trophy-class antelope roam the open ranch grasslands; tags are limited and success is high for those drawn.
- →Glass wide grassland basins at first light
- →Use terrain and decoys during the rut
- →Scout ranch waters ahead of the hunt
Mule Deer
common opportunityDesert mule deer scatter through the foothills and canyons; the best success comes from hunting the rougher country away from roads.
- →Glass canyon heads and juniper edges at dawn and dusk
- →Hunt broken rocky terrain the deer favor
- →Sit water in dry early seasons
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited qualityA limited but quality elk herd uses the higher timber and ranch grasslands; private-land closures make access the main challenge.
- →Locate open ranch parcels or the eastern Prescott NF timber
- →Sit reliable water in dry conditions
- →Work the pine-juniper transition at first light
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyA small, re-established desert bighorn herd holds in the rocky ranges with strong genetics; numbers have dipped from mountain-lion predation but rams have scored well. A once-in-a-lifetime draw tag.
- →Glass steep rocky bluffs and rims from long distance
- →Focus on cliff and escape terrain near water
- →Plan a physical, spike-camp hunt if drawn
Black Bear
limited opportunityBlack bear are present in the higher Hualapai forest but at low density and success; a bonus opportunity rather than a target species.
- →Hunt oak and berry pockets in the higher timber
- →Glass canyon slopes in early morning
- →Check drainages with mast and water
Cougar
limited opportunityMountain lions are a notable presence — significant enough to pressure the local sheep herd — and are available on an over-the-counter framework.
- →Cut tracks on dirt roads after fresh snow or rain
- →Focus on deer and sheep concentrations
- →Glass rocky, brushy canyons at first light
Pro tips
- →Sort out access first — identify which ranches are closed versus enrolled in access programs before you commit to an area
- →The open ranch grasslands drive the pronghorn and elk; the rocky ranges hold sheep and mule deer
- →Carry a State Land recreation permit for state-trust sections
- →Glass long in the Hualapai high country — steep terrain makes still-hunting inefficient
- →Water is limited at low elevation — locate functioning tanks and springs in advance
Watch out for
- !Large private ranches — some fully closed — can block elk and interior access
- !State-trust sections require a current Arizona State Land Department recreation permit
- !Steep, rocky Hualapai terrain makes travel and game recovery slow
- !Scarce low-desert water, heat and long dirt roads
- !Monsoon flash-flooding and fall fire restrictions
Logistics
Kingman is the primary hub for fuel, lodging and supplies; Hualapai Mountain Park offers a developed base near the high country. Expect slow, rough travel in the mountains and long dirt approaches — a capable high-clearance vehicle and offline maps are essential.
Nearest towns: Kingman, Wikieup, Yucca
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD — GMU 18B · GOHUNT — Arizona Unit 18B profile · USFS — Prescott National Forest
FAQ
- How big is GMU 18B in Arizona?
- GMU 18B (Unit 18B — Kingman) covers about 1,216 square miles, ranging from roughly 2,500 to 8,417 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 18B?
- Approximately 45% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, AZ State Trust, USFS Prescott NF (east edge), Private (large cattle ranches). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 18B?
- Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Black Bear, Cougar. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Arizona agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 18B on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.