GMU 19B Unit 19B — Kingman
Big Chino Valley grassland pronghorn ringed by pinyon-juniper mesas — quality antelope, scattered mule deer, and low-density elk on a heavily private-and-state-trust checkerboard.
West-central Arizona — Big Chino Valley & Prescott NF fringe · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
765
sq mi
Public land
20%
approx.
Elevation
4,200–7,100
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 19B is built around the sweeping Big Chino Valley grassland that runs from Seligman southeast toward Paulden and Chino Valley, surrounded by pinyon-juniper mesas, buttes and the Juniper Mountains on the west. The open grass is classic Arizona pronghorn country and drives the unit's identity — a limited, high-success antelope hunt. Mule deer hold in the juniper breaks and rougher country, while elk are present but low in number and widely dispersed, often moving in from adjacent units. Access is the defining challenge: roughly 80% of the unit is private deeded land or private state trust in a checkerboard, so knowing what is legally open is as important as knowing where the game is.
Terrain
A broad high-desert grassland valley (Big Chino) rimmed by pinyon-juniper mesas, buttes and low mountain ranges, with the Juniper Mountains rising on the western edge and Big Black Mesa and Picacho Butte punctuating the skyline.
Cover: Semi-desert grassland and sage on the valley floor; pinyon-juniper woodland on the mesas, buttes and foothills; scattered ponderosa and chaparral in the higher Juniper Mountains.
Landmarks: Big Chino Valley · Juniper Mountains · Big Black Mesa · Picacho Butte · Walnut Creek · Williamson Valley
Access
Access is the hard part here — roughly 80% of the unit is private deeded land or private state trust, often checkerboarded with public parcels. A valid Arizona State Trust recreation permit is required to use state land, and much of the best pronghorn ground sits behind private boundaries; secure permission before hunting. Prescott NF and BLM ground on the west and south edges (Juniper Mountains, Walnut Creek) offers the most reliable open access.
Managers: Private, AZ State Trust, USFS Prescott NF, BLM
Access points: US-89 (Big Black Mesa / Paulden) · Williamson Valley Road (Juniper Mountains) · Walnut Creek Road · Prescott NF forest roads on the west side
Species notes
Pronghorn
common qualityThe marquee species — Big Chino Valley grassland holds a healthy pronghorn herd and the limited antelope tag posts very high success. A hard-to-draw, high-reward hunt.
- →Glass the open valley grasslands at long range from mesa edges and rises
- →Locate bucks the days before the hunt and pattern them between feed and water
- →Use terrain folds and washes to close the distance across open country
- →Focus on legally accessible public and permitted parcels — much of the grass is private
Mule Deer
common opportunityDesert mule deer occupy the pinyon-juniper breaks, mesa rims and rougher foothill country rather than the open valley floor. General-season opportunity rather than a trophy destination.
- →Glass juniper edges, drainages and mesa breaks at first and last light
- →Hunt the rougher country away from the open grass where deer bed
- →Check the Juniper Mountains foothills and Walnut Creek country on public ground
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited opportunityElk are present but at low density and widely scattered, with 19B grouped into a larger flexible-management hunt area. Finding them takes real scouting; animals often drift in from adjacent higher units.
- →Scout hard before the season to pin down where the scattered herds are holding
- →Work the pinyon-juniper mesas and any reliable water
- →Be prepared to cover a lot of ground — densities are low and animals move
Pro tips
- →Sort out land status before you hunt — 80% is private or private state trust and boundaries checkerboard with public parcels
- →Carry a State Trust recreation permit and a good ownership map/app to stay legal on the valley grass
- →For pronghorn, glass from mesa rims into the valley and pattern bucks to water before the opener
- →Push into the Juniper Mountains and Walnut Creek country for the most reliable public deer access
- →Don't count on elk density — scout early and be ready to relocate
Watch out for
- !Extensive private and private state-trust land checkerboarded with public — verify every boundary
- !State Trust recreation permit required to use Arizona state land
- !Water is scarce on the open valley — carry your own and know reliable sources
- !Early-season heat and later high-wind exposure on the open grassland
- !Low, dispersed elk numbers make encounters unreliable
Logistics
Prescott and Chino Valley are the full-service hubs, with fuel and lodging; Paulden and Seligman offer basic services closer to the valley. US-89 runs the eastern side and Williamson Valley Road accesses the Juniper Mountains on the west. Distances are large and cell coverage thins out in the valley and juniper country — carry water, a map and offline navigation.
Nearest towns: Chino Valley, Paulden, Prescott, Seligman
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 · Hunt Now Arizona — Unit 19B · onX — Arizona Game Management Unit 19B
FAQ
- How big is GMU 19B in Arizona?
- GMU 19B (Unit 19B — Kingman) covers about 765 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,200 to 7,100 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 19B?
- Approximately 20% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: Private, AZ State Trust, USFS Prescott NF, BLM. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 19B?
- 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 19B on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.