GMU 20A Unit 20A — Kingman
The high Bradshaw Mountains south of Prescott — a mostly-public ponderosa-and-chaparral unit with mule deer throughout, low-density elk, and a few black bears in the pines.
Central Arizona — Bradshaw Mountains, Prescott NF · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
602
sq mi
Public land
75%
approx.
Elevation
3,200–7,900
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
Unit 20A sits south of Prescott and lies almost entirely within the Prescott National Forest, taking in the high, forested crown of the Bradshaw Mountains around Mount Union, Spruce Mountain and Thumb Butte. It's a strong multi-species general unit where mule deer are distributed across every elevation band, from Sonoran desert scrub in the low country up through pinyon-juniper and scrub oak to ponderosa pine on the peaks. Elk are present but nomadic and low in density, and the ponderosa high country holds a small black-bear population. Because the unit is largely public with good forest-road access, it's a popular, accessible hunt close to a major town.
Terrain
A steep, forested mountain unit — the Bradshaw Mountains rise from Sonoran desert foothills through chaparral and pinyon-juniper to ponderosa-pine peaks near Mount Union (~7,900 ft), Spruce Mountain and Thumb Butte, cut by rugged canyons like Crooks Canyon.
Cover: Ponderosa pine at the highest elevations; scrub oak, manzanita and pinyon-juniper chaparral through the mid slopes; Sonoran desert scrub and grassland in the lower foothills.
Landmarks: Bradshaw Mountains · Mount Union · Spruce Mountain · Thumb Butte · Big Bug Mesa · Crooks Canyon · Cleator
Access
The majority of the unit is Prescott National Forest with good, permitted access via a dense forest-road network. Private inholdings and mining parcels are scattered within the forest — respect posted boundaries — and state trust land requires a recreation permit. The high-country roads (Senator Highway, Crown King road) reach deep into the Bradshaws but get rough and can close with snow.
Managers: USFS Prescott NF, AZ State Trust, Private
Access points: Senator Highway (Prescott to the high Bradshaws) · Crown King Road · SR-69 / SR-89 corridor · I-17 (east side) · Prescott NF forest roads (Mayer, Cleator, Wilhoit)
Species notes
Mule Deer
common opportunityThe bread-and-butter species — mule deer are distributed throughout the unit across all habitat bands and produce the highest harvest here. Solid general-season opportunity with good public access.
- →Glass scrub-oak and chaparral benches and canyon edges at first and last light
- →Hunt the transition between pinyon-juniper and ponderosa where deer feed and bed
- →Get off the main forest roads into the steeper side canyons for less-pressured deer
- →In the low country, focus on desert-scrub foothills and washes
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited opportunityElk are present but nomadic and at low density in the ponderosa high country and mesa parks; a hunt that rewards scouting to locate scattered animals rather than counting on numbers.
- →Work ponderosa parks, meadow edges and water in the high Bradshaws at dawn and dusk
- →Scout ahead of the season to find where the scattered herds are holding
- →Cover ground between the Mount Union / Big Bug high country and quieter drainages
Black Bear
limited opportunityA small black-bear population uses the ponderosa and chaparral of the higher Bradshaws; harvest is low but the unit does produce bears in the forested high country.
- →Focus on the ponderosa and oak-brush high country with berry and mast feed
- →Check chaparral drainages and manzanita pockets in fall
- →Glass canyon slopes near water at first and last light
Pro tips
- →Use the Senator Highway and forest-road network to reach the high country, then hunt off the roads into side canyons
- →Hunt the pinyon-juniper-to-ponderosa transition for the best mule-deer concentrations
- →Watch the forecast — upper Bradshaw roads get rough and can close with snow
- →Scout early for the scattered, low-density elk before committing time
- →Respect the many private mining inholdings scattered through the forest
Watch out for
- !Private and mining inholdings scattered within the national forest — verify posted boundaries
- !State Trust recreation permit required on state land
- !Steep, rough terrain and upper roads that can close with snow
- !Low, nomadic elk numbers — encounters aren't guaranteed
- !Fire-closure areas and burn scars can affect access in dry years
Logistics
Prescott, right on the northern edge, is a full-service hub with everything you need; Mayer and the small communities of Wilhoit and Cleator sit closer to the hunting country. The Senator Highway and Crown King road push deep into the Bradshaws, but upper stretches are rough, slow and can snow shut late in the season — high clearance is wise. I-17 and SR-69 frame the unit for quick access.
Nearest towns: Prescott, Mayer, Wilhoit, Cleator
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD — GMU 20A · Hunt Now Arizona — Unit 20A · GOHUNT — Arizona Unit 20A profile
FAQ
- How big is GMU 20A in Arizona?
- GMU 20A (Unit 20A — Kingman) covers about 602 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,200 to 7,900 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 20A?
- Approximately 75% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Prescott NF, AZ State Trust, Private. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 20A?
- Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Black Bear. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Arizona agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 20A on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.