GMU 20C Unit 20C — Yuma
Low-desert mule deer country southwest of Prescott
Central Arizona — Weaver & Date Creek Mountains, Prescott NF fringe · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
762
sq mi
Public land
70%
approx.
Elevation
1,900–6,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 20C sits about 25 miles southwest of Prescott, built around the rocky Weaver Mountains in the north and east and the smaller Date Creek Mountains to the southwest, with rolling grassland and Sonoran desert spilling west. It is predominantly BLM and Arizona State Trust land with scattered private ranches, and is a solid desert mule deer unit where patient glassing turns up some mature bucks. Deer is the marquee big-game draw here; overall buck-hunt success runs modestly in the high-20s percent.
Terrain
Steep, rocky ranges in the north and east grading into gentle rolling grassland and low desert to the west.
Cover: Interior chaparral, manzanita and scrub oak on the higher slopes; palo verde, mesquite, saguaro and desert grassland across the flats.
Landmarks: Weaver Mountains · Date Creek Mountains · Rich Hill · Hassayampa River · Yarnell / Peeples Valley
Access
Mostly BLM and State Trust open to hunting; a valid Arizona State Land recreational permit is required to cross state trust parcels. Private ranch land near the Hassayampa River and around Kirkland limits access — ask permission rather than assuming. No tribal land in this unit.
Managers: BLM, AZ State Trust, USFS Prescott NF, Private
Access points: US-89 through Yarnell and Peeples Valley · Date Creek Road · Stanton / Octave Road off Congress · Kirkland Valley roads
Species notes
Mule Deer
common qualityClassic desert mule deer unit; most bucks are young but the rocky Weaver and Date Creek ranges hold some mature deer, and hunting is often best down in the low desert.
- →Glass the low desert washes and bajadas at first and last light rather than climbing high.
- →Focus the rocky north and east slopes of the Weaver Mountains for older bucks.
- →Hunt the desert-grassland transition where does concentrate during the rut.
- →Water sources and green browse pockets after a wet winter pull deer into predictable pockets.
Pro tips
- →Buy an Arizona State Land recreational permit before you go so state-trust parcels stay legally open to you.
- →After a wet winter, the low western desert can hold more deer than the rugged peaks — don't overlook it.
- →Knock on ranch doors politely around Kirkland; some landowners grant courteous hunters access.
- →Pack far more water than you think you need — this is dry, exposed country.
Watch out for
- !State-trust parcels require a recreational permit to access.
- !Private ranchland near the Hassayampa River and Kirkland is posted and access-restricted.
- !Water is scarce and daytime heat is a real hazard early season.
- !Dirt roads wash out and turn to mud after desert storms.
Logistics
Wickenburg and the Prescott area are the practical resupply and fuel hubs. Fuel, food and lodging are easiest off US-89/US-93; interior roads are dirt and can be rough or impassable after storms, so carry recovery gear and extra water.
Nearest towns: Wickenburg, Yarnell, Congress, Kirkland, Prescott
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD GMU 20C · GOHUNT Arizona Unit 20C Profile · BLM Arizona public lands
FAQ
- How big is GMU 20C in Arizona?
- GMU 20C (Unit 20C — Yuma) covers about 762 square miles, ranging from roughly 1,900 to 6,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 20C?
- Approximately 70% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, AZ State Trust, USFS Prescott NF, Private. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 20C?
- 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 20C on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.