How big is GMU 22 in Arizona?

GMU 22 (Unit 22 — Mesa) covers about 1,585 square miles, ranging from roughly 1,400 to 7,900 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.

How much public land is in GMU 22?

Approximately 92% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Tonto NF, AZ State Trust, Private. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.

What species does the catalog list for GMU 22?

Rocky Mountain Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Black Bear. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Arizona agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.

GMU 22 Unit 22 — Mesa

Premier Rim elk with desert bighorn, mule deer and Coues in one unit

Central Arizona — Mazatzal Mountains & Mogollon Rim, Tonto NF · Last reviewed 2026-07-12

Bull elk standing at the edge of dark timber

Area

1,585

sq mi

Public land

92%

approx.

Elevation

1,400–7,900

feet

Motorized

moderate

access

Overview

Unit 22 stretches from the Mogollon Rim near Payson down to the Phoenix metro edge, lying almost entirely within the Tonto National Forest and spanning saguaro desert, the rugged Mazatzal high country, and roadless wilderness. It is a highly prized unit: the northern half above Payson holds the bulk of a strong elk herd, a narrow desert-mountain strip along the Salt River chain of lakes supports a coveted desert bighorn sheep herd, and both mule deer and good numbers of Coues whitetail round out the deer hunting, alongside black bear. Elk is the standout draw, producing the largest harvest in the unit.

Terrain

Enormous relief from Sonoran desert lakes at ~1,400 ft to Mazatzal Peak near 7,900 ft, with rugged canyons, wilderness and high timber.

Cover: Saguaro-palo verde desert low, chaparral and desert scrub on the mid-slopes, pinyon-juniper transition, and ponderosa pine forest along the Mogollon Rim north of Payson.

Landmarks: Mazatzal Peak · Mazatzal Wilderness · Four Peaks Wilderness · Mogollon Rim · Salt River chain of lakes (Saguaro, Canyon, Apache lakes) · Goat Mountain · Stewart Mountain

Access

Almost entirely Tonto National Forest and open to the public, with only small private and state-trust pockets. The Mazatzal and Four Peaks Wildernesses are large and non-motorized. A Tonto NF recreation pass is required at many trailheads and lakeside sites, and state-trust parcels need an Arizona recreational permit. No tribal land in this unit.

Managers: USFS Tonto NF, AZ State Trust, Private

Access points: State Route 87 (Beeline Highway) toward Payson · State Route 188 along Roosevelt Lake · Bush Highway / Salt River lakes access · Forest roads off the Mogollon Rim north of Payson

Species notes

Rocky Mountain Elk

common quality

The northern half above Payson holds the majority of a stable elk herd with a healthy bull-to-cow ratio and mature bulls; it is the unit's top big-game producer and a sought-after draw.

→Hunt the ponderosa and Rim country north of Payson where the elk concentrate.
→Locate water tanks and meadows and glass the timber edges at first and last light.
→During the rut, call and listen from canyon rims and pine benches.
→Get well back from roads into the harder-to-reach pockets for mature bulls.

Bighorn Sheep

limited trophy

A coveted desert bighorn herd occupies a narrow strip of rugged habitat from Goat Mountain near Apache Lake west to Stewart Mountain along the Salt River lakes; an extremely limited once-in-a-lifetime tag with excellent success for those who draw.

→Glass the steep, rocky bluffs above the Salt River chain of lakes.
→Focus the Goat Mountain to Stewart Mountain corridor where the herd lives.
→Boat access on the lakes opens up otherwise unreachable sheep country.
→Scout rams well before the hunt — this is a tag you may only draw once.

Mule Deer

common quality

Desert mule deer are the unit's traditional deer draw, spread through the desert and chaparral country; buck quality is fair to good with some mature deer in the rougher terrain.

→Glass desert washes, bajadas and chaparral slopes at first light.
→Work the mid-elevation transition between desert and pinyon-juniper.
→Hunt the rut in late season when bucks move with does.
→Focus rough, less-roaded terrain for older bucks.

Whitetail Deer

common quality

Coues whitetail are present in good numbers in the higher, brushier country, offering a strong second deer option alongside the mule deer.

→Glass steep brushy slopes and canyon heads in the pinyon-juniper and pine transition.
→Set up on a good vantage and pick apart shaded pockets methodically.
→Hunt the Coues rut in the higher country in the cold months.

Black Bear

limited opportunity

Black bear inhabit the chaparral and forested drainages of the Mazatzals and Rim country; densities are modest and success is low, but genuine opportunity exists in the brushy high country.

→Glass chaparral basins and canyon bottoms in the cool of morning.
→Key on fall acorn, manzanita and prickly-pear feed.
→Concentrate near water in the forested drainages during warm spells.

Pro tips

→Hunt elk in the Rim country north of Payson — that's where the herd and the mature bulls concentrate.
→If you draw the once-in-a-lifetime desert bighorn tag, scout the Goat-to-Stewart Mountain corridor and consider a boat.
→Carry a Tonto NF recreation pass and an Arizona State Land permit to stay legal at trailheads and on state parcels.
→Match your season to elevation — same unit can be desert heat or Rim snow.
→Get off the roads and into the wilderness fringes for older animals of every species.

Watch out for

!Tonto NF recreation pass required at many trailheads and lakeside sites.
!State-trust parcels require an Arizona recreational permit.
!Mazatzal and Four Peaks Wildernesses are non-motorized with long, rugged access.
!Severe heat and scarce water in the desert low country; snow and cold on the Rim.
!Steep terrain and long pack-outs, plus fire-closure risk in dry years.

Logistics

Payson to the north and the eastern Phoenix suburbs (Mesa, Fountain Hills) are the main fuel, food and lodging hubs. Access is good on the paved SR-87, SR-188 and Bush Highway corridors, but interior forest roads are dirt and rough, and the large wilderness areas require long foot or horse access. Boats help reach the bighorn country on the lakes.

Nearest towns: Payson, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Roosevelt, Rye

Nearby units

GMU 23 · Unit 23 — Mesa GMU 24B · Unit 24B — Mesa GMU 6A · Unit 6A — Flagstaff, Kingman GMU 25M · Unit 25M — Mesa

Seasons & regulations

This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:

Research sources: AZGFD GMU 22 · GOHUNT Arizona Unit 22 Profile · Discover Gila County — Hunting Unit 22

FAQ

How big is GMU 22 in Arizona?: GMU 22 (Unit 22 — Mesa) covers about 1,585 square miles, ranging from roughly 1,400 to 7,900 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
How much public land is in GMU 22?: Approximately 92% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Tonto NF, AZ State Trust, Private. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
What species does the catalog list for GMU 22?: Rocky Mountain Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, 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 22 on your map.

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