GMU 23 Unit 23 — Mesa
A premier limited-draw elk unit stacked with Coues, mule deer and bear from desert to rim
Central Arizona — Tonto NF, Sierra Ancha & Mogollon Rim · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,187
sq mi
Public land
90%
approx.
Elevation
2,000–7,700
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 23 runs from the junction of the Salt and Verde Rivers north to the Mogollon Rim, taking in the Sierra Ancha Mountains, Tonto Basin and Pleasant Valley. It is one of Arizona's marquee limited-entry elk units, with strong bull success in both the northern rim country and the southern Sierra Ancha. Below the pines it holds high densities of Coues whitetail through the mid-elevation chaparral, desert mule deer down toward the rivers, an excellent black bear population, and a small Rocky Mountain bighorn herd shared with Unit 24A along the Salt River. Elevations and habitat span Sonoran desert to ponderosa forest in a single unit.
Terrain
A dramatic elevation gradient from the Salt and Verde River bottoms near 2,000 ft up to the ponderosa high country of the Sierra Ancha and Mogollon Rim above 7,600 ft (Aztec Peak). Steep canyons, brushy mid-slopes and rim-top forest.
Cover: Sonoran desert scrub and riparian along the rivers, dense interior chaparral and manzanita on the mid-slopes, pinyon-juniper woodland and grassland benches, grading into ponderosa pine forest along the Rim and Sierra Ancha crest.
Landmarks: Sierra Ancha Mountains / Aztec Peak · Mogollon Rim · Cherry Creek · Tonto Creek · Salome Wilderness · Hells Gate Wilderness · Pleasant Valley / Young · Colcord Mountain
Access
Overwhelmingly Tonto National Forest with good motorized access via forest roads, though three wilderness areas (Sierra Ancha, Salome, part of Hells Gate) are non-motorized. Arizona State Trust sections require a state land recreation permit to access legally. Respect private inholdings around Tonto Basin, Young and Pleasant Valley. Winter snow closes higher rim and Sierra Ancha roads.
Managers: USFS Tonto NF, USFS Coconino NF (northern edge), AZ State Trust, Private inholdings (Tonto Basin, Young)
Access points: AZ Hwy 288 (Young Highway) up the Sierra Ancha · AZ Hwy 188 / Roosevelt Lake corridor · Cherry Creek Road · Control Road (FR 64) off the Rim · Forest roads from Young / Pleasant Valley
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityThe headline species and a genuinely strong limited-draw unit, with roughly 40% hunter success. Northern (rim) permits concentrate on Canyon Creek, Colcord Mountain and Naegelin Canyon; southern permits scout the Sierra Ancha around Workman and Reynolds Creeks. Tags are hard to draw.
- →Glass rim-country meadows and burn edges at first light with a north permit
- →Work the Sierra Ancha canyon heads (Workman/Reynolds Creek) on a south permit
- →Locate bugling bulls at dusk near water and pine-meadow transitions
- →Scout tank and spring locations before the opener in dry years
Whitetail Deer
common qualityExcellent Coues whitetail unit — highest densities run between Cherry Creek and Tonto Creek at 3,500-6,000 ft, and every major drainage off the Sierra Ancha holds deer. A strong OTC-archery and draw option for gray ghosts.
- →Glass steep chaparral and manzanita hillsides at dawn and last light
- →Set up on opposing ridges and pick apart bedding cover with high-power optics
- →Hunt the December rut when bucks move mid-day
- →Focus on the Cherry Creek–Tonto Creek mid-elevation band
Mule Deer
common opportunityDesert mule deer occupy the lower elevations toward the Salt and Verde Rivers and the pinyon-juniper benches, overlapping with Coues in the transition zone — identify your target before shooting.
- →Glass desert washes and juniper flats near the river breaks
- →Hunt the pinyon-juniper transition where mule deer and Coues overlap
- →Still-hunt brushy benches at midday
- →Watch water in early, hot seasons
Black Bear
common qualityA healthy black bear population in the chaparral and forested high country, with steady harvest each fall. Good glassing opportunity in the Sierra Ancha and rim canyons.
- →Glass acorn- and manzanita-berry slopes in fall
- →Work canyon bottoms and oak thickets with feed
- →Hunt prickly-pear flats in early seasons
- →Check the female harvest closure status before hunting
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyA small Rocky Mountain bighorn herd shared with Unit 24A along the Salt River corridor. Once-in-a-lifetime, extremely limited draw — a bucket-list tag, not a plannable hunt.
- →Glass the rugged Salt River canyon rims and side canyons
- →Hire local knowledge if you draw the rare tag
- →Focus on steep, broken rock near the river
Pro tips
- →Match your elk scouting to your permit half — northern rim vs. southern Sierra Ancha are different worlds
- →For Coues, the Cherry Creek to Tonto Creek band is the proven core
- →Carry a state land recreation permit before crossing State Trust sections
- →Plan for a full elevation range in one trip — desert heat to rim snow
- →Scout water sources in dry years; they concentrate deer, elk and bear
Watch out for
- !Three wilderness areas (Sierra Ancha, Salome, Hells Gate) are non-motorized
- !State Trust sections need a recreation permit
- !Respect private inholdings around Tonto Basin, Young and Pleasant Valley
- !Seasonal snow/mud closes high roads
- !Steep, brushy manzanita terrain is physically punishing
- !Desert heat and limited water early season
Logistics
Payson to the north and Globe to the south offer fuel, groceries, lodging and services; Young is a small hub for the Pleasant Valley country. Roosevelt Lake has camping and boat access. Expect long drives on forest roads, seasonal snow and mud in the high country, and limited cell coverage off the highways.
Nearest towns: Payson, Globe, Young, Roosevelt, Mesa
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD GMU 23 · AZGFD Hunt Arizona / hunt guidelines · Arizona State Land Department — recreation permits · USGS The National Map — central Arizona topography
FAQ
- How big is GMU 23 in Arizona?
- GMU 23 (Unit 23 — Mesa) covers about 1,187 square miles, ranging from roughly 2,000 to 7,700 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 23?
- Approximately 90% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Tonto NF, USFS Coconino NF (northern edge), AZ State Trust, Private inholdings (Tonto Basin, Young). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 23?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, Black Bear, Bighorn Sheep. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Arizona agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 23 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.