GMU 28 Unit 28 — Tucson
Chiricahua high country over desert grassland — trophy Coues, desert mule deer and a rare desert-bighorn tag
Southeastern sky islands — Coronado NF (Chiricahua Mountains) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
2,235
sq mi
Public land
60%
approx.
Elevation
3,600–9,759
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 28 spans the far southeastern corner of Arizona, from the San Simon and Sulphur Springs valley floors up into the rugged Chiricahua, Dos Cabezas and Peloncillo mountains. It is a marquee Coues whitetail unit — the little gray deer live in the oak-juniper foothills and pine canyons of the sky islands — while desert mule deer hold the surrounding grasslands and bajadas. Reintroduced desert bighorn occupy the roughest escarpments, and a small fringe elk population and black bears round out the big game. Coues deer produce the bulk of the harvest.
Terrain
Classic basin-and-range sky-island relief: broad desert valleys rising abruptly into steep, rocky, forested mountain masses topped by Chiricahua Peak (9,759 ft).
Cover: Semi-desert grassland and mesquite on the flats, dense oak-juniper and manzanita in the foothills, then ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and Madrean pine-oak woodland at elevation.
Landmarks: Chiricahua Mountains · Chiricahua Peak · Chiricahua National Monument · Dos Cabezas Mountains · Peloncillo Mountains · Cave Creek Canyon · San Simon Valley · Fort Bowie / Apache Pass
Access
Coronado NF (Douglas Ranger District) covers the core Chiricahua high country with good FS road access; a valid AZ State Land recreation permit is required to cross State Trust parcels, and much of the valley floor is private ranchland requiring permission. National Monument/Historic Site lands are closed to hunting. The Chiricahua Wilderness in the range's heart is non-motorized.
Managers: USFS Coronado NF, BLM, AZ State Trust, NPS (Chiricahua NM / Fort Bowie NHS), Private ranch
Access points: Pinery Canyon Rd / Onion Saddle (FR 42) · Cave Creek Canyon (Portal) · Rucker Canyon · Turkey Creek · Pine Canyon · Apache Pass Rd from Bowie
Species notes
Whitetail Deer
common trophyCoues whitetail are the signature deer of Unit 28 and drive most of the deer harvest; the oak-juniper foothills and pine canyons of the Chiricahuas hold good numbers and genuine trophy potential.
- →Glass oak-brush hillsides and canyon heads at first and last light with high-power optics on a tripod
- →Hunt the transition band between grassland and oak-juniper where bucks bed and feed
- →Focus the December rut when bucks move and chase during daylight
- →Still-hunt slowly through dense manzanita on north-facing slopes
Mule Deer
common qualityDesert mule deer occupy the valley grasslands, bajadas and lower foothills below the Coues country, offering a good general-season option.
- →Glass open bajadas and washes at dawn as deer move to bedding
- →Work mesquite-grassland edges and rolling desert flats
- →Check water sources and drainages during dry spells
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyReintroduced desert bighorn hold the steepest, rockiest escarpments; tags are extremely limited-draw but success on the once-in-a-lifetime hunt is very high.
- →Glass cliffs, rims and rugged rock faces from long distance
- →Hire local knowledge and scout hard once drawn
- →Be prepared for extended, physically demanding backcountry hunts
Black Bear
limited opportunityBlack bears use the forested canyons and pine belt of the Chiricahuas; harvest is low but the range holds a healthy population.
- →Glass and still-hunt oak flats and canyon bottoms when acorns and manzanita berries ripen
- →Watch riparian corridors like Cave Creek and Rucker Canyon
- →Cover country and look for feeding sign in early fall
Rocky Mountain Elk
transient opportunityA small fringe elk population produces only a handful of tags and animals each year — very much a limited-opportunity, secondary hunt in this unit.
- →Concentrate on high pine parks and grassy openings near the range crest
- →Scout thoroughly, as elk are scattered and low-density here
- →Treat it as a bonus draw rather than a primary target
Pro tips
- →Optics win here — quality binoculars on a tripod plus a spotting scope let you find Coues bucks that are invisible to the naked eye
- →Hunt the elevation band, not the whole mountain: pattern deer at the grassland-to-oak transition and stay put to glass
- →Time the December rut for the best crack at a mature Coues buck
- →Scout State Trust and private boundaries ahead of time and secure a State Land permit and any ranch permission before opening day
- →Water and access can be scarce on the east side — top off fuel in Willcox or Douglas and pack in more water than you think you need
Watch out for
- !Chiricahua National Monument and Fort Bowie NHS are closed to hunting — know those boundaries
- !A State Land recreation permit is required to legally cross AZ State Trust parcels
- !Much of the valley floor is private ranchland; get permission and respect closures
- !Desert heat and limited water early season — carry ample water for you and any dogs
- !High passes (Onion Saddle/Pinery) get rough and can close in snow; the Chiricahua Wilderness is non-motorized
- !Fire restrictions and closures are common in dry years
Logistics
Willcox (I-10) and Douglas are the main supply points for fuel, groceries and lodging; Portal at the mouth of Cave Creek offers a small store and access to the east-side canyons. Forest roads reach much of the range but high passes like Onion Saddle can be rough and seasonally impassable; carry recovery gear and plenty of water.
Nearest towns: Willcox, Douglas, Bowie, Portal, San Simon
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: Arizona Game and Fish Department — Game Management Units & Hunt Arizona · USDA Forest Service — Coronado National Forest · Arizona State Land Department — Recreational Permits
FAQ
- How big is GMU 28 in Arizona?
- GMU 28 (Unit 28 — Tucson) covers about 2,235 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,600 to 9,759 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 28?
- Approximately 60% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Coronado NF, BLM, AZ State Trust, NPS (Chiricahua NM / Fort Bowie NHS), Private ranch. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 28?
- Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Black Bear, 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 28 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.