GMU 2A Unit 2A — Pinetop
Pinetop high country — quality rocky mountain elk, high-success pronghorn on the grassland edges, and mule deer
White Mountains — Apache-Sitgreaves NF · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,427
sq mi
Public land
55%
approx.
Elevation
6,000–9,500
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
Unit 2A sits in Arizona's White Mountains in the east-central part of the state, wrapping the high pine and spruce-fir country around Pinetop-Lakeside and Show Low on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. It is elk country first and foremost — a quality rocky mountain elk unit where limited-draw tags produce solid bulls each fall. Pronghorn thrive on the open grasslands and meadow edges with very high hunter success, and mule deer occupy the transition between forest and grassland. The unit borders the Fort Apache (White Mountain Apache) Indian Reservation, which is closed to general AZGFD hunting.
Terrain
Rolling to steep high-country plateau cut by drainages, blending timbered ridges with open grassy parks and meadows.
Cover: Ponderosa pine forest transitioning to mixed conifer and spruce-fir at the highest elevations, interspersed with grassy parks, aspen stands and open montane grassland on the north and west edges.
Landmarks: Pinetop-Lakeside · Mogollon Rim (north edge) · Fort Apache Reservation boundary · Show Low · Porter Mountain · Big Lake / high-country lakes region
Access
The Apache-Sitgreaves NF provides the bulk of open public hunting with an extensive forest road network. The southern boundary abuts the Fort Apache Indian Reservation — that land is NOT open to general AZGFD hunting and should not be counted as public access. A State Land recreation permit is required for AZ State Trust parcels, and there is scattered private and community land around the Pinetop-Lakeside and Show Low corridor.
Managers: USFS Apache-Sitgreaves NF, Tribal — Fort Apache Reservation (closed), AZ State Trust, Private
Access points: Hwy 260 corridor (Pinetop-Lakeside) · Hwy 60 (Show Low) · Porter Mountain Rd · numerous Apache-Sitgreaves FS roads · Los Burros / Vernon area
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityRocky mountain elk are the premier draw of Unit 2A, producing the majority of the big-game harvest and solid bulls from the timbered White Mountains high country.
- →Hunt the timber-to-park transitions at dawn and dusk where elk feed in meadows and retreat to cover
- →Locate bugling bulls at first light during the September archery rut
- →Glass grassy parks and aspen pockets, then move in on wind
- →Focus water sources and wallows in dry early-season conditions
Pronghorn
common qualityPronghorn occupy the open grasslands and meadow edges on the unit's fringes; the limited-draw hunt posts very high success on mature bucks.
- →Glass open grassland and park edges from vantage points at long range
- →Use the terrain and stalk carefully — pronghorn have exceptional eyesight
- →Pattern bucks near open feeding areas and be ready for a longer shot
- →Scout the grassland-forest interface where the herds concentrate
Mule Deer
common opportunityMule deer hold the forest-grassland transition and brushy pockets across the unit, a good general option alongside the premium elk and pronghorn hunts.
- →Glass edges of parks and openings at first and last light
- →Work brushy draws and aspen stands near feeding areas
- →Hunt migration and transition zones as fall weather cools
Pro tips
- →For elk, hunt the meadow-timber edges at dawn and dusk and use bugles/water to pinpoint bulls during the September rut
- →Know exactly where the Fort Apache Reservation boundary is — that land is closed to AZGFD hunters and carries its own tribal permits you don't hold
- →Pronghorn success is high but the shot is often long — practice out to distance and glass the grassland edges hard
- →Carry a State Land permit for the State Trust parcels mixed into the unit
- →Plan for monsoon mud and cold nights — pack layers and don't trust dirt roads after a storm
Watch out for
- !Fort Apache (White Mountain Apache) Reservation borders the unit and is CLOSED to general AZGFD hunting — do not cross the line
- !AZ State Trust parcels require a State Land recreation permit
- !Scattered private and community land around Pinetop-Lakeside/Show Low — mind boundaries
- !Monsoon thunderstorms and lightning in late summer/early fall; roads get muddy fast
- !Early snow and freezing nights at elevation in later hunts
- !Fire restrictions and closures during dry periods
Logistics
Pinetop-Lakeside and Show Low along Hwy 260/60 offer full services — fuel, groceries, lodging and outfitters — making this one of the more accessible White Mountain units. The Apache-Sitgreaves forest road network is dense and generally good, though high-elevation roads turn to mud after rain and can hold early snow.
Nearest towns: Pinetop-Lakeside, Show Low, Lakeside, Vernon, Springerville
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 — Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests · Arizona State Land Department — Recreational Permits
FAQ
- How big is GMU 2A in Arizona?
- GMU 2A (Unit 2A — Pinetop) covers about 1,427 square miles, ranging from roughly 6,000 to 9,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 2A?
- Approximately 55% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Apache-Sitgreaves NF, Tribal — Fort Apache Reservation (closed), AZ State Trust, Private. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 2A?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Pronghorn, 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 2A on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.