GMU 35A Unit 35A — Tucson
Border sky-island Coues in the Huachucas and Canelo oaks
Southern sky islands — Huachuca Mtns & Canelo Hills, Coronado NF · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
648
sq mi
Public land
70%
approx.
Elevation
4,000–9,466
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 35A runs from the U.S.–Mexico border north to Highway 82, taking in the Huachuca Mountains, the Canelo Hills, the Mustang Mountains and Parker Canyon Lake. It is premier Coues whitetail country — bucks are found in good numbers through the oaks and grasslands of all three ranges — with black bear in the Huachuca high country and a small pronghorn herd on the Sonoita-Canelo grasslands. The Huachucas' elevation and border setting make for dramatic hunting, but Fort Huachuca and Coronado National Memorial impose real access limits.
Terrain
A tall, well-watered sky island (the Huachucas) flanked by the lower rolling oak-grassland Canelo Hills and Mustang Mountains, all cut by deep canyons. Big elevation range from grassland basins to conifer crest.
Cover: Desert and plains grassland with scattered oak in the Canelo Hills; dense Madrean evergreen oak and juniper on the mid-slopes; ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and rich canyon riparian forest in the upper Huachucas.
Landmarks: Huachuca Mountains (Miller Peak ~9,466 ft) · Canelo Hills · Mustang Mountains · Parker Canyon Lake · Coronado National Memorial · Sonoita / Canelo grasslands
Access
Coronado NF covers the Huachuca and Canelo high country; a State Trust recreation permit is required for state land in the grasslands. Fort Huachuca military reservation on the northeast is not open to general public hunting and requires separate on-post permission where any hunting is allowed. Coronado National Memorial (NPS) is closed to hunting. This is a border unit — expect Border Patrol checkpoints, sensor activity and cross-border foot traffic. Access via AZ-83 to Parker Canyon Lake, AZ-82/83 through Sonoita, and Forest roads into the Canelos and western Huachucas.
Managers: USFS Coronado NF (Sierra Vista RD), AZ State Trust, Fort Huachuca (military — restricted), Private
Access points: AZ-83 to Parker Canyon Lake · Canelo Pass Road (FR 799) · Montezuma Canyon / Coronado NM road · Sonoita–Elgin grassland roads · Forest roads into the western Huachucas
Species notes
Whitetail Deer
common qualityCoues whitetail are the marquee species and drive nearly all the deer harvest, found in good numbers throughout the Huachucas, Canelo Hills and Mustang Mountains. Roughly one in four hunters connects — solid for Coues — and the varied oak country holds mature bucks.
- →Glass the oak-grassland transition of the Canelo Hills and Huachuca foothills at first and last light
- →Hunt the December–January rut when bucks chase does across open oak slopes
- →Work the country around Parker Canyon Lake where Coues browse the oaks and grass
- →Set up on high vantage points and let optics do the walking across canyon faces
Black Bear
limited opportunityBlack bear inhabit the timbered upper Huachucas and their moist canyons. Harvest is small but steady under a limited-quota season.
- →Glass acorn-heavy oak slopes and green canyon bottoms in fall
- →Focus on the wetter north- and east-facing Huachuca drainages
- →Check the female-harvest quota — the season can close early
Pronghorn
limited opportunityA small pronghorn herd uses the Sonoita and Canelo grasslands in the north of the unit. Tags are very limited and hard to draw, but the open rolling country offers a true grassland spot-and-stalk.
- →Glass the open Sonoita/Canelo grassland basins from high ground
- →Locate a buck early and use rolling terrain and mesquite lines to stalk
- →Hunt water and grassland edges during dry early-season conditions
Cougar
common opportunityMountain lion follow the abundant Coues deer through all three ranges. Mostly incidental, but a legitimate year-round pursuit for those who cut tracks.
- →Cut for tracks on canyon roads after rain or snow
- →Focus on rough, deer-rich Huachuca and Canelo canyons
Pro tips
- →The rut (late December–January) is prime — mature Coues bucks that were invisible all fall show themselves chasing does
- →Parker Canyon Lake and the surrounding Canelo oaks are a reliable, road-accessible starting point for Coues
- →Carry a State Trust recreation permit for the grassland state sections
- →Know the Fort Huachuca and Coronado National Memorial boundaries cold — both are off-limits to general hunting
- →Elevation matters: chase deer in the mid-elevation oaks, not the high conifer crest
- →Bring top-end glass and a tripod — Coues here is a glassing game
Watch out for
- !Fort Huachuca military reservation is not open to general public hunting — do not enter to hunt without on-post authorization
- !Coronado National Memorial (NPS) is closed to hunting
- !A State Trust recreation permit is required for Arizona State Trust land
- !Active U.S.–Mexico border zone: expect Border Patrol checkpoints/sensors and possible cross-border foot traffic — stay aware and carry ID
- !Limited water in the grasslands and lower ranges; snow and cold in the high Huachucas — plan for both extremes
Logistics
Sierra Vista (northeast, adjacent to Fort Huachuca) is the largest service town with full lodging, groceries and gas; Sonoita, Elgin and Patagonia offer fuel and limited supplies closer to the hunting. Parker Canyon Lake has campgrounds and a small store. AZ-83 to the lake is paved most of the way; Canelo and Huachuca forest roads want high-clearance and turn slick after storms.
Nearest towns: Sonoita, Elgin, Patagonia, Sierra Vista, Tombstone
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD GMU 35A Unit Information · Hunt Now Arizona — Unit 35A · USFS Coronado NF — Parker Canyon Lake Visitor Guide
FAQ
- How big is GMU 35A in Arizona?
- GMU 35A (Unit 35A — Tucson) covers about 648 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,000 to 9,466 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 35A?
- Approximately 70% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Coronado NF (Sierra Vista RD), AZ State Trust, Fort Huachuca (military — restricted), Private. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 35A?
- Whitetail Deer, Black Bear, Pronghorn, Cougar. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Arizona agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 35A on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.