GMU 36A Unit 36A — Tucson
Arid Altar Valley where Coues whitetail slip into classic mule deer ground
Southern desert border country — Altar Valley & Baboquivari · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
620
sq mi
Public land
60%
approx.
Elevation
3,000–7,730
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 36A spans the northern Altar Valley west and southwest of Tucson, a big, arid unit of mesquite grassland flats broken by isolated desert mountain ranges. Deer is the only big-game tag of note, and it is a genuine mix: Coues whitetail hold the oak pockets and rougher slopes of the Baboquivari and Coyote Mountains while desert mule deer roam the grass-and-mesquite washes and flats — the two frequently overlap here. Land is a patchwork of State Trust, BLM, the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Coronado NF wilderness and accessible private ranches, with the Tohono O'odham Nation forming the closed western boundary.
Terrain
Predominantly arid mesquite and grassland valley floor near 3,000', with drainages and ridges rising steeply into the Baboquivari Mountains — Baboquivari Peak tops out around 7,730'. Isolated ranges (Coyote, Roskruge) rise abruptly from the flats.
Cover: Semidesert mesquite grassland and ocotillo across the valley, transitioning to oak pockets and denser brush on north-facing exposures and in the higher canyons.
Landmarks: Baboquivari Peak · Baboquivari Mountains · Coyote Mountains · Roskruge Mountains · Altar Valley · Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
Access
A mosaic of State Trust land (recreation permit required), BLM, the Buenos Aires NWR (open to hunting) and Coronado NF wilderness in the Baboquivari and Coyote ranges, plus many private ranches. The Tohono O'odham Nation bounds the unit on the west and is NOT open to general AZGFD hunting — do not cross onto reservation land. Baboquivari Peak Wilderness and Coyote Mountains Wilderness are non-motorized.
Managers: AZ State Trust, BLM, USFWS Buenos Aires NWR, USFS Coronado NF, Private ranch, Tribal (Tohono O'odham — closed)
Access points: AZ-286 (Sasabe Road) · AZ-86 (Ajo Highway) · Buenos Aires NWR roads · Coyote Mountains access off Kitt Peak Road · Altar Valley Road
Species notes
Whitetail Deer
common qualityCoues whitetail hold the isolated mountain ranges and rougher slopes, and here they frequently drop down into traditional mule deer habitat in the grass-and-mesquite washes — an unusual overlap that defines the unit.
- →Glass the oak and brush pockets on north-facing slopes of the Baboquivari and Coyote ranges
- →Watch the ridge-and-drainage transition where whitetail step out of cover to feed
- →Hunt the late rut when bucks range widely across open country
Mule Deer
common opportunityDesert mule deer occupy the arid Altar Valley grass and mesquite flats and washes — the classic lower-elevation deer of the unit, often sharing ground with Coues.
- →Glass mesquite washes and rolling flats at first light
- →Still-hunt the grassland-mesquite mosaic near water
- →Be sure of species where the two deer overlap before you shoot
Pro tips
- →Carry a State Trust land recreation permit — much of the huntable valley is state ground
- →Know exactly where the Tohono O'odham boundary lies and stay off it — the reservation is closed to your tag
- →This is one of the few units where you can realistically kill either a Coues or a desert mule deer — pack the right tag expectations
- →Behind glass beats boots here; set up on high points overlooking mesquite flats and mountain fronts
- →Hit water sources and mesquite bottoms in the first hour of light
Watch out for
- !Tohono O'odham Nation on the west is closed to general hunting — respect the reservation boundary
- !State Trust land requires a recreation permit; private ranches are interspersed
- !Very dry unit — carry ample water for yourself and any dogs
- !Border-corridor traffic occurs in the southern Altar Valley
- !Monsoon washes can strand vehicles; roads turn impassable when wet
Logistics
Three Points and Tucson to the northeast provide fuel and full services; Sasabe and Arivaca are tiny outposts. Distances between roads are large and much of the valley is dirt — high-clearance is recommended and washes flood during monsoon. Water and cell service are scarce off the highways.
Nearest towns: Three Points (Robles Junction), Sasabe, Arivaca, Tucson
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD GMU 36A · Chasen the King — Unit 36 A/B/C Coues Overview · Buenos Aires NWR & Altar Valley — Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy
FAQ
- How big is GMU 36A in Arizona?
- GMU 36A (Unit 36A — Tucson) covers about 620 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,000 to 7,730 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 36A?
- Approximately 60% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: AZ State Trust, BLM, USFWS Buenos Aires NWR, USFS Coronado NF, Private ranch, Tribal (Tohono O'odham — closed). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 36A?
- Whitetail Deer, 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 36A on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.