GMU 40A Unit 40A — Yuma
Big, empty Sonoran Desert south of Gila Bend — scarce desert muleys and remnant desert bighorn.
Sonoran Desert — Barry M. Goldwater Range & Sonoran Desert NM · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,087
sq mi
Public land
90%
approx.
Elevation
700–4,400
feet
Motorized
limited
access
Overview
Unit 40A is a vast, remote block of Sonoran Desert south of Gila Bend, made up largely of the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range, the Sonoran Desert National Monument and the Table Top Wilderness. Desert mule deer are the general-season quarry but are genuinely scarce, tending to concentrate near the Gila River and adjacent farmland. Desert bighorn once thrived in the desert ranges here and produced very large rams, but the herds crashed over the past decade and sheep tags are extremely limited or closed. This is a hot, dry, low-density desert hunt that rewards knowing the mountain bases, washes and scattered water.
Terrain
Broad desert basins and washes between isolated rugged mountain ranges. Elevations run from near 700 feet along the Gila River lowlands up past 4,300 feet in the Sand Tank and Table Top mountains.
Cover: Classic Sonoran Desert — saguaro, palo verde, ironwood, creosote and bursage on the bajadas and flats, with sparse desert scrub and rock on the mountain slopes.
Landmarks: Sand Tank Mountains · Sauceda Mountains · Table Top Mountains / Table Top Wilderness · Batamote Mountains · Sonoran Desert National Monument · Gila River corridor (north)
Access
Overwhelmingly federal, but access is heavily regulated. The Barry M. Goldwater Range requires a Range permit (annual, July 1–June 30), a hold-harmless agreement and check-in/check-out with Range security; tactical air-to-surface impact zones are closed to the public. BLM wilderness (Table Top) is foot travel only — no vehicles. The Tohono O'odham Nation borders/adjoins the area and is tribal land closed to general AZGFD hunting. State Trust parcels need an Arizona recreation permit.
Managers: USAF Barry M. Goldwater Range (permit + hold-harmless required), BLM (Sonoran Desert NM, Table Top Wilderness), USFWS Cabeza Prieta NWR (permit authority), AZ State Trust, Tohono O'odham Nation (tribal, closed)
Access points: Cattle gates along the south side of Interstate 8 between Gila Bend and Stanfield (north) · cattle gates along the east side of SR 85 between Gila Bend and Why (south) · BLM roads into the Sonoran Desert National Monument
Species notes
Mule Deer
limited opportunitySonoran desert mule deer are the general-season deer but are scarce unit-wide; success runs low. Deer hold along mountain bases, low rolling hills and the desert wash networks, and are most concentrated near the Gila River and adjacent agricultural fields.
- →Glass mountain bases, bajadas and major washes at first and last light
- →Concentrate effort near the Gila River corridor and ag edges where deer densities are highest
- →Hunt the rut with archery or muzzleloader for the best odds on a mature buck
- →Sit or still-hunt around remote water in dry stretches
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyDesert bighorn historically produced very large rams (mid-140s to 175+ B&C, with an alleged 200-class pickup), but severe die-offs over the past decade left only a remnant herd — tags are extremely limited and the unit has at times been closed to sheep hunting. A rare, once-in-a-lifetime trophy opportunity when offered.
- →Glass the rugged desert ranges — Sand Tank, Sauceda and Table Top country — from long range at dawn and dusk
- →Focus rimrock, ridgelines and water sources in the sheep mountains
- →Plan a physically demanding, self-supported desert hunt
- →Confirm current sheep-hunt status before planning — availability has been closed or minimal
Pro tips
- →Deer are near the Gila River and ag ground far more than the open desert interior — start there.
- →Get the Barry M. Goldwater Range permit and hold-harmless done ahead of time, and check in/out with Range security; impact zones are closed.
- →Table Top Wilderness is foot-only — no vehicles.
- →Haul all your own water and plan fuel carefully; this is remote, dry country with no services inside.
- →Confirm the current desert bighorn hunt status before counting on a sheep tag — the herd crashed and hunting has been closed or minimal.
Watch out for
- !Barry M. Goldwater Range requires an annual permit, hold-harmless agreement and check-in/out; tactical impact zones are closed to the public.
- !Tohono O'odham Nation land is tribal and closed to general AZGFD hunting — do not enter to hunt or recover game.
- !Table Top and other BLM wilderness areas are closed to motorized/mechanized travel.
- !No reliable water and severe desert heat — carry ample water.
- !Extremely remote with little to no cell service; carry recovery gear and extra fuel.
- !State Trust parcels require an Arizona State Land recreation permit.
Logistics
Gila Bend is the staging point for fuel, food and lodging, with Ajo about 40 miles south on SR 85. This is deep, waterless desert — haul all your own water and carry extra fuel, recovery gear and communication. Complete the Barry M. Goldwater Range permit and check-in requirements before entering, and verify no active tactical closures. Cell coverage is largely absent off the highways.
Nearest towns: Gila Bend, Ajo, Why, Stanfield
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD GMU 40A · Hunt Now Arizona — Unit 40A · GOHUNT Arizona Unit 40A Profile
FAQ
- How big is GMU 40A in Arizona?
- GMU 40A (Unit 40A — Yuma) covers about 1,087 square miles, ranging from roughly 700 to 4,400 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 40A?
- Approximately 90% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USAF Barry M. Goldwater Range (permit + hold-harmless required), BLM (Sonoran Desert NM, Table Top Wilderness), USFWS Cabeza Prieta NWR (permit authority), AZ State Trust, Tohono O'odham Nation (tribal, closed). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 40A?
- Mule Deer, 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 40A on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.