GMU 40B Unit 40B — Yuma
Yuma's raw Sonoran desert — a once-in-a-lifetime desert bighorn unit wrapped inside a military bombing range.
Southwest desert — Barry M. Goldwater Range & Gila Mountains · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
3,454
sq mi
Public land
85%
approx.
Elevation
150–3,200
feet
Motorized
limited
access
Overview
Unit 40B is a vast, arid stretch of far-southwest Arizona centered on the Mohawk, Gila and Tinajas Altas mountains, much of it sitting inside the Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR) military reservation. It is first and foremost a desert bighorn sheep unit — hunts are stratified into the Mohawk-Copper, Gila (north of Cipriano Pass) and Tinajas Altas (south of Cipriano Pass) complexes, and the Tinajas hunt is now split into two. Mule deer exist only in very low numbers in marginal desert habitat, concentrated on the west side near the Mohawk Mountains. This is remote, waterless, punishingly hot country.
Terrain
Low Sonoran desert basins and washes rising abruptly to rough, barren desert mountain ranges. The Gila and Tinajas Altas ranges form steep, rocky bighorn escarpments split by Cipriano Pass; the Mohawk Mountains anchor the west side.
Cover: Creosote-bursage flats, ironwood and paloverde in the washes, saguaro and cholla on bajadas; sparse desert scrub and rock on the mountain faces with almost no water.
Landmarks: Gila Mountains · Tinajas Altas Mountains · Mohawk Mountains · Copper Mountains · Cipriano Pass · Interstate 8 corridor
Access
A large portion of the unit — including the Mohawk, Gila and Tinajas Altas ranges — lies within the Barry M. Goldwater Range. To hunt the BMGR you must sign a hold-harmless waiver and obtain a one-year access permit and range map (Yuma Range Department, MCAS-Yuma). Live-fire and closure schedules apply. BLM ground and State Trust parcels (the latter needs an Arizona recreation permit) fill in the rest; low private ag ground along the valleys is developed. Cabeza Prieta NWR / airspace restrictions border the area.
Managers: Barry M. Goldwater Range (military — access permit required), BLM, AZ State Trust, Private (agricultural — Yuma/Mohawk valleys)
Access points: Interstate 8 (Yuma–Gila Bend) exits at Mohawk, Tacna, Dateland · BMGR range roads (permit required) · County/BLM dirt roads north and south off I-8
Species notes
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyThe marquee tag — desert bighorn stratified into the Mohawk-Copper, Gila and Tinajas Altas complexes, with the Tinajas hunt now split into two. A rare once-in-a-lifetime draw with excellent ram quality and effectively 100% success.
- →Glass rocky escarpments, ledges and shaded bedding on the Gila and Tinajas Altas faces at first and last light
- →Concentrate near the few reliable tinajas (rock water tanks) — sheep tie to water in the heat
- →Scout ranges from the desert floor with high-power optics before committing to a climb
- →Plan self-sufficient multi-day effort — this is steep, hot, waterless rock
Mule Deer
limited opportunityDesert mule deer occur in very low numbers — arid conditions and marginal habitat cap densities. The best odds are on the west side along the Mohawk Mountains; success runs low (~25%).
- →Work the major washes and the base of the mountains where deer cut sign and find shade
- →Get on a high point and let optics do the walking across the open desert
- →Focus the Mohawk Mountains flanks on the west side
- →Hunt the cooler edges of the day and any green feed after rain
Pro tips
- →Get your Barry M. Goldwater Range access permit (hold-harmless waiver + map) from MCAS-Yuma Range before the hunt — most of the good country is on the range.
- →This is a bighorn destination first; deer are a low-density, glass-hard proposition.
- →Haul all your own water — there is no dependable water source in much of 40B and the heat is dangerous.
- →Learn the tinajas and range roads from your BMGR map; live-fire closures can shut down access on short notice.
- →Glass ranges from the flats before you climb — save your legs for confirmed animals.
Watch out for
- !Barry M. Goldwater Range requires a signed waiver and one-year access permit; live-fire and safety closures restrict entry.
- !No reliable water and severe desert heat — carry ample water; heat is a real hazard.
- !State Trust parcels require an Arizona State Land recreation permit.
- !Remote with little cell service; unimproved roads and soft sand — carry recovery gear and extra fuel.
- !Unexploded ordnance and range hazards exist on the BMGR — stay on permitted routes and heed signage.
Logistics
Yuma is the full-service hub (fuel, lodging, groceries, gear); Wellton, Tacna and Dateland offer fuel and basics along I-8. There is essentially no reliable water in the field — haul every drop you need. Carry recovery gear, extra fuel, sun protection and communication; cell service drops off fast away from the interstate. Secure your BMGR permit before you go.
Nearest towns: Yuma, Wellton, Tacna, Dateland, Gila Bend
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD GMU 40B · Unit 40B - Hunt Now Arizona · 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations (AZGFD)
FAQ
- How big is GMU 40B in Arizona?
- GMU 40B (Unit 40B — Yuma) covers about 3,454 square miles, ranging from roughly 150 to 3,200 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 40B?
- Approximately 85% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: Barry M. Goldwater Range (military — access permit required), BLM, AZ State Trust, Private (agricultural — Yuma/Mohawk valleys). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 40B?
- Bighorn Sheep, 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 40B on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.