GMU 41 Unit 41 — Yuma, Mesa
Flat Sonoran desert framed by barren ranges — big southwest muleys and a coveted desert bighorn tag.
Southwest desert — Kofa country & Palomas Plains · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
2,845
sq mi
Public land
82%
approx.
Elevation
500–4,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 41 is a big block of southwest Arizona desert running from the Kofa Refuge Wilderness on its west edge to the outskirts of Buckeye, about 30 miles west of Phoenix, on its east. Most of it is flat desert crossed by heavily vegetated riparian washes, with several rough, barren mountain ranges rising out of the plain. It produces some of the biggest desert mule deer in southwest Arizona — densities are only about one deer per square mile, but mature bucks live here, concentrated on the Palomas Plains north of Dateland. Desert bighorn occupy the surrounding ranges and support a stratified once-in-a-lifetime hunt.
Terrain
Broad flat desert plains and washes broken by isolated, rugged mountain ranges — the Kofa, Tank, Little Horn, Palomas, Clanton and Muggins mountains among them. Big, open country with abrupt rocky escarpments.
Cover: Creosote-bursage desert flats with saguaro, cholla and paloverde; ironwood- and mesquite-lined washes; sparse desert scrub and rock on the mountain faces.
Landmarks: Kofa Refuge Wilderness (west edge) · Tank Mountains · Little Horn Mountains · Palomas Mountains · Palomas Plains · Clanton Hills · Muggins Mountains
Access
Most of the unit is open public land managed by the BLM and the State. The western edge borders the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Wilderness — wilderness travel there is foot/horse only (no vehicles or mechanized transport), and refuge rules apply. State Trust parcels require an Arizona recreation permit. Developed and agricultural private ground in the low valley bottoms can block access to some public parcels — check boundaries.
Managers: BLM, AZ State Trust, Kofa NWR / Wilderness (west edge), Private (agricultural — Dateland/valley bottoms)
Access points: Interstate 8 (Dateland, Aztec, Tacna exits) · US 95 / Avenue corridors on the west · BLM dirt roads onto the Palomas Plains and toward the ranges · County roads out of Buckeye on the east
Species notes
Mule Deer
limited qualityProduces some of the biggest desert mule deer in southwest Arizona. Densities are low (~1 deer/sq mi) and deer are spread across the unit, but the Palomas Plains north of Dateland hold the best concentration and mature bucks; success runs around 31%.
- →Focus the Palomas Plains north of Dateland where deer concentrate
- →Glass the flats, washes and low ridges from high vantage points at dawn and dusk
- →Work the riparian washes where deer feed and bed in shade
- →Cover ground — bucks are scattered in the open desert; be willing to relocate
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyDesert bighorn inhabit the unit's rugged ranges — the Tank, Little Horn, Clanton, Palomas and Muggins mountains — supporting a stratified once-in-a-lifetime hunt with mature-ram potential and effectively 100% success.
- →Glass the rocky faces and rimrock of the Tank and Little Horn ranges at first and last light
- →Key on water sources and shaded bedding in the heat
- →Scout ranges from the desert floor with high-power optics before committing
- →Plan a physically demanding, self-sufficient effort in steep desert rock
Pro tips
- →For deer, base out of the Palomas Plains north of Dateland — that's where the mature bucks concentrate.
- →This unit grows some of the largest desert muleys in the southwest — glass patiently, it's a quality-over-quantity hunt.
- →The west edge is Kofa Wilderness — foot/horse only; plan a backcountry effort if you hunt sheep there.
- →Haul all your own water and watch the heat, especially early season.
- →Check private-ag boundaries in the valley bottoms so you don't get pinched off from public ground.
Watch out for
- !Kofa NWR Wilderness (west edge) is closed to vehicles/mechanized travel — foot or horse only, and refuge rules apply.
- !State Trust parcels require an Arizona State Land recreation permit.
- !Developed/agricultural private land in the valleys can block access to public parcels — verify boundaries.
- !Scarce water and desert heat — carry ample water.
- !Remote with limited cell service; soft sand in washes — carry recovery gear and extra fuel.
Logistics
Resupply and fuel at Dateland, Tacna and Wellton along I-8, or Buckeye on the east side; Yuma and the Phoenix metro bracket the unit for full services. Water is scarce away from developed areas — haul your own. Carry recovery gear, extra fuel, sun protection and communication; cell coverage fades quickly off the interstate.
Nearest towns: Dateland, Tacna, Wellton, Buckeye, Gila Bend
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD GMU 41 · Unit 41 - Hunt Now Arizona · Kofa NWR Public Use & Hunting (USFWS)
FAQ
- How big is GMU 41 in Arizona?
- GMU 41 (Unit 41 — Yuma, Mesa) covers about 2,845 square miles, ranging from roughly 500 to 4,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 41?
- Approximately 82% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, AZ State Trust, Kofa NWR / Wilderness (west edge), Private (agricultural — Dateland/valley bottoms). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 41?
- 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 41 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.