GMU 44A Unit 44A — Yuma
Big, rugged Sonoran desert around the Kofa and New Water ranges — classic desert bighorn country with sparse desert mule deer.
Kofa / Plomosa desert — Quartzsite region (BLM & Kofa NWR) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
2,367
sq mi
Public land
92%
approx.
Elevation
900–4,900
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 44A is a large block of Sonoran Desert in western Arizona around Quartzsite, framed by US-95 and Highways 72 and 71 and taking in the New Water Mountains Wilderness, the Plomosa Mountains and part of the storied Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and Kofa Mountains. The rugged volcanic ranges here hold one of Arizona's premier desert bighorn populations — the unit's marquee species — while desert mule deer work the washes and bajadas at low density. It is expansive, remote, water-limited public-land desert.
Terrain
Broad creosote flats and bajadas rising into rugged, arid volcanic ranges — the Kofa, New Water and Plomosa mountains — with steep cliffs, canyons, palm-lined rincons and sandy wash systems.
Cover: Creosote-bursage flats with ironwood, palo verde, ocotillo, saguaro and cholla on the bajadas; sparse desert scrub, brittlebush and bare rock on the ranges; native California fan palms in a few sheltered Kofa canyons.
Landmarks: Kofa Mountains · New Water Mountains Wilderness · Plomosa Mountains · Kofa National Wildlife Refuge · Quartzsite (US-95 / I-10)
Access
Almost entirely public. BLM manages the flats and the New Water/Plomosa ranges; Kofa National Wildlife Refuge covers the Kofa Mountains and permits desert bighorn and mule deer hunting under refuge and AZGFD rules — a legendary sheep hunt, but check refuge-specific regulations. The New Water Mountains Wilderness is non-motorized (foot/horseback only). State Trust parcels require an Arizona State Land recreation permit. A network of primitive desert roads branches off US-95 and I-10 near Quartzsite; interiors demand high-clearance 4WD and navigation.
Managers: BLM, USFWS (Kofa NWR), AZ State Trust, Private (scattered)
Access points: US-95 (Quartzsite–Yuma corridor) · I-10 at Quartzsite · Palm Canyon Road into Kofa NWR · AZ-72 / AZ-71 toward Bouse and Salome · primitive BLM desert roads
Species notes
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyThe Kofa and surrounding ranges are one of Arizona's flagship desert bighorn strongholds — a rare, near once-in-a-lifetime tag with excellent ram quality and very high success when drawn.
- →Glass the rugged Kofa and New Water cliff faces, saddles and canyons at first and last light
- →Hunt water sources and shaded north faces during heat
- →Work the New Water Wilderness on foot — non-motorized country
- →Long-range optics and patience over covering ground
Mule Deer
limited opportunityDesert mule deer are present at low density across the bajadas and wash systems around the ranges. Success is modest (low-20s percent) — a water- and browse-focused spot-and-stalk hunt.
- →Glass wash mouths, ironwood-lined draws and bajada edges at dawn
- →Focus browse and water near the mountain fronts
- →Cover ground — deer densities are low and scattered
- →Hunt the cooler edges of the day
Pro tips
- →The Kofa desert bighorn tag is the prize — a rare draw; scout the ranges hard and hunt on foot.
- →Verify Kofa NWR hunting rules separately — the refuge carries its own regulations alongside AZGFD's.
- →Anchor deer hunting to water, ironwood washes and the mountain fronts, not the open flats.
- →The New Water Mountains Wilderness is non-motorized — plan to hike or pack in.
- →Overprepare for water and heat, and carry sand/rock-capable recovery gear.
Watch out for
- !Extreme heat and very limited natural water — carry ample water into this desert.
- !Kofa National Wildlife Refuge has refuge-specific rules layered on state regulations.
- !New Water Mountains Wilderness is closed to motorized/mechanized travel.
- !State Trust parcels require an Arizona State Land recreation permit.
- !Remote, primitive desert roads — 4WD, recovery gear and navigation are mandatory.
- !Winter RV crowds around Quartzsite congest the main corridors.
Logistics
Quartzsite (I-10/US-95) is the practical hub for fuel and supplies, swelling with winter RV traffic; Parker, Bouse and Salome are smaller options. Hunting is dispersed BLM camping in remote desert. Carry abundant water, extra fuel, recovery gear and full navigation — the interior ranges are far from services.
Nearest towns: Quartzsite, Bouse, Salome, Brenda, Parker
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD GMU 44A · Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS) · BLM New Water Mountains Wilderness · Kofa Mountains (Wikipedia)
FAQ
- How big is GMU 44A in Arizona?
- GMU 44A (Unit 44A — Yuma) covers about 2,367 square miles, ranging from roughly 900 to 4,900 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 44A?
- Approximately 92% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, USFWS (Kofa NWR), AZ State Trust, Private (scattered). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 44A?
- 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 44A on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.