GMU 44B Unit 44B — Yuma
BLM jeep-trail country on the Mohave–Sonoran seam, with trophy desert rams in the New Water Wilderness
Southwestern Arizona low desert — La Paz County · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
639
sq mi
Public land
75%
approx.
Elevation
850–3,600
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
Unit 44B sits on the transition zone between the Mohave and Sonoran deserts north and east of Quartzsite, spanning the Plomosa Mountains in the north and the north end of the New Water Mountains in the south. It is a bighorn-sheep unit first — permitted rams have averaged around 164 B&C — with a low-density desert mule deer herd that rewards glassing patience. The country is open BLM with numerous jeep trails, broken only by the vehicle-closed New Water Mountain Wilderness.
Terrain
Broad bajadas and wash systems rising to rugged desert ranges; elevation runs from about 850 ft on the flats to over 3,600 ft at Black Mesa.
Cover: Creosote-bursage flats, palo verde–ironwood–saguaro washes, and cholla; vegetated drainages out of the mountains hold the cover deer use.
Landmarks: Plomosa Mountains · New Water Mountains · New Water Mountain Wilderness · Black Mesa · Bouse · Brenda · Vicksburg
Access
Majority BLM, accessible from existing roads, trails, and washes. The area between Bouse, Brenda, and Vicksburg is a checkerboard of state trust, BLM, and private — an Arizona State Trust recreation permit is required to enter state trust parcels. The New Water Mountain Wilderness is closed to all motorized/mechanized travel but open to foot access.
Managers: BLM, AZ State Trust, Private
Access points: New Water Mountain Road · Ramsey Mine Road · Gold Nugget Wash · Roads east from Quartzsite through the Long Term Visitor Areas into the Plomosas
Species notes
Bighorn Sheep
common trophyThe marquee draw. The 44B South population has trended up since 2007 and harvested rams average roughly 164 B&C. A large share of the sheep habitat lies inside the New Water Mountain Wilderness; many rams hold around Black Mesa.
- →Glass Black Mesa and the New Water rims at first and last light from opposing high points
- →Plan on foot access for wilderness rams — no vehicles past the boundary
- →Watery pockets and shade in the ranges concentrate sheep in early-season heat
Mule Deer
limited opportunityDesert mule deer at low density. Deer use the vegetated drainages flowing out of the mountains into the larger wash systems for cover and movement; hunting is difficult and numbers are low.
- →Set up on high points and glass the mouths of washes at dawn
- →Focus on ironwood/palo verde drainages coming off the Plomosas
- →Cover ground between glassing points — bucks are scattered and skittish
Pro tips
- →Treat this as a glassing unit — good optics on a tripod beat miles of walking
- →Scout the New Water Wilderness on foot well before a sheep hunt; access is slow
- →Pin your state trust vs BLM vs private boundaries near Bouse/Brenda/Vicksburg before you hunt
- →Water and shade in the ranges are magnets for both sheep and deer in the heat
- →Air down for the washes and carry full recovery gear
Watch out for
- !Arizona State Trust recreation permit required for state trust parcels (common near Bouse/Brenda/Vicksburg)
- !New Water Mountain Wilderness — no motorized or mechanized travel
- !Extreme desert heat and no reliable water; carry your own
- !Private inholdings mixed into the BLM checkerboard
- !Remote, rough jeep trails — travel prepared for self-recovery
Logistics
Quartzsite is the hub for fuel, groceries, and dispersed BLM camping (including the Long Term Visitor Areas). Carry far more water than you think you need, air-down and high-clearance for the jeep trails, and recovery gear — soft sand and rock make solo travel risky.
Nearest towns: Quartzsite, Bouse, Brenda, Vicksburg
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD — Yuma Region Units · Hunt Now Arizona — Unit 44B · GOHUNT — Arizona Unit 44B Profile
FAQ
- How big is GMU 44B in Arizona?
- GMU 44B (Unit 44B — Yuma) covers about 639 square miles, ranging from roughly 850 to 3,600 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 44B?
- Approximately 75% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, AZ State Trust, Private. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 44B?
- 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 44B on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.