GMU 46B Unit 46B — Yuma
Primitive, roadless Cabeza Prieta desert wilderness — a coveted once-in-a-lifetime desert bighorn tag and nothing else.
Southwestern desert — Cabeza Prieta NWR & Barry M. Goldwater Range · Last reviewed 2026-07-13
Area
715
sq mi
Public land
100%
approx.
Elevation
600–2,900
feet
Motorized
wilderness
access
Overview
Unit 46B occupies the heart of Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona's remote southwest, overlapping the Barry M. Goldwater Range and running to the Mexican border. The Sierra Pinta, Cabeza Prieta and Tule Mountains rise as dark, jagged islands from a sea of creosote flats in what is among the most primitive and harsh desert wilderness in the country. The only meaningful hunt is a highly prized desert bighorn sheep tag, and access demands a military range entry permit, a hold-harmless agreement and true four-wheel drive.
Terrain
Extreme low-desert basin and range — abrupt volcanic and granite ranges (Sierra Pinta, Cabeza Prieta, Tule Mountains) separated by broad, hot alluvial valleys and desert pavement.
Cover: Sparse Lower Colorado Sonoran desert scrub — creosote, bursage, ocotillo, cholla and scattered saguaro; minimal shade or cover away from tinajas and canyon pockets.
Landmarks: Sierra Pinta · Cabeza Prieta Mountains · Tule Mountains · Camino del Diablo · Cabeza Prieta Wilderness
Access
All federal, but access is tightly controlled. A Barry M. Goldwater Range entry permit is mandatory because of military overflights and operations, along with a signed hold-harmless agreement; the refuge issues special-use permits with AZGFD for sheep hunters. Nearly the entire unit is designated wilderness — no cross-country travel, and four-wheel drive is required on refuge roads. Range closures for military activity can occur on short notice.
Managers: USFWS Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Barry M. Goldwater Range (DoD), BLM (fringe)
Access points: Camino del Diablo (4WD) · Cabeza Prieta NWR headquarters in Ajo (1611 N. Second Ave.) · SR-85 south from Gila Bend to Ajo
Species notes
Bighorn Sheep
common trophyDesert bighorn are the sole quarry and the reason hunters chase this unit — the Sierra Pinta, Cabeza Prieta and Tule ranges hold mature rams, with historical hunt rams scoring well into the 150s–170s. The tag is a once-in-a-lifetime draw and drawn hunts succeed at essentially 100%.
- →Tie your effort to tinajas and guzzlers — water dictates where rams live in this desert
- →Glass the dark, broken faces of the Sierra Pinta and Cabeza Prieta ranges at first and last light
- →Commit to a multi-day, fully self-supported wilderness hunt; most sheep country is far from any road
- →Break the unit into individual ranges and clear them methodically with high-power optics
Pro tips
- →Lock in the Goldwater Range entry permit and hold-harmless agreement before you plan anything else
- →Confirm range-closure status right before each trip — military operations take priority
- →Make water your first logistical concern; know the guzzler and tinaja network cold
- →A guide or the refuge sheep-hunt program pays off given the terrain, heat and permitting
- →Carry a satellite messenger — no cell coverage and long distances to any help
Watch out for
- !Barry M. Goldwater Range — active military operations and overflights; entry permit and closure checks mandatory, unexploded-ordnance risk
- !Cabeza Prieta Wilderness — no cross-country travel; 4WD required on designated roads
- !International border proximity — smuggling and illegal-crossing traffic; stay situationally aware
- !Life-threatening heat and no reliable natural water — haul your own
- !Extremely remote and roadless interior; no cell service, self-rescue only
Logistics
Ajo, about 40 miles south of Gila Bend on SR-85, is the base — home to the Cabeza Prieta NWR headquarters and the permit office. Load all fuel, water, ice and supplies in Ajo or Gila Bend; nothing exists inside the unit. A capable 4WD, recovery gear, extreme-heat provisions and satellite communication are essential, and self-sufficiency is total. There is no cell service across the refuge.
Nearest towns: Ajo, Gila Bend, Yuma
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD — GMU 46B · Hunt Now Arizona — Unit 46B · Cabeza Prieta NWR Hunt Info (USFWS) · AZGFD Where to Hunt — Unit locator
FAQ
- How big is GMU 46B in Arizona?
- GMU 46B (Unit 46B — Yuma) covers about 715 square miles, ranging from roughly 600 to 2,900 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 46B?
- Approximately 100% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFWS Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Barry M. Goldwater Range (DoD), BLM (fringe). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 46B?
- 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 46B on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.