GMU 6A Unit 6A — Flagstaff, Kingman
Elk-rich Rim country dropping to canyon bighorn and Coues chaparral
Mogollon Rim to the Verde — Coconino NF · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,142
sq mi
Public land
90%
approx.
Elevation
3,300–8,400
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 6A is a large, diverse Coconino National Forest unit south and southwest of Flagstaff that runs from high ponderosa forest down through pinon-juniper and chaparral to the river basin along the Verde. Rocky Mountain elk overwhelmingly drive the unit, producing one of the biggest bull harvests in the state, while the lower chaparral and canyons add Coues whitetail, a small but real transplanted Rocky Mountain bighorn herd, pronghorn on the high parks, mule deer, and black bear. It is a highly sought unit that is almost entirely public national forest.
Terrain
Sweeps from Mormon Mountain and the ponderosa high country down through pinon-juniper and chaparral to the Verde River basin and its rugged tributary canyons.
Cover: Ponderosa pine up high grading to pinon-juniper, dense chaparral, and Sonoran-fringe river basin, with riparian corridors along the Verde, West Clear Creek, Fossil Creek, and the East Verde.
Landmarks: Mormon Mountain · Upper and Lower Lake Mary · Mormon Lake edge · West Clear Creek · Fossil Creek · East Verde River · Verde River
Access
Almost entirely within the Coconino National Forest with only small islands of private property. Motorized travel follows designated-route travel management, and the deep canyons (West Clear Creek, Fossil Creek, Verde) include wilderness and roadless country requiring foot access. Scattered State Trust parcels need an Arizona State Land recreation permit.
Managers: USFS Coconino NF, AZ State Trust, Private (scattered inholdings)
Access points: Lake Mary Road (FH 3) from Flagstaff · Stoneman Lake Road / I-17 exits · AZ-260 toward Camp Verde · Forest roads into West Clear Creek and Fossil Creek rims
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant qualityThe dominant species and one of the largest elk harvests in Arizona; excellent bull numbers across the ponderosa high country with strong rut action on limited-entry tags.
- →Glass big meadows and park edges near Mormon Mountain and the Lake Mary corridor at first and last light
- →Sit tanks and lakes during dry early seasons
- →Call the September rut at meadow-timber transitions
- →Work benches between feeding parks and dark timber
- →Drop toward the pinon-juniper edge as pressure builds
Mule Deer
common opportunityA solid general mule deer hunt through the ponderosa and pinon-juniper transition zones.
- →Glass ridges and meadow fringes at dawn
- →Focus the pine-to-pinon-juniper transition
- →Still-hunt timber pockets midday
- →Hunt storm fronts that push deer lower
Whitetail Deer
limited opportunityCoues whitetail hold the lower chaparral and canyon country toward the Verde — a smaller-bodied, harder-earned bonus deer for hunters who work the brush.
- →Glass chaparral hillsides and canyon slopes at first light
- →Sit oak and manzanita pockets and burn edges
- →Focus the chaparral-to-juniper transition below the Rim
- →Be patient behind good glass — Coues are gray ghosts in brush
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyA small but well-established Rocky Mountain bighorn herd transplanted in the mid-2000s, concentrated in the West Clear Creek, Fossil Creek, and East Verde canyons — a once-in-a-lifetime draw with high success when tags are issued.
- →Only relevant with a drawn tag
- →Glass the rimrock and rugged escarpments of West Clear Creek and Fossil Creek
- →Coordinate with AZGFD field staff on current herd locations
- →Plan for steep, remote canyon access on foot
Pronghorn
limited qualityA small pronghorn presence on the high open parks yields very few tags with high success — a scarce, coveted draw.
- →Glass the open high parks from vehicle-accessible points
- →Spot-and-stalk using terrain rolls
- →Watch stock tanks and fence lines
- →Hunt morning and evening feeding movement
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bear are well distributed through the timber, chaparral, and canyon country — a genuine draw with fall mast concentrations.
- →Glass oak brush and berry patches in early fall
- →Work canyon drainages and riparian corridors
- →Check acorn and manzanita concentrations
- →Hunt timber and chaparral edges slowly at dawn and dusk
Pro tips
- →Elk are the reason to draw 6A — hunt the ponderosa parks and Mormon Mountain country, prioritizing water and meadow edges
- →For Coues, drop into the lower chaparral toward the Verde and hunt behind good glass
- →Bighorn tags are rare but the West Clear Creek / Fossil Creek herd is productive when drawn
- →Buy an Arizona State Land recreation permit before hunting State Trust parcels
- →Match gear to elevation — the same unit runs from snow up high to hot desert fringe below
Watch out for
- !Motorized travel restricted to designated routes on the Coconino NF
- !State Trust land requires an Arizona State Land recreation permit
- !Deep canyons (West Clear Creek, Fossil Creek, Verde) are wilderness/roadless — foot access and rugged terrain
- !Water scarcity and heat in the lower canyon and chaparral country
- !Early snow up high; fire restrictions and possible closures in dry years
Logistics
Flagstaff and Camp Verde bracket the unit for fuel, groceries, and lodging, with I-17 splitting the high country from the Verde side. Camp in the national forest near Lake Mary, Stoneman Lake, or the canyon rims. The elevation spread means very different conditions top to bottom — plan for cold, wet high country and hot, dry, water-scarce canyons in the same hunt.
Nearest towns: Flagstaff, Camp Verde, Munds Park, Mormon Lake, Strawberry
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD GMU 6A location page · AZGFD Hunt Arizona unit guidelines · Coconino NF recreation and motor vehicle use maps · Arizona State Land Department recreation permits
FAQ
- How big is GMU 6A in Arizona?
- GMU 6A (Unit 6A — Flagstaff, Kingman) covers about 1,142 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,300 to 8,400 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 6A?
- Approximately 90% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Coconino NF, AZ State Trust, Private (scattered inholdings). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 6A?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Pronghorn, Black Bear. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Arizona agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 6A on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.