GMU 7E Unit 7E — Flagstaff
Big pronghorn grasslands and rim-country elk north and east of the Peaks
Northern high country — Coconino/Kaibab NF (San Francisco Peaks north) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
915
sq mi
Public land
70%
approx.
Elevation
5,200–11,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 7E spreads across the volcanic high country north and east of Flagstaff, wrapping the eastern flank of the San Francisco Peaks and running out onto the open grasslands and cinder plains toward Sunset Crater, Wupatki, and the Babbitt ranch country. It is one of northern Arizona's better mixed-bag units: a strong bull elk harvest in the pine and mixed conifer, good mule deer through the piñon-juniper and oak, and genuinely quality pronghorn on the wide grasslands, where success runs high for the lucky few who draw. The unit's northeast edge presses against the Navajo Nation, which is closed to general AZGFD hunting.
Terrain
Volcanic terrain rising from open grassland and cinder plains into ponderosa forest and the mixed-conifer flanks of the San Francisco Peaks.
Cover: Wide grasslands and cinder fields on the north and east, grading through piñon-juniper and Gambel oak into ponderosa pine and mixed conifer, with aspen and spruce-fir high on the Peaks.
Landmarks: San Francisco Peaks (east flank) · Sunset Crater · O'Leary Peak · Anderson Mesa-facing grasslands · Babbitt ranch country · Wupatki area · US-89 corridor
Access
The forested core is Coconino and Kaibab National Forest with good road access, but the open grasslands on the north and east include substantial private ranch land (Babbitt) and State Trust parcels — know your boundaries before hunting the pronghorn country. The Navajo Nation forms the northeast edge and is closed to general AZGFD hunting. Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments are closed to hunting. A State Trust recreation permit is required for state parcels.
Managers: USFS Coconino NF, USFS Kaibab NF, AZ State Trust, Private (Babbitt / ranch lands), Tribal (Navajo Nation — closed), NPS (Wupatki / Sunset Crater — closed to hunting)
Access points: US-89 north from Flagstaff · FR 545 (Sunset Crater–Wupatki loop, non-hunting monument corridor) · FR 418 and the Peaks-area forest roads · Forest roads off US-89 into the pine · County roads into the grassland ranch country (verify access)
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant qualityThe largest harvest in the unit — a robust elk population in the ponderosa and mixed conifer around the Peaks and along the forest edges, with solid bull quality on limited-entry tags.
- →Glass forest parks and grassland-timber edges at first and last light
- →Sit water tanks and springs during dry early hunts
- →Move to dark north-slope conifer on the Peaks during midday heat
- →Hunt the transition from grassland feeding to timber bedding
- →Call meadow-timber seams through the September rut
Pronghorn
common qualityA genuine draw — the open grasslands and cinder plains hold good pronghorn with high hunter success for those who draw the scarce tags; a legitimate reason to prioritize this unit.
- →Glass the wide grasslands from high cinder rises and mesa edges
- →Spot-and-stalk bucks using rolls in the terrain and volcanic cover
- →Watch stock tanks and fence crossings in dry stretches
- →Set up on morning and evening feeding movement
- →Verify land ownership carefully before stalking across ranch/state boundaries
Mule Deer
common opportunityA good general mule deer hunt through the piñon-juniper, oak brush, and lower ponderosa; steady numbers and a reliable supporting hunt.
- →Glass piñon-juniper and oak-brush pockets at dawn
- →Focus the grassland-to-timber transition zones
- →Still-hunt timber stringers and cinder-hill saddles midday
- →Hunt storm fronts that push deer down off the Peaks
Black Bear
limited opportunityBlack bear are present in the forested high country around the Peaks but at lower density than the wetter White Mountains units; a modest fall opportunity.
- →Glass oak brush and berry patches in early fall
- →Work the higher timbered drainages and riparian pockets
- →Check acorn and manzanita concentrations
- →Ease along timber edges at dawn and dusk
Pro tips
- →Pronghorn are a real prize here — glass big and confirm land ownership before every stalk across the mixed public/private/state grassland
- →Elk hunting centers on the forested Peaks flank; hunt water and grassland-timber edges
- →Know exactly where the Navajo Nation boundary is on the northeast side — it is closed to general hunting
- →Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments are closed to hunting; the FR 545 loop runs through non-huntable monument land
- →Carry a State Trust recreation permit and plenty of water for the open north end
Watch out for
- !Navajo Nation on the northeast boundary is closed to general AZGFD hunting
- !Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments (NPS) are closed to hunting
- !Large private ranch (Babbitt) and State Trust parcels are intermixed in the grasslands — verify boundaries
- !State Trust land requires an Arizona State Land recreation permit
- !No shade and scarce water on the open grasslands — heat and wind exposure; early snow on the Peaks
Logistics
Flagstaff anchors the unit with full services — fuel, groceries, lodging, and gear — and sits right at the southern edge. Fuel and minimal supplies are available at Gray Mountain and Cameron to the northeast. Camp dispersed in the Coconino/Kaibab forest; note that the grassland country to the north offers little cover and limited public camping. Prepare for cold nights, wind on the open plains, and possible early snow on the Peaks.
Nearest towns: Flagstaff, Cameron, Gray Mountain
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Arizona sources:
Research sources: AZGFD Hunt Arizona / Unit 7E hunt guidelines · Coconino National Forest motor vehicle use and recreation maps · Arizona State Land Department recreation permits
FAQ
- How big is GMU 7E in Arizona?
- GMU 7E (Unit 7E — Flagstaff) covers about 915 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,200 to 11,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 7E?
- Approximately 70% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Coconino NF, USFS Kaibab NF, AZ State Trust, Private (Babbitt / ranch lands), Tribal (Navajo Nation — closed), NPS (Wupatki / Sunset Crater — closed to hunting). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 7E?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Pronghorn, Mule Deer, 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 7E on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.