Arizona Mule Deer

Unit 04A/04B (Mogollon Rim Combined)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Mule Deer

The 04A/04B combined mule deer hunt spans the western Mogollon Rim country of the Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves national forests, drawing over 2,270 cumulative applicants. The combined unit covers the ponderosa plateau and rim escarpment terrain from Payson east toward Heber — a broad mule deer landscape known for consistent buck quality and good public access via the FR 300 Rim Road system.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

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28%

Public Land

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 04A/04B

Where to Find Mule Deer in the 04A/04B Combined Unit

The 04A/04B combined unit mule deer range from the ponderosa plateau south of the rim down into the drainages feeding the Tonto Basin.

Rim Road Meadow Systems

The FR 300 (Rim Road) corridor provides elevated glassing access to meadow systems on the Mogollon Rim. Glass into drainages below the rim at first and last light — deer travel between the rim-top meadows and the brushy canyons below.

Ponderosa Park Systems

Open grass parks within the Unit 4A/4B ponderosa forest hold feeding deer through the morning. Drive elevated forest roads at dawn and glass each park systematically.

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How to Hunt Mule Deer in the 04A/04B Combined Unit

The combined unit's FR 300 corridor provides unmatched road-accessible glassing terrain.

Rim Road Glass-and-Stalk

Park at elevated pull-offs along FR 300, glass both the rim-top meadows and the canyon drainages below. Identify mature bucks early in the hunt, then commit to a stalk approach using terrain for concealment. The combination of above-rim and below-rim terrain gives multiple approach vectors.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle22%

The 04A/04B combined mule deer hunt produces 50–68% rifle success. Good road access and solid deer numbers on the accessible rim country make this a reliable draw for hunters who invest time in pre-season scouting.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts (n/p)
Rifle — General Rifle Oct bull/buck only (combined pool)	10	11	81.8%	—
Rifle — Late Rifle Dec bull/buck only (combined pool)	9	344	1.7%	—
Rifle — General Rifle Oct either sex (combined pool)	280	1,003	17.2%	—
Rifle — Late Rifle Dec either sex (combined pool)	9	344	1.7%	—

Data from 2025 draw results. Each row is one residency pool — read the label before the number. This agency publishes no point thresholds, so the Pts column stays blank and these are pool odds, not what a point total draws.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Over 2,270 cumulative applicants. Expect 9–15 bonus points for rifle tags in the 04A/04B combined unit.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Water

Moderate. Rim lakes and stock tanks throughout. Better water than lower Arizona units.

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Road Conditions

FR 300 (Rim Road) is graded dirt — 2WD dry, 4WD recommended after rain or snow. Hwy 260 is paved.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Ponderosa plateau with rim terrain. FR 300 provides excellent road access.

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Weather

October–November. Frost from late September. Early snow possible above 7,000 ft in November.

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Cell Service

Moderate near Payson and Hwy 260. Limited on the rim.

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Nearest Town

Payson (full services, 20–30 mi west). Heber/Overgaard (basic services).

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hunt mule deer in the 04A/04B combined unit?

The early rifle season (typically late October) before the unit sees heavy pressure is the highest-quality window. First-light glassing from the Rim Road produces consistent mature buck sightings in early season. After the first weekend, pressure builds and deer shift to heavier cover in the canyon country below the rim.

Free Hunt Planning Tools

🎰 Arizona Draw Odds Unit-level tag success rates 📅 Application Timeline Deadlines for all 9 states 🦌 Rut Forecast Peak rut timing by species 💰 Hunt Cost Calculator Budget your entire hunt

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

AZGFD Big Game Draw — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Applicant counts, Draw odds · accessed 2026-04-18