Arizona Bighorn Sheep Turkey

Unit 13BS (Grand Wash Cliffs and the Pakoon)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep, Turkey

The 13B South bighorn hunt is the Grand Wash Cliffs country of the Arizona Strip, running from the Hurricane Rim west to the Nevada line and south to the Colorado River above Lake Mead. AZGFD describes it bluntly: the hunt can be extremely difficult and is very remote, the sheep are few in number and the hunting area is large. The department recommends pre-scouting or hiring an experienced guide. The areas to concentrate on are the Grand Wash Cliffs themselves, Squaw, Tank and Pigeon Canyons, the Cockscomb near Pakoon Springs and the Cockscombs and God's Pocket above Lake Mead — and in dry years, the handful of named waters scattered through the unit.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

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94%

Public Land

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Bighorn Sheep guide Turkey guide

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Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 13BS

Where the rams are in 13B South: the Grand Wash Cliffs, the Cockscombs and God's Pocket

Start with the agency's own assessment, because it sets the expectation correctly: this hunt can be extremely difficult, it is very remote, the sheep are few in number and the hunt area is large. AZGFD recommends pre-scouting the country or hiring an experienced guide.

The hunt area, as the agency draws it

From the western edge of the Hurricane Rim at Mohave County Road 30 (Navajo Trail), south along the Hurricane Rim to County Road 5 (Mount Trumbull Road), west to the town of Mount Trumbull — Bundyville — then south on County Road 257 to BLM Road 1045, south to Cold Spring Wash, down that wash to Whitmore Wash, down Whitmore to the Colorado River, west along the river to the Nevada line, north to County Road 101 (Mud Mountain Road), northeast to BLM Road 1004, east to County Road 5, south to County Road 30, and east back to the rim. Load that into your GPS; there is nothing on the ground to tell you.

The six areas to focus on

The Grand Wash Cliffs. Squaw Canyon. Tank Canyon. Pigeon Canyon. The Cockscomb by Pakoon Springs. And the Cockscombs and God's Pocket by Lake Mead. That's the whole list, and on a hunt area this size it is the most valuable paragraph in the guide.

In dry years, hunt water

The agency names the waters to focus on when it's dry: Olaf Knolls, Nax, Overlook, Cunningham, Lake Mead itself, and the pockets of water that collect in the canyons. In a dry autumn those are where sheep movement concentrates.

What the country is

Big, broken cliff country stepping down toward the Colorado. The Grand Wash Cliffs are the dominant feature — a long escarpment with canyons cutting back into it, which is both why sheep are here and why finding them takes days.

No services, in any direction

This is one of the most unpopulated corners of Arizona. Bring shelter, food, water, extra fuel and more than one spare tire. The nearest full-service towns are St. George, Utah and Mesquite, Nevada, both off Interstate 15 and a long way from the Grand Wash Cliffs. Many roads turn to grease when wet and need four-wheel drive.

Unit 13BS terrain and land status

Measured from the unit boundary, not from the agency write-up

Named features inside the unit

Glass from: Mount Bangs (7,938 ft), Black Rock Mountain (7,372 ft), Poverty Mountain (6,781 ft), Last Chance Knoll (6,761 ft)

Holding ground: Shivwits Plateau (6,339 ft), Lake Flat (6,170 ft), Penn Valley (5,955 ft), Lizard Spring, Mokaac Spring

Every one of these was tested against the unit polygon before it went on the map. They are starting points, not agency recommendations.

How to hunt 13B South: scout it first or hire someone who has, then glass water

The agency's advice on this hunt — pre-scout or hire an experienced guide — is unusual to see written down, and it's the single best piece of planning information on the page. Take it at face value.

Why scouting matters more here

Few sheep spread over a large area means random searching fails. The named areas narrow it from hundreds of square miles to six blocks, and a scouting trip narrows those six to the two that actually hold animals this year. Without that, a week here is a driving tour.

The case for a guide

If you can't make two or three scouting trips to the Arizona Strip — and for most people that's a long way — a guide who already knows which canyons and waters are producing is buying you the scouting you can't do. On a once-in-a-lifetime tag that's a reasonable trade.

Glass water in a dry year, cliffs in a wet one

When it's dry, set up over Olaf Knolls, Nax, Overlook, Cunningham or the canyon pockets and let the sheep come to you. After good rain, sheep spread out and water means nothing — then it's cliff-band glassing along the Grand Wash Cliffs and into Squaw, Tank and Pigeon Canyons.

Glass from below, climb carefully

Ten or 20 power from the base of a cliff or mesa before you climb. Sheep with escape room above them often hold and watch you; a direct approach pushes them out unseen. Once you're up, stay in the lower two-thirds and stop regularly to sit, glass and listen — rock-fall carries a long way in this country.

Self-sufficiency, in full

No services. Carry everything: water, fuel, food, two spares, recovery gear and a way to call for help. Tell someone exactly where you're going and when you'll check in. And plan your pack-out before you shoot — the Grand Wash Cliffs do not forgive a ram dropped in the wrong place.

Arizona rules that decide your day

Summarised from AZGFD regulations. They change — read the current regulations and your permit-tag before you hunt.

Legal shooting hours

Big game may be taken only during daylight hours — from sunrise to sunset. Check the sunrise and sunset times for your unit, not for Phoenix.

Motorized retrieval

Arizona permits motorized big-game retrieval only where the unit's travel-management decision allows it, and in several units only for elk. Where it is allowed it means one vehicle, one trip, within one mile of a road shown open on the Motor Vehicle Use Map — never inside a quiet area, a wilderness or a closed area. Pull the MVUM for your ranger district and confirm before you shoot somewhere you cannot carry an animal out of.

Tagging

Sign your tag before you go afield and attach it to the animal immediately after the kill. Hunters aged 10–13 must carry their Hunter Education card with the licence and tag.

Leaving meat

Leaving edible meat in the field is illegal. Edible meat means the four quarters and the loins at a minimum.

Where you may not shoot

Occupied structures — No shooting within a quarter mile of an occupied farmhouse, cabin, lodge or building without the owner's permission. That rules out shooting toward most lakeside cabin tracts.
Campsites and developed areas — Forest Service rules prohibit discharging a firearm within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area.
Roads and water — No shooting from a vehicle, and no shooting on, across or into a road. No shooting across a body of water adjacent to a Forest road.

Bighorn Sheep: where to put the shot

Broadside or quartering away, on the back edge of the front leg about a third of the way up the body.

Shots to refuse

Nothing behind or overlapping the animal you picked.
Your maximum range is the farthest you have shot a three-shot group into a paper plate from the rest you are carrying.
Pass the shot you are talking yourself into.

Plan the carry: roughly 40– 120 lb of boned-out meat, before head and hide — two large coolers. ProHunt planning estimate, not an agency figure.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

AZGFD manages 13BS tags at extremely low numbers to essentially guarantee opportunity for each hunter. Tag holders who put in full effort typically harvest a ram. Check AZGFD harvest reports for the most current data on ram quality and hunt duration.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts (n/p)
Rifle — General Rifle bull/buck only (combined pool)	1	103	0.0%	—
Rifle — Late Rifle Nov bull/buck only (combined pool)	1	119	0.0%	—

Data from 2023 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

Unit 13BS bighorn is among the hardest Arizona draws. With roughly 2 tags issued against 199 applicants over three years, odds sit near 1% per application year. Arizona uses a weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus — 20% of tags to max-point holders, 80% to a random weighted draw. This is a lifetime lottery — apply every year to build points and the loyalty bonus.

Turkey Hunting in Unit 13BS

Unit 13BS is the southern sub-zone of GMU 13B, covering the South Kaibab Plateau country and the rim breaks above the Grand Canyon's North Rim area. Merriam's turkeys in 13BS inhabit the ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer forests of the Kaibab Plateau and the ponderosa-PJ transition zones above the canyon rim. This is a remote, challenging turkey hunt with very limited tag allocation. The unit rewards hunters who are experienced in high-country Merriam's hunting and can navigate the demanding rim-country terrain.

Where the turkeys are in 13B South: Mount Dellenbaugh, which is the whole population

GMU 13B has a single population of Merriam's turkeys, the result of transplants by AZGFD, and it lives in the Mount Dellenbaugh country — which falls inside the 13B South turkey hunt area. If you hold a 13B turkey tag, Dellenbaugh is your hunt.

The hunt area boundary

The 13B South turkey hunt GMU runs from the western edge of the Hurricane Rim at Mohave County Road 30 (Navajo Trail), south along the rim to County Road 5 (Mount Trumbull Road), west to Mount Trumbull — Bundyville — south on County Road 257 to BLM Road 1045, south to Cold Spring Wash, down to Whitmore Wash, down to the Colorado River, west to the Nevada line, north to County Road 101 (Mud Mountain Road), northeast to BLM Road 1004, east to County Road 5, south to County Road 30, and east back to the rim.

Mount Dellenbaugh itself

Dellenbaugh stands at 7,054 feet, high enough to hold the ponderosa and oak that transplanted Merriam's need. Habitat treatments have been worked into the country around it, which is part of why the birds have held there. Start with the drainages below the summit that carry big pines for roosting, and the openings between them.

The season moves year to year

AZGFD manages this hunt with a season proposed annually based on that year's population structure. Don't assume last year's dates or permit numbers — check the current regulations before you apply and again before you travel.

Shotgun only

The 13B turkey season is a limited-weapon season: shotgun shooting shot only. No rifle, no muzzleloader. Pattern the gun you're bringing at 40 yards with the load you'll carry.

No services at all

This is among the most unpopulated country in Arizona. Camp remote and self-sufficient: shelter, food, water, extra fuel and more than one spare. St. George, Utah and Mesquite, Nevada are the nearest full-service towns, both off Interstate 15, and both a long drive from Dellenbaugh.

Unit 13BS terrain and land status

Measured from the unit boundary, not from the agency write-up

Named features inside the unit

Glass from: Mount Bangs (7,938 ft), Black Rock Mountain (7,372 ft), Poverty Mountain (6,781 ft), Last Chance Knoll (6,761 ft)

Holding ground: Shivwits Plateau (6,339 ft), Lake Flat (6,170 ft), Penn Valley (5,955 ft), Lizard Spring, Mokaac Spring

Every one of these was tested against the unit polygon before it went on the map. They are starting points, not agency recommendations.

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How to hunt 13B South turkeys: roost them at dusk, then hunt the morning walk

Shotgun success on this hunt has run about 35 percent, which is respectable for a small transplanted population on an annually set season.

The evening before is the most valuable hour

Merriam's go to roost about an hour before dark and come off at sunrise. So sit a high point above the Dellenbaugh drainages at last light and listen for birds flying up into the big pines. Where they roost tonight tells you where to be before light tomorrow — and on a population this concentrated, that one piece of information is most of the hunt.

Mornings: between the roost and the water

Off the roost, birds head for a drink and a feed. Set up on that short, predictable walk. Park at closed roads and walk in rather than driving close to the canyon. Toms strut in small openings but prefer heavy cover, so sit where cover meets a park rather than in the middle of one.

Calling and camouflage

You're imitating a hen to draw a tom. Full camouflage including hands and face matters — turkeys see extremely well and will catch a movement you didn't notice making. Call sparingly and let a committed bird come. A box call with a plunger is the forgiving choice if you're new to it, and worth practising at home.

Weather and wind

On a spring hunt, follow the retreating snow line up the mountain and hope for a still morning — wind destroys your ability to hear a gobble, which here is your only way to locate a bird. If it's blowing, change tactics: move quietly and glass the openings instead of listening.

Shot discipline

Forty yards and under, head and neck, with a pattern you've put on paper. Never shoot at sound or movement in cover. And remember the hunt-area boundary runs on county roads and state lines out here — load it into your GPS, because nothing on the ground will tell you.

Arizona rules that decide your day

Summarised from AZGFD regulations. They change — read the current regulations and your permit-tag before you hunt.

Legal shooting hours

Big game may be taken only during daylight hours — from sunrise to sunset. Check the sunrise and sunset times for your unit, not for Phoenix.

Motorized retrieval

Tagging

Sign your tag before you go afield and attach it to the animal immediately after the kill. Hunters aged 10–13 must carry their Hunter Education card with the licence and tag.

Leaving meat

Leaving edible meat in the field is illegal. Edible meat means the four quarters and the loins at a minimum.

Where you may not shoot

Occupied structures — No shooting within a quarter mile of an occupied farmhouse, cabin, lodge or building without the owner's permission. That rules out shooting toward most lakeside cabin tracts.
Campsites and developed areas — Forest Service rules prohibit discharging a firearm within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area.
Roads and water — No shooting from a vehicle, and no shooting on, across or into a road. No shooting across a body of water adjacent to a Forest road.

Turkey: where to put the shot

Head and neck with shot, at 40 yards or less. On an archery bird, the wing butt broadside or the base of the neck.

Shots to refuse

Know the limit of your pattern. Pattern the gun on paper at 40 yards with the load you are carrying.
Never shoot at movement or sound in cover. Spring woods are full of other hunters stalking the same gobble.
In spring, legal is a bearded bird. Look for the beard, not the gobble.

Plan the carry: roughly 5– 9 lb of boned-out meat, before head and hide — a small cooler is enough. ProHunt planning estimate, not an agency figure.

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Turkey Success Rates

Shotgun35%

Unit 13BS Merriam's turkey success rates are similar to other quality North Kaibab turkey hunts — hunters with tags for this area report 35–55% success. The low tag count and remote access result in essentially zero competition for birds, and the Kaibab turkey population's low pressure history makes for highly responsive gobblers throughout the spring season.

Turkey Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts (n/p)
Shotgun — Spring bearded turkey (combined pool)	15	3	66.7%	—
Rifle — Spring either sex (combined pool)	25	47	46.8%	—

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

Unit 13BS turkey is a limited-tag draw on the remote Arizona Strip. Applicant numbers are kept lower by the demanding logistics, which may make this a relatively more accessible draw than the quality suggests. Arizona's weighted bonus-point system provides cumulative advantage — apply every year and use the Hunter Education bonus for the best draw position. Check current AZGFD draw portal data for the most recent odds.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

US 89A and AZ 67 paved; North Kaibab FR roads graded gravel; rim-access two-tracks high-clearance/4WD

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous — rimrock and canyon breaks; class 3 scrambling and sustained off-trail hiking routine

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Hunting Pressure

Very low — 1–2 tags per year

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Weather

Fall sheep season: 40–70°F days, 20–40°F nights; early snow possible late season

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Cell Service

None reliable in the rim country; satellite communicator required

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Nearest Town

Fredonia, AZ (approx. 40 mi; limited services) or Jacob Lake (seasonal services) or Kanab, UT (full services)

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Permit Notes

Once-in-a-lifetime desert bighorn tag; horn-plug and check-in requirements apply per AZGFD regulations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Unit 13BS bighorn tag once-in-a-lifetime?

Yes. Drawing a desert bighorn tag in Arizona disqualifies you from applying for another desert bighorn tag in the state for life. 13BS is a once-in-a-lifetime tag.

What turkey subspecies is in Arizona Unit 13BS?

Unit 13BS holds Merriam's turkeys in the ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer forests of the South Kaibab Plateau. These are high-elevation North Kaibab Merriam's birds — among the most prized in Arizona turkey hunting.

How does the Unit 13BS draw compare to other Arizona turkey units?

Unit 13BS is a limited-tag draw with demanding logistics that keep applicant numbers relatively lower than comparable quality units near Phoenix or Flagstaff. The Hunter Education bonus and consistent annual applications are the most effective tools for improving draw odds.

Are there safety considerations for turkey hunting in Unit 13BS?

Yes. The unit includes rim-break terrain above the Grand Canyon. Never approach canyon-rim edges in low light or unfamiliar terrain when chasing calling birds. Work parallel to rim features rather than toward them. Always tell someone your planned hunting area and carry a satellite communicator.

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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 Desert Bighorn Sheep Management — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Desert bighorn management in the North Kaibab zone, Once-in-a-lifetime tag policy · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: 13BS draw odds, Weighted bonus-point system, Historical applicant data · accessed 2026-04-17
Kaibab National Forest — North Kaibab Ranger District — USDA Forest Service · supports: North Kaibab road and trail network, Motor Vehicle Use Map, Canyon-rim access · accessed 2026-04-17
2025-2026 Arizona Hunting Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 13BS turkey hunt codes, Spring season structure, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-18
GMU 13B — Unit Landing Page — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 13B boundary and subdivisions, Kaibab Plateau turkey habitat, Access overview · accessed 2026-04-18