Arizona Elk Mule Deer Turkey

Unit 6B

Arizona Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer, Turkey

Unit 06B is an Arizona elk unit managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). Permits are allocated through AZGFD's weighted-random bonus-point draw, where bonus points function as additional chances in the random selection rather than as guaranteed preference. Hunters applying for this unit should consult AZGFD's Hunt Guidelines, current regulations, and historical draw results to build a realistic point-building plan.

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3,782–7,353 ft

Elevation

Logistics & Planning Guide →

Access roads, campgrounds, elevation, monthly weather, stock tanks, cell coverage, and nearest-town services for Unit 6B.

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Elk Hunting in Unit 6B

Where to Find Elk in Unit 06B

Elk distribute across public land within the unit boundary. Scout transition zones between meadow feeding and timbered bedding, active water sources in dry stretches, and glassing ridges that open at first and last light. Use AZGFD unit pages and USFS/BLM maps to plan access.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 06B

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Elk Success Rates

AZGFD publishes harvest and success-rate data by hunt code. Expect variation across weapon types and season timings. Multi-year averages are more reliable than any single year for Unit 06B elk.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts (n/p)
Rifle — Late Rifle Dec bull/buck only (combined pool)	175	577	17.2%	—
Rifle — Late Rifle Dec antlerless (combined pool)	300	422	35.5%	—
Rifle — Early Rifle bull/buck only (combined pool)	155	558	18.5%	—
Rifle — Late Rifle Nov bull/buck only (combined pool)	175	748	12.0%	—
Early Archery — bull/buck only (combined pool)	155	558	18.5%	—
Late Archery Nov — bull/buck only (combined pool)	30	32	40.6%	—
Early Archery — antlerless (combined pool)	75	66	45.5%	—

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

Arizona's weighted-random bonus-point system rewards persistence without guaranteeing a tag. Apply every year and lean on AZGFD's historical draw results to model realistic point ranges for Unit 06B elk.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 6B

GMU 6B covers the country southwest of Flagstaff between Highway 89A and Sycamore Canyon — bounded by I-40 on the north, 89A and the Verde River on the east and south, and Sycamore Creek on the west. The Mogollon Rim escarpment west of Sedona splits the unit into an upland ponderosa pine half (the Woody Mountain Road plateau) and a lower half of red-rock canyons, chaparral, and Verde Valley pinyon-juniper. AZGFD manages mule deer here through limited-draw bonus point tags in the fall draw. Deer density is highest in the upland conifer forest, but older, larger bucks show up most often in the chaparral and PJ of the Dry Creek and Spring Creek basins near Sedona and Clarkdale.

Where to Find Mule Deer in GMU 6B

Mule deer use habitat throughout GMU 6B, but the unit hunts as two different worlds: ponderosa pine and Gambel oak on the plateau above the Mogollon Rim, and chaparral, cypress, and pinyon-juniper below it around Sedona and the Verde Valley.

Turkey Butte–East Pocket and Harding Point–Howard Pocket

These plateau areas off FR 231 (Woody Mountain Road) carry the unit's highest deer densities in fall, and AZGFD singles them out as top producers in years with a strong Gambel oak acorn crop. Harding Point sits on the north rim of West Fork Canyon, where oak stands intersperse with the dominant ponderosa. Scout the acorn crop in September — it decides where the deer will be in October and November.

Dry Creek and Spring Creek Basins (Verde Valley)

The chaparral and juniper-pinyon country in the lower half of the unit holds fewer deer overall, but AZGFD notes older and larger bucks are observed here with greater frequency than in the uplands. This is late-season country — December and January archery hunters should focus effort here.

Brins Mesa–Soldiers Pass and the Wilderness Pockets

The Red Rock–Secret Mountain Wilderness north of Sedona (accessed from Dry Creek Road) and Sycamore Canyon Wilderness on the west edge are foot-and-horseback-only. Dense chaparral limits glassing to hilltop-to-hilltop, and the Sedona-side trailheads see heavy hiker traffic — but pressure from other hunters is minimal past the first mile.

Slide Fire Regrowth

The 2014 Slide Fire burned roughly 22,000 acres of canyon habitat in east-central 6B. Entry restrictions have expired, and the vegetation surge inside the burn footprint has been a magnet for game since.

How to Hunt GMU 6B Mule Deer

For fall 2026, 6B (except Camp Navajo) carries four ways at a deer: the October 23–29 muzzleloader hunt (any antlered deer, 200 permits), the November 6–12 rifle hunt (antlered mule deer only, 225 permits), first-come OTC archery windows August 21–September 10, December 11–31, and January 1–31, and a 20-permit any-antlered-deer archery hunt inside Camp Navajo (August 21–September 10, restricted access).

October–November: Hunt the Oaks from the Rim Roads

Work FR 231 and the spur roads to the canyon rims at first light and glass the oak-pine edges around Turkey Butte, East Pocket, and Harding Point. In acorn years, deer concentrate tightly in the Gambel oak stands. The November rifle tag is mule-deer-only and whitetail share the same rims — confirm species before shooting.

Casner Mountain Corridor

On the west edge, the powerline corridor cresting Casner Mountain off FR 525 (Red Canyon Road) is the one motorized-legal route (quads, motorcycles, bicycles) into otherwise wilderness-locked country. Use it to get above the Sycamore Canyon rim country that road hunters never touch.

December–January: Drop to the Verde Valley

The late OTC archery windows line up with the rut at lower elevation. Hunt the Dry Creek and Spring Creek basins and the 6B South country west of Dry Creek and south of Boynton Pass — this is where the unit's oldest bucks live. Snow regularly closes the FR 231 plateau access by December, so plan the late hunts from the Sedona/Cottonwood side.

Plan the Pack-Out

The Coconino Travel Management Rule allows motorized big game retrieval in 6B for elk only — retrieving a deer off-road by vehicle is prohibited. Kill a buck a mile off a designated road and it comes out on your back or on stock. Carry the current MVUM and know which roads are open.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

AZGFD's 2025 deer harvest summary puts hard numbers on 6B: the November rifle hunt (225 permits) ran 176 hunters, 49 bucks, 28% success; the October muzzleloader hunt (200 permits) ran 171 hunters, 43 deer, 25% success; and the October whitetail rifle hunt went 26%. The 10-tag December rifle hunt posted 86% success on 7 hunters — that hunt is not offered for fall 2026. Success in this unit tracks the acorn crop: strong mast years concentrate deer in the oak stands and push rifle success above the long-term average.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts (n/p)
Rifle — Late Rifle Nov bull/buck only (combined pool)	225	401	28.9%	—
Rifle — General Rifle Oct bull/buck only (combined pool)	0	141	26.2%	—
Rifle — Late Rifle Dec bull/buck only (combined pool)	10	407	2.2%	—
Rifle — General Rifle Oct bull/buck only (combined pool)	200	206	65.0%	—
Rifle — Late Rifle Nov either sex (combined pool)	225	401	28.9%	—
Rifle — General Rifle Oct either sex (combined pool)	55	35	65.7%	—
Muzzleloader — General Muzzleloader Oct bull/buck only (combined pool)	200	214	72.4%	—
Muzzleloader — General Muzzleloader Oct either sex (combined pool)	200	206	65.0%	—

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

The November rifle tag is the competitive one: roughly 400 first-choice applicants for 225 permits in 2025, with overall draw odds of 28–37% across 2023–2025 per AZGFD's published draw odds reports. The October muzzleloader hunt is the value play — 202 first-choice applicants for 200 permits in 2025, and 60–72% published odds in 2023–24, meaning first-choice applicants are close to assured. The former December rifle hunt drew 2.2% odds (407 applicants, 10 tags) in 2025 and has been dropped for 2026. Apply at draw.azgfd.com in the fall draw; unsuccessful applications bank bonus points.

Turkey Hunting in Unit 6B

Unit 6B covers the Mingus Mountain, Black Hills, and Sedona-area Rim country between Cottonwood, Prescott, and Camp Verde. Merriam's turkeys use the ponderosa-juniper transition on Mingus Mountain and the oak-ponderosa pockets of the Black Hills. Prescott National Forest access is excellent. With ~239 tags against 224 applicants over three years, Unit 6B is a near-guaranteed draw with solid bird populations. We treat 6B as a high-opportunity Merriam's unit with easy road access from central Arizona.

Where to Find Turkeys in Unit 6B

Unit 6B Merriam's cluster in Mingus Mountain and the Black Hills oak-ponderosa belt.

Mingus Mountain Top

The ponderosa ridges around Mingus Campground hold strong roost flocks. Glass meadow edges at dawn and listen from FR 104.

Black Hills / FR 413 Corridor

The oak-ponderosa pockets along FR 413 between Cottonwood and Jerome produce consistent turkey sign. Side drainages with big pines are prime roost country.

Sedona Rim Fringe

Where the Mogollon Rim approaches Sedona, oak-pine benches above 5,500 ft hold scattered flocks. Less-traveled forest roads off SR-89A access this country.

How to Hunt Turkeys in Unit 6B

6B rewards classic roost scouting and flexible morning tactics.

Roost at Dusk

Drive FR 104 (Mingus Mountain) or FR 413 (Black Hills) at last light and listen for wing-flap and gobble. Mark the tree, set up before first light.

Call-and-Move

After fly-down, move between ponderosa benches and call softly. 6B birds respond well to soft yelps and clucks mid-morning.

Meadow Edge Setup

Strut zones in grass parks become predictable mid-morning. Hen-jake decoy pairs in the open draw cruising toms within bow range.

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Turkey Success Rates

Unit 6B spring Merriam's success typically runs 35–50%. Mingus Mountain produces strong bird populations and access is easy from Cottonwood and Prescott. Fall hunts (when offered) run 15–25%.

Turkey Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts (n/p)
Shotgun — Spring bearded turkey (combined pool)	70	72	43.1%	—
Shotgun — Spring bearded turkey (combined pool)	50	31	100.0%	—
Shotgun — Fall either sex (combined pool)	150	257	35.4%	—
Rifle — Spring bearded turkey (combined pool)	49	39	100.0%	—
Rifle — Spring bearded turkey (combined pool)	50	32	100.0%	—
Rifle — Fall either sex (combined pool)	150	362	33.1%	—
Rifle — Spring either sex (combined pool)	70	297	18.2%	—

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 6B turkey is one of the easiest draws in Arizona — tag supply exceeds applicant demand in most years. Arizona uses a weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus, but with ~239 tags against 224 applicants over three years, Unit 6B residents typically draw with 0 bonus points. Nonresidents face the 10% cap and still see favorable odds. A great unit for new hunters building bonus points.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

Mix of paved highways, maintained gravel, and unmaintained forest/BLM roads. High-clearance recommended; 4WD useful after weather.

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Hunting Pressure

Tag-limited, so pressure is defined by permit counts. Opening weekends are busiest.

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Weather

Hot dry early-season days to freezing mornings and possible snow in late seasons.

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Cell Service

Coverage is patchy to nonexistent in the backcountry. Plan on a satellite communicator.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for an Arizona Unit 06B elk tag?

Apply through AZGFD's online draw portal during the published application window. Arizona uses a weighted-random bonus-point system, so applying every year — even in years you don't expect to draw — keeps your point total growing.

Is Unit 06B elk a good first-choice or second-choice pick?

Hunt-code choice strategy depends on your point total and draw goals. Review AZGFD's published draw results and bonus-point pass detail to decide where to slot Unit 06B in your application.

How do I apply for a mule deer tag in GMU 6B?

GMU 6B deer tags are issued in Arizona's fall draw, not the winter pronghorn/elk draw. Applications open at draw.azgfd.com in early-to-mid May and the 2026 deadline was Tuesday, June 2 at 11:59 p.m. Arizona time. Unsuccessful applicants earn bonus points, which act as extra chances in future drawings.

What deer hunts does GMU 6B offer in fall 2026?

Four draw hunts: an October 23–29 muzzleloader hunt for any antlered deer (200 permits), a November 6–12 rifle hunt for antlered mule deer (225 permits), rifle whitetail hunts October 30–November 5 (55 permits) and December 11–31 combined with Unit 8 (25 permits), plus a 20-permit archery hunt inside Camp Navajo. OTC archery deer runs August 21–September 10, December 11–31, and January 1–31 under first-come harvest limits.

Can I use a vehicle to retrieve a deer in GMU 6B?

No. Under the Coconino National Forest Travel Management Rule, motorized big game retrieval in GMU 6B is permitted for elk only. Deer must be packed out on foot or by stock from wherever they fall, and vehicles must stay on designated roads shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map.

Is Unit 6B turkey a good first draw for a new Arizona applicant?

Yes — Unit 6B regularly has leftover tags after the main draw. Residents commonly draw with 0 bonus points. Bird populations and road access are both excellent for newcomers.

Can I base out of Sedona for a Unit 6B turkey hunt?

You can, but lodging is expensive. Most hunters base in Cottonwood or Prescott and drive to the Mingus or Black Hills hunt areas. Dispersed camping on the Prescott NF is the cheapest option.

Are there leftover Unit 6B tags after the main draw?

Often yes — check the AZGFD leftover list after the spring draw results. Unit 6B regularly has surplus turkey tags available first-come-first-served.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-08-02.

AZGFD Hunt Guidelines — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Hunt structure, Permit allocation framework · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Hunt Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Season dates, Unit boundaries, Legal methods · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Results & Bonus Points — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bonus-point draw mechanics, Historical draw results · accessed 2026-04-17
GMU 6B Unit Overview and Hunt Information (AZGFD unit PDF) — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit boundary description, Mule deer distribution and key areas, Travel Management Rule — no motorized deer retrieval, Wilderness and Camp Navajo access · accessed 2026-08-02
2026–27 Arizona Hunting Regulations (Commission Order 2 — Deer) — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Fall 2026 hunt numbers, season dates and permit quotas for 6B, June 2, 2026 application deadline, OTC archery first-come harvest limits, Rogers Lake and Camp Navajo notes · accessed 2026-08-02
2025 Arizona Deer Hunter Harvest Summary — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: 2025 hunter numbers, harvest and percent success by hunt number in 6B, First-choice applicant counts · accessed 2026-08-02
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bonus point draw mechanics, Historical draw odds for 6B deer hunts · accessed 2026-08-02
Coconino National Forest — Motor Vehicle Use Maps — USDA Forest Service · supports: Designated-road travel rules, FR 231 (Woody Mountain Road) and FR 525 (Red Canyon Road) access · accessed 2026-08-02
AZGFD Turkey Hunting — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Merriam's turkey distribution in the Prescott NF, Unit 6B Mingus and Black Hills habitat, Tag allocation and draw rules, Spring and fall seasons · accessed 2026-04-17
Prescott National Forest — Verde and Bradshaw RDs — USDA Forest Service · supports: Mingus Mountain road network, Dispersed camping, Motor Vehicle Use Map · accessed 2026-04-17