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Hunting Mule Deer and Coues Deer in Arizona GMU 22: Complete Guide to the Tonto Basin and Mogollon Rim Country 2026
Unit 22 is one of those Arizona hunting units that rewards hunters who understand its character and punishes hunters who underestimate it. The terrain here is unrelenting — rough and rocky desert mountains rising to ponderosa pine forests along the Mogollon Rim, with the Mazatzal Mountain Range and Four Peaks as the dramatic visual anchors of the unit. This is Tonto National Forest country centered around Payson and the Tonto Basin, accessible from the Phoenix metro area but requiring genuine physical effort to hunt effectively.
The unit holds both mule deer and Coues deer across its elevation range and is also known for its desert bighorn sheep and elk populations. The species diversity and the accessible location relative to Phoenix make it one of the more frequently researched units in central Arizona. Understanding which habitat zone holds which species and how to approach the terrain correctly is the foundation of any successful 22 hunt.
What GMU 22 Is
Unit 22 covers the Tonto National Forest terrain centered around Payson and the Tonto Basin straddling the Mogollon Rim country in AZGFD’s Region VI. The unit boundary runs roughly from the junction of the Salt and Verde Rivers in the south northward to the Mogollon Rim where the unit meets the Coconino National Forest boundary. The Fort McDowell Mohave-Apache Community and Tonto Apache Tribe sovereign lands within the unit boundary are not open to public hunting.
The elevation range across the unit is dramatic — from approximately 1,600 feet in the lower Sonoran desert terrain near the Salt and Verde River confluence to over 6,000 feet in the upper Mogollon Rim forest and Mazatzal Mountain terrain. This elevation range creates the full spectrum of Arizona vegetation zones stacked on top of each other in a single unit and gives deer hunters access to multiple species in different habitat zones within the same tag.
The Tonto National Forest covers most of the unit and is open to the public. Payson, Punkin Center, and Fountain Hills provide service hubs for hunters based in different portions of this large unit. The Tonto Basin Ranger District at 928-467-3200 and Payson Ranger District at 928-474-7900 are the primary contacts for road conditions and access information specific to the areas you plan to hunt.
Two Species Two Habitat Zones
The key to understanding deer hunting in unit 22 is understanding the vertical separation of the two deer species. Mule deer in unit 22 are distributed from the southern Sonoran desert terrain northward into the Mogollon Rim ponderosa forests. The species occupies a wide range and hunters target them from the desert flats and canyons near Roosevelt Lake all the way up through the forested Rim country around Payson. Significant mule deer numbers exist in the Roosevelt Lake area terrain with big deer taken from the rugged terrain around the Tonto Basin and the Four Peaks country.
Coues deer in unit 22 occupy primarily the chaparral vegetation zones. Most of the Coues population occurs in the chaparral zones extending from the Four Peaks area northward to the Mogollon Rim. Coues can be found in all habitat types in the unit from the semi-desert grassland areas through the ponderosa pine forests under the Rim but the chaparral is their core habitat. The transition zone between the lower desert terrain and the upper chaparral and oak brush is where both species overlap and hunters need to be sure of their species identification before shooting in these transition areas.
The mule deer numbers in unit 22 have declined over the past decade as they have across most of Arizona during drought years. That context matters when setting expectations. There are big mule deer in this unit — hunters who know the Roosevelt Lake area terrain and the Mazatzal Mountain backcountry consistently encounter large bucks — but it is not high density country and success requires working hard to find animals.
The Draw
Unit 22 occupies a middle tier position in the Arizona draw. The unit’s proximity to the Phoenix metro area means it draws significant application interest from Phoenix-area hunters which keeps tags competitive without reaching the extreme difficulty of the premium trophy units. Early season tags draw with reasonable odds for hunters with a few bonus points. The December season tags with rut overlap for Coues deer are more competitive.
Verify current draw odds at azgfd.com before applying. The 2026 fall deer draw deadline is June 2nd.
Terrain and Key Hunting Areas
The Mogollon Rim and Payson Country
The Rim-top ponderosa country in the northern portion of the unit provides the highest elevation hunting in unit 22. The Control Road — Forest Service Road 64 — crosses below the Rim from Pine to Indian Gardens and provides access to mule deer country in the forested terrain. Mule deer inhabit all of the forested areas around Payson and the Rim edge country with pre-scouting strongly recommended because of high activity and multiple user groups in these accessible areas.
The ponderosa and mixed conifer terrain along the Rim and the high country immediately below it provides the kind of cover and browse diversity that grows mature mule deer bucks over time. Hunters who push beyond the easily road-accessible areas into the backcountry timber find less pressure and older deer.
The Four Peaks Area
The Four Peaks wilderness southwest of Payson is one of the most recognizable landmarks in central Arizona and the terrain surrounding these iconic peaks holds both mule deer and Coues deer in the chaparral and rocky mountain country. Access comes from Highway 87 or State Route 188 to Forest Service Road 143. The large mountaintops and ridges in this area with glassing to the southern sides north and south of FS Road 143 produce consistent deer sightings for hunters willing to invest the hiking required to reach productive vantage points.
The Roosevelt Lake and Tonto Basin Area
The Roosevelt Lake area in the southern portion of the unit holds a reputation for big mule deer among hunters who know central Arizona well. The terrain behind the Tonto Basin including areas affected by recent burns provides improved glassing visibility where the vegetation has been opened up. The Three Bar Wildlife Area accessible from Highway 188 near Jake’s Corner provides access to quality terrain. Burns in this area have created the kind of transition habitat that concentrates deer and improves glassing opportunities.
When hunting near Roosevelt Lake and the Tonto Basin remember to stay west of Tonto Creek and Roosevelt Lake to remain in unit 22. Key areas in this zone include Reed Springs, Cottonwood Creek, Slate Creek, Buena Vista Springs, and the Three Bar Wildlife Area. To the north try Brady Canyon, Forest Service Road 184 along Rye Creek, and FS Roads 417 and 417A west of Gisela.
The Mazatzal Mountains and Wilderness
The Mazatzal Mountain Range southwest of Payson holds both big mule deer and Coues deer in terrain that hunters familiar with the area describe as having deer that have never seen a person up close in the most remote sections. The Mazatzal Wilderness area holds pockets of mule deer wherever year-round water is found and represents some of the lowest pressure hunting in this accessible unit. Hunters prepared to backpack into the wilderness toward the Verde River find country that other hunters do not reach and deer that behave accordingly.
The Transition Zone and Species Identification
Unit 22 is one of those central Arizona units where both mule deer and Coues whitetail occupy the same terrain in the chaparral and oak brush transition zones. Positive species identification before shooting is legally required and practically important given the overlap. In the Four Peaks chaparral country and the Tonto Basin transition terrain both species can be encountered on the same day in the same area. Study the species differences thoroughly before your hunt — the animals can be present simultaneously and confusion costs hunters tags and legal compliance.
The general elevation guide: Coues deer concentrate in the chaparral zones at middle elevations while mule deer range from the low desert through the Rim country. In the transition overlap zone look carefully at body size, antler structure, ear size, and tail before shooting.
Hunting Strategy
Glass the Transition Zones First
The most productive single approach in unit 22 regardless of which species you are targeting is systematic glassing of the transition edges between vegetation zones. The transition between desert scrub and chaparral, between chaparral and ponderosa, and between ponderosa and the Rim-top forests all produce consistent deer sightings. Set up on elevated positions overlooking these transitions before first light and work them methodically.
The transition zones are also where the species overlap is greatest and where your identification responsibility is highest. Glass carefully before committing to a stalk or a shot.
Focus on Water in Dry Periods
Water sources organize deer movement in the Tonto Basin terrain. The riparian corridors along the major drainages and the stock tanks and springs scattered through the unit concentrate deer predictably especially during October when temperatures can still be warm. Identifying the water sources that deer in your specific area are actively using through pre-season research gives you reliable focal points for your hunting strategy.
Pre-season Trophy Rock mineral sites placed near active water sources concentrate additional deer activity at locations you can plan around.
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The Rut Windows
Mule deer rut in unit 22 runs through November and early December. Coues deer rut peaks from late December into January. Hunters with tags that overlap these periods have the best opportunity to encounter mature bucks in daylight movement outside their normal security patterns. Hunt all day during peak rut periods rather than just morning and evening.
Post-Fire Terrain
Several portions of unit 22 have been affected by significant wildfires including the Bush Fire of 2020. Post-fire regrowth areas provide exceptional browse and are worth specific attention. The burned areas in the Tonto Basin particularly have created improved glassing visibility and regenerating nutrition that concentrate deer. Always check current access restrictions with the Tonto National Forest before hunting in or near recent burn areas as access may be limited during restoration periods.
Gear for GMU 22
The elevation range of unit 22 from desert floor to Rim-top ponderosa means temperature variation across a single hunting day can be extreme. Early November hunts can start cold at the upper elevations and warm quickly as you descend into the desert terrain. December Coues hunts require serious cold weather layering for the upper elevation glassing positions.
Quality optics are the most important investment for unit 22’s canyon and transition terrain.
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For hunters who want elite glass the Zeiss Conquest spotting scope delivers the image clarity that makes the difference in unit 22’s canyon and chaparral terrain where deer blend into the brush at remarkable distances.
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Snake awareness is essential for the desert and lower chaparral terrain during early season periods.
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A quality pack for the backcountry approaches into the Mazatzal Wilderness and the deeper Four Peaks terrain is essential for accessing the lowest pressure country in the unit.
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Use our free ballistics calculator to prepare your rifle for unit 22 elevation and shot distances.
Meat Care in Unit 22
Early season temperatures in the lower desert terrain of unit 22 require prompt field care after harvest. A quality cooler that holds ice for days is a necessity for any big game harvest in this unit. The Yeti Tundra 65 handles the job from the Tonto Basin to your processor.
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Use our wild game meat yield calculator to estimate your mule deer or Coues deer meat yield from your unit 22 harvest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does unit 22 have both mule deer and Coues deer?
Yes. Both species are present in unit 22 with separate hunt numbers and tag allocations for each. Mule deer range from the low desert terrain through the Rim-top forests. Coues deer concentrate primarily in the chaparral zones from the Four Peaks area northward to the Mogollon Rim. Both species overlap in the transition chaparral terrain and positive species identification before shooting is essential.
What is the best area for mule deer in unit 22?
The Roosevelt Lake and Tonto Basin terrain is known for big mule deer. The Mazatzal Mountain backcountry holds mature deer in genuinely remote terrain. The Mogollon Rim country around Payson and the Control Road corridor provides accessible but productive mule deer habitat. The post-fire areas in the Tonto Basin have improved glassing opportunities in recent years.
Is unit 22 heavily pressured?
The road-accessible terrain near the primary highways sees meaningful pressure particularly from Phoenix-area hunters who can day trip the unit. Hunters who move beyond the road access points into the backcountry terrain consistently find less competition and more mature deer. The Mazatzal Wilderness in particular provides genuinely low pressure hunting for hunters willing to backpack in.
What other species can I pursue in unit 22?
Unit 22 holds desert bighorn sheep with the unit described as one of the best anywhere for trophy rams. Elk are present with hunters reporting seeing hundreds of elk in some areas of the unit. Black bear, javelina, mountain lion, and Merriam’s turkey round out the species available with appropriate tags and seasons.
Apply for your unit 22 tag at azgfd.com before the June 2nd 2026 deadline.
Use our wild game meat yield calculator to plan your harvest: https://rockyoutdoorsman.com/wild-game-meat-yield-calculator/
Use our free ballistics calculator to prepare your rifle before your hunt: https://rockyoutdoorsman.com/free-ballistic-calculator/
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase through these links I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. All gear mentioned is personally used or carefully researched and recommended.