Arizona Unit 13A Pronghorn Antelope Hunting Guide

Arizona Unit 13A offers a genuine public-land pronghorn opportunity in the far northwestern corner of the state, spanning 1,241,702 acres with 95% public land access. For hunters researching Arizona pronghorn hunting units, 13A stands out for its sheer scale, minimal private-land conflicts, and a workable draw structure for both residents and nonresidents willing to navigate Arizona's application system. This is open, arid country typical of the Arizona Strip region — vast, rolling terrain that demands good glass and a plan for covering ground, but it rewards hunters who put in the scouting time.

Elevation across the unit ranges from 1,614 feet up to 7,995 feet, which is an unusually wide spread for a pronghorn unit and speaks to the diversity of terrain hunters will encounter — from low desert flats to higher benches and plateau country. With zero designated wilderness acreage in the unit, access is straightforward compared to many western hunts, and there are no wilderness-related guide requirements for nonresidents to worry about here.

HuntPilot Analysis: Is Unit 13A Worth Applying For?

Based on the data available through HuntPilot, Unit 13A is a solid pronghorn option for hunters who value public-land access and don't need a guaranteed high-volume tag pool to feel good about applying. The unit's 95% public land figure is exceptional — DIY hunters can realistically plan a hunt here without needing to negotiate private land access or lease arrangements, a rarity in many western pronghorn units where checkerboarded land ownership complicates scouting and stalking.

Harvest trends over the past four seasons show real variability, which hunters should factor into expectations. In 2024, 15 hunters harvested 13 animals for an 87% success rate — a strong year. But 2023 and 2022 both saw success rates in the 62–67% range with much smaller hunter numbers (8 and 9 hunters, respectively), and 2025 came in at 67% success with 18 hunters afield. This tells hunters two things: first, that overall hunter numbers on this tag are low, which is typical for limited-entry pronghorn draws in Arizona; and second, that success is not automatic — hunters should expect a real hunt, not a guaranteed walk-up opportunity, even in a good unit.

The wildlife survey data adds useful context. Across four survey years (2022–2025), the average buck:doe ratio sits at 33:100, with an average of 135 animals observed per survey. That ratio is on the lower end for pronghorn herds and suggests hunters shouldn't expect an abundance of mature bucks relative to does in the population — it's a workable ratio but not one that signals an exceptional herd structure. Given the modest sample size inherent in these surveys, hunters should treat this as a general indicator of herd composition rather than a precise trophy-quality forecast.

Trophy history for the counties overlapping Unit 13A shows moderate potential — there is some documented trophy production in the area, but it isn't a unit with a deep or explosive record of exceptional bucks. Hunters going into 13A should view it as a solid opportunity to fill a pronghorn tag on a genuinely wild, low-pressure public-land unit rather than a unit built around chasing record-book animals specifically. That said, moderate trophy history combined with strong public access and reasonable success rates makes this a worthwhile unit for most hunters, particularly those prioritizing experience and access over betting everything on trophy potential.

Access & Terrain

The numbers here are a major selling point. With 95% of the unit's 1,241,702 acres classified as public land, Unit 13A ranks among the more accessible pronghorn units in Arizona. Hunters won't spend their scouting time trying to identify property lines or seek permission — the vast majority of the unit is open to hunt.

Terrain varies significantly given the elevation range of 1,614 to 7,995 feet. Lower-elevation ground tends toward classic pronghorn habitat — open flats and rolling desert terrain where spot-and-stalk tactics and long-range glassing dominate. Higher benches and plateau country toward the upper end of that elevation band offer different vegetation and visibility characteristics, and hunters should expect to adjust their glassing strategy depending on which portion of the unit they're hunting. With zero wilderness acreage in the unit, there are no motorized-access restrictions tied to wilderness designation, which makes it easier for hunters to cover the large acreage efficiently compared to units with significant wilderness lockup.

Hunters planning a scouting trip should use HuntPilot's public land and terrain map overlays to identify specific drainages, water sources, and elevation bands worth glassing before the season. Given the size of this unit, narrowing down a search area in advance — rather than trying to cover all 1.2 million acres blind — will pay off significantly.

Harvest Success Rates

Harvest data for Unit 13A over the past four years shows the following pattern:

• 2025: 18 hunters, 12 harvested, 67% success
• 2024: 15 hunters, 13 harvested, 87% success
• 2023: 8 hunters, 5 harvested, 62% success
• 2022: 9 hunters, 6 harvested, 67% success

These figures represent modest hunter numbers across all four years, which is typical for a limited-draw pronghorn tag. Success rates have fluctuated between 62% and 87%, averaging in the mid-to-high 60s to low 70s across the sample, with 2024 standing out as an especially productive year. Hunters should interpret this as a unit where success is achievable but not guaranteed — roughly one in three hunters in most years went home without a pronghorn, underscoring the value of pre-season scouting and being selective but decisive when the right buck presents an opportunity.

Trophy Quality

Trophy records tied to the counties overlapping Unit 13A indicate moderate trophy potential. This means there is some history of trophy-class pronghorn coming from this general area, but it isn't among the standout units with a deep or consistent record of exceptional bucks. It's worth noting that trophy records are logged by county rather than by hunt unit, so entries attributed to this area are shared with neighboring units that overlap the same counties — the specific animals could have originated from any of those units.

Combined with the survey data showing a 33:100 buck:doe ratio, hunters should calibrate expectations toward a solid, representative pronghorn hunt rather than one built around chasing an exceptional buck. That's not a knock on the unit — moderate trophy potential paired with strong public access and a workable success rate makes 13A a very reasonable unit for hunters focused on a quality, fair-chase pronghorn experience on accessible public ground.

Herd Health & Population Trends

The wildlife survey data covering 2022–2025 gives hunters a four-year window into herd composition. The average buck:doe ratio of 33:100 is on the lower side for pronghorn, indicating a population where does significantly outnumber mature bucks. This is a common pattern in many pronghorn units across the West and doesn't necessarily indicate a struggling herd — it does mean hunters will see more does than bucks in the field and should be prepared to be patient while glassing.

The average of 135 animals observed per survey suggests a moderate but consistent population base within the surveyed areas of the unit. Without additional context on population trend direction survey-to-survey, hunters should treat this as a snapshot of a stable, moderate-density herd rather than evidence of an expanding or declining trend.

How to Apply

Arizona's pronghorn draw for Unit 13A follows the state's standard application calendar.

Note that Arizona requires hunters to hold a qualifying hunting license before they can submit a draw application — this license fee is separate from and in addition to the application fee and tag fee, and it's a cost hunters need to budget for regardless of whether they ultimately draw a tag.

For current draw odds specific to Unit 13A, hunters should check HuntPilot's Arizona state page at /states/az, which tracks year-over-year application data.

Application dates and fees change every draw cycle. For the current deadlines, fees, and draw odds, see HuntPilot's Arizona page at /states/az.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the terrain like in Unit 13A? Unit 13A features a wide elevation range from 1,614 to 7,995 feet, encompassing both low desert flats typical of pronghorn habitat and higher benches and plateau country at the upper end of the range. With 95% public land and zero wilderness acreage, the terrain is broadly accessible without motorized-access restrictions, though hunters should expect to cover significant ground given the unit's massive 1,241,702-acre size.

What is harvest success like in Unit 13A? Success rates have ranged from 62% to 87% over the past four years (2022–2025), with hunter numbers staying relatively low each season (between 8 and 18 hunters). 2024 was the standout year at 87% success, while 2022 and 2023 both came in around 62–67%. Hunters should expect a genuine, weather- and scouting-dependent hunt rather than a guaranteed harvest.

How big are the pronghorn in Unit 13A? Trophy records tied to the counties overlapping Unit 13A show moderate trophy potential — there's some history of trophy-class bucks from the area, but it isn't a unit known for producing an outsized number of exceptional animals. Combined with a survey-documented buck:doe ratio of 33:100, hunters should expect a solid, representative pronghorn hunt rather than one focused primarily on trophy potential.

Is Unit 13A worth applying for? Yes, for hunters who prioritize public-land access and a fair, workable success rate. With 95% public land, no wilderness-access complications, and success rates generally in the 60–80% range over recent years, 13A offers a legitimate, accessible pronghorn hunt. It's better suited to hunters seeking a quality experience over those hunting specifically for a shot at an exceptional trophy buck.

What is the buck:doe ratio in Unit 13A and what does it mean for hunters? The average buck:doe ratio across four survey years (2022–2025) is 33:100, with an average of 135 animals observed per survey. This indicates a population where does substantially outnumber bucks, which is fairly typical for pronghorn herds in the region. Hunters should expect to glass through more does than bucks before locating a shooter, and should factor patience into their hunt plan.