Arizona Unit 40A Mule Deer Hunting Guide
Arizona Unit 40A sits in the southwestern corner of the state, encompassing roughly 693,128 acres of desert terrain that stretches from near-valley floor elevations around 730 feet up to approximately 4,375 feet at its highest points. With 98% public land and zero designated wilderness, this unit is one of the most accessible hunting landscapes in the Arizona draw system — nearly every acre is huntable without a private land agreement or guide requirement. For hunters researching Arizona deer draws, Unit 40A represents a genuinely open, road-accessible desert unit with low-pressure potential and harvest data worth examining closely before committing an application.
The unit's elevation gradient tells the story of its habitat. Low desert basins — saguaro, palo verde, brittlebush — give way to rocky bajadas and isolated mountain ranges as elevation climbs. This is classic Sonoran Desert deer country, the kind of terrain that rewards hunters willing to glass long distances, cover miles in search of animals, and adapt to desert conditions. The lack of wilderness designation means DIY hunters can access most of the unit without complicated logistics. Combined with the overwhelming public land proportion, Unit 40A is as hunter-accessible as Arizona units come.
Harvest Success Rates
The harvest record for Unit 40A shows meaningful year-to-year variability, and hunters should understand the full picture before drawing conclusions.
In 2025, the unit saw a significant surge in hunter participation — 369 hunters took the field, resulting in 70 animals harvested and a 19% success rate. That jump in participation dwarfs prior years. In 2024, only 44 hunters drew tags, with 21 harvested for a 48% success rate. In 2023, 48 hunters produced 18 harvested deer and a 38% success rate. In 2022, 47 hunters saw 9 harvested and a 19% success rate.
The pattern across 2022–2024 is consistent with a limited-entry unit: a relatively small, tightly drawn hunter pool with success rates ranging from 19% to 48%. The 2025 data is the outlier — 369 hunters is an order of magnitude above prior years, suggesting a structure change, an antlerless allocation, or a broadly expanded draw pool for that year. Hunters evaluating this unit should treat the 2022–2024 window (19–48% success, 44–48 hunters) as the more relevant baseline for understanding what typical limited-entry deer hunting looks like in 40A. The 2025 figure likely reflects a different draw category or management structure and should not be blended with prior years when forming expectations.
Even within the 2022–2024 range, success rates are variable. A 48% success rate in 2024 is strong for a desert unit. The 2022 and 2023 numbers (19% and 38%) are more moderate, suggesting conditions, hunt timing, and population dynamics all play a role. Hunters should not expect automatic success — but the unit clearly produces deer for those who hunt it effectively.
Herd Health & Population Trends
Wildlife survey data for Unit 40A is limited to 2023, with two surveys conducted that year averaging 40 bucks per 100 does and approximately 44 animals observed per survey.
A 40:100 buck-to-doe ratio is a meaningful figure in the context of Arizona desert deer management. This level suggests a reasonable mature buck component in the population — not exceptional, but consistent with a unit receiving measured harvest pressure and some degree of management. Hunters should note that only two surveys were conducted in 2023, meaning this ratio reflects a relatively small observational sample. The figure is directionally useful but should not be treated as a precise census.
The average of 44 animals observed per survey suggests moderate deer density relative to the unit's nearly 700,000 acres. Desert deer populations tend to be dispersed rather than concentrated, and glassing terrain thoroughly across multiple elevations is typically more productive than expecting to stumble into deer. Water sources, shaded canyon draws, and transitional zones between elevation bands are reliable starting points for scouting.
One year of survey data is not enough to assess population trends. Hunters who want a more complete picture of herd trajectory should consult Arizona Game and Fish Department's annual deer management reports for Unit 40A, which may include additional years of data not captured in this dataset.
Access & Terrain
Unit 40A's 98% public land designation is the headline access figure, and it's genuinely exceptional. Nearly the entire unit is open to hunters without knocking on doors, buying trespass rights, or navigating complex land ownership mosaics. For DIY hunters, this is one of the most straightforward access situations in the Arizona deer draw.
The elevation range — 730 to 4,375 feet — creates a layered hunting environment. Lower elevations feature flat to gently rolling desert basins with sparse vegetation and long sight lines, ideal for spot-and-stalk hunting from a distance. As elevation increases, terrain becomes more broken, with rocky ridgelines, boulder fields, and isolated ranges that provide thermal cover for deer during the day. Hunters who can glass effectively across multiple elevation bands and commit to covering ground on foot will find the most success.
There is no designated wilderness in Unit 40A. This means the entire unit is accessible by roads and is not subject to Wyoming-style guide requirements (Arizona does not impose guide requirements for nonresidents in wilderness areas regardless, but the absence of wilderness here is a practical access point). Pack-in logistics are not required. Hunters with a capable vehicle and willingness to explore can access most of the unit without specialized wilderness travel.
Desert hunting in the lower elevations demands serious attention to weather, water, and physical conditioning. Temperatures can be extreme depending on hunt timing. Hunters should plan water logistics carefully — carrying sufficient supply and identifying reliable water sources in advance.
HuntPilot Analysis
Is Unit 40A worth your Arizona deer application? Here's an honest assessment based on the available data.
The case for applying: Nearly 700,000 acres with 98% public land and no wilderness complexity makes this one of the most accessible units in the state. The 2022–2024 harvest data shows a small, limited-entry hunter pool with success rates ranging from 19% to 48% — not elite numbers, but competitive with many other Arizona desert units. The 40:100 buck-to-doe ratio from 2023 surveys suggests a functioning deer population with a reasonable mature buck component. For hunters who prefer DIY hunting and wide-open public ground, Unit 40A checks critical boxes.
The caveats: Harvest success is variable year to year. A 19% success rate in two of the four years on record means roughly four out of five hunters went home without a deer in those years. Trophy data is not available for this unit in the HuntPilot dataset, so hunters seeking a specific trophy benchmark cannot assess that dimension from this source. The 2025 harvest picture — with 369 hunters — is structurally different from prior years and complicates long-term trend analysis.
Bottom line: Unit 40A is a legitimate application target for hunters who value access, DIY opportunity, and a classic desert hunting experience. It is not a guaranteed-success unit, and hunters should go in with realistic expectations. Those prioritizing trophy quality above all else should note that trophy data is not available here, and Arizona's hybrid draw system — where 20% of tags go to the highest point holders and 80% enter a weighted random pool — means points improve odds meaningfully but do not guarantee a tag. Check current draw odds on HuntPilot's Arizona page before deciding where to invest your application.
How to Apply
Arizona operates a hybrid draw system where 20% of limited-entry tags are awarded to applicants with the highest point totals, while the remaining 80% enter a weighted random drawing where more points mean more entries. Points improve odds significantly over time but do not guarantee a draw — this is a critical distinction for hunters building a multi-year application strategy.
For the 2026 draw, both resident and nonresident applications share a June 2, 2026 deadline, with draw results announced June 23, 2026.
2026 Resident Costs:
- Application fee: $13
- Tag fee: $58
- Arizona hunting license (required to apply): $37.00
- Point fee (if not drawing): $13
2026 Nonresident Costs:
- Application fee: $15
- Tag fee: $315
- Arizona hunting license (required to apply): $160.00
- Point fee (if not drawing): $15
Note that Arizona requires hunters to hold a valid Arizona hunting license before applying for the draw — this is a prerequisite, not an optional expense. Nonresidents should factor the $160 license fee into their total application cost calculation: a nonresident who draws a tag is looking at $490 in combined fees ($15 application + $315 tag + $160 license) before any trip costs.
Hunters who do not draw receive their point fee applied toward point accumulation for the following year. Points do not carry over indefinitely — successful draws consume accumulated points, and hunters restart from a low point level after drawing a tag.
For current draw odds broken down by point level and hunt type, visit HuntPilot's Arizona page.
Dates and fees are subject to change. Always verify current application details at the Arizona Game and Fish Department website before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the terrain like in Arizona Unit 40A? Unit 40A is Sonoran Desert country spanning roughly 693,000 acres from around 730 feet elevation at the lower desert basins up to approximately 4,375 feet in the higher terrain. The lower elevations feature classic desert flats and bajadas with long sight lines suited to spot-and-stalk hunting. As elevation climbs, the terrain becomes more broken with rocky ridgelines and isolated ranges. The unit has no designated wilderness, and 98% of the land is public — making it one of the most open and accessible deer hunting landscapes in the Arizona draw system.
What is the harvest success rate in Arizona Unit 40A? Success rates in Unit 40A have ranged from 19% to 48% over the 2022–2024 period. In 2024, 44 hunters produced 21 harvested deer for a 48% success rate. In 2023, 48 hunters harvested 18 deer for 38% success. In 2022, 47 hunters harvested 9 deer for 19% success. The 2025 season saw a dramatically expanded hunter pool of 369 hunters with 70 harvested and 19% success — a structurally different year that hunters should evaluate separately. The 2022–2024 window is the most relevant baseline for understanding typical limited-entry hunting conditions in this unit.
How big are the deer in Arizona Unit 40A? Trophy data is not available for Unit 40A in the HuntPilot dataset. Hunters seeking a specific trophy quality benchmark for this unit should consult Arizona Game and Fish Department harvest reports and regional hunting resources for more detailed quality information.
Is Arizona Unit 40A worth applying for? For hunters prioritizing DIY public land access and a genuine desert hunting experience, Unit 40A is a legitimate application target. The 98% public land proportion and absence of wilderness make it one of the most accessible units in Arizona's deer draw. Harvest success has been variable but competitive in recent years. The draw is competitive under Arizona's hybrid system — points improve odds but don't guarantee a tag. For current draw odds at your specific point level, visit HuntPilot's Arizona unit page before finalizing your application decisions.
What does it cost to apply for Arizona Unit 40A deer as a nonresident? For 2026, nonresidents applying for a Unit 40A deer tag face an application fee of $15, a tag fee of $315 if drawn, and a required Arizona hunting license costing $160. Total costs if drawn come to $490 in licensing and tag fees alone, not including point fees from prior years. Hunters who do not draw pay the $15 application fee and accumulate a point toward future draws. Applications for 2026 close June 2, 2026, with results posted June 23, 2026.