Arizona Hunt Unit 27 Hunting/Recreation Map

Hunt Unit 27 offers a variety of habitats, from the high mountain Canadian Life Zone where spruce and fir trees flourish, to the ponderosa pine forest, outstretching to the pinyon-juniper belts, that finally leads into the high desert grasslands of Gila River Basin.

This highly prized unit lies almost entirely within the Apache National Forest along with small pockets of private land and to the south, some BLM and State lands as well. Unit 27 offers trophy big game hunting for elk, mule deer, whitetail, Rocky Mountain bighorn, and javelina; it also provides good hunting for black bear, mountain lion, and turkey. This unit offers great opportunities for small game such as bobcat, coyote, fox, cottontail rabbit, squirrel, and more.

Unit 27 contains two important wildlife areas: the Blue Range Primitive Area (174,00 acres) and Bear Wallow Wilderness (11,000 acres). Both offer excellent hiking, hunting, and fishing adventuring inside the Mexican Gray Wolf habitat. Additionally, and because of the numerous lakes, rivers and streams, these areas provide excellent waterfowl and fishing potential. Waterfowl species include Canadian geese, mallards, mergansers, blue-winged teal, northern pintail, and more.

The notable game-fish species in the high elevations include rainbow, brown, brook, cutthroat, and Arizona's native Apache trout. The Apache trout was nearly decimated from its waters with the introduction of the non-native species. Thanks to the White Mountain Apache Tribe, in 1955 they began their preservation efforts to protect this magnificent trout which has since made a great comeback and is now flourishing in its native habitat, primarily along the Black River and its tributaries.

Hunt Unit 27 contains two historic trails: Eagle National Recreation Trail and Coronado Trail Scenic Byway. The Coronado Trail Scenic Byway, named after the Spanish conquistador Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, led the first known Europeans into Arizona in 1540 and is said to have 460 curves and reaches 9,370 feet above sea level.

Due to the primitive nature of the roads combined with weather conditions, access demands 4×4 off road vehicles in order to safely venture throughout the unit. Please be mindful that there are numerous reasons why some road restrictions exist within National Forests. Please be mindful and respect the protection given to the land and resources by these closures and restrictions.

Public lands are subject to leasing and other changes. It is advised to obtain local and forestry information from a Forest Service office or other public land agency. Contact the appropriate land management agency for the most current information.

The publisher has exerted its best efforts to portray, render, and compile current information. However, due to recent natural and other degradation, closures, or new additions of roads and trails, or land ownership changes, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The user must supply the experience, common sense, knowledge, and physical conditioning necessary for safe outdoor travel.

This map product is revised on a regular basis, and subject to change. Hunt Unit Maps are a tool supplement therefore will not be held liable or responsible for any mishaps.

AZ Hunting Unit 27 Map Information