Arizona Hunt Unit 8 Hunting/Recreation Map [Map] Kevin R Diaz

Hunt Unit 8 offers a variety of habitats. From the North, the high mountain ponderosa pine forest, to the East, the majestic Sycamore Canyon, to the West, the rolling hills of the pinyon-juniper belts, and towards the South, the high grasslands meeting the Verde River. This highly prized unit lies within both the South Kaibab and Prescott National Forests with small pockets of private land and State land mainly along the southern areas.

It offers trophy big game hunting for elk, mule deer, whitetail, pronghorn antelope, and javelina, as well as good hunting for black bear, mountain lion, and turkey. Furthermore, this unit provides great opportunities for small game such as bobcat, coyote, fox, cottontail rabbit, squirrel, and more.

Because of its numerous lakes in the high country and the Verde River system, it provides opportunities for waterfowl and fishing. Waterfowl species include Canadian geese, mallards, mergansers, blue-winged teal, northern pin-tail, and more. Gamefish species in the high-country lakes include rainbow, brown, and brook trout, bass, crappie, and catfish, too. The lower elevation waters offer bass, crappie, sunfish, and catfish.

Scenic hiking can be found in multiple locations throughout it. To the East, there are numerous trails along the Sycamore Wilderness area that meander through some of the most scenic canyoneering in Arizona. Also, to the North, the Bill Williams Mountain region offers high elevation hiking, including the historical Overland Road Trail built-in 1863 by the military serving the military, immigrants, and freighters between 1863 and 1882.

Additionally, during the winter season, Bill Williams Mountain provides some downhill ski runs at Elk Ridge along with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

Due to primitive roads combined with weather conditions, access demands 4×4 off-road vehicles in order to safely venture throughout the unit.