Hunting in the White Mountains: Arizona's Best Elk, Deer & Turkey Country

The White Mountains of Arizona are some of the best hunting country in the Southwest. Elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, Merriam's turkey, black bear, javelina, pronghorn, and mountain lion all live in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and the surrounding units. The elevation runs from 6,000 to over 11,000 feet, the forest is thick and varied, and the game populations are healthy. If you've drawn a tag in Units 1, 27, 27A, 27B, or the surrounding White Mountain units, you're in the right place — and so are we.

Our Pinetop-Lakeside cabins sit right in the middle of it all. Close enough to your hunting unit to be out the door before first light, comfortable enough that the people who stayed behind actually want to be there.

The Hunting Units

The White Mountains region covers several of Arizona Game and Fish's most productive units. Here's a quick orientation for hunters planning their trip.

Unit 1 — Elk, Deer, Turkey, Bear

Unit 1 covers the northern White Mountains and runs along the Mogollon Rim. It's one of Arizona's most sought-after elk units, with a mix of open meadows, dense spruce-fir forest, and canyon country that holds animals year-round. Archery, muzzleloader, and rifle seasons all run through here. The unit also holds good populations of Merriam's turkey in the spring and black bear through the fall.

Units 27, 27A, 27B — The Heart of the White Mountains

These three units cover the core of the White Mountains, including the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest around Pinetop-Lakeside, Show Low, and Springerville. Elk are the main draw, but mule deer and whitetail both live here, and the turkey hunting in spring is as good as it gets in Arizona. The terrain ranges from open ponderosa flats to steep, timbered drainages — glassing country in the mornings, still-hunting country in the afternoons.

Unit 23 — Pronghorn and Mule Deer

Drop down off the Rim toward the high desert and Unit 23 opens up into pronghorn country. The antelope hunting here is excellent in the right years, and mule deer bucks in this unit can be impressive. It's a different kind of hunt than the timber country to the north — open, long-range, and demanding on glassing skills.

What the White Mountains Offer Hunters

Beyond the tag, the White Mountains give you a hunting experience that's hard to replicate in most of the West. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest covers over 2 million acres of public land, which means access is rarely a problem. Roads into the forest are generally good through the hunting seasons, though a high-clearance vehicle is worth having once you get off the main routes.

The elevation keeps temperatures cool even in early archery season, which matters for meat care. Mornings in September can be in the 40s at 7,000 feet, and the nights cool down fast. You're not fighting the desert heat that makes early-season hunting miserable in the lower units.

Water is reliable. The forest has springs, stock tanks, and creek drainages that hold animals consistently. If you've scouted on OnX or Google Earth and found a water source, there's a good chance something is using it.

And the elk here bugle. September archery season in the White Mountains is one of those experiences that hunters talk about for years. The bulls are vocal, the timber is thick enough to get close, and the country rewards patience and woodsmanship over long-range shooting.

Seasons and Tags

Arizona Game and Fish manages the White Mountain units carefully, and draw odds vary significantly by unit and weapon type. Here's a general overview — always verify current dates and regulations at azgfd.com before your trip.

• Archery Elk: Late August through mid-September. The rut is on, bulls are bugling, and the weather is as good as it gets for early-season hunting.
• Muzzleloader Elk: Typically mid-September. A short, specialized season that rewards hunters who put in the scouting time.
• Rifle Elk: Multiple seasons from October through December, depending on the unit. Late-season hunts can be exceptional as elk move to lower elevations.
• Archery Deer: August through September. Mule deer and whitetail both available depending on the unit.
• Rifle Deer: October through November. The rut overlaps with late rifle seasons and can produce exceptional buck activity.
• Spring Turkey: April through May. Merriam's turkey in the ponderosa pines — one of the most enjoyable hunts in the state.
• Black Bear: August through mid-October. Over-the-counter tags available. The White Mountains hold a healthy bear population.
• Javelina: January through February and again in the fall. Collared peccary in the lower-elevation transition zones.

Draw applications open in February each year. If you're planning a White Mountains hunt, get your application in early and start thinking about where you'll stay.

Base Camp: Our Pinetop-Lakeside Cabins

A good hunting camp matters. You need a real kitchen to cook a proper meal after a long day in the field, enough beds that everyone sleeps well, a place to hang and cool meat, and enough space that the group doesn't get on each other's nerves by day three. Our three Pinetop properties cover all of that — and they're the right distance from the hunting units to make early mornings manageable.

Pinetop sits at around 7,000 feet, which puts you close to the heart of the White Mountain units without being so deep in the forest that you lose cell signal and grocery access. You can be in your hunting area before first light and back at the cabin for a hot meal by midday if the morning goes well.

Hillside Hangout — 3 bed / 2 bath, sleeps 8

This is the one for a full hunting party. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms handle a group of up to eight without anyone drawing the short straw on sleeping arrangements. The kitchen is fully equipped for real cooking — not just reheating — and there's enough common space that the group can debrief the day's hunt without crowding each other. If you're bringing four to eight hunters, this is your cabin. Check availability.

Cozy Cottage Lakeside — 2 bed / 2 bath, sleeps 6

Two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a full kitchen. Sleeps six comfortably, which makes it a solid fit for a smaller hunting party or a group where a few people are coming along for the mountain experience rather than the hunt. Two bathrooms means mornings before a 4 a.m. departure don't turn into a bottleneck. Check availability.

Cozy Cub Log Cabin — 2 bed / 1 bath, sleeps 5

A classic log cabin for a smaller group. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, full kitchen. If you're hunting with a partner or two, or if you want a quieter camp separate from the main party, this is the right size. The log cabin feel fits the White Mountains setting — it's the kind of place you want to come back to after a cold morning in the field. Check availability.

Hillside Hangout + Cozy Cottage — 5 bed / 4 bath, sleeps 14

Both properties together. If you're running a large hunting camp — extended family, a group of longtime hunting partners, or a combination of hunters and non-hunters — booking both gives you five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and space for up to 14 people across two cabins. Separate spaces mean the early risers don't wake the whole camp, and everyone has room to spread out gear, hang tags, and actually relax. Check availability.

For the People Who Stay Behind

Not everyone in the group is there to hunt, and that's fine. The White Mountains give non-hunters plenty to do while the rest of the party is in the field.

Woodland Lake Park is a short drive from our cabins and has a free disc golf course, a lake loop trail, and good birdwatching. The town of Pinetop-Lakeside has coffee shops, restaurants, boutique shops, and antique stores worth a slow morning. Sunrise Park Resort runs a full summer operation through the fall with mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, and a zip line. The Mogollon Rim Trail offers cliff-edge views that are worth the drive on their own.

If the hunting party is out before dawn, the people back at the cabin can sleep in, make a real breakfast, and have a full day of their own before everyone reconvenes for dinner. It works well. We've hosted plenty of groups where half the party hunted and the other half explored, and everyone left happy.

Practical Notes for Hunting Groups

• Meat care: Pinetop has a local butcher and meat processing options. Ask us at check-in and we'll point you to the right place.
• Gear storage: Our cabins have space for hunting gear, but if you're bringing ATVs or side-by-sides, let us know in advance so we can confirm parking and access.
• Groceries: Pinetop and Show Low both have full grocery stores. Stock up before you head into the field — you'll want real food after long days.
• Cell signal: Good in Pinetop and Show Low. Gets patchy once you're deep in the forest. Download your OnX maps and unit regulations before you leave the cabin.
• Weather: September and October mornings can be cold at elevation. Pack layers. Snow is possible in November and December, especially at higher elevations in the hunting units.
• Check-in flexibility: If your hunt runs long or you need an early check-in to get gear sorted before opening day, reach out. We do our best to work with hunting groups on timing.

Book Your White Mountains Hunt Camp

The White Mountains are worth the trip whether you draw a coveted elk tag or you're coming for deer, turkey, or bear. The country is beautiful, the public land access is excellent, and the hunting pressure — while real — is manageable if you put in the scouting work.

Our Pinetop-Lakeside cabins are the right base for any of it. Close to the units, comfortable enough for a week-long stay, and managed by hosts who know the area and can point you toward what you need.

Browse availability and book direct at pbvacationrentals.com. No booking fees, no middleman. Questions before you book? Reach out — we're happy to talk through which cabin fits your group and your hunt.