The mule deer population, which has stabilized in recent years after declining for more than a decade, is distributed throughout the unit. Surveys in 2005 showed the buck-to-doe ratio had increased from 14 bucks to 23 bucks for every 100 does. The hunter-success rate usually varies between 20 to 25 percent. And the 14 percent chance of drawing a permit is much better than that in some of Arizona's traditional big-buck units, such as the North Kaibab or the Strip.

In the hunting seasons, the highest densities of mule deer live in the transition areas between high-elevation summer range and low-elevation piñon-juniper woodland. These areas typically have an abundance of cool-season forage such as acorn, cliffrose and mountain mahogany, which makes them attractive to mule deer.

These transition areas and openings occur along the rim of Anderson Mesa and its associated drainages that run north toward I-40. Deer tend to concentrate along the larger drainages, such as Walnut, Mormon, Young's, Cherry, Yellowjacket, Padre and Grapevine canyons and Canyon Diablo. Good deer densities can still be found around the Hutch Mountain and Sawmill Hills and areas south of Ashurst and Kinnickinick lakes.

Find more about Rocky Mountain fishing and hunting at RMgameandfish.com