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Arizona wildlife area
Upper Verde River Wildlife Area Hunter Guide, 2026-27
Wildlife area in Yavapai County, 1,085 acres in Units 8 and 19A.
Photo: Qwert üpoiuz (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Getting to Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
The lay of the land at Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
Wildlife areas such as Upper Verde River Wildlife Area carry property-by-property limits; for this one, look up R12-4-802(A)(36) of the Commission rule. It covers 1,085 acres by the AZGFD GIS polygon, spread over Yavapai County. It crosses AZGFD region lines: Region III (Kingman) and Region II (Flagstaff). For supplies, AZGFD points to Chino Valley.
In AZGFD's own words: The Upper Verde River Property, known also as the Croll Subject Property, is located approximately eight miles north of Chino Valley in Yavapai County, Arizona. This property was acquired through the Department’s Heritage and Waterfowl Conservation Fund. The property consists of four parcels totaling approximately 796 acres located along the upper Verde River and lower Granite Creek. The Department has also applied for a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) from the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) for approximately 240 acres of State Trust lands located adjacent to two of the deeded parcels.
From lands.json (primary source; acres: GIS area (equal-area) of the AZGFD Wildlife Areas layer (Wildlife_Areas, 2019) polygon), checked November 7, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
Dos and don'ts on Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
Upper Verde River Wildlife Area carries 5 rule items in R12-4-802. The rule opens the area to all hunting in season with no extra method limit. Keep wheels where the vehicle rule allows them. The camping line sets how long and where you can stay.
| Subject | Summary | R12-4-802 wording |
|---|---|---|
| Fires | No open fires | No open fires. |
| Firewood | No wood gathering | No firewood cutting or gathering. |
| Camping | No overnight camping | No overnight public camping allowed. |
| Vehicles | No motorized travel | Motorized vehicle travel is not permitted, except for big game retrieval as permitted under R12-4-110 (H). |
| Hunting | Open in season | Open to all hunting in season as permitted under R12-4-304 and R12-4-318. |
Posted notices count too: R12-4-801 lets AZGFD restrict an area for up to 90 days without changing the rule text.
Rule text: A.A.C. R12-4-802 (Cornell LII copy) and R12-4-801; checked November 7, 2026.
Upper Verde River Wildlife Area draw options
What hunters here are after.
Drawn hunts covering these units add up to 34: 10 elk, 5 deer, 5 pronghorn, 9 javelina and 5 turkey. Together they offer 5,038 permit-tags. The tag is for the open area as a whole; Upper Verde River Wildlife Area is one place to use it. Read the elk and pronghorn lines as 2026 hunts; AZGFD publishes the 2027 list in January. The spring 2027 draw closed on October 6, 2026; the fall 2026 draw closed June 2 and the 2026 pronghorn and elk draw on February 3.
| Game | Hunts | Permits | Season starts | Season ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk (2026) | 10 | 1,600 | Sep 11, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
| Deer | 5 | 1,175 | Oct 9, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 |
| Pronghorn (2026) | 5 | 39 | Aug 21, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 |
| Javelina | 9 | 1,950 | Oct 9, 2026 | Feb 25, 2027 |
| Turkey | 5 | 274 | Oct 2, 2026 | May 20, 2027 |
| Hunt no. | Species | Weapon | When | What you may take | Permits | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3139 | Elk (2026) | Archery-only | Sep 11–24, 2026 | Bull elk | 200 | 8 |
| 3182 | Elk (2026) | Archery-only | Sep 11–24, 2026 | Antlerless elk | 50 | 8 |
| 3145 | Elk (2026) | Archery-only | Sep 11–24, 2026 | Bull elk | 15 | 19A |
| 3111 | Elk (2026) | Muzzleloader | Oct 16–22, 2026 | Antlerless elk | 150 | 8 |
| 3055 | Elk (2026) | General | Oct 16–22, 2026 | Antlerless elk | 30 | 19A |
| 3160 | Elk (2026) | Archery-only | Nov 13–26, 2026 | Bull elk | 50 | 8 |
| 3021 | Elk (2026) | General | Nov 27–Dec 3, 2026 | Bull elk | 500 | 8 |
| 3025 | Elk (2026) | General | Nov 27–Dec 3, 2026 | Bull elk | 30 | 19A |
| 1155 | Deer | Youth-only | Oct 9–18, 2026 | Any antlered deer | 225 | 19A |
| 1028 | Deer | General | Oct 23–Nov 1, 2026 | Any antlered deer | 525 | 19A |
| 1011 | Deer | General | Oct 30–Nov 5, 2026 | Antlered mule deer | 350 | 8 |
| 1078 | Deer | General | Nov 6–12, 2026 | Antlered whitetail deer | 50 | 8 |
| 1077 | Deer | General | Dec 11–31, 2026 | Antlered whitetail deer | 25 | 8 |
| 2056 | Pronghorn (2026) | Archery-only | Aug 21–27, 2026 | Buck pronghorn | 7 | 19A |
| 2036 | Pronghorn (2026) | Muzzleloader | Aug 28–Sep 3, 2026 | Buck pronghorn | 5 | 19A |
| 2031 | Pronghorn (2026) | Muzzleloader | Sep 4–13, 2026 | Buck pronghorn | 4 | 8 |
| 2023 | Pronghorn (2026) | General | Sep 4–10, 2026 | Buck pronghorn | 20 | 19A |
| 2014 | Pronghorn (2026) | General | Oct 2–11, 2026 | Buck pronghorn | 3 | 8 |
| 5503 | Javelina | Youth-only | Oct 9–18, 2026 | Any javelina | 175 | 19A |
| 5083 | Javelina | Archery-only | Jan 1–21, 2027 | Any javelina | 575 | 8 |
| 5087 | Javelina | Archery-only | Jan 1–21, 2027 | Any javelina | 275 | 19A |
| 5034 | Javelina | Youth-only | Jan 22–31, 2027 | Any javelina | 125 | 8 |
| 5035 | Javelina | Youth-only | Jan 22–31, 2027 | Any javelina | 150 | 19A |
| 5050 | Javelina | HAM | Feb 5–15, 2027 | Any javelina | 100 | 8 |
| 5056 | Javelina | HAM | Feb 5–15, 2027 | Any javelina | 75 | 19A |
| 5001 | Javelina | General | Feb 19–25, 2027 | Any javelina | 200 | 8 |
| 4509 | Turkey | Shotgun-shot | Oct 2–8, 2026 | Any turkey | 100 | 8 |
| 4019 | Turkey | Shotgun-shot | Apr 23–29, 2027 +1 | Bearded turkey | 75 | 8 |
| 4030 | Turkey | Shotgun-shot | Apr 23–29, 2027 +1 | Bearded turkey | 12 | 19A |
| 4020 | Turkey | Shotgun-shot | Apr 30–May 20, 2027 | Bearded turkey | 75 | 8 |
| 4031 | Turkey | Shotgun-shot | Apr 30–May 20, 2027 | Bearded turkey | 12 | 19A |
Hunt numbers, dates, legal wildlife and permits from the 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations, the 2027 spring booklet and the 2026 pronghorn and elk booklet; deadlines from the draw section; checked November 7, 2026.
Upper Verde River Wildlife Area: nonpermit-tag seasons
Over-the-counter hunting near Upper Verde River Wildlife Area includes deer, turkey, black bear, mountain lion and elk; buy the nonpermit-tag and go. Each archery deer unit has a harvest limit; once it is met, the unit closes at sundown the following Wednesday, and kills are reported within 48 hours. Expect bear closures by female limit, plus a 48-hour report and 10-day inspection. Mountain lion is open statewide from August 21, 2026 to May 31, 2027, one per year, with zone harvest thresholds.
| Game | Hunt | What you may take | Dates | Units | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | General OTC tag elk | Any elk | Jan 1–Dec 31, 2026 | 19A | – |
| Elk | General OTC tag elk | Bull elk | Apr 1–Jul 31, 2026 | 19A | – |
| Deer | Archery-only OTC tag deer | Any antlered deer | Aug 21–Jan 31, 2027 | 19A | 60 |
| Deer | Archery-only OTC tag deer | Antlered mule deer | Aug 21–Jan 31, 2027 | 8 | 35 |
| Deer | Archery-only OTC tag deer | Antlered whitetail deer | Aug 21–Jan 31, 2027 | 8 | 5 |
| Turkey | Archery-only OTC tag turkey | Any turkey | Aug 21–Sep 10, 2026 | 8 | – |
| Turkey | Youth-only OTC tag (Shotgun shot)… | Bearded turkey | Apr 16–May 20, 2027 | 8 | – |
| Black bear | Archery-only bear | Any bear except cubs with sows and sows… | Aug 21–Sep 10, 2026 | 19A | 1 |
| Black bear | General bear | Any bear except cubs with sows and sows… | Oct 2–Dec 31, 2026 | 8 | 6 |
| Black bear | General bear | Any bear except cubs with sows and sows… | Oct 2–Dec 31, 2026 | 19A | 4 |
| Black bear | General OTC tag spring bear | Any bear except cubs with sows and sows… | Mar 19–Apr 22, 2027 | 19A | 1 |
| Mountain lion | General mountain lion | Any lion except spotted kittens or… | Aug 21–May 31, 2027 | 8, 19A | – |
| Mountain lion | Pursuit-only mountain lion | Pursuit of any lion except spotted… | Aug 21–May 31, 2027 | 8, 19A | – |
Nonpermit-tag rows from the 2026-27 regulations and the 2027 spring booklet; reporting rules from the harvest reporting section; checked November 7, 2026.
Game units that cover Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
For tags, Upper Verde River Wildlife Area falls in Units 8 and 19A. A hunt number is valid across its whole unit; where two units meet, the boundary follows roads and drainages on the AZGFD map. For the units here, the AZGFD layer shows pronghorn, black bear, elk, Merriam's Turkey, mountain lion, deer, javelina and mule deer and 2 more (a unit-wide list). Note for Unit 8: Mexican wolf area. The Mexican wolf range overlaps here, and wolves are protected.
| Unit | Region | Sq mi | County overlap | Forest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 8 | Flagstaff | 644 | Coconino, Yavapai | Kaibab NF, Prescott NF |
| Unit 19A | Kingman | 756 | Yavapai | Prescott NF |
| Unit | Mountain lion zone | Bear limit 2026 | Archery buck cap | Labels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 8 | G2 (16) | 6 (8) | 35 | Mexican wolf area |
| Unit 19A | G2 (16) | 8 (19A) | 60 | – |
Units from the AZGFD Game Management Unit layer overlay in lands.json; unit facts, lion zones, bear limits and archery deer limits from the 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations (zones section, unit maps); checked November 7, 2026.
How the 2025 hunts went around Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
The 2025 numbers below are single-unit hunts in the units here, not a Upper Verde River Wildlife Area count. Only hunts limited to one unit are summed per row; multi-unit hunts are left out to avoid double counting, and elk figures are preliminary.
| Unit | 2025 hunts | Hunters | Taken | Success rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 8 | OTC archery deer | 806 | 24 | 4% |
| Unit 19A | OTC archery deer | 940 | 57 | 5% |
| Unit 8 | Draw deer, 3 hunts | 299 | 119 | 40% |
| Unit 19A | Draw deer, 1 hunt | 436 | 170 | 39% |
| Unit 8 | Elk (prelim.), 7 hunts | 1,191 | 372 | 31% |
| Unit 19A | Elk (prelim.), 4 hunts | 92 | 19 | 21% |
| Unit 8 | Pronghorn, 2 hunts | 8 | 7 | 88% |
| Unit 19A | Pronghorn, 3 hunts | 31 | 26 | 84% |
| Unit 19A | Spring javelina, 2 hunts | 234 | 73 | 31% |
| Unit 19A | Spring turkey, 2 hunts | 14 | 11 | 79% |
2025 AZGFD harvest summaries: OTC archery deer, deer, elk (preliminary), pronghorn, spring javelina, spring turkey, bighorn sheep; checked November 7, 2026.
Upper Verde River Wildlife Area bird and rabbit dates
Small game and bird seasons around Upper Verde River Wildlife Area follow the statewide calendar; the unit layer hints at tree squirrel and quail. Stamps for waterfowl: the Arizona migratory bird stamp and the federal duck stamp.
| Species | Season | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Gambel's, scaled and California quail | General quail | Oct 16–Feb 7, 2027 |
| Mearns' quail | General quail | Dec 4–Feb 7, 2027 |
| Doves | Statewide early dove season | Sep 1–15, 2026 |
| Doves | Statewide late dove season | Nov 20–Jan 3, 2027 |
| Ducks and mergansers | General waterfowl | Oct 23–Jan 31, 2027 |
| Ducks and mergansers | Youth-only waterfowl | Feb 6–7, 2027 |
| Tree squirrels | General tree squirrel | Oct 2–Jan 31, 2027 |
Statewide season rows from the 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations and the waterfowl and dove leaflets; checked November 7, 2026.
Within driving range of Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
Drive 8 miles northeast and you reach Chino Valley Ranger District. Pinned close by: 4 ranger districts, 1 national forest and 1 wildlife area.
| Public land | Kind | Acres | County | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chino Valley Ranger District | Ranger district | 555,143 | Yavapai | 8 miles | northeast |
| Prescott National Forest | National forest | 1,260,897 | Yavapai | 25 miles | southwest |
| Sunflower Flat | Wildlife area | 159 | Coconino | 27 miles | northeast |
| Williams Ranger District | Ranger district | 560,671 | Coconino | 31 miles | northeast |
| Bradshaw Ranger District | Ranger district | 409,103 | Yavapai | 32 miles | south |
| Verde Ranger District | Ranger district | 296,650 | Yavapai | 35 miles | southeast |
Point: AZGFD Wildlife Areas layer (Wildlife_Areas, 2019) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Off-limits land around Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
Tribal land near Upper Verde River Wildlife Area, such as Yavapai-Prescott Reservation, is closed to state-licensed hunting; each tribe sets its own rules and permits. The federal statute 18 USC 1165 applies to hunting tribal land without authority.
| Name | Status | Counties | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yavapai-Prescott Reservation | tribal land | Yavapai | 22 miles |
| Yavapai-Apache Nation Reservation | tribal land | Yavapai | 33 miles |
Closed rows from lands.json: tribal land (18 USC 1165, Census TIGERweb), NPS units (36 CFR 2.2); checked November 7, 2026.
When the light is legal on Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
Big game, quail and predator hunters near Upper Verde River Wildlife Area work from sunrise to sunset; migratory bird hunters may start thirty minutes earlier.
| Day | Why | Sun up | Sun down | Most game | Ducks and doves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2026 | Archery deer | 5:54 a.m. | 7:13 p.m. | 5:54 a.m. to 7:13 p.m. | 5:24 a.m. to 7:13 p.m. |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Dove opener | 6:02 a.m. | 6:58 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 6:58 p.m. | 5:32 a.m. to 6:58 p.m. |
| Oct 16, 2026 | Quail opener | 6:35 a.m. | 5:55 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 5:55 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 5:55 p.m. |
| Oct 23, 2026 | General deer and waterfowl opener | 6:41 a.m. | 5:46 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:33 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 7:33 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. |
| Jan 22, 2027 | Spring javelina | 7:34 a.m. | 5:47 p.m. | 7:34 a.m. to 5:47 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 5:47 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations (A.R.S. 17-301); sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Mountain Standard Time); the AZGFD Phoenix sunrise-sunset chart; checked November 7, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Fuel, food and processing near Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
Measured straight, Paulden sits 6 miles from Upper Verde River Wildlife Area. For a bigger store run, try Prescott Valley (51,440 people). For a Game and Fish office, Flagstaff is the shortest trip at 46 miles.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paulden | Yavapai | – | 6 miles | west |
| Chino Valley | Yavapai | 13,911 | 9 miles | south |
| Prescott Valley | Yavapai | 51,440 | 19 miles | south |
| Prescott | Yavapai | 48,224 | 19 miles | south |
| Williams | Coconino | 3,482 | 29 miles | northeast |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); AZGFD offices from the AZGFD offices page; businesses from services.json listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 7, 2026.
Public and club benches before Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
Coconino County holds the AZGFD range nearest Upper Verde River Wildlife Area: Northern Arizona Shooting Range (56 miles). Beside the department range sit the closest clubs, none past 30 miles.
From AZGFD’s Shooting Range Facilities page, operators’ own sites and directory listings, checked November 7, 2026.
Straight answers for Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
Can I hunt Upper Verde River Wildlife Area without the draw?
Elk, deer, turkey, black bear and mountain lion can be hunted on nonpermit-tags.
Are there camping rules on Upper Verde River Wildlife Area?
No overnight public camping allowed.
Can I drive off road on Upper Verde River Wildlife Area?
Motorized vehicle travel is not permitted, except for big game retrieval as permitted under R12-4-110 (H) .
Is blaze clothing required on Upper Verde River Wildlife Area?
Not required by Arizona law.
Who at AZGFD covers Upper Verde River Wildlife Area?
AZGFD Region III in Kingman (928-692-7700).
Are there tribal or park lands near Upper Verde River Wildlife Area?
Keep out of Yavapai-Prescott Reservation; it is tribal land, closed to state-licensed hunting without the tribe’s permission.
Is there CWD in the Upper Verde River Wildlife Area units?
Not detected in Arizona; free testing is available.
Does a hunting license get me onto Upper Verde River Wildlife Area?
Yes. Rule R12-4-802(A)(36) opens it to hunting in season; its exact wording is: “Open to all hunting in season as permitted under R12-4-304 and R12-4-318.”
What should be in my pocket on Upper Verde River Wildlife Area?
Arizona licenses apply: $37 resident hunting, $57 resident combination, $160 nonresident combination, plus tags.
Units for Upper Verde River Wildlife Area?
It lies in Units 8, 19A; check the AZGFD unit maps for exact lines.
How many acres does Upper Verde River Wildlife Area hold?
1,085 acres by the AZGFD GIS polygon.
Are there permit-tag hunts on Upper Verde River Wildlife Area?
34 hunt numbers in the 2026-27 booklets cover its units (elk, deer, pronghorn, javelina and turkey); elk and pronghorn are 2026 hunts.
Pack up for Upper Verde River Wildlife Area
Rules, closures and permits for Upper Verde River Wildlife Area can change during the season; posted signs and the managing agency have the last word.
Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4 · source 5; seasons from the 2026-27 Arizona Hunting Regulations. Checked November 7, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Matthew Dillon (CC BY-SA 2.0); Alan Levine (CC0 1.0).