Unit 37B

Picketpost Mountain and Mineral Mountain serve as major reference points for orientation across the flats. The Tortilla Mountains form the eastern spine of the unit, with named ridges like The Spine providing navigation anchors. Major drainages—the San Pedro River to the east, Mineral Creek cutting through the center, and Steamboat Wash running north-south—double as travel corridors and water sources.

Gonzales Pass offers a key saddle for crossing terrain. The numerous tanks (Web Tank, Superior Tank, Rincon Tank, others) become critical for water strategy in this dry country, though they're often seasonal.

Terrain ranges from desert valley floors around 1,400 feet up to ridgetops near 5,500 feet, with most of the unit sitting in the 2,000-3,500 foot zone where Arizona's lower chaparral and desert scrub dominate. Sparse timber appears in cooler drainages and higher ridges—mainly juniper and occasional ponderosa—while open bajadas and sandy washes characterize the valley bottoms. Vegetation is primarily creosote bush, palo verde, and saguaro in the lowest sections, transitioning to desert shrub and pinyon-juniper on the slopes.

The elevation band is just steep enough to create distinct thermal zones, but the overall impression is open, dry country.

Over 1,500 miles of roads provide excellent connectivity throughout the unit, meaning you can reach most country without bushwhacking. The road network is good enough that most casual hunters gravitate toward easy access points, creating pressure clusters near populated areas (Kearny, Superior, Hayden Junction) and along major roads. The vast size means dispersing into the interior—away from main highways and easy turnarounds—typically reduces encounters.

Private land patches exist but aren't dominant. The National Guard reservation restricts a portion of the unit, but plenty of huntable ground remains. Moderate terrain complexity keeps navigation straightforward even in less-traveled sections.

Unit 37B occupies the country south of U.S. 60 and west of AZ 177, anchored by AZ 79 and 77 on its remaining sides—a region spanning the Pinal County foothills between the populated areas of Superior and Kearny to the west and the San Pedro drainage to the east. The National Guard Florence Military Reservation occupies a chunk of the unit's interior. This is transition country where Sonoran Desert gives way to foothill scrub and scattered timber, with the Tortilla Mountains defining the landscape's primary ridge system.

Multiple small communities provide reasonable staging points for entry.

The San Pedro River runs along the unit's eastern boundary and provides reliable perennial water, though access may be restricted. Mineral Creek drains the center, Steamboat Wash and Swingle Wash run prominent courses, and Tucson Wash connects to water in the south. However, most water is unreliable—numerous tanks and spreads dot the unit, but many are intermittent or require checking before committing to an area.

Springs exist (Filaria, Hackberry, Trough, Shultz, and others), but don't count on water consistency. Cooks Lake and Big Pond offer permanent water but are limited in number. Understanding water locations is essential for planning your hunting strategy in this arid landscape.

Unit 37B supports mule deer, white-tailed deer, javelina, and mountain lion in the lower country, with elk and pronghorn possible in the sparse ridges above. Desert bighorn inhabit the steeper canyon systems and ridges. The sparse forest means most stalking happens in open country—glassing from ridges is effective but requires patience and distance.

Water becomes your anchor: concentrate near reliable springs and tanks during dry months. Early season and late season bring better conditions; mid-summer heat makes water even more critical. The San Pedro drainage holds the most potential for diverse species.

Travel the interior canyons and ridges rather than following main roads to avoid pressure and find undisturbed game.