diff --git a/changelog/62917.deprecated b/changelog/62917.deprecated
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..0b0f522a84b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog/62917.deprecated
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Removing support for the now deprecated _ext_nodes from salt/master.py.
diff --git a/salt/master.py b/salt/master.py
index 227ed837d2f..b31e0ba67a8 100644
--- a/salt/master.py
+++ b/salt/master.py
@@ -1199,7 +1199,6 @@ class AESFuncs(TransportMethods):
         "_dir_list",
         "_symlink_list",
         "_file_envs",
-        "_ext_nodes",  # To be removed in 3006 (Sulfur) #60980
     )
 
     def __init__(self, opts, context=None):
@@ -1399,10 +1398,6 @@ class AESFuncs(TransportMethods):
             return {}
         return self.masterapi._master_tops(load, skip_verify=True)
 
-    # Needed so older minions can request master_tops
-    # To be removed in 3006 (Sulfur) #60980
-    _ext_nodes = _master_tops
-
     def _master_opts(self, load):
         """
         Return the master options to the minion