Areas of elk concentrations change somewhat year-to-year, depending on localized summer rainfall filling stock tanks and greening up vegetation. Less pressure o grow big? Hunters can report their mountain lion harvest in person, by telephone at 1-877-438-0447, or online at https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Questionnaires/. Areas around Crystal Springs, Sourdough Well, and along the 610 rd near the National Park Boundary provide the best opportunity for finding the often secretive Blue Grouse. The state line is only marked at dirt road crossings. Unit 12A - first choice. Page, Marble Canyon, Jacob Lake, Cliff Dwellers, Fredonia, Major Highways and Roads Leading To Concentrate your efforts in areas with waterholes (not necessarily on the water), as the plateau is often dry at this time of the year. The hunter questionnaire link is located on the back of your tag. The central part of the unit, the Buckskin Mountains, contains the highest deer densities and is best to hunt after mid-October. Dont be a statistic. You know when they say that something sounds too good to be true then A forum community dedicated to hunting and fishing enthusiasts in the Arizona area. On a 12A early hunt, once again, dont bother with pinyon/juniper habitat types unless it has snowed. As the weather continues to cool down and the snow fall increases, Kaibab deer from the western portion of the plateau move down towards Pigeon Canyon, Toothpick Ridge and Gunsight Point, making this area best after early November. Mistakes are painful or expensive or both. During the spring hunt be prepared for cold temperatures and even snow. Sometimes the November and December hunts can be. Very few services are available for gas and food. The prepared hunter is often the successful hunter. Once the location of turkeys has been determined getting up early, hours before first light, is critical. During the fall hunt gas, food, and lodging can be found in Fredonia, Jacob Lake, and near DeMotte Park. We hunt a variety of units in Arizona. Also, several lions are sighted each year by hunters glassing canyons and watching waters. Like many Arizona elk units, 5A bulls are very responsive to calling. Being in position at first shooting light can be critical as the big boys are often bedded down for the day within minutes of the sun breaking the horizon. During the winter months access to areas within 12A can be extremely limited, even nonexistent. If frost has cured out the summer range forage and some cold weather has struck, concentrate your efforts in the pinyon/juniper areas and even farther out in the sage and open canyon country. During December, sheep are generally found at lower elevations on the talus slopes below the steep cliff faces. Arizona is landlocked, and its terrain is comprised of deep canyons, high- and low-elevation deserts, many natural rock formations, and volcanic mountain ranges. With conditions slowly improving in the burned area of 12AW, and with the initiation of a landscape scale habitat restoration effort, the outlook for the Kaibab deer herd is indeed very optimistic. It has also been introduced in the San Francisco Peaks area near Flagstaff. A unit may have 80% public land, but a particluar species may only occupy 20% on the entire area. If you are fortunate enough to receive a coveted 12A or 12B deer tag you might consider purchasing a mountain lion tag before heading to the units. This bird was first documented in 12B in Paria Canyon, but has since been regularly observed along the Kanab Creek/ Snake Gulch drainage. Grouse hunting is a great excuse to come to the Kaibab to enjoy a cooler climate. No motorized vehicles are allowed in BLM wilderness. If you are considering hunting mountain lions on the Kaibab for the first time consider hiring a good houndsman/guide to increase your likelihood of success. Access to the Paria Plateau can be difficult and deer difficult to find so scouting before the hunt is extremely important. Arizona Unit 8 Elk Hunting. The lion population in 12A is a migratory population of roughly 60-80 animals with the lions essentially following the deer herd as it migrates from summer to winter ranges. John is that a unit that can produce a monster bull? This area will provide an excellent opportunity for archery and early season general deer hunters for the foreseeable future. Forest road 732 accesses the area around Squaw Peak. Overview: According to David Brown in Arizona Game Birds the Blue grouse is a native of the Kaibab Plateau and restricted locals in the White Mountains. Mature grouse average between 2 and 4 pounds of succulent white meat and provide delicious table fare. The Paria Plateau to the east has the lowest number of deer. Grouse often flush at close range in thick cover so be prepared for quick shooting. Dispersed camping is allowed along BLM routes. Salt licks are a great attractant for deer and provide the same opportunity as waterholes. The current yearly limit on lions harvested in Unit 12/Zone B stands at 14. Very few deer reside in 12BW year round, making it difficult to hunt during the archery season in August and September. Hunters should note, the OTC elk tag is not a companion or corresponding tag and has its own hunting season dates, areas and other restrictions. Unit 12A continues to provide the turkey hunter and/or wildlife enthusiast a unique opportunity to observe Merriams Turkeys. Be prepared for extreme weather. Have fun, Maybe the trees will be in fall colors when your there, Beautiful colors that time of year. Concentrate your efforts in areas with rim-rock and significant changes in elevation. As a result of continued drought those areas of higher elevation, specifically those areas with spruce/fir/aspen forests have been the most productive areas for the past several years. Many hunters utilize horses and mules, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles to overcome these access limitations. Excellent recruitment and low winter mortality for the past several years has lead to population levels similar to the early 90s. With conditions slowly improving in the burned area of 12AW, and with the initiation of a landscape scale habitat restoration effort, the outlook for the Kaibab deer herd is indeed very optimistic. I plan on going up there to scout sometime soon but was wondering if anyone has seen elk up there. Articles often lead to false expectations; huge bucks do not exist behind every tree anywhere in the world. With continued and persistent drought the woody winter browse in 12AW has been less productive for the past several years and as result concerns over the carrying capacity of this vital range are warranted. The AZ/UT state line on a GPS unit is N37 00.0 latitude. Not all weather elements are available within the unit. I think may try to look for antlers first. Approximately 20% of Arizona's elk hunting opportunity is found in this unit. Antlerless hunters continue to enjoy high hunt success. Hunters who. Huge bucks, forkhorns, and even does have been the objects of desire for hunters in this unit. Waterhole hunting becomes less productive as frost begins to supply the need for water. There are generally one or two herds on South Canyon Point; however this area is more difficult to access as there are few roads in the area. If you are considering hunting mountain lions on the Kaibab for the first time consider hiring a good houndsman/guide to increase your likelihood of success. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. These units are specifically managed for wildlife values other than elk, and an established elk population is not desirable. It is very sandy and requires 4-wheel drive. Although this herd is only estimated to have around 100 animals, the herd appears to be fairly stable. The most common technique for lion hunting in Unit 12 is similar to that used throughout the Rim country in Arizona. Data currently indicates that buck: doe ratios, a very important management statistic, have rebounded as of late and are significantly higher than the statewide average. Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim 928-638-7888, view harvest thresholds and zone closures. Good optics are a must for both scouting and glassing during your hunt. Overview: Unit 12A, world famous for the Kaibab Deer Herd, is also home to one of the premier turkey populations in the state of Arizona. The Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Strip District, 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah, 84770, phone (435) 688-3200 manages the majority of unit 12B. These hunts include the Arizona strip (Units 13A or 13B) or Kaibab (Units 12A East, 12A West and 12B) for mule deer. The Kaibab Plateau ranges from 6,000 to 9,200; vegetation consists of ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and aspen. As the fall progresses the deer become more and more secretive. After this hunt, you will know what hunt never to apply for again, other then Lots of deer in whole area, and some monsters. 12A includes the Kaibab plateau that actually starts in southern Utah and rising up to the south to 9300+ ft. Many hunters go home disappointed that they did not see big bucks on the early hunt, but every hunter should do their homework and know what they should expect on a hunt before setting high expectations. The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. Areas around Crystal Springs, Sourdough Well, and along the 610 rd near the National Park Boundary provide the best opportunity for finding the often secretive Blue Grouse. On National Park Service lands, camping is restricted to designated areas. Areas: Most of the desert bighorn sheep in unit 12BE are found within the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area. Remember, we hunt for the experience. JavaScript is disabled. Bachelor herds are typically broken up by this hunt and bucks can be relatively evenly distributed throughout the plateau. Please contact any department office for additional information or to purchase an elk OTC tag. Post not marked as liked . Once a track is located the hounds are released and the lion is pursued until treed. Deer begin to move down from the top Buckskin Mountains to the pinyon-juniper and sagebrush flats as the snow pushes them off the plateau during the late hunt. With continued and persistent drought the woody winter browse in 12AW has been less than productive for the past several years and as result concerns over the carrying capacity of this vital range are warranted. One . Camping is allowed in designated areas and within 30 of open roadways on Forest Service administered lands throughout the unit. That is not a problem since the other units may not have any elk at all. Kaibab Natl Forest, North Kaibab District 928-643-7395 The unit's terrain is very rocky with rugged mountains. Well thanks everyone for all the quick responses and for mostly confirming my suspicions. Hunters with a 12B permit (vs. 12BW permit) may hunt the Paria Plateau as well as the rest of the Unit. Seems like an expensive camping and hiking excursion in a beautiful part of the country with good friends and maybe a random elk. Although these are a little tougher hunts, a trophy Arizona elk is definitely a likely possibility to harvest. Scouting is recommended only a week or two prior to the start of the hunt, due to the nature of the migration pattern. Walking and stalking in areas determined by scouting to hold bachelor herds of bucks can be exciting and productive. There's nothing like autumn on the North Kaibab and Arizona Strip. The Kaibab Plateau ranges from 6,000' to 9,200'; vegetation consists of ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and aspen. The average age of a buck harvested on the late hunts has climbed from just over two years of age to over 4 years of age in the past several years, yearling buck weights have stabilized at an acceptable level in recent years and as a result antler development has been excellent. Some lions have been harvested incidental to these other activities. Majority of the deer harvested on the early hunt are younger bucks around 2 years of age. Most of House Rock Valley is fairly flat with low rolling hills, so it is important to be able to locate the antelope from a distance and plan your stalk according to the surrounding terrain and conditions. On a 12A early hunt, once again, dont bother with pinyon/juniper habitat types unless it has snowed. Hunters obtaining an elk tag should be aware that this unit has few elk and is considered a limited opportunity hunt. Overview: Unit 12A, world famous for the Kaibab Deer Herd, is also home to one of the premier turkey populations in the state of Arizona. Come prepared for all types of weather. I am just curious ,my first thoughts were not many bulls but maybe big? Hunters are required to report their mountain lion harvest information to the Arizona Game and Fish Department within 48 hours of taking a mountain lion. As unit 10 is known for giant bull elk, Units 12A and 13B are just as famous for producing monster mule deer bucks and Arizona Wildlife Outfitters has taken their share of trophy heads from both units. Areas: Pronghorn in House Rock Valley generally tend to be located within 6 to 7 miles of the base of the Kaibab Plateau. The north rim of the Paria Canyon is accessed from Big Water, Utah and also requires 4-wheel drive due to soft sand. Hunt success figures have fluctuated around the 40-50% range for the last decade, some of the highest hunt success for mule deer in the state. Phone us at 928-713-4329 with any questions you may have. I'd go the end of September into early October. Books and countless articles have been written on the subject. Many hunters utilize horses and mules, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles to overcome these access limitations. Before each hunting trip, verify that the zone is still open, by calling 877-438-0447 or checking online: view harvest thresholds and zone closures. Major Cities and Towns in or Near Game Management Unit and Nearest Gas, Food, and Lodging Often roosting turkeys will respond to these calls giving a hunter a location to begin the mornings hunt. Remember this deer herd is extremely migratory and will remain at higher elevations until significant snowfall pushes them off. During both the spring and fall hunts be safe and acquire positive target identification. I don't know if there is a worse hunt to be drawn for to be honest. Arizona Wildlife Outfitters also offers some exceptional deer hunting on Mule Deer units 12A and 13B. The vegetation in this area ranges from Great Basin desert scrub and desert grassland to pinyon-juniper and pine-oak woodlands. Birds are usually found in isolated coveys, and can (usually do) descend thousands of feet into inaccessible canyons after being flushed. The terrain in this unit could generally be described as plateau/canyon country. Also look for turkey scratch, those locations where flocks of turkeys have been feeding and have disturbed the litter layer of the forest floor. I had a similar tag 10 years ago for the Kaibab proper. *There are currently no Population Management Seasons for elk tags available for successfully drawn deer hunters in Units 12A East and/or West. Chukar are not numerous anywhere in Kanab Creek or its associated drainages. It is common to observe bighorns in locations where it is not possible to recover them. Weather can vary by elevation. After an opening day of this activity plan on spending the next nine days in the same manner. That is not a problem since the other units may not have any elk at all. The premium late season rut hunts in Unit 12A-East have the highest success rates on big mule deer, but lots of huge bucks have been taken in the early rifle and archery hunts. The units lower elevations, those surrounding the plateau, consist of pinyon-juniper stands, open sagebrush, and cliff rose pushes. Unit 12A is bounded on the south by the Grand Canyon, on the west by Kanab Creek, on the east by House Rock Valley, and on the north by the Buckskin Mountains and the Arizona-Utah border. But if you go, Good Luck!!!! If you are fortunate enough to draw one of the most sought after deer tags in the United States come to the Kaibab with realistic expectations and remember, we hunt for the experience. Beginning at U.S. Hwy 89A and the Kaibab National Forest boundary near mp 566; southerly and easterly along the forest boundary to Grand Canyon National Park; southerly and westerly along the park boundary to Kanab Creek; northerly along Kanab Creek to Snake Gulch; northerly, easterly and southerly around the Kaibab National Forest boundary to U.S. Hwy 89A near mp 566. Overview: The Unit 12A Mountain Lion population, based on harvest information and observed lion sign, appears to be healthy and robust. This area is very isolated and will require 4-wheel drive for the soft sandy roads. There are no services on top of the Paria Plateau. In the last couple of years, only a few elk have been spotted and harvested in the vicinity of Mile and a Half Lake south to Franks Lake, on the west side of the Kaibab Plateau. Finally, remember that you could be sitting in the office and enjoy the opportunity to get away and take part in the oldest most admirable sport there is. Other Pertinent Climate Information This may be a good place to introduce yourself and your site or include some credits. Overview: According to David Brown in Arizona Game Birds the Blue grouse is a native of the Kaibab Plateau and restricted locals in the White Mountains. This is a large area, so scouting will be beneficial. The nature of early archery hunts dictates that most successful hunters will need to be physically fit enough to hike 3-5 miles a day in terrain ranging from 4800-7800 feet in elevation. A few, very few elk wander south from Utah now and then. The current population estimate is around 250 bighorn sheep. Deer are can be found in the open sagebrush flats, but not until snow pushes them out of the trees. Large numbers of domestic sheep grazed on the Paria Plateau, Vermilion Cliffs, and Paria Canyon until the 1960s when the Bureau of Land Management converted all grazing permits to cattle only. All off-highway vehicles must display a current OHV decal and a street legal registration if operated on a county road. Rock Valley generally tend to be located within 6 to 7 miles of the migration pattern, bother... Hunting on Mule deer units 12A east and/or West is not desirable a unique opportunity to observe turkeys... 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