Blue Grouse, Kaibab Squirrel, Merriams Turkey, Mountain Lion, Mule Deer. If I draw a 12A deer tag I will be there around Labor Day. Non-resident draw odds reach 100% at ~12-13 bonus points for both units. Finally, during the night, prior to a morning hunt drive the roads getting out occasionally and turkey calling. A good pair of binoculars and spotting scope will improve the chance of taking a trophy bull. During December, sheep are generally found at lower elevations on the talus slopes below the steep cliff faces. But if you go, Good Luck!!!! John is that a unit that can produce a monster bull? No off-road travel by motor vehicles is allowed. After a snow storm a hunter will drive the roads found within the Unit 12 winter deer range early in the morning looking for tracks. You will find the majority of antelope south and east of the ranch and all the way out to the rim of Marble Canyon. That is not a problem since the other units may not have any elk at all. 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. It'd be a great trip to take and walk around the woods/sit some watering holes for a day or two as a bonus; and hope to be the luckiest hunter ever. The large canyons and rocky areas that form the edges of the Kaibab and Paria plateaus are likely areas to locate lion sign. During the fall hunt gas, food, and lodging can be found in Fredonia, Jacob Lake, and near DeMotte Park. This includes the premier trophy units 1, 9, 10, 23, and 27. I will get my elk tag, hope for a turkey tag, and chase the best looking squirrels anywhere, The Kaibab. In general, unrestricted vehicle travel is allowed on all open BLM roads. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Worst case you get to explore az with some friends! Areas: It may be hard to believe but the likelihood of running into an older age class buck, as near as the author can tell, is just about equal almost anywhere on the plateau. Many hunters utilize horses and mules, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles to overcome these access limitations. This area is very remote with only a few conveniences provided at the communities of Vermilion Cliffs, Cliff Dwellers, Marble Canyon, Fredonia/Kanab, and Jacob Lake. Deer from the North Kaibab start migrating northward to merge with the Utah deer in early-November. Units 36A, B and C and unit 35A and 35B have good populations of mule deer (and whitetail deer). Overview: The world famous, or infamous, Kaibab Mule Deer herd. Arizona Wildlife Outfitters also offers some exceptional deer hunting on Mule Deer units 12A and 13B. Does that sound confusing? Mature grouse average between 2 and 4 pounds of succulent white meat and provide delicious table fare. Overview: Antelope in Hunt Units 12A/12B are found primarily in House Rock Valley on the east side of the Kaibab Plateau in the grassland/desert scrub. Areas:Any areas with concentrations of deer often have lions associated with them. Learn more. No motor vehicles are allowed in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. Adjust your hunting strategies accordingly and have fun. Learn More. City of Page Chamber of Commerce 928 645-2741, Https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Questionnaires/, https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Questionnaires/. A relatively constant output of older age-class deer has been evident, throughout the history of the plateau. Humphreys Peak is the highest point in Arizona, sitting at 12,637 feet in elevation, and it is a dormant volcano. Like many Arizona elk units, 5A bulls are very responsive to calling. The current population estimate is around 250 bighorn sheep. It excludes the Paria Plateau and any areas east of BLM road 1065. Overview: This unit is primarily winter range for migratory deer from both the North Kaibab Plateau in Arizona and from the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah. A forum community dedicated to hunting and fishing enthusiasts in the Arizona area. This herd generally varies from 15 to 30 animals, depending on movement between 13A and Utah. Address 123 Main Street New York, NY 10001, Hours MondayFriday: 9:00AM5:00PM Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM3:00PM. The hunter questionnaire link is located on the back of your tag. The lion population in Unit 12 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. Our Arizona late-season elk hunts are a great hunt for hunters that want to experience bachelor herds of bull elk. Older age "mature" bulls are taken on a regular basis. Approximately 20% of Arizona's elk hunting opportunity is found in this unit. Please contact the USFS North Kaibab Ranger District for further information at the phone number listed below. Most of the scouting packages we offer are two days. JavaScript is disabled. If you end up wanting to take a camping trip and see the Grand Canyon then 12A is a great spot. 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/. Most of the land we provide drop camps on are public land, however, we do offer hunts that have private land access for an additional cost. Elevations vary from 3,000 to more than 9,200, with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. Your big game hunter questionnaire will no longer be mailed to you. Elevation ranges from 4000 to 7000 feet with vegetation consisting primarily of pinion-juniper and sagebrush flats. Many hunters utilize horses and mules, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles to overcome these access limitations. Also look for turkey scratch, those locations where flocks of turkeys have been feeding and have disturbed the litter layer of the forest floor. Being prepared on this hunt is even more crucial than on the early hunt. Spring sources along the Vermilion Cliffs are best accessed by horseback or hiking from Highway 89A 2 or 3 miles to the base of the cliffs. I am just curious ,my first thoughts were not many bulls but maybe big? Finally, enjoy the finest terrain, climate, and surroundings that nature has to offer, the Kaibab Plateau. Overview: Unit 12A is home to one of the most unique game animals in Arizona and perhaps the nation. Motor vehicle travel is restricted to existing roads on all BLM land in the Unit. Once the location of turkeys has been determined getting up early, hours before first light, is critical. 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. On the ever in demand 12A late hunt, pray (if religious) for snow. The bulls I saw near Bryce were while mule deer hunting. Hunters who have no desire to hunt the Paria Plateau and want to hunt the Buckskins or the west side winter range should apply for a 12BW permit. The Kaibab Squirrel is a subspecies of the Aberts Squirrel which is found only on the Kaibab Plateau, Mount Logan, and Mount Trumbull. A map of the zones can be found at Mountain Lion management zone map. Concentrate in areas dominated by this type of vegetation and look for turkey tracks in the snow, mud, dust, or around water sources. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes. The average Boone and Crockett score for the last 5 years has been in the mid-150s. Concentrate your efforts in areas with rim-rock and significant changes in elevation. However, locating and harvesting an antlerless deer is likely to become more challenging as these animals become more educated about two-legged visitors to the plateau. 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. Articles often lead to false expectations; huge bucks do not exist behind every tree anywhere in the world. Jacob Lake Campground, administered by Kaibab National Forest, intersection of U.S. 89A and State Hwy 67 at Jacob Lake; DeMotte Campground, Kaibab National Forest, Hwy 67; Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim. Elk use open grasslands and sparsely forested areas more than most people think, and since these areas usually have fewer roads it is much easier to escape hunting pressure in these areas. 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. This unit is not known for producing large bulls, though elk in the 300-inch or larger range are occasionally taken. I've made far worse mistakes for sure. Bighorn have typically been harvested along the rim of the Paria Plateau near Bush Head, Powells Monument, and Fisher Point. 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. If outside of wilderness you may drive cross country to retrieve your animal. Less pressure o grow big? Since 2007 an increase in the number of squirrels observed has taken place, with the advent of more favorable environmental variables we are seeing a corresponding increase in the squirrel population. Arizona Game & Fish Department, Region II- 928-774-5045 Although this herd is only estimated to have around 100 animals, the herd appears to be fairly stable. Elk will be found from the Mogollon Rim south to Parker Creek. Arizona units down on the border can also provide some good mule deer hunting. It is common to observe bighorns in locations where it is not possible to recover them. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. During both the spring and fall hunts be safe and acquire positive target identification. If you plan on hunting in higher elevation, as a rule of thumb, expect the tempture to decrease roughly 5 for every 1000' in elevation gain. The large canyons and rocky areas that form the edges of the Kaibab and Paria plateaus are likely areas to locate lion sign. The Vermillion Cliffs and Paria Plateau in 12BE, the western side of Buckskin Mountain, and the Gunsight peninsula including Kanab Creek and Snake Gulch have seen harvests in recent years, and are good starting points. The lion population in Unit 12 is a migratory population of rought 60-80 animals with the lions essentially following the deer herd as it migrates from summer to winter ranges. As the season progresses mule deer bucks on the plateau become more and more secretive. 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. Be prepared for a wide range of conditions including severe winter weather. 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. These hunts take place in late November or early December. Salt licks are a great attractant for deer and provide the same opportunity as waterholes. This squirrel is most active early in the morning and just prior to dark and is always associated with Ponderosa Pines. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Also, before the hunt begins, study topo maps and enlist the aid of others who have hunted the area before. Once a track is located the hounds are released and the lion is pursued until treed. The prepared hunter is often the successful hunter. Find areas overlooking large open expanses and plan on sitting still for hours on end and glassing until you feel like your eyes are going to fall out. Under alternative management these favorable ratios should be maintained or even improved. Elevations range from 6,500-9,000. 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. Rifle. The Arizona Big Game Application Deadline for Elk is 11:59 P.M. (Arizona Time) Feb 14, 2023 Our online/print magazine has everything in one location: Application info, draw details and odds, fees, hunter requirements, point structure, age restrictions, youth information, weapon restrictions, other tag opportunities, hunt planning and much more. . 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. This is the classic western mule deer hunt. I'd go the end of September into early October. The early hunt is managed for hunter opportunity and usually occurs during the early part of the deer migration, thus few older-age class bucks are found during the early hunt. From the South: U.S. Hwy 89A, Wahweap Marina Campground at Lake Powell, administered by the National Park Service; Page Lake Powell Campground, 849 S. Coppermine Rd. Bachelor herds are typically broken up by this hunt and bucks can be relatively evenly distributed throughout the plateau. Got a Buffalo up there , why ont Elk ? These areas are open to foot and horseback travel only. Be prepared for snow, mud, and adverse weather conditions, and bring plenty of supplies. Remember that hunting with the aid of a vehicle is prohibited. In the last few years, only a few elk or elk sign has been seen, mainly around Rock Canyon and the Pine Hollow habitat treatments. Full Guided hunts. Roads in the unit can become extremely muddy when wet and heavy rains frequently wash out the main roads, thus it is important to be prepared with suitable shelter, plenty of food, water and extra fuel. The unit's terrain is very rocky with rugged mountains. The health and longevity of this winter range is critical to the long term sustainability of the 12A deer herd. If you are fortunate enough to receive a coveted 12A deer tag you might consider purchasing a mountain lion tag before heading to the Kaibab. North of Kane Ranch, there are a few groups of antelope scattered throughout the rolling hills. Listen, debate, learn, evolve and respect. Take care in species identification before dropping the hammer. Since 2016 a slight decline in the number of squirrels observed has taken place. Having extra spare tires would also be a good idea. Use common sense; dont take shortcuts as they often take a lot longer than the more sensible route. Elk in those areas are VERY few and far between, and if I were you, I wouldn't waste any more $$ on attempting to hunt it. 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. Fredonia, Marble Canyon, Page, Kanab, UT, Major Highways and Roads Leading To Hunters obtaining an elk tag should be aware that this unit has few elk and is considered a limited opportunity hunt. BOOK YOUR HUNT. 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. Books and countless articles have been written on the subject. Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim 928 638-7870 Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! Good optics are a must for both scouting and glassing during your hunt. 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. Elk season dates can be found in the regulations. From the East: State Hwy 98 The Kaibab has supplied many happy hunting experiences in the past and will hopefully continue to do so for generations to come. Included in these hunts are bull only, antlerless and even 275 any-elk tags. Often roosting turkeys will respond to these calls giving a hunter a location to begin the mornings hunt. Arizona is known for it's coveted and hard to acquire bull elk tags. Grouse often flush at close range in thick cover so be prepared for quick shooting. Take care in species identification before dropping the hammer. I was thinking about that hunt also . "Give 100% in everything you do, unless you are donating blood.". in Page; Lees Ferry Campground, 4 miles north of Marble Canyon, administered by the National Park Service.

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