The hunter questionnaire link is located on the back of your tag. Both of these units make up a portion of . MAP VIEW. Hunters with a 12B permit (vs. 12BW permit) may hunt the Paria Plateau as well as the rest of the Unit. Keep movements to a minimum, scan the surrounding area constantly, and listen for turkey vocalizations. Grouse hunting is a great excuse to come to the Kaibab to enjoy a cooler climate. First, on an archery hunt dont bother with pinyon/juniper areas unless it has snowed (not likely). Areas: Concentrate your efforts on the southeast side of the Plateau in sub-unit 12AE. This area is very isolated and will require 4-wheel drive for the soft sandy roads. Hunters who. Getting off the road and into the canyons will improve your observations of mule deer bucks, especially mature ones. Your big game hunter questionnaire will no longer be mailed to you. G&F has enough problems with buffalo in that area and doesn't want ANY elk getting established in the Kaibab. Grouse often flush at close range in thick cover so be prepared for quick shooting. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! Many come with visions of 32 wide racks with multiple points per side, still others are happy with a tender yearling forkhorn. The elevation in this area ranges from approximately 1,650' on the plateau region to 8,028' on Mount Trumbull. You've got a lot of country to access. They were good 330-350 bulls. The highest densities of bighorn sheep are going to be in the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area from above the community of Vermillion Cliffs to Bush head. Concentrate in areas dominated by this type of vegetation and look for turkey tracks in the snow, mud, dust, or around water sources. Update: For the past few years, bison have been seen near Wall Lake, as well as along Forest Service Roads 219B, 223, 270, and 610. BOOK YOUR HUNT. Note: 12BW is the entire portion of 12B that is west of BLM road 1065 (House Rock Valley/ Coyote Valley Road), excluding the Paria Plateau. Sometimes the November and December hunts can be. 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 Paria Plateau to the east has the lowest number of deer. Salt licks are a great attractant for deer and provide the same opportunity as waterholes. Huge bucks, forkhorns, and even does have been the objects of desire for hunters in this unit. 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. As turkeys fly off the roost in the early pre-dawn, often the most active period of the day, they may provide a hunter the best opportunity to call in a wary old longbeard. The short story is that at several west side springs where I expected to find rubs and wallows, there were none. There are 1,685 limited opportunity general (rifle) elk tags available in units all over Arizona. Elevations vary from 3,000' to more than 9,200', with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. Rifle. The most common technique for lion hunting in Unit 12 is similar to that used throughout the Rim country in Arizona. The Kaibab has supplied many happy hunting experiences in the past and will hopefully continue to do so for generations to come. AS a reminder: Dont stand really close to edge, the sandstone/ granite crumbles with very little weight or movement, you dont want to see the bottom or top, depending on which way your falling on the way down. 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. Concentrate your efforts in areas with waterholes (not necessarily on the water), as the plateau is often dry at this time of the year. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. Happens every year. Finally, mule deer throughout their range are altering their behavior as hunting pressure increases. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Worst case you get to explore az with some friends! 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. Once a track is located the hounds are released and the lion is pursued until treed. Concentrate your efforts in areas with rim-rock and significant changes in elevation. Areas of elk concentrations change somewhat year-to-year, depending on localized summer rainfall filling stock tanks and greening up vegetation. Home. On National Park Service lands, camping is restricted to designated areas. Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim 928-638-7888, view harvest thresholds and zone closures. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes. Got a Buffalo up there , why ont Elk ? Likewise, hunters who want to hunt the Paria Plateau must apply for a 12B permit. 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. 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. The majority of the unit is public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Strip District, 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84770, phone (435) 688-3200. For a resident, it only takes ~9-10 bonus point to be guaranteed an archery tag in 5B South, likewise for 5B North. Good optics are a must for both scouting and glassing during your hunt. Practice with a flat shooting rifle at longer distances before the hunt begins. Identification seems to be a prevalent problem for first time grouse hunters as poult turkeys, Band-tailed Pigeons, and even Northern Goshawks are often mistaken for grouse. Seems like an expensive camping and hiking excursion in a beautiful part of the country with good friends and maybe a random elk. Once the location of turkeys has been determined getting up early, hours before first light, is critical. Use common sense; dont take shortcuts as they often take a lot longer than the more sensible route. Antlerless hunters continue to enjoy high hunt success. The Department reminds hunters that bison within these hunt areas may not be present during the hunt. 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. Elk seasons are described in the pronghorn antelope and elk regulations. Lost Canyon Hunts. Antlerless Hunting: After several years of antlerless hunting, many of the does on the plateau have become as hunter-wise as most bucks. Included in these hunts are bull only, antlerless and even 275 any-elk tags. Yearly reported harvest figures fluctuate around 1 dozen lions with most of these animals taken by houndsmen during the winter months. Scouting is recommended only a week or two prior to the start of the hunt, due to the nature of the migration pattern. Keep movements to a minimum, scan the surrounding area constantly, and listen for turkey vocalizations. I'd go the end of September into early October. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! Walking and stalking in areas determined by scouting to hold bachelor herds of bucks can be exciting and productive. We are a family owned and operated business. Often roosting turkeys will respond to these calls giving a hunter a location to begin the mornings hunt. Overview: The world famous, or infamous, Kaibab Mule Deer herd. 12A includes the Kaibab plateau that actually starts in southern Utah and rising up to the south to 9300+ ft. So yes its possible, but not likely. 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. On a 12A early hunt, once again, dont bother with pinyon/juniper habitat types unless it has snowed. Create a free account to read the rest of this elk hunting note! Lesson learned! . Forage quality and snowfall will push the deer to the lower winter range. These units are specifically managed for wildlife values other than elk, and an established elk population is not desirable. Trumbull and or Grand Canyon Wilderness. From the North: U.S. Hwy 89 Conditions can vary from 80 degrees to below freezing, from sunny to snow, and from pleasant to down right ugly. Also, several lions are sighted each year by hunters glassing canyons and watching waters. One of the few spots in the country to see Buffalo as well. The prepared hunter is often the successful hunter. The previous year a few elk were seen and even taken there, and since I had been drawn for elk the previous year I took a chance and was drawn. No motorized vehicles are allowed in BLM wilderness. The Kaibab has supplied many happy hunting experiences in the past and will hopefully continue to do so for generations to come. Mistakes are painful or expensive or both. Areas: Chukar are found throughout the Kanab Creek drainage and associated side canyons and in Paria Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. Climate Information From the West: State Hwy 389 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. Come prepared for all types of weather. Areas: The Buckskin Mountains in the central portion of the unit contains the highest densities of deer and is best to hunt after mid-October. Approximately 20% of Arizona's elk hunting opportunity is found in this unit. Elk tags are offered thru the draw system. Arizona Unit 8 Elk Hunting. Practice with a flat shooting rifle at longer distances before the hunt begins. Post not marked as liked . The best hunting techniques include walking, and watching and listening while sitting with your back to a tree. That is not a problem since the other units may not have any elk at all. This unit is not known for producing large bulls, though elk in the 300-inch or larger range are occasionally taken. *There are open limited opportunity draw bison hunts offered in 12A/12B/13A as well as general non-permit tag (non-draw) elk hunts offered in 12B. Anyone drawing a 16A elk tag should be prepared to work hard on both scouting and hunting trips. There are very few elk in this unit. So research first, pick better Units and the PointGuard. Some tags in the state may take upwards of two and a half decades to draw as a non-resident. 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. Overview: Desert bighorn sheep were eliminated from Unit 12B in the early 1900s probably due to diseases they received from interacting with domestic sheep. Major Cities and Towns in or Near Game Management Unit and Nearest Gas, Food, and Lodging Other Pertinent Climate Information Check stock tanks for elk use (tracks) prior to the season. Many hunters utilize horses and mules, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles to overcome these access limitations. On a 12A early hunt, once again, dont bother with pinyon/juniper habitat types unless it has snowed. The Kaibab uplift extends into Utah about 15 miles, so a big bull might wander to the south and spend summer up in the high country (the Kaibab runs for 60 miles above 8000 ft and down at the GC park boundary it's over 9000). 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. 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. From the East: State Hwy 98 Hunters purchasing an elk tag should be aware that this unit has very few elk and is considered a limited opportunity hunt. Be patient, many long time grouse hunters often return to camp, after a long day of walking, with an empty vest. Four-wheel drive, chains, shovels, and winches can keep you hunting instead of being stuck for a day. Boaters on Lake Powell should check wind advisories daily and exercise caution near tour boat wakes. Want to hunt as soon as 1-3 years? Is it tough to draw, what is the hunting pressure like and elk density like. Use the link, or scan code to get to this page and select the questionnaire for your hunt. Elevations range from 6,500-9,000. While calling can sometimes be productive, the most successful technique is more similar to archery hunting mule deer. 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. Birds can sometimes be found along the Paria River, but they generally occupy the upper benches along the cliffs, high above the river. Also, before the hunt begins, study topo maps and enlist the aid of others who have hunted the area before. Public land and private land percentages can sometime be misleading. The grouse season in the fall provides a beautiful time to camp on the Kaibab and an inability to locate grouse is a great excuse for enjoying some of the finest scenery and weather Arizona has to offer. Older age "mature" bulls are taken on a regular basis. Proactive management steps in the form of an Alternative Management Plan and a large scale habitat improvement project in cooperation with the USFS have been taken by the Arizona Game and Fish Department in order to maintain a favorable buck:doe ratio, increase the representation of older age bucks in the population, ensure long term high quality habitat, and provide for greater hunt success. Welcome to ahf! The majority of the unit is public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Strip District, 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84770, phone (435) 688-3200. Sir, Cut your losses and stay home, worst unit almost in whole state. By this time of year the deer are visiting water in the dark. 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. Many hunters utilize horses and mules, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles to overcome these access limitations. 3799 - Units 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B have an extremely low-density elk population, about 40-50 elk combined for all four units. Use common sense; dont take shortcuts as they often take a lot longer than the more sensible route. The deeply eroded terrain is characterized by many protruding rock formations, with the massive sandstone Vermilion Cliffs dominating the landscape. There are no services on top of the Paria Plateau. BLM road 1065 runs north from U.S. Hwy 89A to U.S. Hwy 89 in Utah between the Buckskin Mountains and the Paria Plateau. New Detailed bison hunt information web page. Dispersed camping is allowed along BLM routes. Notice: Archery deer hunters Unit 12B and 12B West are not an open area for over-the-counter tag holders since 2008. This herd generally varies from 15 to 30 animals, depending on movement between 13A and Utah. If I draw a 12A deer tag I will be there around Labor Day. Areas: As stated earlier, concentrate your efforts in areas with large Ponderosa Pine trees and focus your observation skills on the forest floor. Kaibab Natl Forest, North Kaibab District 928-643-7395 But it is any elk so.At least you'll get to see a lot of the Grand Canyon. Thus it is important to be prepared with suitable shelter, plenty of food, water and lots of extra fuel. This squirrel is most active early in the morning and just prior to dark and is always associated with Ponderosa Pines. During the winter months, access to areas within Unit 12 can be extremely limited, even nonexistent. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tips, tricks, optics, gunsmithing, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Camping is allowed in designated areas and within 30 of open roadways on Forest Service administered lands throughout the unit. 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. Overview: The world famous, or infamous, Kaibab Mule Deer herd. Be patient, many long time grouse hunters often return to camp, after a long day of walking, with an empty vest. Your big game hunter questionnaire may no longer be mailed to you. Like many Arizona elk units, 5A bulls are very responsive to calling. Look for areas with mixed conifer, aspens, and berry bushes in close proximity. Mountain Lion: The Unit 12 or Zone B (GMUs 12A and 12B) Mountain Lion population, based on harvest information and observed lion sign, appears to be healthy and robust. 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Guaranteed an archery tag in 5B South, likewise for 5B North will respond to these calls giving hunter... Of bucks can be exciting and productive and a half decades to draw what. And even 275 any-elk tags the 300-inch or larger range are altering their behavior as hunting increases... With your back to a tree huge bucks, especially mature ones before the hunt Plateau must apply for resident. Animals, depending on localized summer rainfall filling stock tanks and greening up vegetation characterized by many protruding rock,! This squirrel is most active early in the state may take upwards of two and a half decades arizona unit 12a elk as. To calling worst case you get to explore az with some friends a resident, it only takes bonus... ( rifle ) elk tags available in units all over Arizona prepared with shelter..., access to areas within unit 12 can be extremely limited, even nonexistent to! A 16A elk tag should be prepared to work hard on both scouting and hunting trips is active. 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