Some bighorns have also been taken from the north rim of the Paria Canyon and near spring sources along the Vermilion Cliffs. During the spring hunt be prepared for cold temperatures and even snow. Once a track is located the hounds are released and the lion is pursued until treed. This game bird tends to concentrate around water sources, especially along steep cliffs. Grouse, like squirrels, appear to be most active early in the morning but walking throughout the day can result in flushed birds. 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. Areas: Chukar are found throughout the Kanab Creek drainage and associated side canyons and in Paria Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. Enjoy the natural splendor of the Kaibab Plateau, revel in your good fortune at having a tag, relish the fact that a huge deer is a possibility, but most of all be a responsible sportsman and represent our sport in the best manner possible. 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. Hunting in the bottom of the Paria Canyon requires hiking with wet feet in sandy terrain along the Paria River. Yearly reported harvest figures fluctuate around 1 dozen lions with most of these animals taken by houndsmen during the winter months. 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. Overview: The world famous, or infamous, Kaibab Mule Deer herd. Chukar are not numerous anywhere in Kanab Creek or its associated drainages. To hunt Unit 12B or 12B you must now obtain a permit-tag through the big game draw process. Other Pertinent Climate Information The majority of the unit is public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. . Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tips, tricks, optics, gunsmithing, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Our Arizona hunting unit scouting packages were developed to give the do it yourself hunter a head start when planning their Arizona Deer, Elk, Bear and Javelina hunts. Ill definitely pm you sooner than later. Dont be a statistic. 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. Remember this deer herd is extremely migratory and will remain at higher elevations until significant snowfall pushes them off. Southern half of unit is south of Mogollon Rim and has some ponderosa pine forests in the higher elevatio Elk occur throughout unit from high elevation mixed conifer near the Mogollon Rim to the Sunset Mountains just south of Winslow. Create a free account to read the rest of this terrain note! A unit may have 80% public land, but a particluar species may only occupy 20% on the entire area. There are very few elk in this unit. Areas: During the spring turkey hunt significant winter snowfall can affect access and often dictates hunting locations. Unit 3a/3c - second choice. 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. This includes chasing, pursuing, or herding antelope with any type of vehicle. 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. In general, unrestricted vehicle travel is allowed on all open BLM roads. This is my first year being drawn for elk and got a tag for all 12 and 13 units for any elk and this tag is good until April of '19. Our Arizona late-season elk hunts are a great hunt for hunters that want to experience bachelor herds of bull elk. 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. Check stock tanks for elk use (tracks) prior to the season. 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. 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. Included in these hunts are bull only, antlerless and even 275 any-elk tags. 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. Once the location of turkeys has been determined getting up early, hours before first light, is critical. Be prepared for a wide range of conditions including severe winter weather. As the crow flies its not more than 50 miles to the north end of the Kaibab plateau. Other areas to consider are Badger Springs and Soap Spring along the Vermillion Cliffs within the wilderness area. 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. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. This exotic game bird, native to the Middle East, was introduced into various areas in Arizona. If I was going in to there I'd focus on the Mt. I plan on going up there to scout sometime soon but was wondering if anyone has seen elk up there. Boaters on Lake Powell should check wind advisories daily and exercise caution near tour boat wakes. This is my first year being drawn for elk and got a tag for all 12 and 13 units for any elk and this tag is good until April of 19. I don't know if there is a worse hunt to be drawn for to be honest. During the fall hunt gas, food, and lodging can be found in Fredonia, Jacob Lake, and near DeMotte Park. Update: In 2008, the Arizona Game and Fish Department discontinued aerial flights on the Kaibab National Forest to locate bison prior to hunts because so few bison were observed in previous years. 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. Is it tough to draw, what is the hunting pressure like and elk density like. Happens every year. The population grew to about 160 bighorns within the first 8 years. 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. After this hunt, you will know what hunt never to apply for again, other then Lots of deer in whole area, and some monsters. Overview: The Unit 12 (GMUs 12A and 12B) mountain lion population, based on harvest information and observed lion sign, appears to be healthy and robust. This squirrel is most active early in the morning and just prior to dark and is always associated with Ponderosa Pines. We consider 5B North to have 350+ potential on early archery hunts. These early hunts can be difficult because the deer are typically located in areas of formidable cover and are not easily located or glassed. Glassing from the slopes of the Kaibab plateau can give you a higher vantage point. Excellent recruitment and low winter mortality for the past several years has lead to population levels similar to the early 90s. 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. We hunt a variety of units in Arizona. Hunters with a 12B permit (vs. 12BW permit) may hunt the Paria Plateau as well as the rest of the Unit. The Kaibab Squirrel is a subspecies of the Aberts Squirrel which is found only on the Kaibab Plateau, Mount Logan, and Mount Trumbull. 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. From the East: State Hwy 98 A forum community dedicated to hunting and fishing enthusiasts in the Arizona area. Arizona Elk Hunting, Draw Odds Results and Harvest Data - Toprut.com. The Paria Plateau has no services and is accessed from Coyote Valley Road (BLM Road 1065). City of Page Chamber of Commerce 928 645-2741, Https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Questionnaires/, https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Questionnaires/. They were good 330-350 bulls. A total of 52 desert bighorn sheep were transplanted in the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs area in 1984 and 1985 from unit 15B near Lake Mead. The current yearly limit on lions harvested in Unit 12/Zone B stands at 14. 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. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) 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. The Kaibab Squirrel is a subspecies of the Aberts Squirrel which is found only on the Kaibab Plateau, Mount Logan, and Mount Trumbull. These areas are open to foot and horseback travel only. Alluvial sandy soils occur throughout most of the unit and vegetation is sparse, consisting mainly of sagebrush at lower elevations and pinyon-juniper trees at higher elevations. Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim 928-638-7888, view harvest thresholds and zone closures. Beginning at U.S. Hwy 89A and the Kaibab Naitonal 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. Arizona Mule Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunts. Grouse often flush at close range in thick cover so be prepared for quick shooting. From the South: None. Actually, n reports of elk have been reported in these areas or in the unit for the last couple of years. Yearly reported harvest figures fluctuate around 1 dozen lions with most of these animals taken by houndsmen during the winter months. Areas:Any areas with concentrations of deer often have lions associated with them. The Kaibab Plateau ranges from 6,000' to 9,200'; vegetation consists of ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and aspen. 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. There are only a few conveniences provided along Hwy 89A in the small communities of Vermilion Cliffs, Cliff Dwellers, Marble Canyon and Jacob Lake. Do you have landowner tags, lease land, or have an lodge? Bring binoculars and spotting scopes. I think may try to look for antlers first. Concentrate in areas dominated by this type of vegetation and look for turkey tracks in the snow, mud, dust, or around water sources. On the Kaibab Plateau the bird has a very restricted range occupying mixed conifer habitat types near the south end of the Kaibab National Forest and is also found in the Grand Canyon National Park North Rim. Elevation ranges are based on weather stations in or near the unit. Read about advertising on huntscore here. If old man winter has not yet shown his face follow the suggestions given for the early hunt and good luck. Arizona is landlocked, and its terrain is comprised of deep canyons, high- and low-elevation deserts, many natural rock formations, and volcanic mountain ranges. Watching waterholes that have turkey sign around them provide the turkey hunter with the best opportunity to bag a bearded turkey during this often dry time of the year. No motor vehicles are allowed in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. Traveling off established roads is prohibited throughout House Rock Valley on BLM and Wilderness land. If old man winter has not yet shown his face follow the suggestions given for the early hunt and good luck. 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. Current data indicates that buck:doe ratios are excellent. Some lions have been harvested incidental to these other activities. From the North: None Conditions can vary from 80 degrees to below freezing, from sunny to snow, and from pleasant to down right ugly. Unit 12A continues to provide the turkey hunter and/or wildlife enthusiast a unique opportunity to observe Merriams Turkeys. You could hire a outfitter to get in there and pin down where the few elk are. It is recommended that hunters do not apply for this hunt in the draw but rather purchase the tags at a significant discount as left over tags. If you are fortunate enough to receive a coveted 12B deer or sheep tag, you might consider purchasing a mountain lion tag before heading to the Unit. Concentrate your efforts in areas with waterholes (not necessarily on the water), as the plateau is often dry at this time of the year. Arizona Unit 8 Elk Hunting. Areas: Concentrate your efforts on the southeast side of the Plateau in sub-unit 12AE. Notice: Archery deer hunters Unit 12B and 12B West are not an open area for over-the-counter tag holders since 2008. Some say the great days of the Kaibab are past, others maintain things are as good or better than ever, and still others claim things will be great in the future. Practice with a flat shooting rifle at longer distances before the hunt begins. Huge bucks, forkhorns, and even does have been the objects of desire for hunters in this unit. There is also a small herd that lives just south of Fredonia in the grassland/ low shrub density areas. 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. Hunt the travel corridors up or down from water and you will improve your odds. Therefore, chances for success are very low. Favorite Deer Units : 13 b ,12a, 12b, 10, 17a & b,18b , 21, 23, 44, 20c Favorite Antelope Units: 5a, 7, 9, 10, 7a, 18a. Practice with a flat shooting rifle at longer distances before the hunt begins. Many hunters utilize horses and mules, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles to overcome these access limitations. Learn More. 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. This area will provide an excellent opportunity for archery and early season general deer hunters for the foreseeable future. Adjust your hunting strategies accordingly and have fun. Deer Hunting in Arizona's Game Management Unit 12A - HuntScore Get unlimited access to over ten years of historical drawing and harvest data for over 1,700+ hunt units. Dreams have been realized, or shattered, on every hunt in this Unit since its inception. The terrain in this unit could generally be described as plateau/canyon country. Major Cities and Towns in or Near Game Management Unit and Nearest Gas, Food, and Lodging Deer from the North Kaibab start migrating northward to merge with the Utah deer in early-November. 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. Approximately 20% of Arizona's elk hunting opportunity is found in this unit. 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. Remember, 30 bucks are special because they are extremely, extremely rare. These units are specifically managed for wildlife values other than elk, and an established elk population is not desirable. The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. The best hunting techniques include walking, and watching and listening while sitting with your back to a tree. The most common technique for lion hunting in Unit 12 is similar to that used throughout the Rim country in Arizona. 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. Please contact any department office for additional information or to purchase an elk OTC tag. A map of the zones can be found at mountain lion management zones map. New Detailed bison hunt information web page. There are no services on top of the Paria Plateau. Finally, during the night, prior to a morning hunt drive the roads getting out occasionally and turkey calling. 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. This behavior includes becoming more and more nocturnal, spending more time in thick aspen and mixed conifer stands, and remaining in unroaded canyon habitats. Travel Management Planning Update: The BLM is the primary federal land management agency across unit12B. The north rim of the Paria Canyon is accessed from Big Water, Utah and also requires 4-wheel drive due to soft sand. All three hunts are for any . Use the link, or scan code to get to this page and select the questionnaire for your hunt. Does that sound confusing? Create a free account to read the rest of this terrain note! The squirrel is dark in color, has tufted ears, and has a large white bushy tail. Studies have shown that the Paunsaugunt deer arrive in Unit 12B in mid-October through early November, extending southward about 8 miles into Arizona. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. 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. Hunters interested in purchasing an elk tag should be aware that this unit has few elk and is considered a limited opportunity hunt. Advertise on HuntScore and reach hunters interested in this hunting unit! in Page; Lees Ferry Campground, 4 miles north of Marble Canyon, administered by the National Park Service. Therefore, chances for success are very low. It was an early October hunt and the rut would be winding down but not over. Grouse hunting is a great excuse to come to the Kaibab to enjoy a cooler climate. Toggle between terrain, satellite, and topographic views, 1st choice license applications and licenses drawn, Draw odds for resident and nonresident applicants, Harvest stats by hunt_code, manner, season, sex, type, Average # of days between precip or snow event, Probability of other weather events (thunder, hail, etc) by by month. 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. 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