Is it tough to draw, what is the hunting pressure like and elk density like. Please contact any department office for additional information or to purchase an elk OTC tag. Unit 12A continues to provide the turkey hunter and/or wildlife enthusiast a unique opportunity to observe Merriam's Turkeys. This area will provide an excellent opportunity for archery and early season general deer hunters for the foreseeable future. Waterhole hunting becomes less productive as frost begins to supply the need for water. This unit is not known for producing large bulls, though elk in the 300-inch or larger range are occasionally taken. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. You've got a lot of country to access. Excellent recruitment and low winter mortality for the past several years has lead to population levels similar to the early 90s. 661 leftover tags for a reason. If the deer are low and you glass enough it will pay off. 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. Overview: Chukar Partridge is an overlooked game bird in this unit. This is the classic western mule deer hunt. Game Management Unit 12A Elevations vary from 3,000' to more than 9,200', with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. Many hunters utilize horses and mules, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles to overcome these access limitations. 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. 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. 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. 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. Arizona Unit 8 Elk Hunting. 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. Good boots, parkas, and camping gear can make or break your hunt. While calling can sometimes be productive, the most successful technique is more similar to archery hunting mule deer. Essentially, it could take decades of applying to get drawn for a premier hunt for one of Arizona's world class mule deer. 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. Take care in species identification before dropping the hammer. On National Park Service lands, camping is restricted to designated areas. The health and longevity of this winter range is critical to the long term sustainability of the 12A deer herd. But if you go, Good Luck!!!! LIST VIEW. There are 1,685 limited opportunity general (rifle) elk tags available in units all over Arizona. This behavior includes becoming more and more nocturnal, spending more time in thick aspen and mixed conifer stands, and remaining in unroaded canyon habitats. The vegetation in this area ranges from Great Basin desert scrub and desert grassland to pinyon-juniper and pine-oak woodlands. Good boots, parkas, and camping gear can make or break your hunt. JM. 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. Areas: During the spring turkey hunt significant winter snowfall can affect access and often dictates hunting locations. Favorite Deer Units : 13 b ,12a, 12b, 10, 17a & b,18b , 21, 23, 44, 20c Favorite Antelope Units: 5a, 7, 9, 10, 7a, 18a. Under alternative management these favorable ratios should be maintained or even improved. This herd generally varies from 15 to 30 animals, depending on movement between 13A and Utah. Books and countless articles have been written on the subject. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 928 608-6200 Often roosting turkeys will respond to these calls giving a hunter a location to begin the mornings hunt. You could hire a outfitter to get in there and pin down where the few elk are. Elk are primarily found along the Black Hills that make up the Verde Rim from I-17 to the Bloody Basin road. Under alternative management these favorable ratios should be maintained or even improved. If you have a 12B tag and are trying to decide whether to hunt 12BW or the Paria Plateau, there are a few additional things that you should consider. We are a family owned and operated business. Unit 12A continues to provide the turkey hunter and/or wildlife enthusiast a unique opportunity to observe Merriams Turkeys. 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. Hunters interested in purchasing an elk tag should be aware that this unit has few elk and is considered a limited opportunity hunt. Yearly reported harvest figures fluctuate around 1 dozen lions with most of these animals taken by houndsmen during the winter months. From the East: State Hwy 98 Learn More. Elk Hunting in Arizona Game Management Unit 12A Elevations vary from 3,000' to more than 9,200', with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. 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. Welcome to ahf! 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. Concentrate your efforts in areas with rim-rock and significant changes in elevation. It is the hunters responsibility to know where they are and the state line is patrolled heavily by both Utah and Arizona law enforcement. 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. The unit's terrain is very rocky with rugged mountains. 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 outside of wilderness you may drive cross country to retrieve your animal. First, on an archery hunt dont bother with pinyon/juniper areas unless it has snowed (not likely). Follow a few simple rules and your chance of success will increase exponentially. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes. 12A includes the Kaibab plateau that actually starts in southern Utah and rising up to the south to 9300+ ft. 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. *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. BOOK YOUR HUNT. 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. hunt in game management units 12A, 12B, 13A and 13B. 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. Hunters purchasing an elk tag should be aware that this unit has very few elk and is considered a limited opportunity hunt. Also, before the hunt begins, study topo maps and enlist the aid of others who have hunted the area before. According to Arizona Game and Fish, Hunt No. 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. QUICK NAV: RESIDENCY STATUS: SHOW ODDS FOR: or SHOW UNIT: Arizona - Elk. 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. The Kaibab Squirrel is a subspecies of the Aberts Squirrel which is found only on the Kaibab Plateau, Mount Logan, and Mount Trumbull. Send us an email at [emailprotected] to learn more. You will find the majority of antelope south and east of the ranch and all the way out to the rim of Marble Canyon. Are you an outfitter, hunting guide, game processor or local hotel? Remember this deer herd is extremely migratory and will remain at higher elevations until significant snowfall pushes them off. Be prepared for remote camping as the only amenities during the spring hunt are at Jacob Lake and in Fredonia. Keep movements to a minimum, scan the surrounding area constantly, and listen for turkey vocalizations. 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. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Occasionally, depending on rainfall and the availability of forage, coveys can be found in some of the shallow drainages along Kanab Creek. 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. Salt licks are a great attractant for deer and provide the same opportunity as waterholes. After a snow storm a hunter will drive the roads found within the 12A winter deer range early in the morning looking for tracks. Do you have landowner tags, lease land, or have an lodge? These areas are open to foot and horseback travel only. 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. Dont get me wrong i am a serious as they come bird hunter and by far my favorite hunt to do , just huge bulls have always intrigued me and wish one day i could afford to chase a record class bull, I have seen some very good bulls just west of Bryce Canyon NP. 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. Unit 12A - first choice. 0. Elevations vary from 3,000' to more than 9,200', with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. A map of the zones can be found at Mountain Lion management zone map. Like many Arizona elk units, 5A bulls are very responsive to calling. Books and countless articles have been written on the subject. Be prepared for a wide range of conditions including severe winter weather. During the spring hunt be prepared for cold temperatures and even snow. As mentioned above, the main concentration of antelope is in House Rock Valley. Drier habitat conditions further to the east limit use of this area. Hunt the travel corridors up or down from water and you will improve your odds. 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. Many come with visions of 32 wide racks with multiple points per side, still others are happy with a tender yearling forkhorn. Notice: Archery deer hunters Unit 12B and 12B West are not an open area for over-the-counter tag holders since 2008. Conditions can vary from 80 degrees to below freezing, from sunny to snow, and from pleasant to down right ugly. Depending on the amount of snow fall, Pigeon Canyon and Gunsight Point to the west are generally best after early November. Full Guided hunts. . I've made far worse mistakes for sure. Use the link, or scan code to get to this page and select the questionnaire for your hunt. So what do you think Bearfoot1? Excellent recruitment and low winter mortality for the past two years has lead to population levels similar to the early 90s. 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. Harvesting birds should be viewed as a bonus. This is all conjecture on my part of course. Several restaurants, store, fuel, dump stations available in several locations between Jacob and the rim. Grouse, like squirrels, appear to be most active early in the morning but walking throughout the day can result in flushed birds. The Warm Springs and Nail Canyon areas in 12AW and the Cocks Combs area in 12AE are good starting points. But, if you plan to go regardless you should try to reach the AZGFD wildlife manager for that zone if at all possible and see if you can get some hints as to where to look. The best hunting techniques include walking, and watching and listening while sitting with your back to a tree. . Use common sense; dont take shortcuts as they often take a lot longer than the more sensible route. I had a similar tag 10 years ago for the Kaibab proper. Motor vehicle travel is restricted to existing roads on all BLM land in the Unit. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission authorized over-the-counter (OTC) elk tags that include units 12A and 12B and others (see regulations). Overview: The world famous, or infamous, Kaibab Mule Deer herd. The Grand Canyon National Park is not open to hunting. A relatively constant output of older age-class deer has been evident, throughout the history of the plateau. The majority of elk in this unit are located on National Forest lands in the southern part of the unit. Temperatures and conditions may shift from temperate to extreme in the space of several hours. Scouting is recommended only a week or two prior to the start of the hunt, due to the nature of the migration pattern. J John McLaughlin Registered 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. The Kaibab has supplied many happy hunting experiences in the past and will hopefully continue to do so for generations to come. 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. 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