This squirrel is most active early in the morning and just prior to dark and is always associated with Ponderosa Pines. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes. The population grew to about 160 bighorns within the first 8 years. Keep movements to a minimum, scan the surrounding area constantly, and listen for turkey vocalizations. A good pair of binoculars and spotting scope will improve the chance of taking a trophy bull. 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. 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. Elevations vary from 3,000 to more than 9,200, with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. This includes chasing, pursuing, or herding antelope with any type of vehicle. 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. Since 2016 a slight decline in the number of squirrels observed has taken place. It is the hunters responsibility to know where they are and the state line is patrolled heavily by both Utah and Arizona law enforcement. Major Cities and Towns in or Near Game Management Unit and Nearest Gas, Food, and Lodging The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Be prepared for extreme weather. Mature grouse average between 2 and 4 pounds of succulent white meat and provide delicious table fare. Please contact the USFS North Kaibab Ranger District for further information at the phone number listed below. Major Cities and Towns in or Near Game Management Unit and Nearest Gas, Food, and Lodging Therefore, chances for success are very low. A good bird dog can be of great assistance in retrieving downed birds. There are many stock tanks located throughout House Rock Valley and the antelope herds tend to center their activities on these water sources depending on the frequency of summer monsoons. 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. Both of these units make up a portion of . Access to the Paria Plateau can be difficult and deer difficult to find so scouting before the hunt is extremely important. A forum community dedicated to hunting and fishing enthusiasts in the Arizona area. Older age "mature" bulls are taken on a regular basis. 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. 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. There are very few elk in this unit. 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. Remember that hunting with the aid of a vehicle is prohibited. Make sure that you can access the area before taking the shot. 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. 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. 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. Humphreys Peak is the highest point in Arizona, sitting at 12,637 feet in elevation, and it is a dormant volcano. First, on an archery hunt dont bother with pinyon/juniper areas unless it has snowed (not likely). During the winter months, access to areas within Unit 12 can be extremely limited, even nonexistent. 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. Full Guided hunts. Glassing from the slopes of the Kaibab plateau can give you a higher vantage point. It was an early October hunt and the rut would be winding down but not over. Be prepared for remote camping as the only amenities during the spring hunt are at Jacob Lake and in Fredonia. If the deer are low and you glass enough it will pay off. 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. Does that sound confusing? During the early 12B hunts, deer are typically concentrated in the pinyon-juniper and along meadow edges at higher elevations in the Buckskins, southwest toward Snake Gulch. 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. QUICK NAV: RESIDENCY STATUS: SHOW ODDS FOR: or SHOW UNIT: Arizona - Elk. During the spring hunt be prepared for cold temperatures and even snow. Once the location of turkeys has been determined getting up early, hours before first light, is critical. This unit is not known for producing large bulls, though elk in the 300-inch or larger range are occasionally taken. Please contact any department office for additional information or to purchase an elk OTC tag. Learn More. 586. Please contact any department office for additional information or to purchase an elk OTC tag. Just bad luck. The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. During the fall hunt, turkey hunting is a totally different game. Cross country travel is not allowed on BLM lands. Before each hunting trip, verify that the zone is still open, by calling 877-438-0447 or checking online at View harvest thresholds and zone closures. 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 hunter questionnaire link is located on the back of your tag. Sometimes the November and December hunts can be. I've made far worse mistakes for sure. Finally, enjoy the finest terrain, climate, and surroundings that nature has to offer, the Kaibab Plateau. Also, before the hunt begins, study topo maps and enlist the aid of others who have hunted the area before. If I was going in to there I'd focus on the Mt. See all stats but the last 2 years with a free account! Page, Marble Canyon, Jacob Lake, Cliff Dwellers, Fredonia, Major Highways and Roads Leading To Salt licks are a great attractant for deer and provide the same opportunity as waterholes. Therefore, chances for success are very low. . Also look for turkey scratch, those locations where flocks of turkeys have been feeding and have disturbed the litter layer of the forest floor. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission authorized over-the-counter (OTC) elk tags that include units 12A and 12B and others (see regulations). During both the spring and fall hunts be safe and acquire positive target identification. Boaters on Lake Powell should check wind advisories daily and exercise caution near tour boat wakes. No motor vehicles are allowed in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. Chukar also been occasionally observed in drainages to the Colorado River and along the Vermillion Cliffs in the wilderness area in 12BE. A map of the zones can be found at Mountain Lion management zone map. The prepared hunter is often the successful hunter. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tips, tricks, optics, gunsmithing, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! This herd generally varies from 15 to 30 animals, depending on movement between 13A and Utah. 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. I did find some ancient droppings from over a year before but no elk. Overview: The world famous, or infamous, Kaibab Mule Deer herd. From the North: None Concentrate your efforts in areas with rim-rock and significant changes in elevation. Books and countless articles have been written on the subject. 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. Is it tough to draw, what is the hunting pressure like and elk density like. . These areas are open to foot and horseback travel only. Deer from the North Kaibab start migrating northward to merge with the Utah deer in early-November. The deeply eroded terrain is characterized by many protruding rock formations, with the massive sandstone Vermilion Cliffs dominating the landscape. Motor vehicle travel is restricted to existing roads on all BLM land in the Unit. 12A includes the Kaibab plateau that actually starts in southern Utah and rising up to the south to 9300+ ft. Actually, n reports of elk have been reported in these areas or in the unit for the last couple of years. I'd go the end of September into early October. If outside of wilderness you may drive cross country to retrieve your animal. Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. JM. Trumbull and or Grand Canyon Wilderness. Waterhole hunting becomes less productive as frost begins to supply the need for water. Also, several lions are sighted each year by hunters glassing canyons and watching waters. 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. Other areas to consider are Badger Springs and Soap Spring along the Vermillion Cliffs within the wilderness area. Concentrate in areas dominated by this type of vegetation and look for turkey tracks in the snow, mud, dust, or around water sources. Elk Hunting Arizona Elk 2a,2b,2c Ronin75 Oct 26, 2019 Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum Become a supporting member R Ronin75 Well-Known Member Joined Feb 29, 2012 Messages 570 Oct 26, 2019 #1 Anyone have experience hunting the above units for elk? Be prepared for remote camping as the only amenities during the spring hunt are at Jacob Lake and in Fredonia. Large swings indicate a good layering system should be used. No off-road travel by motor vehicles is allowed. Included in these hunts are bull only, antlerless and even 275 any-elk tags. On a 12A early hunt, once again, dont bother with pinyon/juniper habitat types unless it has snowed. Hunters can report their mountain lion harvest in person, by telephone at 1-877-438-0447, or online. Concentrate your efforts in areas with rim-rock and significant changes in elevation. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted a list of leftover hunt permit-tags, as well as a printable paper application, on its website. That is not a problem since the other units may not have any elk at all. Worst case you get to explore az with some friends! 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. 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. in Page; Lees Ferry Campground, 4 miles north of Marble Canyon, administered by the National Park Service. Https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Questionnaires/. Practice with a flat shooting rifle at longer distances before the hunt begins. 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: The Buckskin Mountains in the central portion of the unit contains the highest densities of deer and is best to hunt after mid-October. Being prepared on this hunt is even more crucial than on the early hunt. Check stock tanks for elk use (tracks) prior to the season. Older age "mature" bulls are taken on a regular basis. This area is very isolated and will require 4-wheel drive for the soft sandy roads. The hunter questionnaire link is located on the back of your tag. By this time of year the deer are visiting water in the dark. Harvesting birds should be viewed as a bonus. Areas: As stated earlier, concentrate your efforts in areas with large Ponderosa Pine trees and focus your observation skills on the forest floor. The most common technique for lion hunting in Unit 12 is similar to that used throughout the Rim country in Arizona. This exotic game bird, native to the Middle East, was introduced into various areas in Arizona. Camping is allowed on BLM administered lands over most of the unit. 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. Grouse, like squirrels, appear to be most active early in the morning but walking throughout the day can result in flushed birds. Current data indicates that buck:doe ratios are excellent. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region II 928 774-5045 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. The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. Hunting in the bottom of the Paria Canyon requires hiking with wet feet in sandy terrain along the Paria River. During the spring hunt be prepared for cold temperatures and even snow. 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. The majority of elk in this unit are located on National Forest lands in the southern part of the unit. 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 Paria Plateau, which is surrounded by the Paria canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area, has few roads and can only be accessed from BLM road 1065 on the west side of the plateau. 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. Finally, during the night, prior to a morning hunt drive the roads getting out occasionally and turkey calling. During the hunting seasons, unit 12A is characterized by sudden and drastic weather changes. BOOK YOUR HUNT. 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 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. Yearly reported harvest figures fluctuate around 1 dozen lions with most of these animals taken by houndsmen during the winter months. 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. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! Read about advertising on huntscore here. The majority of Chukar observed along the rim of the Paria Plateau are in the vicinity of Bush Head, Powells Monument, and Fisher Point. While realistically many of the heard bulls with average 280-330" in both units. Your big game hunter questionnaire may no longer be mailed to you. 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. In addition to the 48-hr reporting requirement, the hunter (or their designee) needs to present the mountain lions skull and hide with attached proof of sex to a designated Arizona Game and Fish Department employee for inspection within 10 days of taking the mountain lion. 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. Follow a few simple rules and your chance of success will increase exponentially. 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. 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. But it is any elk so.At least you'll get to see a lot of the Grand Canyon. Arizona is landlocked, and its terrain is comprised of deep canyons, high- and low-elevation deserts, many natural rock formations, and volcanic mountain ranges. Drier habitat conditions further to the east limit use of this area. 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. To hunt Unit 12B or 12B you must now obtain a permit-tag through the big game draw process. 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. There are no services on top of the Paria Plateau. During the fall hunt, turkey hunting is a totally different game. Grouse, like squirrels, appear to be most active early in the morning but walking throughout the day can result in flushed birds. Elk seasons are described in the pronghorn antelope and elk regulations. Tree stands up or down canyon from waters can be excellent and reduce the inevitable territorial dispute with other hunters over the waterhole. *There are currently no Population Management Seasons for elk tags available for successfully drawn deer hunters in Units 12A East and/or West. These areas are open to foot and horseback travel only. Deer are can be found in the open sagebrush flats, but not until snow pushes them out of the trees. So yes its possible, but not likely. This squirrel is most active early in the morning and just prior to dark and is always associated with Ponderosa Pines. Come prepared for all types of weather. Be prepared for snow, mud, and adverse weather conditions, and bring plenty of supplies. Be prepared for extreme weather. Birds can sometimes be found along the Paria River, but they generally occupy the upper benches along the cliffs, high above the river. Be prepared for extreme weather. Overview: Chukar Partridge is an overlooked game bird in this unit. In the recent past several bucks taken on the Kaibab have been entered into the record books. Unlike the early hunt, the late hunt is managed for harvesting older aged deer, having high hunter success, and low density of hunters. After an opening day of this activity plan on spending the next nine days in the same manner. All three hunts are for any . Four-wheel drive, chains, shovels, and winches can keep you hunting instead of being stuck for a day. Dont be a statistic. Although these are a little tougher hunts, a trophy Arizona elk is definitely a likely possibility to harvest. 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. On a 12A early hunt, once again, dont bother with pinyon/juniper habitat types unless it has snowed. Once the location of turkeys has been determined getting up early, hours before first light, is critical. The state line is only marked at dirt road crossings. It is very sandy and requires 4-wheel drive. 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