Although these are a little tougher hunts, a trophy Arizona elk is definitely a likely possibility to harvest. Birds are usually found in isolated coveys, and can (usually do) descend thousands of feet into inaccessible canyons after being flushed. While calling in a higher-pressure unit like 5A it often requires a hunter to be very mobile. Rifle. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. The Grand Canyon National Park is not open to hunting. LIST VIEW. Elk tags are offered thru the draw system. 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. Use common sense; dont take shortcuts as they often take a lot longer than the more sensible route. Included in these hunts are bull only, antlerless and even 275 any-elk tags. 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. The effects of the 58,000 acre Warm Fire during the summer of 2006 appear to be largely positive for the foreseeable future with an incredible aspen, forb, and grass response being noted. 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. 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 come with visions of 32 wide racks with multiple points per side, still others are happy with a tender yearling forkhorn. 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. 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. John is that a unit that can produce a monster bull? The bottom line you may have to wait almost a quarter of your life to get a tag to go hunting in . 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. No motorized vehicles are allowed in BLM wilderness. 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. Seems like an expensive camping and hiking excursion in a beautiful part of the country with good friends and maybe a random elk. Antlerless Hunting: After several years of antlerless hunting, many of the does on the plateau have become as hunter-wise as most bucks. These early hunts can be difficult because the deer are typically located in areas of formidable cover and are not easily located or glassed. Forest road 732 accesses the area around Squaw Peak. Many hunters utilize horses and mules, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles to overcome these access limitations. These areas are open to foot and horseback travel only. 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. The Department reminds hunters that bison within these hunt areas may not be present during the hunt. Do you have landowner tags, lease land, or have an lodge? Check stock tanks for elk use (tracks) prior to the season. The effects of the 58,000 acre Warm Fire during the summer of 2006 appear to be largely positive for the foreseeable future with an incredible aspen, forb, and grass response being noted. It is very sandy and requires 4-wheel drive. The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. In the last couple of years, only a few elk have been spotted along the 12A/12B/12BW boundary on the west side of the Kaibab Plateau. Elk summer in the higher elevations, and as snow depths increase, they move north to lower elevations. 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. G&F has enough problems with buffalo in that area and doesn't want ANY elk getting established in the Kaibab. Under alternative management these favorable ratios should be maintained or even improved. 12A includes the Kaibab plateau that actually starts in southern Utah and rising up to the south to 9300+ ft. See all stats but the last 2 years with a free account! The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. Overview: Unit 12A is home to one of the most unique game animals in Arizona and perhaps the nation. A map of the zones can be found at Mountain Lion management zone map. 0. The Paria Plateau in eastern 12B has the lowest density of deer and is not part of the migratory herds from the Kaibab Plateau or the Paunsaugunt. Remember that hunting with the aid of a vehicle is prohibited. As the fall progresses the deer become more and more secretive. Non-resident draw odds reach 100% at ~12-13 bonus points for both units. 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. In the last couple of years, only a few elk have been spotted and harvested in the vicinity of Mile and a Half Lake south to Franks Lake, on the west side of the Kaibab Plateau. During big winter storms, unit experiences snowfalls that can make travel hazardous. Essentially, it could take decades of applying to get drawn for a premier hunt for one of Arizona's world class mule deer. 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. 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. Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. As the season progresses mule deer bucks on the plateau become more and more secretive. Current data indicates that buck:doe ratios are excellent. Unit 12A continues to provide the turkey hunter and/or wildlife enthusiast a unique opportunity to observe Merriams Turkeys. Four-wheel drive, chains, shovels, and winches can keep you hunting instead of being stuck for a day. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 928 608-6200 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. Https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Questionnaires/. Lost Canyon Hunts. This is the classic western mule deer hunt. MAP VIEW. "Give 100% in everything you do, unless you are donating blood.". I'd go the end of September into early October. The short story is that at several west side springs where I expected to find rubs and wallows, there were none. 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. Be sure to make note of the extreme temperatures as these often pose the greatest risk to hunters. Its going to be HOT, if all else fails and you put in little effort, you could come away with a new pair of rattle snake boots! Elevations vary from 3,000' to more than 9,200', with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. Concentrate on areas that are more inaccessible. Create a free account to read the rest of this elk hunting note! Antlerless Hunting: After several years of antlerless hunting, many of the does on the plateau have become as hunter-wise as most bucks. JavaScript is disabled. Take care in species identification before dropping the hammer. Areas: Pronghorn in House Rock Valley generally tend to be located within 6 to 7 miles of the base of the Kaibab Plateau. Walking and stalking in areas determined by scouting to hold bachelor herds of bucks can be exciting and productive. If old man winter has not yet shown his face follow the suggestions given for the early hunt and good luck. This game bird tends to concentrate around water sources, especially along steep cliffs. The Kaibab Plateau ranges from 6,000' to 9,200'; vegetation consists of ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and aspen. Traveling off established roads is prohibited throughout House Rock Valley on BLM and Wilderness land. We do offer some one day scouting packages for Javelina, Mule Deer, Coues deer and elk in units 22, 23, 24B, 37A, 37B. Finally, mule deer throughout their range are altering their behavior as hunting pressure increases. Unit 12A continues to provide the turkey hunter and/or wildlife enthusiast a unique opportunity to observe Merriams Turkeys. The large canyons and rocky areas that form the edges of the Kaibab and Paria plateaus are likely areas to locate lion sign. Overview: The Unit 12A Mountain Lion population, based on harvest information and observed lion sign, appears to be healthy and robust. Grouse often flush at close range in thick cover so be prepared for quick shooting. 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. 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. hunt in game management units 12A, 12B, 13A and 13B. The majority of the unit is public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. 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. The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. The hunter questionnaire link is located on the back of your tag. During the hunting seasons, unit 12A is characterized by sudden and drastic weather changes. If the deer are low and you glass enough it will pay off. The Paria Plateau has no services and is accessed from Coyote Valley Road (BLM Road 1065). Be prepared for remote camping as the only amenities during the spring hunt are at Jacob Lake and in Fredonia. 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. 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. 3799 - Units 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B have an extremely low-density elk population, about 40-50 elk combined for all four units. Antlerless hunters continue to enjoy high hunt success. Areas of elk concentrations change somewhat year-to-year, depending on localized summer rainfall filling stock tanks and greening up vegetation. Unlike the early hunt, the late hunt is managed for harvesting older aged deer, having high hunter success, and low density of hunters. Also, before the hunt begins, study topo maps and enlist the aid of others who have hunted the area before. Create a free account to read the rest of this terrain note! Good optics are a must for both scouting and glassing during your hunt. Use temperature ranges to plan and prepare for your hunt. In general, unrestricted vehicle travel is allowed on all open BLM roads. Blue Grouse, Kaibab Squirrel, Merriams Turkey, Mountain Lion, Mule Deer. 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. Please contact any department office for additional information or to purchase an elk OTC tag. 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. This area will provide an excellent opportunity for archery and early season general deer hunters for the foreseeable future. Grouse, like squirrels, appear to be most active early in the morning but walking throughout the day can result in flushed birds. A relatively constant output of trophy quality deer has been evident, throughout the history of the plateau, as demonstrated by a recent analysis of the Arizona Record book. Approximately 20% of Arizona's elk hunting opportunity is found in this unit. The Grand Canyon National Park is not open to 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. Be prepared for extreme weather. Concentrate in areas dominated by this type of vegetation and look for turkey tracks in the snow, mud, dust, or around water sources. Forage quality and snowfall will push the deer to the lower winter range. Take care in species identification before dropping the hammer. Some lions have been harvested incidental to these other activities. Adjust your hunting strategies accordingly and have fun. 586. Although this herd is only estimated to have around 100 animals, the herd appears to be fairly stable. Some lions have been harvested incidental to these other activities. 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. We consider 5B North to have 350+ potential on early archery hunts. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Excellent recruitment and low winter mortality for the past several years has lead to population levels similar to the early 90s. Areas for hunting elk in this unit vary according to the time period in which the hunt occurs. 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. 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. 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. Dreams have been realized, or shattered, on every hunt in this Unit since its inception. Many come with visions of 32 wide racks with multiple points per side, still others are happy with a tender yearling forkhorn. The Grand Canyon National Park is not open to hunting. Look for areas with mixed conifer, aspens, and berry bushes in close proximity. 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. Books and countless articles have been written on the subject. Access to the Paria Plateau can be difficult and deer difficult to find so scouting before the hunt is extremely important. Care in species identification before dropping the hammer Mountains and the Paria Plateau are only! Reach 100 % at ~12-13 bonus points for both scouting and glassing during your.! Books and countless articles have been written on the Plateau become more and secretive... Rainfall filling stock tanks and greening up vegetation Mountain lion population, based on information! 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