Be prepared for remote camping as the only amenities during the spring hunt are at Jacob Lake and in Fredonia. 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. Areas: During the spring turkey hunt significant winter snowfall can affect access and often dictates hunting locations. Getting off the road and into the canyons will improve your observations of mule deer bucks, especially mature ones. 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. Other Pertinent Climate Information Come prepared for all types of weather. Be prepared for remote camping as the only amenities during the spring hunt are at Jacob Lake and in Fredonia. 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? Elk will be found from the Mogollon Rim south to Parker Creek. Finally, during the night, prior to a morning hunt drive the roads getting out occasionally and turkey calling. As the weather continues to cool down and the snow fall increases, Kaibab deer from the western portion of the plateau move down towards Pigeon Canyon, Toothpick Ridge and Gunsight Point, making this area best after early November. Therefore, chances for success are very low. 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. 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. By this time of year the deer are visiting water in the dark. 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. I don't know if there is a worse hunt to be drawn for to be honest. Arizona Mule Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunts. Want to hunt as soon as 1-3 years? Remember, we hunt for the experience. Also look for turkey scratch, those locations where flocks of turkeys have been feeding and have disturbed the litter layer of the forest floor. Your big game hunter questionnaire will no longer be mailed to you. 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. This is the classic western mule deer hunt. Areas: Concentrate your efforts on the southeast side of the Plateau in sub-unit 12AE. Arizona Elk Hunting, Draw Odds Results and Harvest Data - Toprut.com. The Kaibab Plateau ranges from 6,000 to 9,200; vegetation consists of ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and aspen. 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. 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. Hunters who. Areas: Any areas with concentrations of deer or sheep often have lions associated with them. Make sure that you can access the area before taking the shot. Some lions have been harvested incidental to these other activities. I had a similar tag 10 years ago for the Kaibab proper. At the time, the local WM told me that the local ranchers will "dispose" of any elk they find out there because elk compete with cattle for winter feed. See how weather varies by elevation within a unit by selecting an elevation range. 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. Trumbull and or Grand Canyon Wilderness. They were good 330-350 bulls. The elevation in this area ranges from approximately 1,650' on the plateau region to 8,028' on Mount Trumbull. No motor vehicles are allowed in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. Be prepared for a wide range of conditions including severe winter weather. Although 12A/12B is not known for its record breaking antelope bucks, hunt success has typically been around 40% for archery and 100% for rifle. This area will provide an excellent opportunity for archery and early season general deer hunters for the foreseeable future. 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. Finally, enjoy the finest terrain, climate, and surroundings that nature has to offer, the Kaibab Plateau. Unit 12A continues to provide the turkey hunter and/or wildlife enthusiast a unique opportunity to observe Merriams Turkeys. J John McLaughlin Registered Good boots, parkas, and camping gear can make or break your hunt. The Alternative Deer Management Plan provides the guidelines for which decisions on hunt recommendations are made. Elk seasons are described in the pronghorn antelope and elk regulations. Once a track is located the hounds are released and the lion is pursued until treed. Arizona Game & Fish Department, Region II- 928-774-5045 One of the few spots in the country to see Buffalo as well. As the fall progresses the deer become more and more secretive. During the spring hunt be prepared for cold temperatures and even snow. Often roosting turkeys will respond to these calls giving a hunter a location to begin the mornings hunt. Camping is allowed on BLM administered lands over most of the unit. Forest road 732 accesses the area around Squaw Peak. Books and countless articles have been written on the subject. Bureau of Land Management, AZ Strip Field Office 435 688-3200 The deeply eroded terrain is characterized by many protruding rock formations, with the massive sandstone Vermilion Cliffs dominating the landscape. From the North: U.S. Hwy 89 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. During the cooler months, elk will occasionally move south to the Kaibab from southern Utah. 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. Concentrate your efforts in areas with rim-rock and significant changes in elevation. 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. 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. Elevations vary from 3,000' to more than 9,200', with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. Having extra spare tires would also be a good idea. Forage quality and snowfall will push the deer to the lower winter range. From the East: U.S. Hwy 89A There are very few elk in this unit. Many hunters utilize horses and mules, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles to overcome these access limitations. If old man winter has not yet shown his face follow the suggestions given for the early hunt and good luck. 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. Areas: As stated earlier, concentrate your efforts in areas with large Ponderosa Pine trees and focus your observation skills on the forest floor. 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. Follow a few simple rules and your chance of success will increase exponentially. Dispersed camping is allowed along BLM routes. In the recent past several bucks taken on the Kaibab have been entered into the record books. The Paria Plateau has no services and is accessed from Coyote Valley Road (BLM Road 1065). The Grand Canyon National Park is not open to hunting. Major Cities and Towns in or Near Game Management Unit and Nearest Gas, Food, and Lodging 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. During both the spring and fall hunts be safe and acquire positive target identification. This behavior includes becoming more and more nocturnal, spending more time in thick aspen and mixed conifer stands, and remaining in unroaded canyon habitats. 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. 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. Permit numbers for the 12B hunt are very limited. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission authorized over-the-counter (OTC) elk tags that include units 12A and 12B and others (see regulations). Four-wheel drive, chains, shovels, and winches can keep you hunting instead of being stuck for a day. Harvesting birds should be viewed as a bonus. Having extra spare tires would also be a good idea. After an opening day of this activity plan on spending the next nine days in the same manner. See all stats but the last 2 years with a free account! 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. The most common technique for lion hunting in 12A is similar to that used throughout the Rim country in Arizona. These early hunts can be difficult because the deer are typically located in areas of formidable cover and are not easily located or glassed. 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