Bring binoculars and spotting scopes. According to Arizona Game and Fish, Hunt No. During the hunting seasons, unit 12A is characterized by sudden and drastic weather changes. Hunters obtaining an elk tag should be aware that this unit has few elk and is considered a limited opportunity hunt. Elk tags are offered thru the draw system. 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! If there are any elk they migrate down from Utah and move south until the canyon stops them. Articles often lead to false expectations; huge bucks do not exist behind every tree anywhere in the world. Huge bucks, forkhorns, and even does have been the objects of desire for hunters in this unit. That is not a problem since the other units may not have any elk at all. From the West: State Hwy 389 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 purchasing an elk tag should be aware that this unit has very few elk and is considered a limited opportunity hunt. 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 current yearly limit on lions harvested in Unit 12 stands at 14. Depending on the amount of snow fall, Pigeon Canyon and Gunsight Point to the west are generally best after early November. There are no easy ways to hunt them, but the breath-taking scenery makes it a great place to try. Come prepared for all types of weather. 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. Also look for turkey scratch, those locations where flocks of turkeys have been feeding and have disturbed the litter layer of the forest floor. Overview: Desert bighorn sheep were eliminated from Unit 12B in the early 1900s probably due to diseases they received from interacting with domestic sheep. Concentrate your efforts in areas with waterholes (not necessarily on the water), as the plateau is often dry at this time of the year. Concentrate in areas dominated by this type of vegetation and look for turkey tracks in the snow, mud, dust, or around water sources. The most common technique for lion hunting in 12A is similar to that used throughout the Rim country in Arizona. During the winter months, access to areas within Unit 12 can be extremely limited, even nonexistent. Climate Information The large canyons and rocky areas that form the edges of the Kaibab and Paria plateaus are likely areas to locate lion sign. Many come with visions of 32 wide racks with multiple points per side, still others are happy with a tender yearling forkhorn. Do you have landowner tags, lease land, or have an lodge? Some lions have been harvested incidental to these other activities. Thanks a ton ! Beginning at U.S. Hwy 89A and the Kaibab National Forest boundary near mp 566; southerly and easterly along the forest boundary to Grand Canyon National Park; northeasterly along the park boundary to Glen Canyon National Recreation area; easterly along the recreation area boundary to the Colorado River; northeasterly along the Colorado River to the Arizona-Utah state line; westerly along the state line to Kanab Creek; southerly along Kanab Creek to the Kaibab National Forest boundary; northerly, easterly, and southerly along this boundary to U.S. Hwy 89A near mp 566; except those portions that are sovereign tribal lands of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Note: The state line is only marked at dirt road crossings. No off-road travel by motor vehicles is allowed. This is the classic western mule deer hunt. Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim 928-638-7888, view harvest thresholds and zone closures. For a resident, it only takes ~9-10 bonus point to be guaranteed an archery tag in 5B South, likewise for 5B North. You've got a lot of country to access. That was our initial thoughts on region. Many hunters utilize horses and mules, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles to overcome these access limitations. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tips, tricks, optics, gunsmithing, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Create a free account to read the rest of this elk hunting note! If the deer are low and you glass enough it will pay off. The previous year a few elk were seen and even taken there, and since I had been drawn for elk the previous year I took a chance and was drawn. Sir, Cut your losses and stay home, worst unit almost in whole state. The Grand Canyon National Park is not open to hunting. Harvesting birds should be viewed as a bonus. After an opening day of this activity plan on spending the next nine days in the same manner. Unit 12A continues to provide the turkey hunter and/or wildlife enthusiast a unique opportunity to observe Merriams Turkeys. Be patient, many long time grouse hunters often return to camp, after a long day of walking, with an empty vest. A relatively constant output of older age-class deer has been evident, throughout the history of the plateau. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region II 928 774-5045 The bottom line you may have to wait almost a quarter of your life to get a tag to go hunting in . During the spring hunt be prepared for cold temperatures and even snow. Areas: Any areas with concentrations of deer or sheep often have lions associated with them. We hunt a variety of units in Arizona. The units we hunt in Arizona: Units 6,8,10,12a,17,19,20,23. 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. Good boots, parkas, and camping gear can make or break your hunt. It is the hunters responsibility to know where they are and the state line is patrolled heavily by both Utah and Arizona law enforcement. Listen, debate, learn, evolve and respect. Im not at all familiar with the area but read on azgfd that the population is super low. 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. Well thanks everyone for all the quick responses and for mostly confirming my suspicions. Does that sound confusing? There are very few elk in this unit. 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. 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. 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. Welcome to the board. The majority of the unit is public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Strip District, 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84770, phone (435) 688-3200. 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. Mature grouse average between 2 and 4 pounds of succulent white meat and provide delicious table fare. If old man winter has not yet shown his face follow the suggestions given for the early hunt and good luck. Huge bucks, forkhorns, and even does have been the objects of desire for hunters in this unit. Post not marked as liked . . 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. See how weather varies by elevation within a unit by selecting an elevation range. Elevations vary from 3,000' to more than 9,200', with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. Many come with visions of 32 wide racks with multiple points per side, still others are happy with a tender yearling forkhorn. Scouting is recommended only a week or two prior to the start of the hunt, due to the nature of the migration pattern. 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. One . Elevation ranges from 4000 to 7000 feet with vegetation consisting primarily of pinion-juniper and sagebrush flats. Glassing from the slopes of the Kaibab plateau can give you a higher vantage point. A good pair of binoculars and spotting scope will improve the chance of taking a trophy bull. 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. During the cooler months, elk will occasionally move south to the Kaibab from southern Utah. If old man winter has not yet shown his face follow the suggestions given for the early hunt and good luck. JavaScript is disabled. Large swings indicate a good layering system should be used. This behavior includes becoming more and more nocturnal, spending more time in thick aspen and mixed conifer stands, and remaining in unroaded canyon habitats. Also, several lions are sighted each year by hunters glassing canyons and watching waters. 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. Although these are a little tougher hunts, a trophy Arizona elk is definitely a likely possibility to harvest. Remember that hunting with the aid of a vehicle is prohibited. The hunter questionnaire link is located on the back of your tag. Public land and private land percentages can sometime be misleading. Practice with a flat shooting rifle at longer distances before the hunt begins. This area will provide an excellent opportunity for archery and early season general deer hunters for the foreseeable future. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 928 608-6200 JavaScript is disabled. Be prepared for extreme weather. On the ever in demand 12A late hunt, pray (if religious) for snow. Beginning at U.S. Hwy 89A and the Kaibab National 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. The state line is only marked at dirt road crossings. Phone us at 928-713-4329 with any questions you may have. Just remember that there are always exceptions to the rule, and land ownership is just one piece of the puzzle. This squirrel is most active early in the morning and just prior to dark and is always associated with Ponderosa Pines. Essentially, it could take decades of applying to get drawn for a premier hunt for one of Arizona's world class mule deer. If I draw a 12A deer tag I will be there around Labor Day. Finally, enjoy the finest terrain, climate, and surroundings that nature has to offer, the Kaibab Plateau. 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. Also, several lions are sighted each year by hunters glassing canyons and watching waters. Hunters interested in purchasing an elk tag should be aware that this unit has few elk and is considered a limited opportunity hunt. Access to the Paria Plateau can be difficult and deer difficult to find so scouting before the hunt is extremely important. 3799 - Units 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B have an extremely low-density elk population, about 40-50 elk combined for all four units. 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. Be prepared for remote camping as the only amenities during the spring hunt are at Jacob Lake and in Fredonia. Learn more. Chukars are generally found within the lower 8 or 9 miles of Paria Canyon, along the rim of the Paria Plateau, and at spring sources along the Vermilion Cliffs. This behavior includes becoming more and more nocturnal, spending more time in thick aspen and mixed conifer stands, and remaining in unroaded canyon habitats. We do offer some one day scouting packages for Javelina, Mule Deer, Coues deer and elk in units 22, 23, 24B, 37A, 37B. The elevation in this area ranges from approximately 1,490' near Lake Mead to more than 8,000' in the Virgin Mountains. 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. 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. In the recent past several bucks taken on the Kaibab have been entered into the record books. 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. Units 12A East, 12AWest and 12B require near max points, but hunters lucky enough to draw an East side Kaibab tag are in store for an incredible mule deer hunt. The elk nonpermit-tags are not valid in all units statewide. Mature grouse average between 2 and 4 pounds of succulent white meat and provide delicious table fare. 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