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. 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. At least it's at a discounted price. The Kaibab Squirrel is a subspecies of the Aberts Squirrel which is found only on the Kaibab Plateau, Mount Logan, and Mount Trumbull. . Being prepared on this hunt is even more crucial than on the early hunt. Often roosting turkeys will respond to these calls giving a hunter a location to begin the mornings hunt. Use common sense; dont take shortcuts as they often take a lot longer than the more sensible route. Once a track is located the hounds are released and the lion is pursued until treed. Northern half of the unit is ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forest, rolling hills, and high mountains. During December, sheep are generally found at lower elevations on the talus slopes below the steep cliff faces. The most common technique for lion hunting in Unit 12 is similar to that used throughout the Rim country in Arizona. The Paria Plateau to the east has the lowest number of deer. 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. Take care in species identification before dropping the hammer. This area will provide an excellent opportunity for archery and early season general deer hunters for the foreseeable future. Also, several lions are sighted each year by hunters glassing canyons and watching waters. Chukar are not numerous anywhere in Kanab Creek or its associated drainages. And that 20% species distribution may lie 100% within private lands. 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. Arizona Elk Hunting, Draw Odds Results and Harvest Data - Toprut.com. 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. Although this herd is only estimated to have around 100 animals, the herd appears to be fairly stable. Four-wheel drive, chains, shovels, and winches can keep you hunting instead of being stuck for a day. During the winter months, access to areas within Unit 12 can be extremely limited, even nonexistent. Arizona Wildlife Outfitters also offers some exceptional deer hunting on Mule Deer units 12A and 13B. From the West: U.S. Hwy 89A Lost Canyon Hunts. Deer from the North Kaibab start migrating northward to merge with the Utah deer in early-November. You've got a lot of country to access. Depending on the amount of snow fall, Pigeon Canyon and Gunsight Point to the west are generally best after early November. *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. 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. Elk will be found from the Mogollon Rim south to Parker Creek. We do offer some one day scouting packages for Javelina, Mule Deer, Coues deer and elk in units 22, 23, 24B, 37A, 37B. Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim 928-638-7888, view harvest thresholds and zone closures. The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. Enjoy the natural splendor of the Kaibab Plateau, revel in your good fortune at having a tag, relish the fact that a huge deer is a possibility, but most of all be a responsible sportsman and represent our sport in the best manner possible. 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. BOOK YOUR HUNT. Hunt the travel corridors up or down from water and you will improve your odds. 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. Trumbull and or Grand Canyon Wilderness. 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. Yearly reported harvest figures fluctuate around 1 dozen lions with most of these animals taken by houndsmen during the winter months. Grouse hunting is a great excuse to come to the Kaibab to enjoy a cooler climate. 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. No motor vehicles are allowed in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. As indicated by checkstation records, the average mature buck produced by the Kaibab is a 3-5 year old 23-25 four point. First, on an archery hunt dont bother with pinyon/juniper areas unless it has snowed (not likely). Getting off the road and into the canyons will improve your observations of mule deer bucks, especially mature ones. The population grew to about 160 bighorns within the first 8 years. Overview: Unit 12A, world famous for the Kaibab Deer Herd, is also home to one of the premier turkey populations in the state of Arizona. During the fall hunt gas, food, and lodging can be found in Fredonia, Jacob Lake, and near DeMotte Park. There are very few elk in this unit. Phone us at 928-713-4329 with any questions you may have. 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. As the season progresses mule deer bucks on the plateau become more and more secretive. Be prepared for a wide range of conditions including severe winter weather. Follow a few simple rules and your chance of success will increase exponentially. The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. 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. 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. If outside of wilderness you may drive cross country to retrieve your animal. Antlerless hunters continue to enjoy high hunt success. Take care in species identification before dropping the hammer. Make sure that you can access the area before taking the shot. Well, I wasn't, but welcome to AHT to you also! 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. Update: For the past few years, bison have been seen near Wall Lake, as well as along Forest Service Roads 219B, 223, 270, and 610. 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. The average Boone and Crockett score for the last 5 years has been in the mid-150s. That is not a problem since the other units may not have any elk at all. . No motor vehicles are allowed in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. The Grand Canyon National Park is not open to hunting. Remember this deer herd is extremely migratory and will remain at higher elevations until significant snowfall pushes them off. Some lions have been harvested incidental to these other activities. Be prepared for extreme weather. 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. 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. Several roads lead along the edge to the west on west side, some Excellent views all the way to the bottom, see the Colorado river and all. Be patient, many long time grouse hunters often return to camp, after a long day of walking, with an empty vest. Antlerless Hunting: After several years of antlerless hunting, many of the does on the plateau have become as hunter-wise as most bucks. Be prepared for remote camping as the only amenities during the spring hunt are at Jacob Lake and in Fredonia. 12A includes the Kaibab plateau that actually starts in southern Utah and rising up to the south to 9300+ ft. Come prepared for all types of weather. If you end up wanting to take a camping trip and see the Grand Canyon then 12A is a great spot. Unlike the early hunt, the late hunt is managed for harvesting older aged deer, having high hunter success, and low density of hunters. 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. Since 2007 an increase in the number of squirrels observed has taken place, with the advent of more favorable environmental variables we are seeing a corresponding increase in the squirrel population. On the ever in demand 12A late hunt, pray (if religious) for snow. 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. *There are currently no Population Management Seasons for elk tags available for successfully drawn deer hunters in Units 12A East and/or West. There are no easy ways to hunt them, but the breath-taking scenery makes it a great place to try. Very few deer reside in 12BW year round, making it difficult to hunt during the archery season in August and September. Under alternative management these favorable ratios should be maintained or even improved. 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. Units 36A, B and C and unit 35A and 35B have good populations of mule deer (and whitetail deer). Be prepared for snow, mud, and adverse weather conditions, and bring plenty of supplies. A good pair of binoculars and spotting scope will improve the chance of taking a trophy bull. Yearly reported harvest figures fluctuate around 1 dozen lions with most of these animals taken by houndsmen during the winter months. But it is any elk so.At least you'll get to see a lot of the Grand Canyon. Check for current or recent wildfires in this area. Antlerless hunters continue to enjoy high hunt success. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region II 928 774-5045 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. These areas are open to foot and horseback travel only. Areas of elk concentrations change somewhat year-to-year, depending on localized summer rainfall filling stock tanks and greening up vegetation. It excludes the Paria Plateau and any areas east of BLM road 1065. Approximately 20% of Arizona's elk hunting opportunity is found in this unit. Also look for turkey scratch, those locations where flocks of turkeys have been feeding and have disturbed the litter layer of the forest floor. Come prepared for all types of weather. Https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Questionnaires/. On a 12A early hunt, once again, dont bother with pinyon/juniper habitat types unless it has snowed. 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. The Alternative Deer Management Plan provides the guidelines for which decisions on hunt recommendations are made. Hunters with a 12B permit (vs. 12BW permit) may hunt the Paria Plateau as well as the rest of the Unit. Is it tough to draw, what is the hunting pressure like and elk density like. The prepared hunter is often the successful hunter. Areas: Concentrate your efforts on the southeast side of the Plateau in sub-unit 12AE. Birds are usually found in isolated coveys, and can (usually do) descend thousands of feet into inaccessible canyons after being flushed. The health and longevity of this winter range is critical to the long term sustainability of the 12A deer herd. A good bird dog can be of great assistance in retrieving downed birds. 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