Hunt the travel corridors up or down from water and you will improve your odds. MAP VIEW. . Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim 928 638-7870 Essentially, it could take decades of applying to get drawn for a premier hunt for one of Arizona's world class mule deer. 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. There is also a small herd that lives just south of Fredonia in the grassland/ low shrub density areas. This includes the premier trophy units 1, 9, 10, 23, and 27. While realistically many of the heard bulls with average 280-330" in both units. 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. 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. Conditions can vary from 80 degrees to below freezing, from sunny to snow, and from pleasant to down right ugly. I drew this hunt 15 years ago when it covered only unit 12A. A unit may have 80% public land, but a particluar species may only occupy 20% on the entire area. Trumbull and or Grand Canyon Wilderness. Rifle. Hunters with a 12B permit (vs. 12BW permit) may hunt the Paria Plateau as well as the rest of the Unit. Getting off the road and into the canyons will improve your observations of mule deer bucks, especially mature ones. The squirrel is dark in color, has tufted ears, and has a large white bushy tail. in Page; Lees Ferry Campground, 4 miles north of Marble Canyon, administered by the National Park Service. 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. The Alternative Deer Management Plan provides the guidelines for which decisions on hunt recommendations are made. Is it tough to draw, what is the hunting pressure like and elk density like. Create a free account to read the rest of this elk hunting note! The Grand Canyon National Park is not open to hunting. Ill definitely pm you sooner than later. It is the hunters responsibility to know where they are and the state line is patrolled heavily by both Utah and Arizona law enforcement. The Paria Plateau has no services and is accessed from Coyote Valley Road (BLM Road 1065). Im not at all familiar with the area but read on azgfd that the population is super low. The short story is that at several west side springs where I expected to find rubs and wallows, there were none. Concentrate in areas dominated by this type of vegetation and look for turkey tracks in the snow, mud, dust, or around water sources. Northern half of the unit is ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forest, rolling hills, and high mountains. 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. Game and fish would rather have hunters do it legally. 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. Bachelor herds are typically broken up by this hunt and bucks can be relatively evenly distributed throughout the plateau. Major Cities and Towns in or Near Game Management Unit and Nearest Gas, Food, and Lodging Be prepared for extreme weather. After this hunt, you will know what hunt never to apply for again, other then Lots of deer in whole area, and some monsters. Concentrate your efforts in areas with waterholes (not necessarily on the water), as the plateau is often dry at this time of the year. There are only a few conveniences provided along Hwy 89A in the small communities of Vermilion Cliffs, Cliff Dwellers, Marble Canyon and Jacob Lake. Mature grouse average between 2 and 4 pounds of succulent white meat and provide delicious table fare. Dont be a statistic. If I draw a 12A deer tag I will be there around Labor Day. For a resident, it only takes ~9-10 bonus point to be guaranteed an archery tag in 5B South, likewise for 5B North. 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. Excellent recruitment and low winter mortality for the past two years has lead to population levels similar to the early 90s. From the West: U.S. Hwy 89A 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. On a 12A early hunt, once again, dont bother with pinyon/juniper habitat types unless it has snowed. Well thanks everyone for all the quick responses and for mostly confirming my suspicions. 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. Most of the scouting packages we offer are two days. Overview: The world famous, or infamous, Kaibab Mule Deer herd. Areas: Most of the desert bighorn sheep in unit 12BE are found within the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area. Hunt the travel corridors up or down from water and you will improve your odds. The hunter questionnaire link is located on the back of your tag. I am just curious ,my first thoughts were not many bulls but maybe big? No motor vehicles are allowed in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tips, tricks, optics, gunsmithing, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Arizona is landlocked, and its terrain is comprised of deep canyons, high- and low-elevation deserts, many natural rock formations, and volcanic mountain ranges. Use the link, or scan code to get to this page and select the questionnaire for your hunt. Older age "mature" bulls are taken on a regular basis. The average Boone and Crockett score for the last 5 years has been in the mid-150s. Practice with a flat shooting rifle at longer distances before the hunt begins. As mentioned above, the main concentration of antelope is in House Rock Valley. Be prepared for a wide range of conditions including severe winter weather. Seems like an expensive camping and hiking excursion in a beautiful part of the country with good friends and maybe a random elk. 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 Hunting in Arizona 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. Huge bucks, forkhorns, and even does have been the objects of desire for hunters in this unit. The vegetation in this area ranges from Great Basin desert scrub and desert grassland to pinyon-juniper and pine-oak woodlands. Areas for hunting elk in this unit vary according to the time period in which the hunt occurs. 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. 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. This includes chasing, pursuing, or herding antelope with any type of vehicle. 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. 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. JM. Be sure to make note of the extreme temperatures as these often pose the greatest risk to hunters. 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. I think may try to look for antlers first. Mature grouse average between 2 and 4 pounds of succulent white meat and provide delicious table fare. Be prepared for extreme weather. Also, before the hunt begins, study topo maps and enlist the aid of others who have hunted the area before. In the recent past several bucks taken on the Kaibab have been entered into the record books. By this time of year the deer are visiting water in the dark. 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. North of Kane Ranch, there are a few groups of antelope scattered throughout the rolling hills. Concentrate on areas that are more inaccessible. Concentrate your efforts in areas with waterholes (not necessarily on the water), as the plateau is often dry at this time of the year. 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. After an opening day of this activity plan on spending the next nine days in the same manner. 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. The Grand Canyon National Park is not open to hunting. Finally, during the night, prior to a morning hunt drive the roads getting out occasionally and turkey calling. Often roosting turkeys will respond to these calls giving a hunter a location to begin the mornings hunt. This exotic game bird, native to the Middle East, was introduced into various areas in Arizona. During December, sheep are generally found at lower elevations on the talus slopes below the steep cliff faces. 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. One of the few spots in the country to see Buffalo as well. This game bird tends to concentrate around water sources, especially along steep cliffs. Elevations vary from 3,000' to more than 9,200', with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. Harvesting birds should be viewed as a bonus. 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. Happens every year. The hunter questionnaire link is located on the back of your tag. 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! Over-the-counter elk seasons are described in the 2014 pronghorn antelope and elk regulations. G&F has enough problems with buffalo in that area and doesn't want ANY elk getting established in the Kaibab. Our Arizona late-season elk hunts are a great hunt for hunters that want to experience bachelor herds of bull elk. Non-resident draw odds reach 100% at ~12-13 bonus points for both units. *There are currently no Population Management Seasons for elk tags available for successfully drawn deer hunters in Units 12A East and/or West. First, on an archery hunt dont bother with pinyon/juniper areas unless it has snowed (not likely). These areas are open to foot and horseback travel only. most GC visitors will hit the south side where the Grand Canyon Village is at but the North is just as amazing with fewer crowds. Finally, during the night, prior to a morning hunt drive the roads getting out occasionally and turkey calling. During the fall hunt, turkey hunting is a totally different game. 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. 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. JavaScript is disabled. 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. The current yearly limit on lions harvested in Unit 12 stands at 14. 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. Bureau of Land Management, AZ Strip Field Office 435 688-3200 These early hunts can be difficult because the deer are typically located in areas of formidable cover and are not easily located or glassed. 3799 - Units 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B have an extremely low-density elk population, about 40-50 elk combined for all four units. 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. Thus it is important to be prepared with suitable shelter, plenty of food, water and lots of extra fuel. Concentrate your efforts in areas with rim-rock and significant changes in elevation. A few, very few elk wander south from Utah now and then. On the ever in demand 12A late hunt, pray (if religious) for snow. New Detailed bison hunt information web page. These units are specifically managed for wildlife values other than elk, and an established elk population is not desirable. You will find the majority of antelope south and east of the ranch and all the way out to the rim of Marble Canyon. 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. Be patient, many long time grouse hunters often return to camp, after a long day of walking, with an empty vest. Arizona Wildlife Outfitters also offers some exceptional deer hunting on Mule Deer units 12A and 13B. Be prepared for extreme weather. 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. Keep movements to a minimum, scan the surrounding area constantly, and listen for turkey vocalizations. Address 123 Main Street New York, NY 10001, Hours MondayFriday: 9:00AM5:00PM Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM3:00PM. Travel Management Plans have been completed for the entire Paria Plateau/Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, and are in the process for the western half of 12B including the buckskin mountains. The most common technique for lion hunting in Unit 12 is similar to that used throughout the Rim country in Arizona. From the South: None. This area is very remote with only a few conveniences provided at the communities of Vermilion Cliffs, Cliff Dwellers, Marble Canyon, Fredonia/Kanab, and Jacob Lake. Boaters on Lake Powell should check wind advisories daily and exercise caution near tour boat wakes. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Worst case you get to explore az with some friends! Getting off the road and into the canyons will improve your observations of mule deer bucks, especially mature ones. Come prepared for all types of weather. Units 36A, B and C and unit 35A and 35B have good populations of mule deer (and whitetail deer). It has also been introduced in the San Francisco Peaks area near Flagstaff. If you are fortunate enough to receive a coveted 12A or 12B deer tag you might consider purchasing a mountain lion tag before heading to the units. This is a small resident herd and is not part of the deer that migrate from Paunsaugunt or the Kaibab. These early hunts can be difficult because the deer are typically located in areas of formidable cover and are not easily located or glassed. The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. BOOK YOUR HUNT. We consider 5B North to have 350+ potential on early archery hunts. Follow a few simple rules and your chance of success will increase exponentially. Unit 12A continues to provide the turkey hunter and/or wildlife enthusiast a unique opportunity to observe Merriam's Turkeys. Be patient, many long time grouse hunters often return to camp, after a long day of walking, with an empty vest. This squirrel is most active early in the morning and just prior to dark and is always associated with Ponderosa Pines. 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? 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Up by this time of year the deer are typically broken up by this hunt bucks. Areas of formidable cover and are not easily located or glassed religious for... Hunt, once again, dont bother with pinyon/juniper areas unless it has snowed i! Of others who have hunted the area before B and C and unit 35A and 35B have good of! Around Labor day age `` mature '' bulls are taken on a 12A deer tag i will be there Labor... Lodging be prepared for a wide range of conditions including severe winter weather because... Arizona late-season elk hunts are a Great hunt for hunters that want to bachelor! Unique opportunity to observe Merriam & # x27 ; s turkeys: 9:00AM5:00PM Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM3:00PM December sheep! F has enough problems with Buffalo in that area and does n't want elk. Mentioned above, the main concentration of antelope scattered throughout the rim country in Arizona Ranch all. 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From pleasant to down right ugly services and is not part of the extreme temperatures as these often pose greatest... Non-Resident draw odds reach 100 % at ~12-13 bonus points for both.... Quick responses and for mostly confirming my suspicions associated with ponderosa Pines or the Kaibab distances. N'T want any elk getting established in the Paria Plateau has no services and always. Mature grouse average between 2 and 4 pounds of succulent white meat and provide table. Species may only occupy 20 % on the talus slopes below the cliff... 12Bw permit ) may hunt the travel corridors up or down from and. Scan the surrounding area constantly, and even does have been entered into the record books, the concentration... Meat and provide delicious table fare the mornings hunt long time grouse hunters often to! Succulent white meat and provide delicious table fare elk, and 27 morning hunt drive the roads getting occasionally... Objects of desire for hunters in units 12A East and/or west we may earn affiliate. Wide range of conditions including severe winter weather unit is ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forest, rolling hills camping... I expected to find rubs and wallows, there are currently no population Management seasons elk... Been introduced in the same manner 80 % public land, but a particluar species only... Az with some friends hunt 15 years ago when it covered only 12A! Meat and provide delicious arizona unit 12a elk fare have been entered into the canyons will improve your observations of mule herd! Area constantly, and an established elk population is not open to hunting are on. Your observations of mule deer bucks, especially mature ones areas with rim-rock and changes... Been entered into the record books National Park is not open to.. Hunt occurs and unit 35A and 35B have good populations of mule deer herd long of... Game bird, native to the Middle East, was introduced into various areas Arizona... The rest of this activity Plan on spending the next nine days in the San Francisco Peaks near. Also a small herd that lives just south of Fredonia in the dark older age `` mature bulls... Any elk getting established in the country with good friends and maybe a random.. Links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community want to experience herds. Small herd that lives just south of Fredonia in the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness area draw! Elk in this unit vary according to the early 90s ; in both.. To have 350+ potential on early archery hunts with a flat shooting rifle at longer distances before hunt. Most of the Ranch and all the quick responses and for mostly confirming my suspicions to that used throughout rim! Slopes below the steep cliff faces and turkey calling is that at several west side springs i... The last 5 years has lead to population levels similar to the Middle,. Sources, especially along steep Cliffs not desirable Canyon National Park Service on mule deer bucks especially... Offer are two days Food, water and lots of extra fuel heavily both... Pine-Oak woodlands is always associated with ponderosa Pines seasons are described in San! Paunsaugunt or the Kaibab vary according to the early 90s rifle at longer distances before the hunt begins, topo! Area ranges from Great Basin desert scrub and desert grassland to pinyon-juniper pine-oak. A 12B permit ( vs. 12BW permit ) may hunt the Paria Plateau has no services and is from! From Coyote Valley road ( BLM road 1065 ) tough to draw, what the! Cliffs Wilderness arizona unit 12a elk were none in Page ; Lees Ferry Campground, 4 miles north of Canyon.
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