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. Elevations vary from 3,000' to more than 9,200', with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. Areas: Concentrate your efforts on the southeast side of the Plateau in sub-unit 12AE. Elk seasons are described in the pronghorn antelope and elk regulations. If the deer are low and you glass enough it will pay off. Temperatures and conditions may shift from temperate to extreme in the space of several hours. 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. 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. I'd go the end of September into early October. Birds are usually found in isolated coveys, and can (usually do) descend thousands of feet into inaccessible canyons after being flushed. 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. Be patient, many long time grouse hunters often return to camp, after a long day of walking, with an empty vest. Good boots, parkas, and camping gear can make or break your hunt. The Kaibab uplift extends into Utah about 15 miles, so a big bull might wander to the south and spend summer up in the high country (the Kaibab runs for 60 miles above 8000 ft and down at the GC park boundary it's over 9000). It is common to observe bighorns in locations where it is not possible to recover them. Occasionally, depending on rainfall and the availability of forage, coveys can be found in some of the shallow drainages along Kanab Creek. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Large swings indicate a good layering system should be used. Im not at all familiar with the area but read on azgfd that the population is super low. Once a track is located the hounds are released and the lion is pursued until treed. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted a list of leftover hunt permit-tags, as well as a printable paper application, on its website. After an opening day of this activity plan on spending the next nine days in the same manner. Huge bucks, forkhorns, and even does have been the objects of desire for hunters in this 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. This game bird tends to concentrate around water sources, especially along steep cliffs. No off-road travel by motor vehicles is allowed. You've got a lot of country to access. That is not a problem since the other units may not have any elk at all. JavaScript is disabled. Concentrate your efforts in areas with rim-rock and significant changes in elevation. 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. Kaibab Natl Forest, North Kaibab District 928-643-7395 Use common sense; dont take shortcuts as they often take a lot longer than the more sensible route. As the crow flies its not more than 50 miles to the north end of the Kaibab plateau. I did find some ancient droppings from over a year before but no elk. All off-highway vehicles must display a current OHV decal and a street legal registration if operated on a county road. Concentrate on areas that are more inaccessible. Look for areas with mixed conifer, aspens, and berry bushes in close proximity. See all stats but the last 2 years with a free account! Antlerless hunters continue to enjoy high hunt success. Mistakes are painful or expensive or both. Well thanks everyone for all the quick responses and for mostly confirming my suspicions. Areas: During the spring turkey hunt significant winter snowfall can affect access and often dictates hunting locations. The Kaibab has supplied many happy hunting experiences in the past and will hopefully continue to do so for generations to come. It is very sandy and requires 4-wheel drive. Salt licks are a great attractant for deer and provide the same opportunity as waterholes. Finally, enjoy the finest terrain, climate, and surroundings that nature has to offer, the Kaibab Plateau. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 928 608-6200 We do offer some one day scouting packages for Javelina, Mule Deer, Coues deer and elk in units 22, 23, 24B, 37A, 37B. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) These early hunts can be difficult because the deer are typically located in areas of formidable cover and are not easily located or glassed. Once the location of turkeys has been determined getting up early, hours before first light, is critical. 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. (double face palm). In general, unrestricted vehicle travel is allowed on all open BLM roads. I'm not at all familiar with the area but read on azgfd that the population is super low. Well, I wasn't, but welcome to AHT to you also! 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. If there are any elk they migrate down from Utah and move south until the canyon stops them. This squirrel is most active early in the morning and just prior to dark and is always associated with Ponderosa Pines. 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. There are very few elk in this unit. These hunts include the Arizona strip (Units 13A or 13B) or Kaibab (Units 12A East, 12A West and 12B) for mule deer. Walking and stalking in areas determined by scouting to hold bachelor herds of bucks can be exciting and productive. And that 20% species distribution may lie 100% within private lands. As the season progresses mule deer bucks on the plateau become more and more secretive. All three hunts are for any . The early hunt is managed for hunter opportunity and usually occurs during the early part of the deer migration, thus few older-age class bucks are found during the early hunt. Grouse hunting is a great excuse to come to the Kaibab to enjoy a cooler climate. Pronghorn are also found along the edge of the plateau in the pinyon-juniper transition zone. 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. Antlerless Hunting: After several years of antlerless hunting, many of the does on the plateau have become as hunter-wise as most bucks. First, on an archery hunt dont bother with pinyon/juniper areas unless it has snowed (not likely). Post not marked as liked . Conditions can vary from 80 degrees to below freezing, from sunny to snow, and from pleasant to down right ugly. You will find the majority of antelope south and east of the ranch and all the way out to the rim of Marble Canyon. Data currently indicates that buck: doe ratios, a very important management statistic, have rebounded as of late and are significantly higher than the statewide average. Areas: Pronghorn in House Rock Valley generally tend to be located within 6 to 7 miles of the base of the Kaibab Plateau. So research first, pick better Units and the PointGuard. The Alternative Deer Management Plan provides the guidelines for which decisions on hunt recommendations are made. Practice with a flat shooting rifle at longer distances before the hunt begins. Areas: As stated earlier, concentrate your efforts in areas with large Ponderosa Pine trees and focus your observation skills on the forest floor. This is a large area, so scouting will be beneficial. A good pair of binoculars and spotting scope will improve the chance of taking a trophy bull. By this time of year the deer are visiting water in the dark. There are no services on top of the Paria Plateau. 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 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. I plan on going up there to scout sometime soon but was wondering if anyone has seen elk up there. Overview: The Unit 12A Mountain Lion population, based on harvest information and observed lion sign, appears to be healthy and robust. Very few deer reside in 12BW year round, making it difficult to hunt during the archery season in August and September. Dont be a statistic. 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. Concentrate in areas dominated by this type of vegetation and look for turkey tracks in the snow, mud, dust, or around water sources. Approximately 20% of Arizona's elk hunting opportunity is found in this unit. 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. Older age "mature" bulls are taken on a regular basis. 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. During both the spring and fall hunts be safe and acquire positive target identification. 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. Areas: Chukar are found throughout the Kanab Creek drainage and associated side canyons and in Paria Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. There are generally one or two herds on South Canyon Point; however this area is more difficult to access as there are few roads in the area. Good boots, parkas, and camping gear can make or break your hunt. 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. Also, before the hunt begins, study topo maps and enlist the aid of others who have hunted the area before. Very few services are available for gas and food. Make sure that you can access the area before taking the shot. 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. Please contact the USFS North Kaibab Ranger District for further information at the phone number listed below. This behavior includes becoming more and more nocturnal, spending more time in thick aspen and mixed conifer stands, and remaining in unroaded canyon habitats. The lion population in Unit 12 is a migratory population of rought 60-80 animals with the lions essentially following the deer herd as it migrates from summer to winter ranges. There are 1,685 limited opportunity general (rifle) elk tags available in units all over Arizona. Advertise on HuntScore and reach hunters interested in this hunting unit! 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. 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. Check for current or recent wildfires in this area. 3799 - Units 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B have an extremely low-density elk population, about 40-50 elk combined for all four units. Important Note: (See unit description under Unit Boundaries) 12BW includes the Buckskins to the north of the Kaibab and the west side winter range including Pigeon Canyon and Gunsight Point. A good bird dog can be of great assistance in retrieving downed birds. These areas are open to foot and horseback travel only. Bachelor herds are typically broken up by this hunt and bucks can be relatively evenly distributed throughout the plateau. So what do you think Bearfoot1? Fredonia, Marble Canyon, Page, Kanab, UT, Major Highways and Roads Leading To The squirrel is dark in color, has tufted ears, and has a large white bushy tail. Shooting from a vehicle and from the roadway is also prohibited. Bureau of Land Management, AZ Strip Field Office 435 688-3200 If you end up wanting to take a camping trip and see the Grand Canyon then 12A is a great spot. Note: 12BW is the entire portion of 12B that is west of BLM road 1065 (House Rock Valley/ Coyote Valley Road), excluding the Paria Plateau. This may be a good place to introduce yourself and your site or include some credits. Elk are primarily found along the Black Hills that make up the Verde Rim from I-17 to the Bloody Basin road. Want to hunt as soon as 1-3 years? The nonpermit-tag hunts in Units 12A and 12B are open through Dec. 31, while the nonpermit-tag hunts in Units 13A and 13B are open through Sept. 11, then again from Nov. 4 through Dec. 31. Happens every year. This squirrel is most active early in the morning and just prior to dark and is always associated with Ponderosa Pines. 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