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. The Paria Plateau has no services and is accessed from Coyote Valley Road (BLM Road 1065). 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. Bureau of Land Management, AZ Strip Field Office 435 688-3200 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. Adjust your hunting strategies accordingly and have fun. Be prepared for extreme weather. 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. There's nothing like autumn on the North Kaibab and Arizona Strip. Over-the-counter elk seasons are described in the 2014 pronghorn antelope and elk regulations. This is all conjecture on my part of course. . The Alternative Deer Management Plan provides the guidelines for which decisions on hunt recommendations are made. Many come with visions of 32 wide racks with multiple points per side, still others are happy with a tender yearling forkhorn. Bachelor herds are typically broken up by this hunt and bucks can be relatively evenly distributed throughout the plateau. Use common sense; dont take shortcuts as they often take a lot longer than the more sensible route. The Kaibab Plateau ranges from 6,000 to 9,200; vegetation consists of ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and aspen. 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. Arizona Wildlife Outfitters also offers some exceptional deer hunting on Mule Deer units 12A and 13B. This unit is not known for producing large bulls, though elk in the 300-inch or larger range are occasionally taken. 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. 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. If the deer are low and you glass enough it will pay off. Look for areas with mixed conifer, aspens, and berry bushes in close proximity. Concentrate your efforts in areas with waterholes (not necessarily on the water), as the plateau is often dry at this time of the year. Elk are primarily found along the Black Hills that make up the Verde Rim from I-17 to the Bloody Basin road. Be patient, many long time grouse hunters often return to camp, after a long day of walking, with an empty vest. By this time of year the deer are visiting water in the dark. The Paria Plateau, which is surrounded by the Paria canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area, has few roads and can only be accessed from BLM road 1065 on the west side of the plateau. The units lower elevations, those surrounding the plateau, consist of pinyon-juniper stands, open sagebrush, and cliff rose pushes. Unit 12A is bounded on the south by the Grand Canyon, on the west by Kanab Creek, on the east by House Rock Valley, and on the north by the Buckskin Mountains and the Arizona-Utah border. Be prepared for a wide range of conditions including severe winter weather. During the winter months, access to areas within Unit 12 can be extremely limited, even nonexistent. Depending on the amount of snow fall, Pigeon Canyon and Gunsight Point to the west are generally best after early November. The AZ/UT state line on a GPS unit is N37 00.0 latitude. 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. You've got a lot of country to access. Birds can sometimes be found along the Paria River, but they generally occupy the upper benches along the cliffs, high above the river. 3799 - Units 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B have an extremely low-density elk population, about 40-50 elk combined for all four units. 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. Boaters on Lake Powell should check wind advisories daily and exercise caution near tour boat wakes. Antlerless hunters continue to enjoy high hunt success. Grouse often flush at close range in thick cover so be prepared for quick shooting. The Warm Springs and Nail Canyon areas in 12AW, the Cocks Combs area in 12AE, and the Paria Platea have seen harvests in recent years and are good starting points. During the spring hunt be prepared for cold temperatures and even snow. This behavior includes becoming more and more nocturnal, spending more time in thick aspen and mixed conifer stands, and remaining in unroaded canyon habitats. Create a free account to read the rest of this elk hunting note! We do offer some one day scouting packages for Javelina, Mule Deer, Coues deer and elk in units 22, 23, 24B, 37A, 37B. Also, several lions are sighted each year by hunters glassing canyons and watching waters. Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim 928-638-7888, view harvest thresholds and zone closures. Occasionally, depending on rainfall and the availability of forage, coveys can be found in some of the shallow drainages along Kanab Creek. 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. Often roosting turkeys will respond to these calls giving a hunter a location to begin the mornings hunt. Remember that hunting with the aid of a vehicle is prohibited. 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. The terrain in this unit could generally be described as plateau/canyon country. Use the link, or scan code to get to this page and select the questionnaire for your hunt. The highest densities of bighorn sheep are going to be in the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area from above the community of Vermillion Cliffs to Bush head. 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. 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. Many come with visions of 32 wide racks with multiple points per side, still others are happy with a tender yearling forkhorn. Deer from the North Kaibab start migrating northward to merge with the Utah deer in early-November. On a 12A early hunt, once again, dont bother with pinyon/juniper habitat types unless it has snowed. Seems like an expensive camping and hiking excursion in a beautiful part of the country with good friends and maybe a random elk. In the recent past several bucks taken on the Kaibab have been entered into the record books. Books and countless articles have been written on the subject. 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. The Kaibab Squirrel is a subspecies of the Aberts Squirrel which is found only on the Kaibab Plateau, Mount Logan, and Mount Trumbull. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 928 608-6200 Elevations vary from 3,000 to more than 9,200, with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. The state is world famous for huge elk and inversely proportional low draw odds with our Arizona Big Game Draw. The Warm Springs and Nail Canyon areas in 12AW and the Cocks Combs area in 12AE are good starting points. Grouse hunting is a great excuse to come to the Kaibab to enjoy a cooler climate. The Kaibab has supplied many happy hunting experiences in the past and will hopefully continue to do so for generations to come. Is it tough to draw, what is the hunting pressure like and elk density like. Birds are usually found in isolated coveys, and can (usually do) descend thousands of feet into inaccessible canyons after being flushed. There are 1,685 limited opportunity general (rifle) elk tags available in units all over Arizona. Conditions can vary from 80 degrees to below freezing, from sunny to snow, and from pleasant to down right ugly. With continued and persistent drought the woody winter browse in 12AW has been less productive for the past several years and as result concerns over the carrying capacity of this vital range are warranted. Worst case you get to explore az with some friends! The current yearly limit on lions harvested in Unit 12 stands at 14. John is that a unit that can produce a monster bull? Also, several lions are sighted each year by hunters glassing canyons and watching waters. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. 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. 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 majority of Chukar observed along the rim of the Paria Plateau are in the vicinity of Bush Head, Powells Monument, and Fisher Point. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! Chukar are not numerous anywhere in Kanab Creek or its associated drainages. Waterhole hunting becomes less productive as frost begins to supply the need for water. Create a free account to read the rest of this elk hunting note! This is a large area, so scouting will be beneficial. During the fall hunt, turkey hunting is a totally different game. During both the spring and fall hunts be safe and acquire positive target identification. These hunts take place in late November or early December. Unlock the secrets of limited license lotteries and discover drawing and harvest trends to create a better hunt planning strategy. Arizona units down on the border can also provide some good mule deer hunting. New Harvest Thresholds When the number of harvested mountain lions reaches the threshold, that zone closes to the additional harvest of mountain lions at sundown the Wednesday immediately following. Four-wheel drive, chains, shovels, and winches can keep you hunting instead of being stuck for a day. On a 12A early hunt, once again, dont bother with pinyon/juniper habitat types unless it has snowed. The elevation in this area ranges from 3,000' to 7,000'; vegetation ranges from riparian cottonwood-willow and salt cedar along the Gila River, to Chihuahuan Desert in the lower elevations a Elk hunting in this unit can be extremely difficult due to the terrain. Jacob Lake Campground, administered by Kaibab National Forest, intersection of U.S. 89A and State Hwy 67 at Jacob Lake; DeMotte Campground, Kaibab National Forest, Hwy 67; Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim. Current data indicates that buck:doe ratios are excellent. Elevation ranges from 4000 to 7000 feet with vegetation consisting primarily of pinion-juniper and sagebrush flats. Also, before the hunt begins, study topo maps and enlist the aid of others who have hunted the area before. The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. 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. There are no services on top of the Paria Plateau. If you are considering hunting mountain lions in Unit 12 for the first time, consider hiring a good houndsman/guide to increase you likelihood of success. 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. Bachelor herds are typically broken up by this hunt and bucks can be relatively evenly distributed throughout the plateau. Create a free account to read the rest of this terrain note! *There are currently no Population Management Seasons for elk tags available for successfully drawn deer hunters in Units 12A East and/or West. The Paria Plateau to the east has the lowest number of deer. The bulls I saw near Bryce were while mule deer hunting. . Our Arizona hunting unit scouting packages were developed to give the do it yourself hunter a head start when planning their Arizona Deer, Elk, Bear and Javelina hunts. Having extra spare tires would also be a good idea. Remember this deer herd is extremely migratory and will remain at higher elevations until significant snowfall pushes them off. Walking and stalking in areas determined by scouting to hold bachelor herds of bucks can be exciting and productive. Motor vehicle travel is restricted to existing roads on all BLM land in the Unit. On the ever in demand 12A late hunt, pray (if religious) for snow. If outside of wilderness you may drive cross country to retrieve your animal. Come prepared for all types of weather. Have fun, Maybe the trees will be in fall colors when your there, Beautiful colors that time of year. Forage quality and snowfall will push the deer to the lower winter range. The nature of early archery hunts dictates that most successful hunters will need to be physically fit enough to hike 3-5 miles a day in terrain ranging from 4800-7800 feet in elevation. Spring sources along the Vermilion Cliffs are best accessed by horseback or hiking from Highway 89A 2 or 3 miles to the base of the cliffs. Learn More. The most common technique for lion hunting in Unit 12 is similar to that used throughout the Rim country in Arizona. So yes its possible, but not likely. Home. Yearly reported harvest figures fluctuate around 1 dozen lions with most of these animals taken by houndsmen during the winter months. Actually, n reports of elk have been reported in these areas or in the unit for the last couple of years. No off-road travel by motor vehicles is allowed. That is not a problem since the other units may not have any elk at all. 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