The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. No motor vehicles are allowed in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. Antlerless Hunting: After several years of antlerless hunting, many of the does on the plateau have become as hunter-wise as most bucks. North of Kane Ranch, there are a few groups of antelope scattered throughout the rolling hills. Contact Us Contact Us Thank you for your interest in our Deer and Elk Hunts. Conditions can vary from 80 degrees to below freezing, from sunny to snow, and from pleasant to down right ugly. Hunters are required to report their mountain lion harvest information to the Arizona Game and Fish Department within 48 hours of taking a mountain lion. Elk in those areas are VERY few and far between, and if I were you, I wouldn't waste any more $$ on attempting to hunt it. However, locating and harvesting an antlerless deer is likely to become more challenging as these animals become more educated about two-legged visitors to the plateau. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tips, tricks, optics, gunsmithing, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! "Give 100% in everything you do, unless you are donating blood.". Great Buffalo viewing areas a couple miles north of park entry, If your Lucky. Grouse often flush at close range in thick cover so be prepared for quick shooting. We are a family owned and operated business. Elevations vary from 3,000 to more than 9,200, with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. Page, Marble Canyon, Jacob Lake, Cliff Dwellers, Fredonia, Major Highways and Roads Leading To Deer begin to move down from the top Buckskin Mountains to the pinyon-juniper and sagebrush flats as the snow pushes them off the plateau during the late hunt. Harvesting birds should be viewed as a bonus. 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. Concentrate in areas dominated by this type of vegetation and look for turkey tracks in the snow, mud, dust, or around water sources. Remember, we hunt for the experience. That is not a problem since the other units may not have any elk at all. 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. Being prepared on this hunt is even more crucial than on the early hunt. Just remember that there are always exceptions to the rule, and land ownership is just one piece of the puzzle. 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. 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. First, on an archery hunt dont bother with pinyon/juniper areas unless it has snowed (not likely). . Once a track is located the hounds are released and the lion is pursued until treed. Our Arizona late-season elk hunts are a great hunt for hunters that want to experience bachelor herds of bull elk. Bighorn have typically been harvested along the rim of the Paria Plateau near Bush Head, Powells Monument, and Fisher Point. Harvesting birds should be viewed as a bonus. Areas: During the spring turkey hunt significant winter snowfall can affect access and often dictates hunting locations. Good boots, parkas, and camping gear can make or break your hunt. 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. Good optics are a must for both scouting and glassing during your hunt. The majority of the unit is public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Getting off the road and into the canyons will improve your observations of mule deer bucks, especially mature ones. There's nothing like autumn on the North Kaibab and Arizona Strip. Hunters purchasing an elk tag should be aware that this unit has very few elk and is considered a limited opportunity hunt. During the winter months access to areas within 12A can be extremely limited, even nonexistent. The Kaibab Plateau ranges from 6,000' to 9,200'; vegetation consists of ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and aspen. Arizona Wildlife Outfitters also offers some exceptional deer hunting on Mule Deer units 12A and 13B. Walking and stalking in areas determined by scouting to hold bachelor herds of bucks can be exciting and productive. Arizona Mule Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunts. 12A includes the Kaibab plateau that actually starts in southern Utah and rising up to the south to 9300+ ft. All three hunts are for any . hunt in game management units 12A, 12B, 13A and 13B. The unit's terrain is very rocky with rugged mountains. Overview: Unit 12A is home to one of the most unique game animals in Arizona and perhaps the nation. The Kaibab Squirrel is a subspecies of the Aberts Squirrel which is found only on the Kaibab Plateau, Mount Logan, and Mount Trumbull. J John McLaughlin Registered Dreams have been realized, or shattered, on every hunt in this Unit since its inception. Having extra spare tires would also be a good idea. 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. Finally, enjoy the finest terrain, climate, and surroundings that nature has to offer, the Kaibab Plateau. For a resident, it only takes ~9-10 bonus point to be guaranteed an archery tag in 5B South, likewise for 5B North. Salt licks are a great attractant for deer and provide the same opportunity as waterholes. 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. I plan on going up there to scout sometime soon but was wondering if anyone has seen elk up there. The units we hunt in Arizona: Units 6,8,10,12a,17,19,20,23. These areas are open to foot and horseback travel only. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission authorized over-the-counter (OTC) elk tags that include units 12A and 12B and others (see regulations). 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. 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. 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. These hunts take place in late November or early December. Bureau of Land Management, AZ Strip Field Office 435 688-3200 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. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! The north rim of the Paria Canyon is accessed from Big Water, Utah and also requires 4-wheel drive due to soft sand. As the crow flies its not more than 50 miles to the north end of the Kaibab plateau. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tips, tricks, optics, gunsmithing, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! 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. The large canyons and rocky areas that form the edges of the Kaibab and Paria plateaus are likely areas to locate lion sign. The Vermillion Cliffs and Paria Plateau in 12BE, the western side of Buckskin Mountain, and the Gunsight peninsula including Kanab Creek and Snake Gulch have seen harvests in recent years, and are good starting points. Good boots, parkas, and camping gear can make or break your hunt. According to Arizona Game and Fish, Hunt No. 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. Humphreys Peak is the highest point in Arizona, sitting at 12,637 feet in elevation, and it is a dormant volcano. Articles often lead to false expectations; huge bucks do not exist behind every tree anywhere in the world. The large canyons and rocky areas that form the edges of the Kaibab plateau, both on the east and west side of the plateau, are likely areas to locate lion sign. During both the spring and fall hunts be safe and acquire positive target identification. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! Elevations vary from 3,000' to more than 9,200', with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. A unit may have 80% public land, but a particluar species may only occupy 20% on the entire area. Also, several lions are sighted each year by hunters glassing canyons and watching waters. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region II 928 774-5045 Unit 3a/3c - second choice. 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. Antlerless hunters continue to enjoy high hunt success. Hunters are required to report their mountain lion harvest information to the Arizona Game and Fish Department within 48 hours of taking a mountain lion. Please contact the USFS North Kaibab Ranger District for further information at the phone number listed below. Come prepared for all types of weather. Finally, during the night, prior to a morning hunt drive the roads getting out occasionally and turkey calling. 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? Be prepared for snow, mud, and adverse weather conditions, and bring plenty of supplies. This behavior includes becoming more and more nocturnal, spending more time in thick aspen and mixed conifer stands, and remaining in unroaded canyon habitats. Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim 928-638-7888, view harvest thresholds and zone closures. The Paria Plateau has no services and is accessed from Coyote Valley Road (BLM Road 1065). Listen, debate, learn, evolve and respect. In the last couple of years, only a few elk have been spotted and harvested in the vicinity of Mile and a Half Lake south to Franks Lake, on the west side of the Kaibab Plateau. 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. 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 lion population in 12A 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. The squirrel is dark in color, has tufted ears, and has a large white bushy tail. Permit numbers for the 12B hunt are very limited. Shooting from a vehicle and from the roadway is also prohibited. Weather can vary by elevation. . The health and longevity of this winter range is critical to the long term sustainability of the 12A deer herd. The best hunting techniques include walking, and watching and listening while sitting with your back to a tree. Antlerless Hunting: After several years of antlerless hunting, many of the does on the plateau have become as hunter-wise as most bucks. As mentioned above, the main concentration of antelope is in House Rock Valley. Use the link, or scan code to get to this page and select the questionnaire for your hunt. Once a track is located the hounds are released and the lion is pursued until treed. . Post not marked as liked . 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. However, for the past few years, bison have been seen near Wall Lake, as well as along Forest Service Roads 219B, 223, 270, and 610. *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. Overview: Chukar Partridge is an overlooked game bird in this unit. Huge bucks, forkhorns, and even does have been the objects of desire for hunters in this unit. Since 2016 a slight decline in the number of squirrels observed has taken place. Before each hunting trip, verify that the zone is still open, by calling 877-438-0447 or checking online at View harvest thresholds and zone closures. Look for areas with mixed conifer, aspens, and berry bushes in close proximity. Areas: Concentrate your efforts on the southeast side of the Plateau in sub-unit 12AE. The Grand Canyon National Park is not open to hunting. If you are considering hunting mountain lions on the Kaibab for the first time consider hiring a good houndsman/guide to increase your likelihood of success. Follow a few simple rules and your chance of success will increase exponentially. No motor vehicles are allowed in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. We hunt a variety of units in Arizona. Getting off the road and into the canyons will improve your observations of mule deer bucks, especially mature ones. Therefore, chances for success are very low. 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. Seems like an expensive camping and hiking excursion in a beautiful part of the country with good friends and maybe a random elk. 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. The Kaibab Plateau ranges from 6,000 to 9,200; vegetation consists of ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and aspen. During the winter months, access to areas within Unit 12 can be extremely limited, even nonexistent. Dreams have been realized, or shattered, on every hunt in this Unit since its inception. You could hire a outfitter to get in there and pin down where the few elk are. Public land and private land percentages can sometime be misleading. Take care in species identification before dropping the hammer. (double face palm). Both of these units make up a portion of . It has also been introduced in the San Francisco Peaks area near Flagstaff. This area is very isolated and will require 4-wheel drive for the soft sandy roads. 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. 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. Current data indicates that buck:doe ratios are excellent. 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 Kaibab Squirrel is a subspecies of the Aberts Squirrel which is found only on the Kaibab Plateau, Mount Logan, and Mount Trumbull. Use temperature ranges to plan and prepare for your hunt. So what do you think Bearfoot1? Use common sense; dont take shortcuts as they often take a lot longer than the more sensible route. Phone us at 928-713-4329 with any questions you may have. Mountain Lion: The Unit 12 or Zone B (GMUs 12A and 12B) Mountain Lion population, based on harvest information and observed lion sign, appears to be healthy and robust. Also, Jacobs Lake is about 30 minutes from the canyon and a great spot to camp. 0. Are you an outfitter, hunting guide, game processor or local hotel? 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. Check stock tanks for elk use (tracks) prior to the season. As turkeys fly off the roost in the early pre-dawn, often the most active period of the day, they may provide a hunter the best opportunity to call in a wary old longbeard. Once a track is located the hounds are released and the lion is pursued until treed. Adjust your hunting strategies accordingly and have fun. Game and fish would rather have hunters do it legally. Unit 12A - first choice. As a result of continued drought those areas of higher elevation, specifically those areas with spruce/fir/aspen forests have been the most productive areas for the past several years. Hunters can report their mountain lion harvest in person, by telephone at 1-877-438-0447, or online. Travel Management Planning Update: The BLM is the primary federal land management agency across unit12B. 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. Hunt the travel corridors up or down from water and you will improve your odds. Some lions have been harvested incidental to these other activities. The Paria Plateau to the east has the lowest number of deer. Huge bucks, forkhorns, and even does have been the objects of desire for hunters in this unit. On a 12A early hunt, once again, dont bother with pinyon/juniper habitat types unless it has snowed. Although this herd is only estimated to have around 100 animals, the herd appears to be fairly stable. Also look for turkey scratch, those locations where flocks of turkeys have been feeding and have disturbed the litter layer of the forest floor. 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