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. First, on an archery hunt dont bother with pinyon/juniper areas unless it has snowed (not likely). Forest road 68G accesses Tule Mesa, and forest road 68 access the Pine Mountain Wilderness. Game and fish would rather have hunters do it legally. Just remember that there are always exceptions to the rule, and land ownership is just one piece of the puzzle. This area will provide an excellent opportunity for archery and early season general deer hunters for the foreseeable future. This behavior includes becoming more and more nocturnal, spending more time in thick aspen and mixed conifer stands, and remaining in unroaded canyon habitats. We hunt a variety of units in Arizona. The health and longevity of this winter range is critical to the long term sustainability of the 12A deer herd. In the recent past several bucks taken on the Kaibab have been entered into the record books. Keep movements to a minimum, scan the surrounding area constantly, and listen for turkey vocalizations. 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. The lion population in Unit 12 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. hunter success will increase with time spent glassing. Please contact any department office for additional information or to purchase an elk OTC tag. Notice: Archery deer hunters Unit 12B and 12B West are not an open area for over-the-counter tag holders since 2008. Elk summer in the higher elevations, and as snow depths increase, they move north to lower elevations. 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. Forage quality and snowfall will push the deer to the lower winter range. 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. There are very few elk in this unit. Arizona is landlocked, and its terrain is comprised of deep canyons, high- and low-elevation deserts, many natural rock formations, and volcanic mountain ranges. Conditions can vary from 80 degrees to below freezing, from sunny to snow, and from pleasant to down right ugly. Concentrate in areas dominated by this type of vegetation and look for turkey tracks in the snow, mud, dust, or around water sources. 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. A relatively constant output of trophy quality deer has been evident, throughout the history of the plateau, as demonstrated by a recent analysis of the Arizona Record book. Since 2016 a slight decline in the number of squirrels observed has taken place. Less pressure o grow big? 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. Essentially, it could take decades of applying to get drawn for a premier hunt for one of Arizona's world class mule deer. Address 123 Main Street New York, NY 10001, Hours MondayFriday: 9:00AM5:00PM Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM3:00PM. Many hunters go home disappointed that they did not see big bucks on the early hunt, but every hunter should do their homework and know what they should expect on a hunt before setting high expectations. BLM road 1065 runs north from U.S. Hwy 89A to U.S. Hwy 89 in Utah between the Buckskin Mountains and the Paria Plateau. Arizona Unit 8 Elk Hunting. Depending on the amount of snow fall, Pigeon Canyon and Gunsight Point to the west are generally best after early November. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. 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. In the last few years, only a few elk or elk sign has been seen, mainly around Rock Canyon and the Pine Hollow habitat treatments. Does that sound confusing? The Paria Plateau in eastern 12B has the lowest density of deer and is not part of the migratory herds from the Kaibab Plateau or the Paunsaugunt. Areas: As stated earlier, concentrate your efforts in areas with large Ponderosa Pine trees and focus your observation skills on the forest floor. Cold nights are the norm in all seasons, specially in non summer months. On the ever in demand 12A late hunt, pray (if religious) for snow. Walking and stalking in areas determined by scouting to hold bachelor herds of bucks can be exciting and productive. We are a family owned and operated business. A good bird dog can be of great assistance in retrieving downed birds. The state line is only marked at dirt road crossings. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region II 928 774-5045 Have fun, Maybe the trees will be in fall colors when your there, Beautiful colors that time of year. Elk will be found from the Mogollon Rim south to Parker Creek. The Alternative Deer Management Plan provides the guidelines for which decisions on hunt recommendations are made. Birds can sometimes be found along the Paria River, but they generally occupy the upper benches along the cliffs, high above the river. There are no services on top of the Paria Plateau. Over-the-counter elk seasons are described in the 2014 pronghorn antelope and elk regulations. 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. Some bighorns have also been taken from the north rim of the Paria Canyon and near spring sources along the Vermilion Cliffs. 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. There are 1,685 limited opportunity general (rifle) elk tags available in units all over Arizona. Create a free account to read the rest of this elk hunting note! Tree stands up or down canyon from waters can be excellent and reduce the inevitable territorial dispute with other hunters over the waterhole. Post not marked as liked . The bulls I saw near Bryce were while mule deer hunting. It is very sandy and requires 4-wheel drive. Be prepared for extreme weather. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tips, tricks, optics, gunsmithing, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Therefore, chances for success are very low. I was thinking about that hunt also . These units are specifically managed for wildlife values other than elk, and an established elk population is not desirable. Also, Jacobs Lake is about 30 minutes from the canyon and a great spot to camp. Older age "mature" bulls are taken on a regular basis. On a 12A early hunt, once again, dont bother with pinyon/juniper habitat types unless it has snowed. Listen, debate, learn, evolve and respect. Do you have landowner tags, lease land, or have an lodge? Unit 12A continues to provide the turkey hunter and/or wildlife enthusiast a unique opportunity to observe Merriams Turkeys. Areas: As stated earlier, concentrate your efforts in areas with large Ponderosa Pine trees and focus your observation skills on the forest floor. After an opening day of this activity plan on spending the next nine days in the same manner. It is the hunters responsibility to know where they are and the state line is patrolled heavily by both Utah and Arizona law enforcement. Majority of the deer harvested on the early hunt are younger bucks around 2 years of age. The separation of 12BW from 12B was designed to limit the number of hunters and the deer harvest on the Paria Plateau, but not restrict a hunter with a 12B permit to only hunting the Paria Plateau. JavaScript is disabled. Hunters can report their mountain lion harvest in person, by telephone at 1-877-438-0447, or online at https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Questionnaires/. Anyone drawing a 16A elk tag should be prepared to work hard on both scouting and hunting trips. Check stock tanks for elk use (tracks) prior to the season. As the season progresses mule deer bucks on the plateau become more and more secretive. Articles often lead to false expectations; huge bucks do not exist behind every tree anywhere in the world. 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. This game bird tends to concentrate around water sources, especially along steep cliffs. The Paria Plateau has no services and is accessed from Coyote Valley Road (BLM Road 1065). That is a huge area to even begin to scout. Lost Canyon Hunts. Remember that hunting with the aid of a vehicle is prohibited. They were good 330-350 bulls. From the West: U.S. Hwy 89A A relatively constant output of older age-class deer has been evident, throughout the history of the plateau. AS a reminder: Dont stand really close to edge, the sandstone/ granite crumbles with very little weight or movement, you dont want to see the bottom or top, depending on which way your falling on the way down. Four-wheel drive, chains, shovels, and winches can keep you hunting instead of being stuck for a day. Motor vehicle travel is restricted to existing roads on all BLM land in the Unit. *There are currently no Population Management Seasons for elk tags available for successfully drawn deer hunters in Units 12A East and/or West. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Take care in species identification before dropping the hammer. 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. Elk season dates can be found in the regulations. Four-wheel drive, chains, shovels, and winches can keep you hunting instead of being stuck for a day. The population grew to about 160 bighorns within the first 8 years. This herd generally varies from 15 to 30 animals, depending on movement between 13A and Utah. This behavior includes becoming more and more nocturnal, spending more time in thick aspen and mixed conifer stands, and remaining in unroaded canyon habitats. If I draw a 12A deer tag I will be there around Labor Day. Some lions have been harvested incidental to these other activities. 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. This is all conjecture on my part of course. Chukar are not numerous anywhere in Kanab Creek or its associated drainages. Keep movements to a minimum, scan the surrounding area constantly, and listen for turkey vocalizations. Update: In 2008, the Arizona Game and Fish Department discontinued aerial flights on the Kaibab National Forest to locate bison prior to hunts because so few bison were observed in previous years. Unlike the early hunt, the late hunt is managed for harvesting older aged deer, having high hunter success, and low density of hunters. Sir, Cut your losses and stay home, worst unit almost in whole state. A unit may have 80% public land, but a particluar species may only occupy 20% on the entire area. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! Use temperature ranges to plan and prepare for your hunt. Access to the Paria Plateau can be difficult and deer difficult to find so scouting before the hunt is extremely important. Many hunters utilize horses and mules, snowmobiles, and other recreational vehicles to overcome these access limitations. I drew this hunt 15 years ago when it covered only unit 12A. This unit is not known for producing large bulls, though elk in the 300-inch or larger range are occasionally taken. Deer are can be found in the open sagebrush flats, but not until snow pushes them out of the trees. The Grand Canyon National Park is not open to hunting. Public land and private land percentages can sometime be misleading. There are several small herds that reside on the north side of Highway 89A in the grassland. Hunters who. 3799 - Units 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B have an extremely low-density elk population, about 40-50 elk combined for all four units. 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. In general, unrestricted vehicle travel is allowed on all open BLM roads. 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. 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. It excludes the Paria Plateau and any areas east of BLM road 1065. JM. Concentrate on areas that are more inaccessible. Hunters with a 12B permit (vs. 12BW permit) may hunt the Paria Plateau as well as the rest of the Unit. If the deer are low and you glass enough it will pay off. Your big game hunter questionnaire will no longer be mailed to you. You've got a lot of country to access. Make sure that you can access the area before taking the shot. Bachelor herds are typically broken up by this hunt and bucks can be relatively evenly distributed throughout the plateau. As unit 10 is known for giant bull elk, Units 12A and 13B are just as famous for producing monster mule deer bucks and Arizona Wildlife Outfitters has taken their share of trophy heads from both units. At the time, the local WM told me that the local ranchers will "dispose" of any elk they find out there because elk compete with cattle for winter feed. As indicated by checkstation records, the average mature buck produced by the Kaibab is a 3-5 year old 23-25 four point. 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. Remember this deer herd is extremely migratory and will remain at higher elevations until significant snowfall pushes them off. Come prepared for all types of weather. The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. This area will provide an excellent opportunity for archery and early season general deer hunters for the foreseeable future. Arizona Wildlife Outfitters also offers some exceptional deer hunting on Mule Deer units 12A and 13B. A map of the zones can be found at Mountain Lion management zone map. Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Elevations vary from 3,000' to more than 9,200', with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. Welcome to the board. I'd go the end of September into early October. The majority of the unit is public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. While realistically many of the heard bulls with average 280-330" in both units. Hunters purchasing an elk tag should be aware that this unit has very few elk and is considered a limited opportunity hunt. 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. Im not at all familiar with the area but read on azgfd that the population is super low. 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. Alluvial sandy soils occur throughout most of the unit and vegetation is sparse, consisting mainly of sagebrush at lower elevations and pinyon-juniper trees at higher elevations. Elevations vary from 3,000' to more than 9,200', with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. A good bird dog can be of great assistance in retrieving downed birds. 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. 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