The most common technique for lion hunting in 12A is similar to that used throughout the Rim country in Arizona. Adjust your hunting strategies accordingly and have fun. Humphreys Peak is the highest point in Arizona, sitting at 12,637 feet in elevation, and it is a dormant volcano. It is the hunters responsibility to know where they are and the state line is patrolled heavily by both Utah and Arizona law enforcement. It is very sandy and requires 4-wheel drive. Dreams have been realized, or shattered, on every hunt in this Unit since its inception. Antlerless Hunting: After several years of antlerless hunting, many of the does on the plateau have become as hunter-wise as most bucks. 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. Deer are can be found in the open sagebrush flats, but not until snow pushes them out of the trees. Also, before the hunt begins, study topo maps and enlist the aid of others who have hunted the area before. The prepared hunter is often the successful hunter. Public land and private land percentages can sometime be misleading. The vegetation in this area ranges from Great Basin desert scrub and desert grassland to pinyon-juniper and pine-oak woodlands. Other Pertinent Climate Information 12A includes the Kaibab plateau that actually starts in southern Utah and rising up to the south to 9300+ ft. Arizona is landlocked, and its terrain is comprised of deep canyons, high- and low-elevation deserts, many natural rock formations, and volcanic mountain ranges. Unlike the early hunt, the late hunt is managed for harvesting older aged deer, having high hunter success, and low density of hunters. The most common technique for lion hunting in Unit 12 is similar to that used throughout the Rim country in Arizona. Conditions can vary from 80 degrees to below freezing, from sunny to snow, and from pleasant to down right ugly. Elk are primarily found along the Black Hills that make up the Verde Rim from I-17 to the Bloody Basin road. Proactive management steps in the form of an Alternative Management Plan and a large scale habitat improvement project in cooperation with the USFS have been taken by the Arizona Game and Fish Department in order to maintain a favorable buck:doe ratio, increase the representation of older age bucks in the population, ensure long term high quality habitat, and provide for greater hunt success. These areas are open to foot and horseback travel only. Use the link, or scan code to get to this page and select the questionnaire for your hunt. Remember this deer herd is extremely migratory and will remain at higher elevations until significant snowfall pushes them off. Often roosting turkeys will respond to these calls giving a hunter a location to begin the mornings hunt. Other areas to consider are Badger Springs and Soap Spring along the Vermillion Cliffs within the wilderness area. These units are specifically managed for wildlife values other than elk, and an established elk population is not desirable. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Excellent recruitment and low winter mortality for the past two years has lead to population levels similar to the early 90s. No motor vehicles are allowed in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. 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. Concentrate your efforts in areas with waterholes (not necessarily on the water), as the plateau is often dry at this time of the year. The AZ/UT state line on a GPS unit is N37 00.0 latitude. The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. Be prepared for remote camping as the only amenities during the spring hunt are at Jacob Lake and in Fredonia. Grouse, like squirrels, appear to be most active early in the morning but walking throughout the day can result in flushed birds. Also, before the hunt begins, study topo maps and enlist the aid of others who have hunted the area before. Harvesting birds should be viewed as a bonus. The Grand Canyon National Park is not open to hunting. J John McLaughlin Registered Remember, 30 bucks are special because they are extremely, extremely rare. Are you an outfitter, hunting guide, game processor or local hotel? Forest road 68G accesses Tule Mesa, and forest road 68 access the Pine Mountain Wilderness. Home. Unlock the secrets of limited license lotteries and discover drawing and harvest trends to create a better hunt planning strategy. Areas: Pronghorn in House Rock Valley generally tend to be located within 6 to 7 miles of the base of the Kaibab Plateau. During the winter months, access to areas within Unit 12 can be extremely limited, even nonexistent. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tips, tricks, optics, gunsmithing, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! 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. John is that a unit that can produce a monster bull? 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? Approximately 20% of Arizona's elk hunting opportunity is found in this unit. It was an early October hunt and the rut would be winding down but not over. Birds can sometimes be found along the Paria River, but they generally occupy the upper benches along the cliffs, high above the river. If there are any elk they migrate down from Utah and move south until the canyon stops them. City of Page Chamber of Commerce 928 645-2741, Https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Questionnaires/, https://www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Questionnaires/. Mature grouse average between 2 and 4 pounds of succulent white meat and provide delicious table fare. Bureau of Land Management, AZ Strip Field Office 435 688-3200 Overview: The world famous, or infamous, Kaibab Mule Deer herd. Unit 12A continues to provide the turkey hunter and/or wildlife enthusiast a unique opportunity to observe Merriam's Turkeys. 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. Salt licks are a great attractant for deer and provide the same opportunity as waterholes. The Kaibab Squirrel is a subspecies of the Aberts Squirrel which is found only on the Kaibab Plateau, Mount Logan, and Mount Trumbull. Overview: Unit 12A is home to one of the most unique game animals in Arizona and perhaps the nation. Keep movements to a minimum, scan the surrounding area constantly, and listen for turkey vocalizations. Some lions have been harvested incidental to these other activities. If there are any elk they migrate down from Utah and move south until the canyon stops them. These early hunts can be difficult because the deer are typically located in areas of formidable cover and are not easily located or glassed. Unit 12A - first choice. JavaScript is disabled. This area is very isolated and will require 4-wheel drive for the soft sandy roads. First, on an archery hunt dont bother with pinyon/juniper areas unless it has snowed (not likely). Current data indicates that buck:doe ratios are excellent. If outside of wilderness you may drive cross country to retrieve your animal. North of Kane Ranch, there are a few groups of antelope scattered throughout the rolling hills. Scouting is recommended only a week or two prior to the start of the hunt, due to the nature of the migration pattern. Notice: Archery deer hunters Unit 12B and 12B West are not an open area for over-the-counter tag holders since 2008. We do offer some one day scouting packages for Javelina, Mule Deer, Coues deer and elk in units 22, 23, 24B, 37A, 37B. 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. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission authorized over-the-counter (OTC) elk tags that include units 12A and 12B and others (see regulations). Check stock tanks for elk use (tracks) prior to the season. 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. To hunt Unit 12B or 12B you must now obtain a permit-tag through the big game draw process. Sir, Cut your losses and stay home, worst unit almost in whole state. Most of the scouting packages we offer are two days. During both the spring and fall hunts be safe and acquire positive target identification. . Many come with visions of 32 wide racks with multiple points per side, still others are happy with a tender yearling forkhorn. 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. Contact Us Contact Us Thank you for your interest in our Deer and Elk Hunts. 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. 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. Northern half of the unit is ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forest, rolling hills, and high mountains. 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. 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. This game bird tends to concentrate around water sources, especially along steep cliffs. 3799 - Units 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B have an extremely low-density elk population, about 40-50 elk combined for all four units. Traveling off established roads is prohibited throughout House Rock Valley on BLM and Wilderness land. Seems like an expensive camping and hiking excursion in a beautiful part of the country with good friends and maybe a random elk. 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. These early hunts can be difficult because the deer are typically located in areas of formidable cover and are not easily located or glassed. While calling can sometimes be productive, the most successful technique is more similar to archery hunting mule deer. Blue Grouse, Kaibab Squirrel, Merriams Turkey, Mountain Lion, Mule Deer. 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