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. These early hunts can be difficult because the deer are typically located in areas of formidable cover and are not easily located or glassed. Update: For the past few years, bison have been seen near Wall Lake, as well as along Forest Service Roads 219B, 223, 270, and 610. Elevations vary from 3,000' to more than 9,200', with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. If you are fortunate enough to receive a coveted 12A deer tag you might consider purchasing a mountain lion tag before heading to the Kaibab. From the East: U.S. Hwy 89A Mature grouse average between 2 and 4 pounds of succulent white meat and provide delicious table fare. Mature grouse average between 2 and 4 pounds of succulent white meat and provide delicious table fare. Humphreys Peak is the highest point in Arizona, sitting at 12,637 feet in elevation, and it is a dormant volcano. 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. No off-road travel by motor vehicles is allowed. 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. The Department reminds hunters that bison within these hunt areas are at low densities or may not be present during the hunt. Chukar are not numerous anywhere in Kanab Creek or its associated drainages. Overview: The world famous, or infamous, Kaibab Mule Deer herd. Climate Information 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. 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. New Detailed bison hunt information web page. Are you an outfitter, hunting guide, game processor or local hotel? The deeply eroded terrain is characterized by many protruding rock formations, with the massive sandstone Vermilion Cliffs dominating the landscape. The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. LIST VIEW. On the ever in demand 12A late hunt, pray (if religious) for snow. Hunters with a 12B permit (vs. 12BW permit) may hunt the Paria Plateau as well as the rest of the Unit. Large swings indicate a good layering system should be used. During December, sheep are generally found at lower elevations on the talus slopes below the steep cliff faces. Articles often lead to false expectations; huge bucks do not exist behind every tree anywhere in the world. Remember that hunting with the aid of a vehicle is prohibited. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. This game bird tends to concentrate around water sources, especially along steep cliffs. 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. This bird was first documented in 12B in Paria Canyon, but has since been regularly observed along the Kanab Creek/ Snake Gulch drainage. Be prepared for extreme weather. Have fun, Maybe the trees will be in fall colors when your there, Beautiful colors that time of year. Check for current or recent wildfires in this area. In the recent past several bucks taken on the Kaibab have been entered into the record books. Be patient, many long time grouse hunters often return to camp, after a long day of walking, with an empty vest. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Drier habitat conditions further to the east limit use of this area. 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. I've made far worse mistakes for sure. During the spring hunt be prepared for cold temperatures and even snow. Actually, n reports of elk have been reported in these areas or in the unit for the last couple of years. The Grand Canyon National Park is not open to hunting. Elevations range from approximately 4,000 in Glen Canyon to 7,000 on the Paria Plateau. Areas: Pronghorn in House Rock Valley generally tend to be located within 6 to 7 miles of the base of the Kaibab Plateau. By this time of year the deer are visiting water in the dark. JavaScript is disabled. Remember, 30 bucks are special because they are extremely, extremely rare. This is the classic western mule deer hunt. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! If you are fortunate enough to receive a coveted 12B deer or sheep tag, you might consider purchasing a mountain lion tag before heading to the Unit. The fall hunt is often characterized by warm to hot daytime temperatures and afternoon rains. There are no easy ways to hunt them, but the breath-taking scenery makes it a great place to try. I don't know if there is a worse hunt to be drawn for to be honest. Concentrate on areas that are more inaccessible. 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. These early hunts can be difficult because the deer are typically located in areas of formidable cover and are not easily located or glassed. Major Cities and Towns in or Near Game Management Unit and Nearest Gas, Food, and Lodging No motor vehicles are allowed in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. Essentially, it could take decades of applying to get drawn for a premier hunt for one of Arizona's world class mule deer. I drew this hunt 15 years ago when it covered only unit 12A. You could hire a outfitter to get in there and pin down where the few elk are. 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. During the fall hunt gas, food, and lodging can be found in Fredonia, Jacob Lake, and near DeMotte Park. It is common to observe bighorns in locations where it is not possible to recover them. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Being prepared on this hunt is even more crucial than on the early hunt. In general, unrestricted vehicle travel is allowed on all open BLM roads. Ill definitely pm you sooner than later. Waterhole hunting becomes less productive as frost begins to supply the need for water. 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. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region II 928 774-5045 During the hunting seasons, unit 12A is characterized by sudden and drastic weather changes. Birds can sometimes be found along the Paria River, but they generally occupy the upper benches along the cliffs, high above the river. I had a similar tag 10 years ago for the Kaibab proper. 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. These hunts take place in late November or early December. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes. Lost Canyon Hunts. 3799 - Units 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B have an extremely low-density elk population, about 40-50 elk combined for all four units. Chukars are generally found within the lower 8 or 9 miles of Paria Canyon, along the rim of the Paria Plateau, and at spring sources along the Vermilion Cliffs. Your big game hunter questionnaire will no longer be mailed to you. Occasionally, depending on rainfall and the availability of forage, coveys can be found in some of the shallow drainages along Kanab Creek. 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. Yearly reported harvest figures fluctuate around 1 dozen lions with most of these animals taken by houndsmen during the winter months. Also, before the hunt begins, study topo maps and enlist the aid of others who have hunted the area before. Likewise, hunters who want to hunt the Paria Plateau must apply for a 12B permit. As the fall progresses the deer become more and more secretive. 0. The premium late season rut hunts in Unit 12A-East have the highest success rates on big mule deer, but lots of huge bucks have been taken in the early rifle and archery hunts. 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. Finally, enjoy the finest terrain, climate, and surroundings that nature has to offer, the Kaibab Plateau. This squirrel is most active early in the morning and just prior to dark and is always associated with Ponderosa Pines. Birds are usually found in isolated coveys, and can (usually do) descend thousands of feet into inaccessible canyons after being flushed. Keep movements to a minimum, scan the surrounding area constantly, and listen for turkey vocalizations. Salt licks are a great attractant for deer and provide the same opportunity as waterholes. 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. Areas of elk concentrations change somewhat year-to-year, depending on localized summer rainfall filling stock tanks and greening up vegetation. Deer Hunting in Arizona's Game Management Unit 12A - HuntScore Get unlimited access to over ten years of historical drawing and harvest data for over 1,700+ hunt units. Forest road 68G accesses Tule Mesa, and forest road 68 access the Pine Mountain Wilderness. 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. Getting off the road and into the canyons will improve your observations of mule deer bucks, especially mature ones. Unit 12A continues to provide the turkey hunter and/or wildlife enthusiast a unique opportunity to observe Merriam's Turkeys. This includes chasing, pursuing, or herding antelope with any type of vehicle. At least it's at a discounted price. 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. Dispersed camping is allowed along BLM routes. Books and countless articles have been written on the subject. Elk will be found from the Mogollon Rim south to Parker Creek. Beginning at U.S. Hwy 89A and the Kaibab Naitonal Forest boundary near mp 566; southerly and easterly along the forest boundary to Grand Canyon National Park; southerly and westerly along the park boundary to Kanab Creek; northerly along Kanab Creek to Snake Gulch; northerly, easterly and southerly around the Kaibab National Forest boundary to U.S. Hwy 89A near mp 566. If old man winter has not yet shown his face follow the suggestions given for the early hunt and good luck. 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. The large canyons and rocky areas that form the edges of the Kaibab and Paria plateaus are likely areas to locate lion sign. Also, several lions are sighted each year by hunters glassing canyons and watching waters. Also, before the hunt begins, study topo maps and enlist the aid of others who have hunted the area before. The current yearly limit on lions harvested in Unit 12/Zone B stands at 14. 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. A forum community dedicated to hunting and fishing enthusiasts in the Arizona area. During the winter months access to areas within 12A can be extremely limited, even nonexistent. Concentrate your efforts in areas with rim-rock and significant changes in elevation. This is a small resident herd and is not part of the deer that migrate from Paunsaugunt or the Kaibab. Elevations vary from 3,000 to more than 9,200, with a large plateau, the Kaibab, comprising a majority of the unit. 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