Unit 13A - Arizona - Hunt Now Arizona

Unit 13A – Arizona

Species Information

Antelope

Overview: Pronghorn typically occupy the grassland/desert scrub habitats in the northern portion of unit 13A. They also occupy transition habitat into pinyon/juniper communities. Pronghorn distribution is widespread in the unit and varies seasonally depending on weather patterns and range conditions. This population is the result of transplant efforts in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s with animals originating from Arizona, Montana, and Colorado.

In recent years the pronghorn population in 13A has been healthy but has experienced very low fawn production. This was particularly evident the past three years where the three-year average of fawns: doe is 15:100. Permits were reduced in 2011 from 55 to 10. The district Wildlife Manager is currently working on getting more water availability for the pronghorn population, and is working with the BLM and local ranchers on making wildlife friendly fences throughout the district.

The area is one of the most unpopulated in Arizona, and hunters should be prepared to camp in remote areas with no services available, bringing shelter and plenty of food, water, extra fuel, and extra spare tires. The nearest full service communities are Colorado City and Fredonia, Arizona, both on Highway 389. Roads in the unit can become extremely muddy and slippery when wet. The use of 4WD vehicles may be required to negotiate the roads.

Areas: Generally, higher densities of pronghorn are found in Antelope Valley, southern end of the Uinkaret Plateau, Little Clayhole Valley, Sunshine Ridge, and the Bulrush area. Areas to consider include the Antelope Knoll, Seven Knolls, Deadman Knoll, and Heaton/Findlay Knolls vicinities.

Additional areas, including Yellowstone Mesa, Pipe Valley, and some areas south and east of Colorado City all contain good distributions of pronghorn. Be aware private land exists in this area.

Bighorn Sheep

Overview: Desert Bighorn were transplanted into Hack Canyon in 1985 and 1987. In 1995 bighorn were released into the northern portion of Kanab Creek in the vicinity of Gunsight Point. Additional releases took place in 1999 in the Jumpup Point area and in 2005 north of Bulrush Point. Bighorn occupy much of the Kanab Creek watershed; however, population densities are generally higher in the vicinities of Hack Canyon, Sunshine Point, Water Canyon Point, and Chamberlain Canyon. Population densities from Bulrush Point north typically fluctuate with water availability. Three new water developments have been constructed from Bulrush Point north in an effort to improve water distribution in this otherwise suitable habitat. It is anticipated occupation of this area by bighorn will increase in future years as bighorn develop a fidelity to these sites.

Hunters should be aware this is a large, remote and rugged hunt area with limited road access. Many areas occupied by bighorn in unit 13A are designated as wilderness. Access into wilderness areas is limited to foot travel and/or use of horses/mules. The use of motorized vehicles and mechanized equipment is prohibited in wilderness designated areas. Hunters can access the rim of Kanab Creek and many associated side canyons via 2-track roads and can examine much of the area with good optics. Kanab Creek can be accessed via Hack Canyon on BLM road 1123. This road terminates at the Kanab Creek Wilderness boundary prior to the confluence of Hack Canyon and Kanab Creek. Hunters should also be aware portions of the Grand Canyon National Park exists within the unit where hunting is prohibited. Hunters must familiarize themselves with these boundaries to ensure they do not cross them.

Areas: As mentioned above, population densities are generally higher in the vicinity of Hack Canyon, Sunshine Point, Water Canyon Point, and Chamberlain Point. Hunters can glass these areas via the rims, or parts of it from the bottom of Hack Canyon. Population densities typically fluctuate in the central to northern portion of the Kanab Creek watershed. With this being said, hunters should not overlook the Bulrush Point, Grama Canyon, and Water Canyon areas in the north as sheep are present at varying densities.

Mule Deer

Notice: Archery deer hunters – Unit 13A is not an open area for over-the-counter tag holders as of April, 2008. To hunt Unit 13A you must now obtain a permt-tag through the big game draw process.

Overview: Mule deer generally occupy sagebrush, pinyon/juniper, interior chaparral and pine/oak woodlands in this unit. Deer densities are generally low throughout the unit even in high quality habitat areas. Access into most hunting areas is good with over 80 percent of the unit in federal or state ownership.

Although deer densities are generally low, the unit provides a trophy quality hunt opportunity to those who draw a permit. The unit is managed according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Alternative Mule Deer Management Plan, which provides for low hunter densities and management for older age class bucks. Hunters should expect an extremely challenging yet rewarding hunt and be prepared for the possibility of going some days without locating deer. The unit does produce large antlered deer, however they are not everywhere and can be extremely difficult to locate. Don’t give up!

Hunters should be aware portions of the Grand Canyon National Park exists within the unit where hunting is prohibited. Hunters must familiarize themselves with these boundaries to ensure they do not cross them.

Weather in the unit during the deer hunt is generally unpredictable. Hunters should be prepared for inclement weather. Many of the roads in the unit can become extremely muddy if wet, and can only be negotiated with 4WD vehicles.

Areas: Deer are present throughout the unit in suitable habitat. Depending on time of year and weather conditions, deer densities are generally higher at higher elevations in the Mt. Trumbull and Mt. Logan areas.

During the archery hunt, water availability influences success drastically. Concentrate your efforts is areas near waterholes/catchments (not necessarily on the water) as the unit is often dry at this time of year. Hunters who chose to hunt the Mt. Trumbull and Mt. Logan areas will see more deer than anywhere else in the unit, but they will also share the area with the majority of hunters in the unit.

Opting to hunt the lower elevation areas of the unit in the pinyon/juniper sagebrush communities will likely result in fewer deer observed, but typically means fewer hunters as well.

General hunt: As mentioned above, deer can be located throughout the unit in varying densities in suitable habitat. Below are reference areas for consideration.

In the northern part of the unit, Rosy Canyon, Cedar Ridge, Lost Spring Mountain, and Yellowstone Mesa are all areas to consider. This area is influenced by deer migrating from Utah. The timing of the migration is influenced largely by weather conditions and hunting pressure in Utah.

The Kanab Creek rim including Bulrush, Sunshine and Water Canyon Point, and adjacent canyons are good places to look in the eastern portions of the unit. Depending on the weather and hunting pressure, a limited migration occurs from unit 12B on the northern end of Kanab Creek. Deer from this limited migration are typically located from the Bulrush Point area north.

The Kanab Plateau contains good mule deer habitat. Broad Canyon, Hancock Knolls, and areas east should be considered.

The Mt. Trumbull, Mt. Logan, Mt. Emma, Slide Mountain, and Whitmore Canyon areas contain excellent deer habitat, and are often hunted. Depending on weather conditions, deer may stay at higher elevations such as Mt. Trumbull and Mt. Logan. If weather conditions are harsh with abundant snow, these deer often move lower into the Whitmore Canyon and Cold Spring Point areas to the south. They also move to the north on the north side of Mt. Trumbull including the Tuweep Valley area.

Areas along the Hurricane Rim contain good habitat as well and should be considered.

Merriam’s Turkey

Overview: Turkey occupy ponderosa pine/oak woodlands on and in the vicinity of Mt. Trumbull and Mt. Logan. The unit turkey population is the result of a transplant in 1961. This population has been hunted since 1964. Turkey habitat in the unit is limited therefore a relatively low number of spring permits are offered. Translocations into the population are currently on-going from the North Kaibab and are planned to occur for another three years.

Habitat restoration efforts in the vicinity of Mt. Trumbull, Mt. Logan, and Death Valley areas are ongoing and include, but are not limited to, activities such as the operation of chainsaws, controlled burning, and generally large number of workers associated with said activities. Although the AZGFD and BLM coordinate closely to minimize the effects of such activities, hunters and visitors to the areas should be flexible if they encounter such activities and modify their “game plan” accordingly.

The area is one of the most unpopulated in Arizona, and hunters should be prepared to camp in remote areas with no services available, bringing shelter and plenty of food, water, extra fuel, and extra spare tires. The nearest full service communities are Colorado City and Fredonia, Arizona, both on Highway 389. Roads in the turkey hunt areas can become extremely muddy and slippery when wet. The use of 4WD vehicles may be required to negotiate the roads.

Areas: The ponderosa pine/oak woodlands in the vicinity of Mt. Trumbull, Mt. Logan, Slide Mountain and the Sawmill Mountains (including Death Valley area) all contain turkey populations.

Chukar

Overview: Chukar partridge are an exotic game bird introduced into various areas in Arizona. The species is native to the Middle East. Chukar can be found in unit 13A in the Kanab Creek drainage and associated side canyons.

Chukar are not numerous anywhere in Kanab Creek. Birds are usually found in isolated coveys, and can (usually do) descend thousands of feet into inaccessible canyons after being flushed. In other words, after the initial flush, don’t expect to see the birds again.

Areas: Chukar are found throughout the Kanab Creek drainage and associated side canyon, but typically “concentrate” around water sources. Prospective hunters should study maps, find springs and water sources, and enjoy the perilous descents. Areas to consider include: Sunshine Point, Hack Canyon, Chamberlain Canyon and rim habitat along Water Canyon Point.