Kaibab- the Bad, the Ugly and the Good

rockymtnhunter

Active Member
Messages
198
First, congrats to all who drew Kaibab deer tags this year. Alas, no Kaibab deer tags for me ? guess my odds as a NR will be hard to overcome ?til I get a few more PP. Oh well. But I did draw a Kaibab fall turkey tag; that will be fun and a good time for me to do some pre-season scouting for the early rifle hunt.

Just returned from a 5-day Kaibab camping/scouting trip with my queen ? celebrated our 20th anniversary. Had a great time at one of my favorite places. I suppose I'd summarize our trip as the ?Bad?, the ?Ugly? and the ?Good? (my apologies to Sergio Leone & Clint Eastwood).

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The ?Bad? ? Last summer?s weak monsoon combined with a super dry fall and winter have resulted in the driest conditions I've seen in the past 47 years. The attached photo pretty well tells the story. Half of the water holes I checked had no water, the other half had little water, probably less than 25% of what they normally have. As of today, it's only 7 weeks ?til the archery start. Weather forecast for next 7-10 days suggest that monsoons may start, but it's going to be tough to collect enough water to get water in most the ponds & tanks.

The ?Ugly? ? Wildfire danger is extreme and will remain so ?til rain comes ? major risk of a big fire like 2006. Some have expressed concern about whether the forest will be closed during the archery season or that bucks will be hard to find or antler development will be stunted. IMO not likely (read the ?Good? below). Aspen is showing heat/moisture stress (e.g. small leaves); annual plants (grass, forbs, shrubs) are dormant or poorly developed, range condition is poor, but will likely improve if and when rain comes. Lupine growth is spotty but should improve with moisture.

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The ?Good? ? despite drought conditions, I saw almost 250 bucks during 5 days of wide ranging windshield surveys and some walkabouts. Attached photo shows typical 4 pt I saw (sorry for the poor quality but my camera is POS). Antler development appeared average or even average, racks looked about 50-75% developed, numerous 3-4 pts and plenty of young age class spikes/forkhorns. Saw a few big 4x4s (likely to be 28?-30?, 180-190 class bucks when fully developed). Deer are subsisting on moisture in their browse, but I did see lots of deer in the vicinity of water where it's still available. Salt licks were getting hit hard by deer. Also saw numerous does w/2 fawns so looks like good fawn crop.

Hope this info is helpful. And good luck everyone with Kaibab tags!
 
Really suprised you were allowed in the area,everything south is closed down.Great pictures.Thanks,Kiabab is heaven...
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-06-18 AT 09:07PM (MST)[p]>Really suprised you were allowed in
>the area,everything south is closed
>down.Great pictures.Thanks,Kiabab is heaven...


Actually it's not all closed south....lots of areas in stage 2 where hiking and driving roads is allowed.

BOHNTR )))---------->
 
>FYI - Only Stage 2 fire
>restrictions in place on North
>Kaibab, i.e. NO campfires anywhere.
>Vehicle/foot travel allowed.

Thanks for the kiabab update. I drew 12ae along with my nephew however we are residents.
 
>Mogollon rim area/Payson/Pine etc. residents and
>locals only.

That's not accurate. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest has some full closures (3A/C, and a small portion of unit 1) but the rest is stage 2 restrictions only. There's literally hundreds of people up here camping and hiking around this weekend in unit 3B, unit 1 and 27. Many are camped on the forest land and shooting the Sunrise Shot.


BOHNTR )))---------->
 
I drew a 12A west early for the first time. At age 70 (still in good shape)and retired, I will have plenty of time to scout the area. If you don't mind sharing some starting spots to scout you can PM me.
 
Beav,
There are literally deer and bucks everywhere in this unit. I prefer down low because I like to glass but up high on the early hunt is where most people will be. Guides & many hunters will tell you not to waste your time down low this time of year because the deer have not migrated off the plateau. Heavy snow and frozen water is what forces the deer to migrate. Good Luck!
 
>Beav,
>There are literally deer and bucks
>everywhere in this unit.
>I prefer down low because
>I like to glass but
>up high on the early
>hunt is where most people
>will be. Guides &
>many hunters will tell you
>not to waste your time
>down low this time of
>year because the deer have
>not migrated off the plateau.
> Heavy snow and frozen
>water is what forces the
>deer to migrate. Good
>Luck!

Thanks, when I was up there last month just riding around I was on 22 and 422A and I was thinking the same thing, glassing from down low. But if they haven't moved down by then I have a few spots marked on my gps up high that looked pretty good on Google Earth. Never have hunted there so it will take some time to learn the area, but I have all the time this summer. I will find them. Thanks again. Rich
 
Thanks for the great report! I have a 12AW Early rifle tag this year. It is my first time hunting AZ. I am going down their on July 27-29th to get a lay of the land.

Am I going to be able to drive around down there or is it all closed off? Who could I call to get the latest report on that so I don't drive seven hours in vain? Also, what kind of vehicle would I need? I am thinking of taking my 2wd truck to cut on fuel cost but am not sure if that will get around up there okay?

Thanks guys!
 
Vitalwave:
All roads are open and FS lifted all fire restrictions on July 16. Good monsoon rains over past week - you will be fine with a 2wd truck - most roads are easy to drive on with 2wd.
 
Thanks Rockymtnhunter! Thanks for the info!

Glad to hear we got some water down there. I was also glad to hear that you saw some good antler growth despite the lack of water.
 
Hi all,
I'm new to this forum, I'm usually chasing Coues deer and haven't spent much time hunting mulies. However, me and my two sons were lucky enough to draw a late 12A East hunt this year. I haven't been to the Kiabab for probably 20 years and used to bowhunt it every year. I know this is a lot to ask, and I don't want anyone's honey hole, but I was wondering if any of you folks could possibly give me some pointers as to where to begin my scouting. I am planning on going up there weekend after next and then as many weekends as I can prior to thee hunt. Do any of you guys have any suggestions for areas that I can start at? Like I said, I am not one of those guys that wants somebody's favorite spot, just maybe some insight, and a place to start scouting. If any of you guys draw a WT tag in southern AZ (specifically unit 33), I would be willing to give you some pointers in this unit. Thanks in advance.
Chip
 
Here is all you will need to know. Go into house rock valley and hunt the foothills on the west side after a good snowstorm
 
Hi just joined the forum, my son drawed an early 12a e tag, I have hunted 12 aw 4 times but never 12ae, l just went scouting last weekend didn't see much deer, a fee does an 2 forties, but all the water holes were bone dry, I m not looking for some one honey hole, just don't no how to start here inside the woods or glassing a ridge in the burn, any thoughts would be appreciated ,
 
If you are interested in some very reasonable but professional help, call me. Me and the team are ready to go!

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Don Martin
Arizona Wildlife Outfitters
928-303-9481'
 
If anyone has an early or late 12A West tag, and want some really reasonable professional help, me and the boys are ready to do it. Been hunting the Kaibab since 1972 so I think I know it pretty good.

All our hunts are for the full 10 days, and we have a very experienced group of scouters that know what great mule deer are. We can do guide only or furnish a camp.

Call me , you won't be disappointed!


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Don Martin
Arizona Wildlife Outfitters
[email protected]
 

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