Kaibab archery deer

[Catahoula12]

I drew 12A/12b archery deer tag on the Kaibab. I've hunted late rifle there long ago. Tags for archery this year are 250 less than last years draw. I just want to know as I plan to hunt 12A west can anyone tell me where NOT to bother hunting that area. I know deer will be at elevation but don't need the extra human population. Maybe just some insight on this hunt would be great. Congrats to any and all that drew elk and/or deer this year!!! Thanks much.

 

[Mark]

Are you going solo or planning on using a guide?

 

[BOHNTR]

Concentrate on top of the plateau from 7000' to 8500' range. It's nothing like it used to be, but there are still some good bucks up there.

 

[Catahoula12]

Bohntr thank you for the info. Much appreciated. Going up there this weekend to poke around scouting. Mark- no solo action. Ill have a friend with me that has rifle hunted the area for years. My first archery hunt in this unit. Should be fun. Only hunted this unit late rifle years past. Thanks

 

[BOHNTR]

Be sure to scout the Warm Springs fire area

 

[Catahoula12]

I will definitely check that burn area out Bohntr.. I'm excited about this experience!!!

 

[Tim Hughes]

Hi Catahoula,
I drew a 12A West early rifle tag this year. I hunted it a few years ago and learned a lot about that area. It seemed most folks were hunting water holes and guzzlers but I tried to look over as much country as possible. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever hunted and saw many deer each day. I have some good places to start and I will send you a PM with that info. I can't wait to get back there again!

 

[Catahoula12]

Thank you Tim Hughes for the response. If you wish to send me PM that would be just great. I'm driving up there from Scottsdale either Aug 6th or 7th to scout. Had to cancel this weekends trip. So next weekend will be three or four days of scout, then head up three days prior to hunt start of Aug 21st. Again thanks in advance for info.

 

[alaskan]

Pm sent to you boys

 

[cmbbulldog]

How did the hunt turn out?

 

[out4blood]

A lot of people are sitting water but you can glass the burn areas and find some nice bucks.

 

[Tim Hughes]

I was able to tag this 193" B&C buck during my hunt. I am so excited to go back, my son and I drove to AZ this winter and took hunter safety to earn our permanent bonus point.

 

[Zim]

Anybody else up here with an archery tag? I just arrived and have been hunting over some tanks, but there's water everywhere with all this rain.

 

[Catahoula12]

Monsoon rain/ thunderstorms can be pretty violent in that area...

 

[BOHNTR]

Zim....how did your hunt go? I know of three guys who arrowed some pretty decent bucks.....one giant. Did you get into any bucks?

 

[Zim]

Zim....how did your hunt go? I know of three guys who arrowed some pretty decent bucks.....one giant. Did you get into any bucks?

Fellow MMer Dan (rockymtnhunter) & his wife, Mary, met up with me and gave me a grand tour of the upper Kaibab plateau. It helped me get a great feel for the habitat and how to hunt it. Most effective method for me was using my climbing treestand between bedding and feeding areas, primarily the burn fringes. Some on a water hole but no big ones showed there, even at night. I was onto deer in bow range daily. Got close to arrowing a 180 type buck but he would not come closer than 60 yards. Walked up on one toad at 3 PM on a windy day while walking to my stand. Ended up taking a 3x4 in the last 10 minutes of my hunt. Overall a very good hunt, and with my knowledge should be a great one next time, if I can draw it again. Glad to have the hunters ed & loyalty points in my pocket now.

 

[Tim Hughes]

Dan (rockymtnhunter) is one of the most generous and knowlegable hunters I have gotten to know. I camped with Dan during last year's early rifle hunt. He has been either working or hunting on the Kaibab since the early 1970s. He certainly knows the Kaibab and is an authority on hunting it.

I'm glad you had a successful hunt. I can't wait to get back there myself. My son and I made a bomb run to AZ last winter to take hunter safety just so we could hunt there again one year sooner. I will hold out for another rifle tag.

 

[BOHNTR]

Right on, Zim. I love that place........