Unit 5A -- Beginning at the junction of the Sitgreaves National
Forest boundary with the Coconino National Forest boundary
at the Mogollon Rim; northerly along this boundary (Leonard
Canyon) to East Clear Creek; northeasterly along East Clear
Creek to AZ Hwy 99; north on AZ Hwy 99 to AZ Hwy 87; north
on AZ Hwy 87 to Business I-40 (3rd St.); west on Business
I-40 (3rd St.) to Hipkoe Dr.; north on Hipkoe Dr. to I-40;
west on I-40 to the Meteor Crater Rd. (Exit 233); southerly
on the Meteor Crater-Chavez Pass-Jack’s Canyon Rd. (FR
69) to AZ Hwy 87; southwesterly along AZ Hwy 87 to the
Coconino-Tonto National Forest boundary; easterly along
the Coconino-Tonto National Forest boundary (Mogollon
Rim) to the Sitgreaves National Forest boundary with the
Coconino National Forest.
Overview: Pronghorn occur in the open grassland and sparse pinion-juniper country in the northern part of unit. Hunting for pronghorn occurs during the annual rutting period. During this period, bucks are active, cover lots of ground, and are easily seen. Pronghorn country is sparsely watered making animals dependent on and vulnerable at reliable water sources.
Areas: Highest concentrations of pronghorn occur west of Highway 87, south of I-40, and north of the Coconino National Forest boundary. Easiest access to this area is off Meteor Crater Road. Lands in this area are state and private checkerboard. Private lands belong to Clear Creek Ranch and Bar T Bar Ranch. Another area to check is on top of and around East Sunset Mountain and Moonlight Bay north of East Sunset Mountain. A few bands of pronghorn stay in the less open country south of the forest boundary. Access is permitted on Clear Creek Ranch by written permission obtained at ranch headquarters located at milepost 333 on Highway 87. Camping is permitted on Clear Creek Ranch in the designated camping area with permission. . Access to Bar T Bar lands is open, however, no off road travel is permitted. A road management plan is in place to direct travel. Remember; leave gates as you find them unless a sign is posted at the gate by the ranch.
Overview:
The Unit 5A bear hunt is combined with
Unit 4A, with a female harvest objective
of two sows. The bear season closes
at sundown the Wednesday immediately
following the harvest of the second
sow. This harvest objective is designed
to maintain and improve bear hunting
opportunity by insuring continued balanced
boar: sow ratios and recruitment to
the population. Harvest of males is
unlimited. Sows with cubs may not be
taken.
Areas: In the fall, bears are concentrated on important food sources
such as acorns. When good mast crops occur, bears are easily located
in close proximity to stands of oaks. Before acorns mature look for
signs of bears feeding on ants, grubs, termites and berries. Look
for bear sign along any large drainage north of the Mogollon Rim.
Bears can be difficult to locate in Unit 5A due thick forest. Opportunities
to glass for bears are few.
Access: Most bear country in Unit 5A is located on Forest Service
lands. These lands are open to hunting by licensed hunters. Forest
Service maps are available at any Forest Service office in the state.
Other Concerns: Please review special regulations outlined in the
hunt regulation booklet. Call 1-800-BEAR (2327) to ensure that the
season is still open after opening weekend. Sows with cubs may not
be taken so hunters should always look for cubs near a potential
game bear.
Overview: The Unit 5 deer hunt includes game management units 5A and 5B. Highest densities of mule deer during hunting season occur in transition areas between high elevation summer range and lower elevation pinion-juniper woodland in Unit 5B. Old juniper pushes, chaining, and other openings also attract deer. These areas typically are attractive to mule deer because of an abundance of cool season forage such as acorn, mountain mahogany, and cliffrose. These transition areas and openings occur along the rim of Anderson Mesa and its associated drainages that run north toward I-40. Deer tend to concentrate along larger drainages in area. These drainages include Walnut Canyon, Mormon Canyon, Padre Canyon, Grapevine Canyon, and Canyon Diablo. Deer are vulnerable along drainages and in openings, early or late in the day as they feed. Deer typically bed in thick juniper in close proximity to canyon rims or other rugged escape cover.
Whitetail deer occur in small numbers in large drainages across the unit. Whitetails prefer rugged terrain with steep slopes and thick brush. Few whitetails are taken due to low numbers and difficult terrain. However, a hunter willing to put in the effort could harvest an older age class animal.
Access: The Forest Service and Arizona State Land Department manage most of Unit 5. A valid Arizona hunting license is required to access state lands, and no off-road vehicle travel is permitted on State lands. Much of the state land area of Unit 5 is "checker boarded" with alternating state and private land sections. Access on some of these checkerboard lands is controlled and authorized by the private landowner. On the Clear Creek Ranch in northern Unit 5A, access is by written permission only through a sign in at the ranch headquarters. The headquarters are located at milepost 333 on Highway 87. There are also a few areas of private lands posted against trespass. Respect livestock operators by leaving gates as you find them.
Other Concerns: Do not litter or drive off road while hunting, and report those who do. Respect wildlife and livestock by not camping with in ¼ mile of water source. Maps of the Coconino National Forest will provide coverage for most of Unit 5A, and may be obtained at most Forest Service offices in the state.
Elk occur throughout Unit 5A from high elevation mixed conifer near the Mogollon Rim, north to treeless grasslands south of Winslow. The Mogollon Rim country is very rugged with long ridges and deep canyons. The winter range is rolling pinyon-juniper country with some deep canyons. Typically, prior to deep snow, elk concentrate in the high elevation summer range, however some elk do spend the entire year on low elevation winter range near Red Hill. When heavy snow occurs, hunting can be very good in the transition zones between the summer range and winter range as the elk migrate to the low elevation winter range.
Elk hunts are strictly permitted hunts. Hunts start in September and run into December depending upon which weapon type you are drawn for. Successful strategies also depend upon your weapon type, terrain, time of year, and habitat conditions. 5A has fairly good water sources, compared to most other Arizona hunt units, so hunting over water is not as productive. In years with good mast crops, hunting oak patches can be a very productive method.
Access: The Coconino National Forest manages most of 5A. Forest Service maps can be obtained at any Forest Service office and are very helpful. The northern part of 5A is checkerboard state and private lands with access being limited on the Clear Creek Ranch by written permission only. Permission can be obtained by contacting the ranch at their headquarters on Highway 87 at milepost 333.
East Sunset/West Sunset/Meteor Crater Hunt Area: This is a hunt area in northern 5A, which encompasses the state and private land. This hunt is a limited opportunity hunt to address resident elk herds on winter range. Hunt success may be very low. Reference limited opportunity hunt descriptions in the Arizona Game and Fish Hunting regulations to further understand the unique conditions of these hunts.
Habitat types range from pinyon-juniper to grassland. This country is rolling hills with two large mountains and two large canyons. Spot and stalk hunting will be the most productive method in this country. Access is open on the state lands, however written permission must be obtained from the Clear Creek Ranch on Highway 87 at milepost 333 to access the East and West Sunset Mountains. Please respect landowner wishes as access could be denied at any time.
Overview: Mountain Lions occur primarily in the southern and central parts of Unit 5A. Densities of lions are lower than most other predators near the top of the food chain. Lions have very large home ranges (up to 150 square miles), and except when rearing young, are constantly on the move. Lions establish territories and defend them against intrusion by other lions. Lions feed primarily on deer and other ungulates. Lions will move seasonally as their prey moves to and from winter range. Lions breed year round, and females care for their young alone.
Areas: As mentioned above, lions occupy primarily the southern and central parts of Unit 5A. Most lion hunting takes place in the cooler winter months on deer and elk winter range. Lions prefer the rougher more broken country near the deeper canyons in the unit. Calling with predator calls on canyon rims may be effective. Most lions are taken in Unit 5A by houndsmen.
Access: The Forest Service manages most of the lion habitat in Unit 5A. Access to these lands may be closed due to heavy snows. Maps of the Coconino National Forest are available at most Forest Service offices in the state.
Notice: The fall hunting season is now a limited weapon-shotgun shooting shot season only. There is still a fall archery-only over-the-counter permit hunt available in fall.
Overview: Before heavy snow cover, turkeys occupy ponderosa pine/ mixed conifer forest. During winter, birds move to lower elevation areas between ponderosa pine and pinion-juniper habitat types. Key forage for turkeys are forbs, insects, mast, and pinion pine seeds. Birds tend to select roost sites in large ponderosa pine trees on steep slopes.
Areas: In the spring, birds are often still located in transition areas between ponderosa pine and pinion-juniper. Turkeys will follow the snow line back up to higher elevations. Turkeys can be found in drainages just north of the Mogollon Rim. Also, try East Clear Creek drainage. Take advantage of spring road closures by walking in to get away from other hunters and locate undisturbed birds. Calling using hen calls is the most effective hunting technique for springtime hunting. For safety, never make noises that may identify you as a gobbler, and never wear turkey colored clothing. In the fall, look for turkey sign around water tanks and likely roost sights. Building ground blinds out of natural materials and sitting all day can be effective.
Access: Most turkey habitat in Unit 5A is managed by the Forest Service, and is open to hunting by licensed hunters.
Forest Service maps for the Coconino National Forest can be obtained at any Forest Service office, and are very useful.
Note: This year should be an average year for turkeys, but access may be a problem for the spring season. Many roads are usually closed due to snow levels. Contact the Coconino National Forest for more information.
Overview: Band-tail pigeon exist in low numbers
in Unit 5A in the ponderosa pine habitat
type. Band-tails produce only one young
per year. In the fall, these birds
feed heavily on acorns, and therefore
concentrate in areas with high densities
of oak trees.
Areas: As mentioned above, look for band-tails in areas with lots
of oak trees. Band-tails are also drawn to stock tanks near a good
food source. Sitting at these tanks early and late in the day can
be effective.
Overview: Tree squirrels exist in the higher
elevation ponderosa pine/mixed conifer
forest habitat.
Areas: Abert's tassel-eared squirrels leave distinctive pine clippings
below trees in which they feed. Look for areas of clippings and then
walk slowly and quietly through the woods looking for nearby squirrels.
Red Squirrels can also be found in the area. They can be located
by their distinct chattering. Squirrels will often run long distances
on the ground when being pursued, so don't expect then to tree immediately.
A dog can be useful in getting a squirrel up a near-by tree quickly.
Be extra careful when shooting at squirrels up in trees and always
have some kind of a backstop. High angle rifle shots can carry great
distances.
Access: The Forest Service manages squirrel habitat in Unit 5A. Maps
of the Coconino National Forest are available at any Forest Service
office in the state.
Other
Pertinent Climate Information Be
prepared for the
possibility of heavy
snowfall during the
month of November. Be prepared for the possibility of heavy snow during the fall and winter months
Cities,
Roads & Campgrounds
Major
Cities and Towns in or Near Game
Management Unit and Nearest Gas,
Food, and Lodging Clints
Well/Happy Jack, Winslow
Major
Highways and Roads Leading To From
the East: State Hwy 87, Forest
Rd 300 (Rim Rd) From
the West: State Hwy 260, Forest
Hwy 3 (Lake Mary Rd), I-40
From the North: State Hwy 87, Forest Hwy 3 (Lake Mary Rd)
From the South: State Hwy 87
Developed
Campgrounds The
Forest Service administers
campgrounds at Blue
Ridge off State Hwy
87, milepost 298;
Rock Crossing, State
Hwy 87, Forest Road
751; and Knoll Lake,
Forest Road 295.
Undeveloped
Campgrounds The
Forest Service administers
a campground at Kehl
Springs off Forest
Road 300, milepost
9, east of State
Hwy 87.
Brief
Description of Terrain, Elevation,
and Vegetation
Terrain and vegetation vary from the high elevation (7,800')
mixed conifer at the south end Mogollon Rim area of the unit
to the lower elevation (4,800') pinyon/juniper/grassland to
the north. Deep canyons run north to south draining into East
Clear Creek.
Government
Agencies and Phone Numbers Arizona
Game and Fish Department, Region
II - 928-774-5045 Coconino National
Forest, Blue Ridge Ranger District
- 928-477-2255
