Overview: Approximately 95 percent of the unit is public land administered by the US Forest Service. Ponderosa pine is the main tree composition in the higher elevations above 5,000 feet with scattered oak. Mixed confer type is most common on Bill Williams Mountain and pinyon pine and juniper vegetation type in lower elevations.

Water sources consist of mainly man-made lakes and stock tanks.

Sycamore Canyon, located on the east boundary is designated wilderness. Access is very limited into the canyon but a few roads allow access for specific points. There are several small mountain knolls throughout the unit along with several canyons on the west and south boundary. Most roads are on the Kaibab National Forest map. Access is fairly good with two-wheel-drive, but poor weather could cause hazardous conditions that would require 4 wheel drive operations.

The population has been increasing over the years but is reaching a point of becoming stable. Harvesting of older aged class bucks has improved. The survey results from 2006 were 26 bucks per 100 does. The total buck harvest was 19, for a 54%hunt success.  Further data can be found in the Game and Fish Department publication, “Hunt Arizona”.

Areas: Two major areas to find concentrations of antelope in Unit 8 are Garland Prairie and lower elevations in the west side of the unit near Ashfork and Drake. However, if drought conditions exist, antelope distribution may vary throughout the unit due to water availability

Garland Prairie is located on the eastside of the unit. Over the years, 50 percent of the harvest in Unit 8 comes from this area. There are private land blocks on the north, west and south ends of the prairie. Be careful of the ¼ mile shooting distant from a residence requirement.

Another area antelope can be found is in the area east of Paulden, off the Verde Ranch road. The area has been cleared of juniper trees over the past few years and it has received some early monsoon activity, which has provided green forage in the open areas.

Overview: Approximately 95 percent of the unit is public land administered by the US Forest Service. Ponderosa pine is the main tree composition in the higher elevations above 5,000 feet with scattered oak. Mixed confer type is most common on Bill Williams Mountain and pinyon pine and juniper vegetation type in lower elevations.

Water sources consist of mainly man-made lakes and stock tanks.

Sycamore Canyon, located on the east boundary, is designated wilderness. Access is very limited into the canyon but a few roads allow access for specific points. There are several small mountain knolls throughout the unit along with several canyons on the west and south boundary. Most roads are on the Kaibab National Forest map. Access is fairly good with two-wheel-drive, but poor weather could cause hazardous conditions that would require four-wheel-drive operations.

Overview: Unit 8 is very easy to hunt lions in, compared to other units in northern Arizona, because of the extensive road access. Most hunting is done primarily with dogs. Many lion hunters drive roads in late fall and early winter to take advantage of snowy weather conditions and cut tracks crossing the roads. Other lions have been harvested by still-hunting over a water source when dry conditions prevail. The remaining harvest occurs through incidental take while hunting other big game species.

Areas: Canyon areas on the south and western portions of the unit are some of the better areas to locate sign.

ote: New rule change for bear and mountain lion hunters, mandatory check out inspection for all harvested animals.

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: Approximately 95 percent of the unit is public land administered by the US Forest Service. Ponderosa pine is the main tree composition in the higher elevations above 5,000 feet with scattered oak. Mixed confer type is most common on Bill Williams Mountain and pinyon pine and juniper vegetation type in lower elevations.

Water sources consist of mainly man-made lakes and stock tanks.

Sycamore Canyon, located on the east boundary is designated wilderness. Access is very limited into the canyon but a few roads allow access for specific points. There are several small mountain knolls throughout the unit along with several canyons on the west and south boundary. Most roads are on the Kaibab National Forest map. Access is fairly good with two-wheel-drive, but poor weather could cause hazardous conditions that would require four-wheel-drive operations.

Last years' poult production was very good. This may provide a good carry over of adult turkeys and a good outlook with fair recruitment for 2006. Expect to see good number of birds but not as many as last year. Current summer weather patterns are good and expect to see turkeys in the higher elevations during the October hunt. Last years hunt success was 47%. The spring hunt success was very good and above 20%

Overview: Approximately 95 percent of the unit is public land administered by the US Forest Service. Ponderosa Pine is the main tree composition in the higher elevation above 5000 feet with scattered Gambel Oaks. Pinyon and juniper vegetation types below low 5000 feet Some areas in the lower elevations will have areas with dense and scattered cactus along with high desert vegetation, generally on south facing canyon slopes.

Water sources consist of mainly man made lakes and stock tanks. In some wet periods, pot waters can be found in canyon bottoms.

Javelina utilizes all areas of unit 8, however most of hunters concentrate their effort in low elevation and along canyon edges. Glassing is preferred technique in locating foraging javelina herds. Good areas to locate javelina are Bear, MC and Government Canyons. Other areas to check are numerous side draws and washes of small side canyons along Highway 89.

Hunt success for the HAM hunt was 9%.