Quick Tips
- Hunt high during archery deer season
- Stand hunting over water can be productive during bow season
- Early rifle mule deer hunters should expect to see other hunters
- Mature bucks are nocturnal and stay in or near thick vegetation by early rifle season
- Focus on deer travel corridors near water
- Avoid roads during early rifle season
- If significant snow and cold weather occur, deer migrate to lower elevations
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 160"-180" | 180"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-70" | 70"+ |
On The Ground
Part of Kaibab, this unit is the smaller, eastern part of Unit 12A. Home to the state’s only migratory deer herd, 12A East has fewer deer per square mile than 12AW. Road access is easy and the unit is almost entirely public.
This high density mule deer herd has the right combination of genetics and feed to reach trophy size. Most of the trophy quality bucks are are taken during the late rifle rut hunt. Trophy bull bison are hard to find, but hunters manage to take some every year.
Terrain
This unit lies entirely within the Kaibab National Forest with most of the unit on the Kaibab Plateau.
Roughly 319 square miles
100% public land
Elevations from 3,000-9,200 feet
At only about 275 square miles Unit 12A East is much smaller than Unit 12AW
Small drainages begin on the plateau and become large canyons as they run east
Vegetation
The higher elevations on the eastern side of 12AE are comprised of large stands of ponderosa pine, aspen, blue spruce and Douglas fir. Grassy parks at high elevations provide great summer range for wildlife. Some old burns have been vegetated with aspens, forbs and grasses, attracting wildlife. As the elevation descends, large stands of Gambel oak give way to pinyon/juniper forests with cliffrose, bitterbrush and sagebrush. The winter range along the eastern part of the unit is primarily sagebrush and cliffrose.
Access
The Kaibab Plateau is covered with Forest Service roads. Although there is slightly less road than 12AW, most of the major ridges have a dirt road. Four-wheel-drive vehicles can handle most roads even in wet weather.
ATVs are helpful, but not necessary in 12AE because 4x4 vehicles can access most areas
Saddle Mountain Wilderness restricted to foot traffic
Camping and Lodging
Camping is permitted on lands administered by the Forest Service, which operates campgrounds with limited facilities. Lodging is available at Jacob Lake in the north, Kaibab Lodge along Highway 67 in the southwest and Fredonia, which is 20 miles north of the unit.
DeMotte Campground and Jacob Lake Campground are at high elevations and are convenient for early seasons before the deer migration
No camping is allowed within a quarter mile of an established water source
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