Beginning at Lake Mary-Clint's Well road (FH3) and the south rim of Walnut Canyon (mp 337.5 on FH3); southeasterly on FH3 to AZ Hwy 87; northeasterly on AZ Hwy 87 to FR 69; westerly and northerly on FR 69 to I-40 (Exit 233); west on I-40 to the bottom of Walnut Canyon (mp 210.2 on I-40); southwesterly along Walnut Canyon to Walnut Canyon National Monument; southwesterly along the northern boundary of the Walnut Canyon National Monument to the south rim of Walnut Canyon; southwesterly along the south rim of Walnut Canyon to FH3.
Attention All Hunters: Due to Jacket Fire recovery concerns and management direction by the Coconino National Forest, many roads within the Jacket Fire will continue to be closed to motor vehicles. This means there will continue to be no motorized vehicle retrieval of game animals within the Jacket Fire perimeter. There have also been a few vehicle/cattle exclosures constructed around wetlands on Anderson Mesa for wildlife habitat restoration. Foot access is still allowed within the exclosures. Please do not take vehicles into these exclosures. For more information about the road closures contact the Coconino National Forest, Mormon Lake office, at 928-774-1147.
Overview: Antelope are mostly found in the open grasslands of Unit 5B. The majority of the population, except during winter, will be found above Anderson Rim. However, resident animals can be found below Anderson Mesa as well. The antelope population decline since the early 90's appears to have reversed itself in the last couple years. Fawn survival has increased each year since 1996, with the only exception being 2002 following the worst moisture year on record. Low precipitation during the winter of 2006/2007 will likely mean that fawn survival will not be very good in 2007. There are still a good number of mature bucks available to hunters though.
Areas: Antelope can be found on Anderson Mesa from Marshall Lake south to Long Lake, Melatone Mesa and Duke Tank Mesa. Setting up early in the morning where one can glass a significant amount of open country should locate animals. The highest density can typically be found between Pine Hill and Ashurst Lake. At lower elevations, antelope are mostly found between the Twin Arrows and Meteor Crater roads (including the Hopi Three Canyon, Raymond, Flying M and Bar T Bar Ranches). There are also a few resident animals in and around the Raymond Wildlife Area.
Overview: The bear hunt in Unit 5B is held in late October. This late opener is to shift the harvest toward the males and away from the females. Normally by early November, female bears, especially those with cubs, will start denning. Male bears normally remain active into late November and December and are thus available for harvest. Additionally, this later opener provides bear hunting opportunities when many other units in the state have closed. Unit 5B is considered to have a moderate bear population.
Areas: In the fall, bears are frequently found in or near Gambel Oak thickets where they feed heavily on acorns, if there are any. Possible locations include the northern rim of Anderson Mesa and any canyon coming off the rim, such as Grapevine, Young's, Padre, Cherry and Mormon Canyons. Bear are also found in the higher terrain of 5B-S such as Hutch, Pine and Turkey Mountain.
Special Regulations: Remember a bear hunt can close on each Wednesday. Sows with cubs are protected. All successful hunters must report the kill to the AGFD within 48 hours. Check regulations for more details.
Overview: Elk can be found throughout the unit. The majority of the elk now spend most of the year on forest service land. However, a small number of resident elk persist in traditional winter range, which is mostly on state trust and private lands. These lands are not public land, but they are open to hunting. Concern over the forage base (from elk residing year-round) and hunter distribution, led to the creation of the Two Guns, Twin Arrows and Grapevine subunits in 2001. This has allowed us to increase hunting pressure on the resident elk population in this area. Hunters need to pay close attention and be knowledgeable of their hunt unit boundary during each hunt. Three large private ranches occur on the winter range: the Flying M, Bar T Bar and Hopi Three Canyon Ranches.
Surveys consistently show good calf recruitment in 5BS and decent recruitment in 5BN. Bull ratios are higher in 5BN than in 5BS. Hunt structures the last few years have been designed to bring both units within the guidelines of 20-30 bulls per 100 cows. Antlerless tags remain stable 5BN and are up in 5BS to achieve population goals.
Areas: 5BN
If 6-8 inches of snow comes on the later hunts, most of the elk will go north and drop off Anderson Rim and go onto the winter range (some will go south into 6A). However, elk will typically follow the snow line back up Anderson Mesa as the snow melts.
Marshall Lake: Walnut Canyon to Anderson Canyon, along the northern rim of Anderson Mesa is usually good. There are usually some good bulls in this area. Also, some good bulls can be found north of this area. Elk can also be scattered across Anderson Mesa down to Red Lake. The Boot Lake-McDermott Lake, Ashurst Lake and Horse Lake areas usually have good numbers of elk.
Twin Arrows/Two Guns: Most of the elk will concentrate along Anderson Point and Yellowjacket, Elliot and Anderson Canyons on both the forest service and state and private sections. Scouting water sources for elk sign will be key to locating the elk during the October hunts. Also, look at any green up areas produced by the summer rains for elk.
Grapevine: Most elk are currently found along the base of Anderson Rim and along Diablo and Grapevine Canyons. Checking water sources for elk use will again be key to locating the elk during the October hunts. Also, look at any green up areas produced by the summer rains for elk.
Areas: 5BS
If 6-8 inches of snow comes on the later hunts, most of the elk will go north and drop off Anderson Rim or through Chavez Pass or go towards Jacks Canyon. The elk will follow the snow line, both during and after snowstorms.
Hutch Mountain: Hutch Mountain, Sawmill Hills and Turkey Mountain are good areas. Surveys the last couple years show a lot of elk on the west side of Hay Lake west into the Sawmill Hills and around Tremaine Lake.
Melatone Mesa: Try Melatone and Duke Tank Mesas and along Jacks Canyon.
Special Note: The Hay Lake property is now in public ownership and is open to hunting. However, a vehicle closure for the area is in effect and there is no vehicular retrieval of game.
Overview: Mountain lion can be found throughout Unit 5B. However, they will concentrate mostly in and along the rougher canyons, rims and mountains of the unit. 5B is considered to have a moderate lion population. Two lions were harvested in 2004.
Areas: The northern rim of Anderson Mesa and the canyons extending north offer the best lion habitat. Some of the better canyons include Padre, Mormon, Cherry, Kinnickinick, Grapevine, Diablo, Anderson and Jacks Canyons.
Special Regulations: Remember, successful lion hunters must report their kill within 10 days to AGFD and send in a tooth within 20 days. Refer to the hunt regulations for details.
Overview: The mule deer population in 5B at least stabilized to slightly increased over the last couple of years. This reversed about a 13-year decline due to persistent dry conditions.
Areas: Some good deer densities can still be found around the Hutch Mountain complex. Other areas to check include the Sawmill Hills, south of Ashurst and Kinnickinick Lakes, along the northern rim of Anderson Mesa and any canyon running north from it. Canyons to check include Padre, Yellowjacket, Mormon, Young's and Cherry. Areas with good patches of cliff rose and a good water source will have higher densities of deer.
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: 5B is considered to have a medium population of turkeys. The current hunt structure includes both spring and fall general hunts as well as a fall archery hunt. The general spring hunt success has been falling with prescribed guidelines of 15 – 20% success. Access during the spring hunt can be a problem in some years due to remaining snowdrifts and forest service seasonal road closures.
Areas: In 5B south turkeys can be found from the 124C road down to Highway 87. Areas with topographical relief such as hills or canyons will hold the majority of birds. In 5B north areas along Anderson Rim and the canyons coming off it (close to Anderson Rim) will have birds. Areas to try are from Mormon Canyon to Marshall Lake.
Historically, Anderson Mesa was a tremendous waterfowl area, but due to the drought in northern Arizona many these waters have been dry. Scouting the lakes you are interested in hunting before the season or before you plan on hunting will reveal if the lakes still have water and just where the ducks are concentrated.
Other
Pertinent Climate Information Average
annual precipitation
is almost 23 inches;
average snowfall
nears 110 inches.
Cities,
Roads & Campgrounds
Major
Cities and Towns in or Near Game
Management Unit and Nearest Gas,
Food, and Lodging Flagstaff,
Clints Well
Major
Highways and Roads Leading To From
the East: State Hwy 87, Meteor
Crater Rd From
the West: Forest
Hwy 3
From the North: I-40
From the South: State Hwy 87, Forest Hwy 3
Developed
Campgrounds Lakeview
Campground at Lake
Mary and Ashurst
Campground at Ashurst
Lake, both administered
by the Forest Service.
Undeveloped
Campgrounds Kinnickinick
Lake Campground and
Long Lake Campground,
both administered
by the Forest Service.
Brief
Description of Terrain, Elevation,
and Vegetation
South and east portions of unit are higher elevation, reaching
approximately 7,000', with ponderosa pine forest and scattered
grasslands-summer range. The north portions are lower elevation
at approximately 5,000', with grasslands and pinyon-juniper
woodlands.
Government
Agencies and Phone Numbers Arizona
Game and Fish Department, Region
II - 928-774-5045
Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff - 928-527-3600
Walnut Canyon National Monument - 928-526-3367
