Antelope

The highest concentrations of pronghorn antelope in Unit 1 are found in the open grassland and pinyon-juniper/grassland habitat types. During the hunting season, pronghorn are found at both high and low elevations. During drought years, antelope are concentrated in areas where water occurs, and may even utilize forest habitat.

Weather conditions during the pronghorn hunts are generally warm to cool days with cool nighttime temperatures. Wet conditions can occur and due to high elevation, extremes in weather conditions can occur. So be prepared.

Unit 1 contains three large areas where pronghorn can be found. These are as follows:

North of Hwy 260: This area includes a block of land bounded on the south by Hwy 260, on the north by Hwy 60, on the east by the Springerville-Eagar city limits, and on the west by the Unit 1-Unit 3B boundary. This area is comprised of private, State Trust, and U.S. Forest Service lands. Some good hunting spots within this area are Antelope Mountain, the area along the northern reach of Carnero Creek, Cheney Lake, south of Cerro Quemado, along Forest Road 117, North of Mallory Springs, and between Garris Knoll and Cerro Montosa.

Loco Knoll: This area encompasses a portion of Unit 1 from Loco Knoll (just north of Escudilla Mountain) to Hwy 60 in the north. The area is bounded on the east by the New Mexico border and on the west by Hwy 191. It includes private, State Trust, and U.S. Forest Service lands. Pronghorn locations within this area include Reagan Reservoir, Dry Lakes, and Indian Tank Hills.

High Country: This area is completely within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. It is generally an area extending from Big Lake on the south to Hwy 273 on the western edge, to Mexican Hay Lake in the north, and to the east of Forest Road 285. It is composed mostly of high elevation grasslands surrounded by forest. Pronghorn spots within this area include Boardshack Knoll, the area around Hay Lake, Hog Wallow Lake, Pool Knoll, Rudd Knoll, Wahl Knoll, S.U. Knoll, Dipping Vat, the area south and west of Basin Lake, Pat Knoll, Salt House Lake, Crosby Crossing, and the Colter Creek drainage.

Elk

Elk hunting in Unit 1 begins in September, with the last hunts ending in December. Elk distribution within the unit varies depending on the time of year and on the weather conditions. Elk can be found in both the high and low elevations. During drought years, elk tend to be concentrated in areas where there is water and green feed.

Most of the elk hunting done here will be on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Areas for hunting elk in Unit 1 vary according to the time period in which the hunt occurs. The following are suggested areas for the various hunts in the early, middle, and late seasons

Early Season Hunts: These hunts occur during the month of September and the first part of October. They include the archery-only antlerless and bull hunts, the early firearms bull hunt, and the Juniors-only firearms antlerless hunt. The archery antlerless and bull hunts are run concurrently from about the middle of September to the first of October.

During this time period, elk are distributed throughout the unit. They are found at both low and high elevations. The bulls are starting to bugle, and will generally come to calls. Areas to hunt would include Escudilla Mountain, the Loco Knoll area, the Black River area, Kettle Holes, Centerfire Creek, Burro Mountain, the Greens Peak area, Mineral Creek, St. Peter's Dome, the Mexican Hay Lake area, Milligan Valley, Juan Garcia Mountain, Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area, and the Pool Knoll area.

The early firearms bull hunt begins the day following the end of the archery hunts. Bulls are still in the rut, and the opportunity for a trophy bull is good. Areas to hunt are generally the same as the areas for the archery hunts.

Middle Season Hunts: These hunts occur during late October into the middle of November. This is the time of year when elk begin their migration from summer to winter range. Snowfall is a major factor in accelerating the migration. Places to find elk include the area around the base of Escudilla Mountain (along Forest road 275), Loco Knoll, ELC Flat, Hulsey Bench, South Unit 1 along forest service Road 25, Forest Service road 409, Greens Peak, St. Peters Dome, Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area and Antelope Peak. Weather varies during this time of year, but you can expect cool to cold temperatures and the possibility of significant snowfall.

Late Season Hunts: These hunts occur from the end of November to the last hunt in December. These hunts usually include the late firearms bull hunt in Unit 1, 2B, and 2C, the Unit 1 East hunt area, the Escudilla hunt area in Unit 1, and the firearm antlerless hunt in Unit 1 and Units 2B and 2C. During this time period, elk are generally found at lower elevations on the winter range. The weather conditions are generally cold with snow. If significant snowfall has not occurred by this time, then some elk may also still be found in the higher elevation areas.

For the firearms bull hunt, places to find elk include the area north of Greens Peak to Hwy 60, the area along Forest roads (FR) 118 and 117, the Antelope Mountain area, the Loco Knoll area, Milligan Valley, the Garris Knoll area, along FR 404, the Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area. Depending on snowfall, the Big Lake area can be productive.

During the firearms antlerless hunt, the following areas would be a good bet to find elk: Milligan Valley, Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area, Loco Knoll, around the base of Escudilla Mountain, Pat Knoll, Antelope Peak, Cerro Montosa, and Forest Service Road 409.

The late firearms antlerless hunt is generally a winter range hunt. Areas to find elk include the Antelope Mountain area, Sipe White Mountain Wildlife area, Riggs Creek reservoir near FR 85A, the Cerro Montosa area (both north and south of Hwy 60), along FR 117 going south from Hwy 60, the Cheney Lake area, the Mallory Springs area, the Garris Knoll area, FR 25 in the southern portion of the hunt unit, and along Carnero Creek south of Green Spot on Hwy 60.

Mule Deer

Mule Deer distribution in Unit 1 generally follows a distinct seasonal pattern. During the early archery season in August, bucks can be found throughout the unit, with huntable concentrations easily found at higher elevations. The general firearms season occurs in October and November. Deer distribution here can be profoundly affected by winter weather conditions. Early winter snowfall may cause deer to move to lower elevation areas within the unit. During the early archery season, deer may be found within all the habitat types that occur in Unit 1.

Habitat types to concentrate on include high elevation meadows, aspen stands, and riparian areas. At this time, mature bucks will be solitary or in small bands. General firearms season hunters can find bucks in pinyon-juniper habitat types, and in areas where concentrations of browse plant species such as cliffrose, oak, and mountain mahogany occur. Regardless of the season that you choose to participate in, proper scouting prior to the season is essential to having a successful hunt.

Areas for hunting mule deer in Unit 1 vary, depending on the time period in which the hunt occurs. The following are suggested areas in the higher elevation portions of the unit where they can be found for the early archery season.

Mt. Baldy Wilderness/Burro Mountain: Located west of State Hwy 273, the Mt. Baldy Wilderness Area contains many small drainages and aspen stands where mule deer can be found. Vehicle access is restricted in this area, so hunters should be prepared to operate on foot.

Forest Service Road 25: This is a major road running from Buffalo Crossing to Black River. The many creeks in this area, such as Wildcat, Centerfire, and the West Fork of Black River, provide good opportunities to stalk deer. There are numerous two-track roads in this area that are open to vehicular use. Hunters should honor the road closures they will encounter in this portion of Unit 1.

Escudilla Mountain Area: Located south of Alpine and west of the New Mexico border. Escudilla Mountain contains a small wilderness area as well as extensive aspen stands. The Terry Flat Loop Road provides access to the top of the mountain, while Forest road (FR) 275 provides access around the base of the mountain.

Late season rifle hunters should consider the following areas for hunting: Northwest Unit 1: The northwest corner of Unit 1, particularly the areas along FR 61 and 65, Garris Knoll, and Cerro Montosa. This part of the unit contains good browse components and hiding cover. Hunters should utilize their field glasses to locate deer in openings. Also, take care in driving in wet or snowy conditions and keep vehicles on existing roads.

South Fork, Little Colorado River: This general area runs from the town of Greer, east along a geological "rim" formation to the Water Canyon area. Vehicle access to this area is somewhat limited so you should be prepared to pack out your animal by foot or horseback. Some of the access roads and trails to consider include Forest Service Trail 97 and FR 70A. Hunters should pay attention to all road closure signs.

Escudilla Mountain Area: Located south of the town of Alpine, FR 275 provides good access around the base of the mountain. The Hulsey Bench Habitat Area on the west side of the mountain is closed to all vehicle access, and provides good walk-in hunting opportunities.