Antelope

This unit has a small, but stable antelope population. It is currently open to archery hunting during a combined hunt with Unit 3A, and has its own general firearms hunt. Antelope are located in the more open areas on the north end of the unit.

Hunters should scout prior to the season to locate herds. Pronghorn generally have high fidelity to their home ranges, and, if located prior to the season, they will likely be in the same area when the season opens.

Much of the antelope habitat in this unit is in the Lakeside and Black Mesa Ranger Districts of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. A Forest map can be purchased at either District Office or at the Arizona Game and Fish Department regional office in Pinetop.

Techniques that archers may have success with include stalking, decoying, calling, and taking stands on water holes or fence crossings. During the archery hunt be prepared for warm to hot temperatures.

All antelope habitat is found north of Hwy 260. Hunters should concentrate east of the Aripine Road (Forest Road 332) to Hwy 77. Look for antelope in any of the bigger natural openings and juniper pushes. Hunters should avoid the thicker juniper woodlands. In order to familiarize yourself with the area, try driving Forest Roads 147 (north of Clay Springs) and 129 (from Taylor to Pinedale). Take advantage of any high points and use binoculars to locate antelope.

Black Bear

Unit 3C ranges in elevation from 5,600 feet at Taylor to over 7,200 feet on the Rim. Weather can range from hot during the early fall to cold and wet as fall progresses. Snow is possible in October, and very likely during November and December. Hunters should be prepared with appropriate clothing and vehicles. Roads can become very slick when wet and have deep mud in some areas. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended in the late fall.

Historically, this unit has had a stable bear population, with most of the bears concentrated south of Highway 260. There has been a reduction in the bear population as a result of habitat changes after the Rodeo-Chedeski fire in the summer of 2002, but the scale of the population reduction is not yet known. Hunters should look for bear sign and feeding activity when determining where to hunt. Early in the season, taking a stand on a stock tank may prove successful. Hunters using hounds take most bears in 3C, but calling and still-hunting can also be productive.

The unit has numerous roads, making access to hunting areas very good. However, after the 2002 fire, special regulations were established within the unit south of Highway 260, and will remain in effect until further notice. Dispersed camping is not allowed in parts of the Forest south of Highway 260 because of safety concerns following the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, which burned much of the unit. Also as a result of the fire, special regulations were established within the unit south of Highway 260 regarding vehicle travel. Only roads that are posted as open can be driven and cross-country travel is prohibited, including that for big game retrieval. Look for information signs at access points along Highway 260, or check with either the Black Mesa Ranger District (Heber) or the Lakeside Ranger District, as rules are subject to change.

Most of Unit 3C is bounded on the south by the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Your permit does not allow you to enter the Reservation to hunt or recover game. Do not trespass on the Reservation for any reason without tribal permission. If you shoot an animal that travels onto the Reservation, contact the White Mountain Apache Game and Fish Department to obtain permission to go after the animal. If hounds pursue a bear onto the Reservation, you may not cross onto the Reservation to recover dogs without tribal permission.

Hunters should concentrate efforts south of Hwy 260 in the pine, pine/oak, and pine/Douglas fir habitat types. The Douglas fir areas are found along the Mogollon Rim, and in canyons in the western portion of the unit. Because of the mobility and territoriality of bears, they will be dispersed throughout the unit.

Scouting is an important factor in locating bears. Look for certain food sources, such as acorns, that may concentrate bears in some areas. Higher densities of bears may be found along the Mogollon Rim and in the western portion of the unit, however, hound hunters may wish to avoid the Rim because of the possibility of dogs chasing a bear onto the Reservation. To find bears, look for canyons with thick stands of timber or rough, rocky country with adjacent cover. Also look for likely feeding areas, particularly heavy Gambel oak acorn crops. Other signs of bear activity are rolled rocks and torn up logs where bears have been foraging for insects.

Elk

Elk can be found throughout Unit 3C in both the pine forest and pinyon/juniper woodlands (also see the description of Unit 3A; most elk permits for 3C are also valid in 3A). Elevations range from 5,600 feet in Taylor to over 7,200 feet on the Mogollon Rim. Higher elk densities are generally found in the pine forest, but this can shift, depending on precipitation patterns.

This unit generally has a low to moderate number of antlered permits available each year, and, since the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, has had high numbers of antlerless permits. The antlered tags in Unit 3C are highly coveted by hunters, especially archery and early firearms hunts, due to alternative management that allows for a higher ratio of bulls per cows. The elk population has been increasing the past few years due to above average calf recruitment.

The unit typically has numerous roads, making access to hunting areas and recovering game easy. However, after the 2002 fire, special regulations were established within the unit south of Highway 260, and will remain in effect until further notice. Dispersed camping is not allowed in parts of the Forest south of Highway 260 because of safety concerns following the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, which burned much of the unit. Also as a result of the fire, special regulations were established within the unit south of Highway 260 regarding vehicle travel. Only roads that are posted as open can be driven and cross-country travel is prohibited, including that for big game retrieval. Look for information signs at access points along Highway 260, or check with either the Black Mesa Ranger District (Heber) or the Lakeside Ranger District, as rules are subject to change.

On early hunts, weather can range from moderately hot to wet, with snow being a possibility. Because of warmer temperatures on early hunts, it is suggested that you locate a meat processor or butcher who will provide a location to hang and cool meat before going hunting. There are game processors in Heber, Pinedale, Taylor, Snowflake, and Wagon Wheel (between Show Low and Lakeside).

On late hunts, weather ranges from moderate to severe, with snow and cold temperatures likely. Be prepared for winter conditions by bringing appropriate clothing and vehicles. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended on the late hunts because of potential snow and very muddy roads. Please help minimize damage to wet roads. You are liable for any damage or ruts you create. This is considered habitat damage by the Forest Service and the Game and Fish Department.

Elk populations in Unit 3C are scattered throughout the entire unit. However, since the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, elk densities are slightly higher south of Highway 260 (which bisects the unit). Antlerless elk hunters may want to concentrate their efforts south of Hwy 260, again due to higher densities. For antlered and antlerless elk, good hunting areas the past few years include: Telephone Lake just north of Show Low, Juniper Ridge west of Show Low/Linden, Turkey Hill south and east of Pinedale, near Deer Springs Lookout Tower, and anywhere near Black Canyon Lake. Scouting is critical to locating animals for your hunt.

Mule Deer

Hunt permits for mule deer in Unit 3C are also valid in Unit 3A (see Unit 3A mule deer for more information). This unit has an early season archery hunt and a general firearms hunt in October; there is no December/January archery hunt. The hunt permits are valid for any antlered deer, but historically there are very few white-tailed deer in the unit.

The mule deer population has been increasing since the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, but the population still remains low. The highest densities are along the Mogollon Rim and in the western portion of the unit. Hunters should concentrate their efforts in the pine, pine/oak, and pine/Douglas fir habitat types to locate deer.

The unit ranges from 5,600 feet in elevation at Taylor to over 7,200 feet on the Mogollon Rim. Weather can range from hot during the archery hunt to cold and wet during the general firearms hunt. Snow is likely during the general hunt, and hunters should be prepared for winter conditions with appropriate clothing and vehicles. Roads can become very slick when wet, and some areas have deep mud. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended on the late hunt.

Hunters should concentrate their efforts west of Cottonwood Wash (Forest road 139) and south of Hwy 260. Forest roads (FR) 139 and 132 can access the Cottonwood fire area. This area does hold a higher density of deer, but it is a small area, and hunter densities can also be high. FR 143 accesses Juniper Ridge, another good bet. Other good areas are along the Rim, from the Deer Springs Lookout west and along the Young Road (FR 512). Be careful not to slip over the Rim into Unit 23. The area surrounding Black Canyon Lake can also provide good hunting.

Deer are scattered in this unit, and finding them in the thick forest is not easy. Pre-season scouting is critical to success. Without spending some time learning the area, it will be difficult to find deer. The majority of bucks harvested are small to mid-sized, but every year a few trophy quality bucks are taken.