Antelope

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 and harvesting of older aged class bucks have improved. The survey results from last year were 36 bucks per 100 does. The total buck harvest was 14, for a 58% hunt success.

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.

The other areas antelope can be found in are Drake and the Southwest corner on the unit, near Ashfork. These areas have been cleared of junipers over the past 30 years and provide open areas where herds of antelope frequent.

Access to these areas is good. There are a few high peaks that make glassing a good way of locating antelope in the area.

The portion near Drake is located on the Prescott National Forest where motorized use is restricted to number roads only! Off-road travel is not allowed except to retrieve a legally taken big game animal.

Black Bear

Unit 8 has some of best bear habitat in northern Arizona with numerous canyons, high-country mountains and high dessert areas. Hunters can use a variety of different hunting techniques. The Unit is very popular and rarely does the season extend beyond two weeks. The harvest restriction is limited to two sows before the season is closed. Check with opening hunting season format in the regulations.

Most of the unit is on the Kaibab National Forest. Bear distribution is throughout the unit. Some common areas where bears are taken include Bill Williams Mountain, along Hell's Canyon, and mountain knolls such as Summit, Round Mountain, and Morgan Mountain. Hunters also occasionally find bears in Government, Sycamore and Tule canyons.

Remember that some areas are remote and access is difficult making a kill hard to get out. Hot to warm weather conditions can exist, so be prepared to pack out the bear, including all edible parts. The year 2002 hunt outlook should be consistent with the year’s previous result, however continuing drought conditions may move bears into higher elevations for food and water. Suggestions for hunt ideas would scout available waters for active sign and maybe using various varmint calls.

Elk

The elk population over the last year has been stable. The survey results from last year were 26 bulls per 100 cows. The calves were 44 per 100 cows. The outlook for bulls to harvest is promising due to the fair weather conditions and favorable recruitment in past few years. Still, large bulls may be difficult to find. Canyon areas are your best bet to find them. The hunt success has been good over the past few years and last yeas hunt were exceptionally well. Last years early firearm bull hunt success was 82%, the general rifle bull hunt was 31%. Archery bull hunt success was 42%. The late firearm cow hunt success was 29% and the muzzleloader cow hunt success was 44%.

A good area to find elk is south of Bill Williams Mountain, off Road 108 and122. It transverses through three topography and habitat types. Summit Mountain, Morgan Mountain and Round Mountain are consistent areas where a number of elk are harvested each year. They are areas of higher elevations. Popular areas to scout for elk would be Barney Flats, Coleman Lake area, and Garland Prairie. All areas are on the Kaibab National Forest. Check local forest map.

Some lower elevation areas provide glassing opportunities in several side canyons. This year has been a very dry year. Scouting for available waters would help you locate areas of high elk density if dry conditions persist. If a good monsoon season occurs, this may distribute the elk more commonly throughout the unit Early cold weather and snow that might come in October can play a role in the herd movement prior to rifle elk season. Most often they migrate to lower elevation within the unit to the south and southwest.

Deer

The deer population over the last year has been stable. The survey results from year 2004 were 18 bucks per 100 does. The fawns were 49 per 100 does. The outlook is promising due to the better weather conditions and favorable recruitment in past few years. Greater older age class bucks are more present than in yearws past. The hunt success has improved over the past few years. Last years hunt success was 21%: the five year average is 20%.

A good area to find deer is off Road 108. It transverses though three topography and habitat types. Summit Mountain, Aspen Hill and Round Mountain are old favorites of long time local hunters. Some lower elevation areas provide glassing opportunities in several side canyons and even provides opportunities to take a good whitetail buck. This year has been a very wet year. Scouting for available waters would help you locate areas of high deer density, but a good idea is to look for good ground vegetation in open meadows and look for possible developing acorns on gambel oaks and Turbennella oaks. If a good monsoon season occurs, this may distribute the deer more commonly throughout the unit There is a late season only for whitetail deer in this unit. Popular areas are Sycamore Canyon and Lonesome Pocket.