Arizona 5B North?

WildBill1, it's nice to see other AZ hunters on this forum. I alos drew got drawn for Arizona Unit 5B North; however, my tag is for Cow elk (rifle) the middle of October. From what I've read on here and other forums on the internet:

Hunt the timber on the north slopes, seeps, springs etc. during the day and be very cautious of the wind direction. Stay in the canyons during the day and come out at sunset to sunrise.

I've also read to try the areas immediately east of Mormon Lake/Mormon Mountain and Lake Mary. Generally, the elk will be in the NW portion
of the unit if the weather is mild. When the snow really starts to fly, move to the western portion of the unit. I've read and heard that 5B North is an excellent unit.

=D> I bow down to you two! I put in for 5BN in EVERYTHING and got nothing. #-o But both of you will have GREAT hunts.

If you have time to scout (or someone will scout for you) hit up Kinikinik lake road. That is where I hunted last year, and where all of my game cameras are set up. Anyone who has been up that road will tell you there are some real momsters up there. The weather should be perfect for your hunts too. I would pack some warm clothes for use in the early morning, late evening. One layer should be enough for the day, unless you wish to add more. It wouldn't hurt to pack some snow gear, as last year is did snow, but nothing stuck on the ground. That time of year can also bring some winter showers, but nothing to get worried about, a light poncho will be fine. If you do choose to hunt the Kin. Lake Road, go past the lake turn off into the flats. Keep driving until you hit the cattle guard AFTER the lake turn off! If you stay on that road, you will be in Elk all day long. :thumb

Just to get you two a little excited (you should be VERY excited!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/Azhunter/Elk.jpg" alt="" />
I packed that bull out of 5B North last year


And here are the pics from where I told you to go from this year.

http://www.muleymadness.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=607

I love 5B North, if you two need any info, just ask, I will be gald to help since I didn't get anything. Good Luck! 4c

Azhunter,
Thanks for the information. I am actually going up this weekend to take a look around to start to get familiar with the area. I know its early since my hunt is not until October. However, this is only my second elk (cow) hunt and I am determined to bring one home. I'll let you know what I see and find.

When you say to 'go past the lake turn off into the flats.' where are you coming from? Are you traveling from North to South or South to North? What time of year was your hunt last year? Thanks.

Okay, I think I worded that wrong. #-o Turn off of the highway onto the Kinikinik lake road (like you are going to the lake.) Once you are on the dirt road, drive past the lake turn off. The dirt road will turn south towards the lake, but you want to stay straight. Does that makes sense? ???

Thanks. I'll let you know what I see.

Elkdeer:


I've bowhunted that zone before and have had good success. Since you'll be hunting in the prime rut for that area, you WILL see some good bulls.

The Kickinick Lake Road is a good place to drive and view elk, however, this road is the dividing line between 5BN & 5BS. So everything on the right side are things you can NOT hunt.

I prefer the low country in the zone (juniper/pinion/cedar), as there are less people hunting it, and better bulls IMO. Here's some info for you to check directly from the biologist for that unit. The areas you should concentrate are the same areas archers hunt since it's just a week later:

**"Marshall Lake: Walnut Canyon to Anderson Canyon, along the northern rim of Anderson Mesa is usually good during the archery hunts. There are usually some good bulls in this area. Also, some good bulls can be found north of this area in the pinion-juniper country. However, this area has thick cover and can be very difficult to hunt. 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 Yellowjacket, Elliot and Anderson Canyons on both the forest service and the state and private sections. A few good bulls are still along lower Diablo Canyon. In 2003, 28 bulls were taken on 50 tags in the early any elk hunt, with many taken along Anderson Canyon. Scouting water sources for elk sign will be key to locating the elk during the October hunts. Also, look in any green up areas from the summer rains for elk use."**

Good luck and have fun.

BOHNTR, thanks for all the info. I'll post an update when I get back from scouting.

So how was it? Did 5B get hit hard again saturday night, as it did in the morning? I was there early Sat. morning, to get my last camera out of there for the year, and then headed over to 6A. What a HUGE mistake that was. All the roads might as well have been floating. The 25' foot long toy hauler we were towing got us stuck on the way in, but we got out of it. Then we tried to pull down a road, and the trailer decided to take a shortcut. We were then officially stuck. ](*,) We headed out to scout, but knowing your bed is leaning foward, and to the side doesn't leave your mind. When we got back the rain had come again and assisted the trailer in sinking some more. When we entered the trailer we found out someone left the lights on, and the batteries were completly dead. Okay so we will just turn the generator on, and be fine. Nope, the gas line has a hole in it from getting stuck, so that is out. As we sat in a dark trailer, cold and wet eating our soup with head lamps on I kept thinking "What the heck am I doing out here?" This morning didn't help any either, we did get out by just punching the throttle, and hoping for the best, and found a nice dry, hard place to park. But the rains came again, and turned that into mud hole number 3. We were stuck again. Again we pulled ourselves out, and tried to go home. But found two more trailers stuck. Since we were already dirty we helped them out. Just to finnish the weekend off, as we are unloading the trailer back at happy jack lodge, the hail comes. :)) What a weekend. Hope you had better luck than we did!

AzHunter, sorry that you had such bad luck on your trip. Well we got up early on Saturday morning and headed from North to South through the unit. We didn't see any elk/deer but we did see some rabbits and an owl with a rodent in its' claws which was cool to see. It had rained the night before so the ground was fresh and we were able to see lots of track in some areas and very little in other areas. We didn't actually sit and glass because we couldn't find a nice, high vantage point to sit from. It was also good to see lots of people fishin' in Lake Mary and Ashurst. I am going to go back a few more times before the hunt to scout more of the east side of the unit.

I am headed up north again this weekend to do some scouting. I let everyone know how it goes when I get back! :)

Sorry it has taken me so long for an update but I have been so busy with a second job. Anyway, my dad and I went up to 5B North on August 26th and 27th. We took our time getting there and setup camp about 10pm. At about 11:30pm, my dad woke me up and told me to listen. We couldn't see them but we heard 3 bulls and some cows all night long. The cows were playing in some water all night and were very loud. The next morning we went and checked out where we heard them and found all sorts of track and scat. I can't wait for my October, rifle, cow hunt. :)