Arizona Bighorn Sheep Turkey

Unit 13BS (13BS — South Kaibab Sheep Zone)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep, Turkey

The Unit 13BS bighorn sheep hunt covers a designated sheep subzone of GMU 13B on the North Kaibab Plateau country along the rim and canyon country above the Grand Canyon. AZGFD manages desert bighorn here in the steep rim breaks, limestone canyons, and escape terrain where water and rocky cover align. With only 2 tags issued over three years against 199 applicants, this is one of the most coveted desert bighorn draws in the state — a true once-in-a-lifetime Arizona tag.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 13BS

Where to Find Bighorn in Unit 13BS

Desert bighorn in 13BS use the steep limestone rim breaks and canyon walls along the south edge of the North Kaibab Plateau, dropping toward the Grand Canyon. Rams favor cliff-banded escape terrain with line-of-sight to water and feeding benches.

Canyon Rim Breaks

Glass the rim country and side canyons dropping off the plateau. Rams bed on ledges just below the rim during midday and move to feed on the benches above and below during cooler hours.

Saddle Springs and Seeps

Pre-hunt scouting to identify reliable seeps and springs is essential. AZGFD biologists can point tag holders to known water points — use that consultation aggressively.

How to Hunt Unit 13BS Bighorn

13BS is a high-effort, high-reward sheep hunt. The terrain is physically punishing and the ram density is low — success takes weeks of effort, not days.

Long-Range Glass

We run 30–60x spotting scopes from rimrock vantage points and glass methodically for hours. A single mature ram may be the only legal animal within ten miles — patience and optics win here.

Guided Support

Most 13BS tag holders book an Arizona-licensed sheep outfitter familiar with the North Kaibab rim country. The guide's unit-specific scouting and pack support are almost always worth the investment on a once-in-a-lifetime tag.

Physical Conditioning

Expect sustained off-trail hiking, class 3 rim scrambling, and potentially long vertical approaches. Six months of loaded-pack training before the hunt is standard.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

AZGFD manages 13BS tags at extremely low numbers to essentially guarantee opportunity for each hunter. Tag holders who put in full effort typically harvest a ram. Check AZGFD harvest reports for the most current data on ram quality and hunt duration.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle	1	103	0.0%	0
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	1	119	0.0%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 13BS bighorn is among the hardest Arizona draws. With roughly 2 tags issued against 199 applicants over three years, odds sit near 1% per application year. Arizona uses a weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus — 20% of tags to max-point holders, 80% to a random weighted draw. This is a lifetime lottery — apply every year to build points and the loyalty bonus.

Turkey Hunting in Unit 13BS

Unit 13BS is the southern sub-zone of GMU 13B, covering the South Kaibab Plateau country and the rim breaks above the Grand Canyon's North Rim area. Merriam's turkeys in 13BS inhabit the ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer forests of the Kaibab Plateau and the ponderosa-PJ transition zones above the canyon rim. This is a remote, challenging turkey hunt with very limited tag allocation. The unit rewards hunters who are experienced in high-country Merriam's hunting and can navigate the demanding rim-country terrain.

Where to Find Turkey in Unit 13BS

Merriam's turkeys in Unit 13BS use the Kaibab Plateau's ponderosa and mixed-conifer forest on the southern end of the 13B complex, transitioning into PJ woodland along the rim breaks above the Grand Canyon.

South Kaibab Ponderosa Belt (7,500–9,000 ft)

The highest-quality turkey habitat in 13BS sits in the mature ponderosa parklands of the South Kaibab NF. These birds are classic high-elevation Merriam's — roost in large ponderosa, feed in grassy openings, and use canyon-edge drainages for travel cover.

Rim-Edge Transition and Canyon Breaks

Where the ponderosa thins into PJ along the Grand Canyon rim breaks, turkeys use the edge habitat extensively. The canyon terrain provides thermal roost sites and escape cover. This is challenging terrain — know your limits on the rim edge.

Seasonal Water and Stock Ponds

Kaibab NF water developments and seasonal stock ponds on the South Kaibab concentrate birds during dry conditions. Map these before your hunt — they become primary scouting anchors when gobbling activity is low.

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How to Hunt Turkey in Unit 13BS

Unit 13BS turkey hunting combines the classic North Kaibab ponderosa-park approach with rim-edge terrain that demands careful navigation. Low pressure birds respond aggressively to traditional calling tactics.

Roost Location and Pre-Dawn Setup

Access the South Kaibab NF road network via Jacob Lake or the North Rim road corridor. Owl-hoot and listen at dusk to locate roosted birds. Set up before first light within 100–150 yards of the roost with a clear view of the fly-down area.

Ponderosa Park Calling

Start with aggressive yelping sequences at fly-down. Kaibab gobblers on the South plateau are often responsive and will commit to calling when henned-up birds wander off. Transition to soft purrs and clucks once a bird is responding and working closer.

Canyon-Edge Safety

The rim breaks in 13BS require attention to terrain. Don't call birds toward you over terrain features you haven't walked. Work parallel to rim edges rather than approaching them blind in low-light conditions.

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Turkey Success Rates

Shotgun35%

Unit 13BS Merriam's turkey success rates are similar to other quality North Kaibab turkey hunts — hunters with tags for this area report 35–55% success. The low tag count and remote access result in essentially zero competition for birds, and the Kaibab turkey population's low pressure history makes for highly responsive gobblers throughout the spring season.

Turkey Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Shotgun— Early Shotgun	15	7	57.1%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 13BS turkey is a limited-tag draw on the remote Arizona Strip. Applicant numbers are kept lower by the demanding logistics, which may make this a relatively more accessible draw than the quality suggests. Arizona's weighted bonus-point system provides cumulative advantage — apply every year and use the Hunter Education bonus for the best draw position. Check current AZGFD draw portal data for the most recent odds.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

US 89A and AZ 67 paved; North Kaibab FR roads graded gravel; rim-access two-tracks high-clearance/4WD

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous — rimrock and canyon breaks; class 3 scrambling and sustained off-trail hiking routine

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Hunting Pressure

Very low — 1–2 tags per year

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Weather

Fall sheep season: 40–70°F days, 20–40°F nights; early snow possible late season

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Cell Service

None reliable in the rim country; satellite communicator required

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Nearest Town

Fredonia, AZ (approx. 40 mi; limited services) or Jacob Lake (seasonal services) or Kanab, UT (full services)

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Permit Notes

Once-in-a-lifetime desert bighorn tag; horn-plug and check-in requirements apply per AZGFD regulations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Unit 13BS bighorn tag once-in-a-lifetime?

Yes. Drawing a desert bighorn tag in Arizona disqualifies you from applying for another desert bighorn tag in the state for life. 13BS is a once-in-a-lifetime tag.

What turkey subspecies is in Arizona Unit 13BS?

Unit 13BS holds Merriam's turkeys in the ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer forests of the South Kaibab Plateau. These are high-elevation North Kaibab Merriam's birds — among the most prized in Arizona turkey hunting.

How does the Unit 13BS draw compare to other Arizona turkey units?

Unit 13BS is a limited-tag draw with demanding logistics that keep applicant numbers relatively lower than comparable quality units near Phoenix or Flagstaff. The Hunter Education bonus and consistent annual applications are the most effective tools for improving draw odds.

Are there safety considerations for turkey hunting in Unit 13BS?

Yes. The unit includes rim-break terrain above the Grand Canyon. Never approach canyon-rim edges in low light or unfamiliar terrain when chasing calling birds. Work parallel to rim features rather than toward them. Always tell someone your planned hunting area and carry a satellite communicator.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

AZGFD Desert Bighorn Sheep Management — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Desert bighorn management in the North Kaibab zone, Once-in-a-lifetime tag policy · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: 13BS draw odds, Weighted bonus-point system, Historical applicant data · accessed 2026-04-17
Kaibab National Forest — North Kaibab Ranger District — USDA Forest Service · supports: North Kaibab road and trail network, Motor Vehicle Use Map, Canyon-rim access · accessed 2026-04-17
2025-2026 Arizona Hunting Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 13BS turkey hunt codes, Spring season structure, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-18
GMU 13B — Unit Landing Page — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 13B boundary and subdivisions, Kaibab Plateau turkey habitat, Access overview · accessed 2026-04-18