Unit 4BN (Kaibab Plateau North – Unit 4B North)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Elk

Unit 4BN covers the northwestern Kaibab Plateau and adjacent BLM lands between the Utah border and the Grand Canyon's North Rim access corridor. The unit blends Kaibab NF ponderosa and spruce-fir forest with the open PJ and sagebrush country transitioning toward the Arizona Strip. Elk in 4BN use the plateau forests for thermal cover and feeding but venture into the lower elevation BLM country for water and late-season forage. Tag numbers are very limited and this is regarded as a premium Arizona elk draw with exceptional opportunity for mature bulls.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 4BN

Where to Find Elk in Unit 4BN

Elk in Unit 4BN concentrate on the forested plateau during summer and early fall, then shift toward lower desert fringe country as temperatures drop and hunting pressure builds.

Spruce-Fir and Mixed-Conifer Pockets (8,500–9,200 ft)

The highest elevation forests in 4BN hold the largest bulls through August and September. North-facing slopes with dense spruce-fir provide thermal cover and escape terrain. Glass into these areas from the plateau edge.

Ponderosa Meadow Edges (7,500–8,500 ft)

The rolling ponderosa meadows across the unit's central portion are classic daytime feeding zones. Work the timber edges at dawn and dusk, particularly where meadows neck down between timber stands.

BLM Fringe Country (5,500–7,000 ft)

Late-season elk push into the PJ and pinyon-sagebrush transition where BLM lands border the NF. The open terrain here is ideal for spotting and stalking. Focus on washes and drainages that funnel animal movement.

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How to Hunt Elk in Unit 4BN

Unit 4BN rewards hunters who adapt tactics to the terrain and season. The combination of dense plateau forest and open BLM fringe country demands versatility.

Archery — Water and Rut Calling

August archery hunters should identify water developments on the plateau and establish ambush sites before the opener. Mid-September rut calling in the ponderosa and spruce-fir parks produces aggressive bull encounters. Use bugling sequences at first light to locate and locator calls to confirm before setting up.

Rifle — Early Access and Glass

The BLM fringe country is most productive for rifle hunters. Drive primary BLM roads before first light and position yourself on elevated terrain to glass the open desert and transition zones as elk move from feeding to bedding. Stalks in the open country can be long — plan for 300+ yard shots.

Timber Pushes

Post-pressure elk often go completely nocturnal and deep in timber. Still-hunt through the dense spruce-fir stands midday and post-up on well-used trails between bedding areas and water. Patience and silence are the primary tools.

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Elk Success Rates

Unit 4BN supports success rates similar to other quality North Kaibab elk hunts — rifle hunters see 45–70% success, archery hunters 20–35%. The low tag count preserves mature bull age structure and the combination of forest and open terrain gives multiple tactical options. Hunters who work both the plateau and BLM fringe country consistently out-produce those who focus on only one habitat.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	50	17	88.2%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 4BN elk tags are premium, limited-draw allocations in the North Kaibab complex. Arizona's weighted bonus-point system makes consistent annual applications valuable. The 4BN designation may see slightly different applicant pressure compared to the well-known 3A and 3C units — check the current AZGFD draw portal for the most recent odds breakdown. The Hunter Education bonus provides a real improvement in your cumulative draw position.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

No developed RV sites in the 4BN interior. Jacob Lake area for limited services. Fredonia and Kanab, UT for RV parks.

⛺

Camp Sites

Dispersed camping across North Kaibab NF outside developed areas. BLM dispersed camping on the unit's lower fringe. No hookups.

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Trailer Access

US-89A and Jacob Lake Road paved for access. NF forest roads are graded gravel — small to mid-size trailers manageable on primary roads. BLM roads require high-clearance.

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Water

Fill in Jacob Lake, Fredonia, or Kanab. Wildlife water developments on the plateau — map these. No reliable natural water in lower BLM fringe country.

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Road Conditions

Paved highway access. Primary NF roads graded gravel. BLM spur roads can be rough 4WD tracks in the lower unit.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate on plateau; demanding on canyon-rim and steep forest terrain. BLM fringe is relatively flat and open.

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Hunting Pressure

Low to very low. The remote Arizona Strip location and small tag count limit other hunter presence significantly.

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Weather

August: warm days (70–85°F plateau), cool nights (40–55°F). October: 35–60°F days, freezing nights. November: snow probable on the plateau.

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Cell Service

Very limited. Near Jacob Lake only. None in the plateau interior or BLM fringe country. Satellite communicator essential.

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Nearest Town

Jacob Lake (limited services). Fredonia, AZ (full services, 30–40 min). Kanab, UT (full services).

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Unit 4BN different from Unit 3A for Arizona elk?

Unit 4BN sits on the northwestern plateau edge with significant BLM desert fringe country that 3A does not have. This gives 4BN hunters a unique two-terrain option — dense ponderosa and spruce-fir forest on the plateau plus open spot-and-stalk country in the lower BLM lands. It also tends to receive slightly lower applicant pressure than the most-coveted 3A codes.

How remote is Unit 4BN for elk hunting?

Very remote. The unit sits in the northwest corner of the Kaibab Plateau close to the Utah border, accessible primarily via Jacob Lake and US-89A from Fredonia. There are no towns within the unit and cell service is essentially absent. Plan for self-sufficient camping with water carried from Jacob Lake or Fredonia.

What season is best for Unit 4BN elk?

Archery in mid-September targets peak rut activity with bugling bulls on the plateau. Rifle hunters in late October and November find elk pushing into the lower BLM fringe country — the open terrain favors spot-and-stalk with a rifle and a good spotting scope.

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Sources & Verification

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

GMU 4B — Unit Landing Page — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 4B boundary and subdivisions, Kaibab elk population management · accessed 2026-04-18
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 4BN draw odds, Bonus-point system, Historical applicant data · accessed 2026-04-18
Kaibab National Forest — North Kaibab Ranger District — USDA Forest Service · supports: Forest road access, Dispersed camping, MVUM · accessed 2026-04-18