**********Apache Outdoors**********
Hunting on the San Carlos Apache Reservation
When you come to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation to hunt, you will find yourself in a world that is unlike any other you have ever been in. With a vast expansion of real estate to explore, it will be difficult to absorb all that this land has to offer. With terrains that range from low desert with cactus and grass to high desert that is scattered with rim rock and steep faced slopes that rise to the upper elevations. The last type of terrain we have is the high country meadows and ponderosa pine and fir trees with scattered aspen and many meadows to accent the scenery. Most regions can be seen in a single drive and can be quite dramatic, especially during the changing seasons. Our reservation elevations are from 2,400 ft. above sea level to as high as 8,282 ft. We receive generally more moisture than most of the state of Arizona and also get plenty of snow in the higher regions on our northern half of the reservation. When the foliage is in full bloom, the landscape turns into an array of colors like no other. All this with no alteration of our lands in 90% of the entire area. One can camp in an area and almost never see another soul for weeks at a time. That is the beauty of our homeland.
Rocky Mountain Elk
The elk here on the reservation are monitored for quality rather than quantity and for this reason San Carlos has some of the worlds biggest elk ever recorded in the wild. With approx. 1 million acres that they roam freely, the elk have the best chance of becoming mature and growing to record proportions. We have 3 trophy elk units on the reservation with one being the Dry Lake unit, which is the best known. the second is the Hilltop unit and the third being the R-100 unit. All three trophy units have the potential of producing elk that score well into the 400's on the Boone and Crockett scale. The fourth elk unit we have is a unit that concentrates on a migratory herd coming from the White Mountain Reservation and also from unit 27 in Arizona. These elk usually migrate onto the northeastern areas of our reservation and can produce elk scoring high in the 300's. an average bull will score about 320 in this area.
Coues Whitetail Deer
The Coues is a deer that any hunter won't soon forget if he ever gets the chance to pursue this animal. It has become a favorite among hunters to harvest as it has fast become the hardest animal to hunt in north America. Most hunters who come here to chase the Coues soon realize how hard it can be to even locate an animal in the open landscape. These animals blend in so well and are gray from head to hoof. It's this unique coloring of the animal that makes it a tough animal to spot at any distance. We have 5 units open for the Coues whitetail and if you hunt hard enough you can harvest an animal scoring well into the record books.
Black Bear
Hunting the black bear is an experience one will rarely have trouble remembering. With a good population and habitat for the black bear they are sure to survive well into the distant future. Bears that weigh over 400 lbs. are almost common if one's homework is done correctly. Several bears have been taken over 500 lbs! With 3 different hunts and 5 units available for the black bear, you will find that the San Carlos offers so much to the hunter pursuing the elusive black bear.
Antelope
We have 2 units currently for the antelope and each has it's own prime animals and herds. With a habitat that is typical antelope country, one can spot and see many bucks with horns over 18 inches! Many trophy antelope have been harvested from both units and most have scored well enough to make the record books. But a limited number of tags will prove the hardest part of the hunt will be to purchase a tag. When one does get a tag, they will find that the areas holding antelope are largely undisturbed and can make for a memorable hunt.
Turkey
San Carlos Apache Reservation has some of the best turkey hunting in the world. With a population that increases each year the hunter can find himself surrounded by several toms and can experience the gobbles up close and personal. This is also a great hunt for the beginning hunter as the hunts are fairly easy and the hunter will have plenty of down time in camp that can be utilized fishing in the many stock tanks we have in the area.
Mt. Lion
The elusive mountain. lion can be one of the most sought after animals by hunters in the field. With a population that is steadily increasing, the Apache Tribe offers a complimentary tag for a mountain. lion on the big game hunts with exception of the special trophy hunts. Fees are reasonable and one can find himself in back country so remote hardly a person has set foot in the same region. It is a hunt one will not soon forget.
Javelina
The javelina is an animal that can be an exciting hunt in the making. Most avid bow hunters will hunt the javelina and first time hunters as well. The javelina inhabit most areas of our homelands so finding them can be quite easy but spotting them may be a different story. Whatever the circumstance, a hunter will find that this is an animal that can make for some memorable weekends with young children and a first step to the bigger game animals we have to offer.
Desert & Rocky Mtn. Bighorn
The bighorn sheep has amazed many hunters alike for generations. Most hunters also realize that to harvest one they not only have to be a great physical shape but also have the funds to pursue the animal. If one ever has the chance at one of these magnificent creatures, San Carlos offers some extremely remote areas for the sheep and trophy quality animals.
The San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation also has the desert mule deer, although, it has been reserved only for tribal members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Some of these mule dear can reach into the 200 inch class and have spreads over 30 inches. So one will find that we have so much to offer for the hunter and a land of paradise like no other.
