Part of Kaibab, this unit is the smaller, eastern part of Unit 12A. Home to the state’s only migratory deer herd, 12A East has fewer deer per square mile than 12AW. Road access is easy and the unit is almost entirely public.

This high density mule deer herd has the right combination of genetics and feed to reach trophy size. Most of the trophy quality bucks are are taken during the late rifle rut hunt. Trophy bull bison are hard to find, but hunters manage to take some every year.

This unit lies entirely within the Kaibab National Forest with most of the unit on the Kaibab Plateau.

The Kaibab Plateau is covered with Forest Service roads. Although there is slightly less road than 12AW, most of the major ridges have a dirt road. Four-wheel-drive vehicles can handle most roads even in wet weather.

The higher elevations on the eastern side of 12AE are comprised of large stands of ponderosa pine, aspen, blue spruce and Douglas fir. Grassy parks at high elevations provide great summer range for wildlife. Some old burns have been vegetated with aspens, forbs and grasses, attracting wildlife. As the elevation descends, large stands of Gambel oak give way to pinyon/juniper forests with cliffrose, bitterbrush and sagebrush. The winter range along the eastern part of the unit is primarily sagebrush and cliffrose.

Camping is permitted on lands administered by the Forest Service, which operates campgrounds with limited facilities. Lodging is available at Jacob Lake in the north, Kaibab Lodge along Highway 67 in the southwest and Fredonia, which is 20 miles north of the unit.