Elk Hunting in Pennsylvania
 

Not many people think Pennsylvania when talking about elk. But there's a decent population and the season opener is today. So we put together a brief history

PA Elk History

I haven't yet, but I'm going to start putting my name in the lottery. Maybe one day I can harvest a PA Elk

I've been in the elk areas in PA. The elk seemed pretty tame to me. I think I'll stick with hunting them in my native CO. But it can't be denied they take some good elk in PA.

I put my name in every year. Maybe someday.
-Jake

Wisconsin is trying to do something like that, but it has been a struggle so far. Mortality has been higher than expected.

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/elk.html

Getting drawn in Pa for Elk is about the same odds as hitting Lotto! Flags, how long ago was it that you were out there? When they first started the stocking process they were pretty tame since they had been handled quite a bit, but nowadays, except in a few "viewing areas", they are just as wild as they are everywhere else. I've walked up on Colorado Elk. Sometimes they are skittish other times they aren't. Walked up on whitetail as well. Sometimes they just don't seem to care. Other times they are strung tighter than a crack addict on a 2 day bender.

Haha, you're funny Super!

I will assure you of one thing; those Pennzy boyz know how to get after them !!!!

The "tame" ones will be dinner.....................

Took some pics while bear hunting with friends earlier this week.




These were not tame and were very nervous/wary.

Where were you at Pigbrick?
-Jake

Cameron Co.

I would agree when I lived in Lakewood, CO there was a subdivision I think it is called Willowbrook off W Bellview Ave on the west side of the foothills and we would go there and watch the elk in the evening. We had a few walk right up to the car and seemed about as tame as it could come. Of course until September rolled around.

There's a big difference in game that hangs around town, and the ones that live in the mountains.

I had a nice muley buck walk up to me in town today. I was eating an apple, and he wanted some. See if you can get one to do that at 11,000ft during hunting season.

It is the same in PA. Laws had to be passed to prevent the idiots from feeding the Elk. The ones around the Elk viewing area are not as skiddish but the ones out in the mountains and away from people are an entirely different animal.

also remember the zone around Benezette and the viewing areas is closed to hunting...so those elk never have anyone shooting anything other than cameras at them.

My friend was drawn and he was successful, but it wasn't easy. I wrote an article about his experience.

The Hunt of a Lifetime

I'm sorry, but that didn't sound like a hard hunt. Good job for getting an elk though.

A few years ago there was an Amish man who shot and killed a top 2 or 3 bull and top 15 or 20 of all time record kills.
2011 a hunter from PA killed the state record bull elk as well as a definite top 5 or 10 of all time record kills.

I've been putting in for a tag ever since they started issuing them. I had a fellow in my village get drawn and thought it would be easy. He decided to hunt them with his long bow. The only thing he got to eat was tag soup.

Yep, me too, I hope I get drawn before I can't raise my rifle anymore.:D

I've long been focused on Moose but I'm over that now and focused on Elk especially in PA!

I've been applying. I'm young. I think I have a fairly good chance to get drawn in eventually. If all goes as planned I should have at least 50 more years of hunting time assuming I can hunt until I'm 80( Maybe that's wishful thinking!) . Hopefully someday!
-Jake

Been applying for an out of state Elk tag for years. Don't think ill ever get one but hey if i do it will be a hunt I'll always remember.