2014 Pennsylvania Elk Hunting/Applications
- Thread starter C.O. Shooter
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Letzgoracin301
Active Member
My girlfriend and I are both applying for the first time this year. Don't know why I haven't done it for the past 12 years. Is there any advantage to antlered only?
C.O. Shooter
Well-Known Member
No not really. There are less bull tags, than cow tags. If you were to draw a cow tag, you could draw a bull the following year (You would be lucky). However, if you draw a bull tag, I want to say you can't apply for a bull tag for five years.
My thoughts on the bull tag are this. For a PA resident, there is no where in the world I could hunt a 350-400+ inch bull for 35$ (10$ for the application and 25$ for the licenses if I am drawn). I guess to say I would not be hunting elk for the meat, but for the trophy.
I grew up about 30-40 minutes from the Winslow Hill area. I know the hunt areas fairly well and also know a few of the local guides. I believe I could DIY the hunt, however, having someone else scout for you prior to the season is a bonus. Not saying a guide will guarantee you a bull, but think it would stack the odds in your favor.
If anyone is drawn, I can recommend a guide or area to hunt.
My thoughts on the bull tag are this. For a PA resident, there is no where in the world I could hunt a 350-400+ inch bull for 35$ (10$ for the application and 25$ for the licenses if I am drawn). I guess to say I would not be hunting elk for the meat, but for the trophy.
I grew up about 30-40 minutes from the Winslow Hill area. I know the hunt areas fairly well and also know a few of the local guides. I believe I could DIY the hunt, however, having someone else scout for you prior to the season is a bonus. Not saying a guide will guarantee you a bull, but think it would stack the odds in your favor.
If anyone is drawn, I can recommend a guide or area to hunt.
Truc
Well-Known Member
Thanks, I did not realize non residents could apply
Letzgoracin301
Active Member
Thanks. I think you are correct on the 5 year wait. We went up to benezette 2 years ago to see the elk. Amazing animals. The close up of the nice bull is about 5 yards off someone's porch.
yobuck
Well-Known Member
Our camp is less than 20 miles from benezette/Winslow hill. It wouldnt be uncommon to see that many elk in areas other than Winslow hill nowdays. They are attempting to spread the herd out thruout the entire region. No doubt progress is being made in that regard.
Large food plots have been created in those areas, something the
deer herd was never worthy of. Of coarse they are benefitting now also. Many if not most of the elk shot would be on private land in populated areas along main roads.
This would be the only advantage the so called outfitters would have in my opinion.
That being they know where the elk have been hanging out due to scouting prior to
the season and securing permission from landowners.
There have been 2 very large bulls shot on our property since the seasons have begun. The most recent a massive 8x9 3 years ago. Both shot while the shooter was standing on our driveway. In both cases they were within the saftey zone surrounding the camp. The law requires the spot the elk is killed be marked with tape so that a game warden can investigate the kill site.
Ive had long conversations with the warden when these have taken place. I was told flat out that without landowner cooperation the whole thing wouldnt work.
As time goes on and the herd is more widely scattered this will become less a factor.
That region is the most remote in the state. It is also among the poorest as for the general economy. For that reason the human population is far less than in years past. The elk herd is an attempt also to stimulate the area with tourism. Huge sums of money have been spent in that regard. The large visitors center on Winslow hill being but one example.
Large food plots have been created in those areas, something the
deer herd was never worthy of. Of coarse they are benefitting now also. Many if not most of the elk shot would be on private land in populated areas along main roads.
This would be the only advantage the so called outfitters would have in my opinion.
That being they know where the elk have been hanging out due to scouting prior to
the season and securing permission from landowners.
There have been 2 very large bulls shot on our property since the seasons have begun. The most recent a massive 8x9 3 years ago. Both shot while the shooter was standing on our driveway. In both cases they were within the saftey zone surrounding the camp. The law requires the spot the elk is killed be marked with tape so that a game warden can investigate the kill site.
Ive had long conversations with the warden when these have taken place. I was told flat out that without landowner cooperation the whole thing wouldnt work.
As time goes on and the herd is more widely scattered this will become less a factor.
That region is the most remote in the state. It is also among the poorest as for the general economy. For that reason the human population is far less than in years past. The elk herd is an attempt also to stimulate the area with tourism. Huge sums of money have been spent in that regard. The large visitors center on Winslow hill being but one example.
C.O. Shooter
Well-Known Member
Yea for non-residents they still have to put in for the draw, but if drawn, a non-resident pays 250$. Still 250$ to hunt a large bull is well worth it!
yobuck
Well-Known Member
When you take into account the basic non res license also required, it would in total
be similar to an elk tag in say Colorado.
Im pa by birth and almost 65 years of residence there. Since declaring FL. as my
place of residence, im now paying slightly less than $140 for the general license and
the bear tag. So im just guessing the total for a non res elk would be about $350/400. I believe last year all the bull tags got filled and most of the cow tags.
I also believe if your unsuccessful in the area you were assigned, you can hunt into
the second week in any area you choose. But check that out first. I dont believe that
would include the parking lot at the visitors center on Winslow hill however. But i
could be wrong on that lol.
be similar to an elk tag in say Colorado.
Im pa by birth and almost 65 years of residence there. Since declaring FL. as my
place of residence, im now paying slightly less than $140 for the general license and
the bear tag. So im just guessing the total for a non res elk would be about $350/400. I believe last year all the bull tags got filled and most of the cow tags.
I also believe if your unsuccessful in the area you were assigned, you can hunt into
the second week in any area you choose. But check that out first. I dont believe that
would include the parking lot at the visitors center on Winslow hill however. But i
could be wrong on that lol.
C.O. Shooter
Well-Known Member
There is a $10.70 application fee for the random drawing (held on August 16th at 2:00 at the Elk County Visitor's Center) to purchase one of 108 licenses (27 antlered, 81 antlerless). Nonresidents have an equal opportunity in the drawing. If drawn, a Pennsylvania resident may purchase an elk license for $25; nonresidents $250. Individuals drawn for an antlered license are not eligible to apply again for five license years; this does not apply to individuals drawn for an antlerless license. Successful applicants must obtain a Pennsylvania general hunting license for the appropriate license year. Details about the drawing will be published on this website in the Newsroom when they become available in August.
C.O. Shooter
Well-Known Member
Post the pics! Where were you hunting in 9?
C.O. Shooter
Well-Known Member
Just an FYI.....
I emailed the Elk Expo - Although the elk licenses drawing will be there, will it be a live stream to view on this site or the PCG site? Thank you
"There will be a live feed of the drawing on the Keystone Elk Country Alliance website.
The details have not been hashed out yet, but you can visit ElkExpo.com or ExperienceElkCountry.com for more information soon!"
I emailed the Elk Expo - Although the elk licenses drawing will be there, will it be a live stream to view on this site or the PCG site? Thank you
"There will be a live feed of the drawing on the Keystone Elk Country Alliance website.
The details have not been hashed out yet, but you can visit ElkExpo.com or ExperienceElkCountry.com for more information soon!"
Letzgoracin301
Active Member
Beautiful animal!
