Elk hunting in PA

[wildthing]

Recently, Elk hunting was re-introduced to certain parts of Pa. I was wondering if anyone has drawn a tag and hunted the Elk in PA?

Just curious on the quality of the herd...

[LifeNRA]

I often thought about applying for a tag, but never done it.

[8ptbuckpa]

I have read many stories from guys who have drawn tags it is becoming what I like to call "outfitterized" almost all of the private land is leased to outfitters and they charge anywhere from $1000 up the best advice I heard was to take the week off before your hunt also and go and pattern some bulls before hand so that we you know where that(on public land that is). Right now I have neither the time nor the money for it but if you shoot a bull it is going to be a nice bull

[deerkillr777]

once i turn 18 i plan on signing uo fior anything bull or cow and then if i get it get a group of buddies to go along we all ready planed it at out camp ground we would all do it if someoen drew a tag and then jsut go out our selfs

[turkeygirl]

I'd like to apply some day...or some day hopefully draw a tag.

[buckbuster11]

I've never hunted them or applied for a tag, but I don't need to do either to tell you the quality of the herd is incredible. Some of the bulls the have been harvested over the last few years are absolutely huge and there are plenty more. It wouldn't surprise me if a PA bull challenged the world record one day if one hasn't already.

[Hoyt03]

yeah there are some huge elk in PA. Like others said though some of the best spots are "outfitterized" and you'll end up paying to shoot one, which is usually almost always guaranteed, some of the elk are kinda tame.

I personally know one guy who drew a bull elk tag and wasn't going to do the outfitter thing. Tried to do it himself on public ground and was not succesful. He mentioned some other crazy stories about people who paid for a guide and were succesful on private ground, almost the kind of hunting that comes on a game farm.

Def some big bulls here, good luck drawing.

[snake3113]

I have applied every year but never successful at drawing a tag....sooner or later hopefully...after going to Montana last year and shooting a nice 6x6 bull, I've got the bug...my girlfriend lives in Ridgway, which is 20 minutes from the elk, so when I do draw a tag, I can hopefully find a good spot without the "outfitter"

[M00N]

I applied one time, which was the first year the tags were available, and I wasn't drawn. I haven't re-applied since.

My reason for not re-applying is every year since I haven't had the funds nor ability to dedicate the time to hunt the elk season, if I was drawn. I really would like to do a public land hunt someday, but lately luck hasn't been on my side as far as work scheduling when compared to the elk season. It'd really stink to be drawn for an antlered or either sex tag and then not be able to get out to hunt with it. If you get drawn for an antlered or either sex tag, even if you aren't successful at harvesting one, you cannot re-apply for 5 years. Another reason I haven't re-applied is being unable to make the orientation dates if I was drawn.

So, I'm just waiting for a good year where I can get the time and have the money to afford a good strong hunt and then if I'm lucky enough to get drawn and still don't bag one I know I gave it my best shot and that 5 year wait wouldn't sting as bad. I'm definately going to try again sometime soon though. I have a couple bulls I've been watching move into a public hunting area that are just really shy and sneaky to avoid most people.

As far as the elk herd goes, I notice a lot of non-typical genetics in the herd and some really unique racks on some of the bulls. I can say there are some real head turners and wall hangers out there, but it's a gamble if you'll get those wise bulls in the sights to get a shot on them. I've seen a couple elk hunters take the first legal bull they see and then seen bigger ones afterwards and wished they'd waited, but were too anxious to fill the tag and not go home empty handed and have to do the 5 year wait.