Pa. Game Commission receives more elk applications than in 2021
Hunting interest in Pennsylvania’s wild elk has increased since last year.
Jeremy Banfield, elk biologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, said the agency received 104,250 applications for the upcoming lottery of 178 elk tags.
The agency received about 5,000 fewer applications for 187 licenses in 2021.
“I love it," Banfield said. "It demonstrates an increasing interest in our elk population. Hopefully that’s amongst younger hunters and youth hunters."
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Each hunter has a chance to buy an $11.97 application for each of the three hunting seasons.
The winners of the 60 bull elk and 118 cow elk tags will be selected and announced Aug. 20 during the Elk Expo at the Keystone Elk Country Alliance Visitor Center in Benezette.
“I wish the hunters the best of luck and I’m looking very forward to the Elk Expo. It’s always a fun time of year,” Banfield said.
"I really enjoy the energy and excitement that comes from the expo,” he said about eagerly listening to the names being drawn.
The revenue from the applications, more than $1,247,000 this year, goes into the Game Commission’s general fund and some of that money covers habitat improvements.
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Banfield said the commission has ongoing needs for seeding, fuel, fertilizer, aerial surveys and research.
He estimates that 1,300 to 1,400 elk are now roaming through 10 counties in northcentral Pennsylvania.
Hunting is used to control the size of the herd. The agency’s staff factors in what the habitat can sustain as well as what’s safe regarding interactions with humans. Elk can cause agricultural damage as well as become a hazard to motorists.
The hunting licenses also help maintain the balance of the bull-to-cow elk ratio. For example, this year four more bull tags are being awarded over 2021’s allocation of 56.
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The seasons this year are archery Sept. 10-24, firearms Oct. 31-Nov. 5 and late season Dec. 31-Jan. 7. The deadline to apply for the licenses ended July 31. However, the visitor center has its own special elk tag that’s used as a fundraiser that you can still apply for at experienceelkcountry.com or elkexpo.com. The cost is $25 for one chance, or six chances for $100. The prize also includes guiding service, taxidermy and meat processing.
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Be elk smart
Banfield reminds those who want to view the herd that the elk are large, wild animals.
The agency has developed a four-part Be Elk Smart program:
1. Give them space. Stay at least 100 yards from the elk.
2. Don’t feed them. Feeding wild animals creates bad habits for the animals and is illegal.
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3. Don’t name the elk. Banfield said naming wild animals degrades them as independent wild creatures.
4. Do your part. You have a responsibility to help keep the elk wild. If you witness someone being disruptive or careless, you are asked to report the activity to the commission’s northcentral office at (570) 398-4744.
“The foundation on why we are attracted to wild animals is because they are wild. They are independent from us. They don’t need us. They evolved in an environment that doesn’t require human influence," Banfield said. "So that’s what’s alluring and fascinating about them. When we name an animal it takes some of that away from them. ... They’re not pets."
Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter email on your website's homepage under your login name. Follow him on social media @whipkeyoutdoors.