Check out these Pennsylvania Bulls! WOW!

[bone head]

 

It may not be "high fenced" but its a close second. Anytime you end up with 3 bulls like that in the back of a pick up in a morning of "hunting" its not really "hunting". Looks like they got to have a nice ride on the 4 wheeler though!

To each his own I guess, just not my cup of tea. I'd rather bowhunt public land and get skunked, and that is the truth!

[C-Money]

Some nice bulls. Is it just me or do all of the bulls on the PA link look a little goofy? Almost everyone of them is a non typical. I love the dark antlers but it seems like maybe they started with a small group of elk and did not have enough genetic diversity. You don't see any big classic typicals. Maybe its just me....

The biologist thought the herd was doomed for a lot of years back in the early 80's due to inbreeding. Hey, they survived, and are doing remarkably well! I wonder if this did lead to the crazy racks? I like them though !

[Turner89]

Are those elk Rocky mt.    Or roosevelt   Or something else?

[C-Money]

I think they came from Yellowstone.

[C-Money]

From paelk.com

Even though elk are native to Pennsylvania the ones we currently enjoy are not. Due to over hunting the native elk herd was devastated and by 1877 it is widely accepted that no more than a handful of elk survived in the state with many experts believing the number was actually closer to 0. The elk that roam around now are actually descendants of Rocky Mountain elk that the PA Game Commission brought in between 1913 - 1926. Some even coming from Yellowstone National Park.

[SI Eagle]

Dandy's for sure

[D-Rock425]

That would be a good last day bull here in Washington 

[strutnrut1984]

i grew up watching those elk moved here from pa in 04. its a once in a lifetime draw , they draw 25 bull and 25 cow permits for year. and u have to have a guide. currently the herd numbers around 850 animals spread out over 4 or 5 counties in the north central part of the state.

[Hungry Horse]

A  guide  is not required to hunt Pa elk.  Guides are available to hire, but you are free to hunt without their services. I believe  a guide might have access to private land due to lease arrangements, but there is a lot of public land available in all units,  more so in some units than others. The herd is approximatley 750 animals,  with a new herd beginning to grow in the Sproul State Forest, east of the original elk herd.  Animals were trapped and relocated a few years ago to start the new herd in the Sproul State Forest,  but that area has not been opened for elk  hunting as of 2011. The elk were initially  brought in from Yellowstone NP as stated, as the Pa original elk herd had been over hunted with the last Pa elk being killed in the 1920's,  I believe.  If you google the Pa Game Commission,  you can  find a complete review  of the history of the elk herd on their web site. There is a new  multi  million dollar elk visitor museum on Winslow Hill in the Benezette, Pa area. There you can see a interactive movie, talk with biologist, and view the many wildlife displays of animals of the region. Outside there are trails  you may walk leading you to meadows designed to create feeding areas for the elk and your viewing pleasure. There are horse drawn wagons for visitors to ride in to view the elk in areas beyond the normal pathways viewing. There is a gift souvenior shop where items related to Pa and the elk herd can be purchased.    I believe all proceeds, or a portionof them,  go towards maintaining the elk center.  In late September  it is the place to go to enjoy viewing the rutting bugling elk.  There are also 2 additional viewing areas planted with vegetation for the elk palate and to enjoy the viewing opportunity.  I have watched many knock down roll the satellite or challenging bulls  to the ground  for hours in the rutting season.  It is a great time and the museum and staff are very cordial and knowledgeable on the Pa elk herd.  As said, it seems to be true  that many  of the Pa elk,  the real  bruisers, are non typical in rack formation.  A  resident of Pa,  I have gone to see the elk every fall  since 1997.  Most folks who had I believe 7 preference points were drawing winners,  but there are a very limited number of cow and bull  tags available as mentioned.  Pa elk probally loose some calf recruitment to Pa back  bears, and perhaps  coyotes, and cars,  but on the whole are unmolested,  fat and happy,  in the Pa elk range.  There is no hunting allowed around the Pa elk viewing areas and the museum areas,  unless there is a special need for reduction of  numbers in certain areas.  The local  herd  does do damage to cars and  plantings,  hanging clothing on clothlines in the fall.  The big bulls often frequent the local communiy  of Benezette, backyards gardens, and might be watching you in a adjacent backyard as you approach the local motel/restraunt dining area, as I saw  last fall.  But the elk herd  further away  from the local community of Benezette,  will offer you a challenging hunt.  They learn quickly to seek cover as the week long hunt progresses from day 1 or 2.  Visit the Pa Game Commission  for more information on seasons and lisc fees  for residents and non-residents. The odds are great on drawing a tag,  but  usually some 50 to 80 folks are given a great opportunity at trophy  animals. The Pa elk season is normally the 1st part of November.   Pa  game comm web site         http://www.pgc.state.pa.us    It is only $10.70  to apply  for a elk tag, but additional fees  if drawn, please see the attached link for additional information.  HH in Pa
     

[C-Money]

Nice write up Hungry Horse, good info.

[summit creek]

holy crap those PA elk are huge!!

those bulls were planted years ago looks like the habitats doing its job

[Ellensburg]

The genetics are freaky.