Elk hunting in Pa

[Ole 20 Point]

It's in NE Clearfield Co. I've hunted and gotten deer in 2A,2B,3C,2G,5C,5D. Sorry I'm not being more specific. Trying to watch spots. If you want send me a PM and we can talk exacts if you really want to know.I deer hunted throughout the 70's in DuBois in Clearfield County PA. I always remember hearing about elk sightings in the northern section of Clearfield. And every now and then some idiot would shoot one by mistake. Are there any elk in that region these days?

[Makoman]

20 Point: There are still elk in the Dubois area. There are also a lot in Clinton and Cameron counties. We see them frequently when driving up Route 120 from Lock Haven to Emporium.

[Gr8ful Deer]

20 Point: There are still elk in the Dubois area. There are also a lot in Clinton and Cameron counties. We see them frequently when driving up Route 120 from Lock Haven to Emporium.

You are dead on with that reponse Makoman! :thup:

My uncle is a school teacher in Emporium ... there are plenty of elk up in his area. If you ever want to see numbers of them, I suggest taking a ride to Emporium and Bennezette. :thup:

I will see if I can dig out & scan some photos I took of some real bruisers in the Benezette area. I stalked up to within 20 yards of a HUGE bedded 6x6 one day; when he finally knew I was there, he just got up stretched and mosied away slowly as if he was someone's tame heifer. :huh:

They really are nothing like the wild elk out you would see out West.:naughty: They are much more tolerant of people and less wary. A lot of times we see them hanging on people's lawns or driveways while cars are stopping to get out and take pictures. :rolleyes:

- Gr8ful

[Makoman]

They have an elk viewing area set up in Benezette. A real tourist attraction. Shooting an elk in PA is about as challenging as going out an shooting a cow in a pasture!!!!!!

[Ole 20 Point]

They have an elk viewing area set up in Benezette. A real tourist attraction. Shooting an elk in PA is about as challenging as going out an shooting a cow in a pasture!!!!!!Somehow I doubt that the guys that drew PA elk tags will agree with that thought! :fight:

[Makoman]

They might not agree with the thought but when they go out for their hunt with their "guide" it will become apparent to them!!!!!!!

[Gr8ful Deer]

Somehow I doubt that the guys that drew PA elk tags will agree with that thought!

Ole 20 Point:

Yeah, and guys that shoot monster bucks in fenced enclosures on canned hunts will tell you hard that game is as well. :nuts:

Trust me, it is much tougher to draw an elk tag in PA than it is to fill one :naughty: ... especially considering you are required to use the services of a local guide. ;)

In 2001, there were 50,000 applicants that applied to get one of the allowed 30 tags the state released. Of the 30 lucky persons drawn, 27 were successful in tagging out with an elk. With that high of a kill percentage, any sane person would have to agree that they can't be too tough!) :rolleyes:

I'm sure Makoman and I are not trying to start any arguments about the difficulty of getting an elk in PA. We are both relating our own personal experiences with them, and the fact is that the PA elk are much more habituated to humans than the ones that live in the Rocky Mountains.

Check out the elk history section of the PA Game Commision's web site, and it will give you a lot of cool facts about the population over the past 100 or more years. You will also see some interesting photos as well ... including one of people hand feeding these "tough to hunt" animals. :thup:

- Gr8ful

[Ole 20 Point]

I'm sure Makoman and I are not trying to start any arguments about the difficulty of getting an elk in PA. We are both relating our own personal experiences with them, and the fact is that the PA elk are much more habituated to humans than the ones that live in the Rocky Mountains.- Gr8fulSo are you talking from experience at actually hunting elk in PA or watching them along side the road with the rest of the tourists?

I can ride around and see deer feeding anytime I want also. And I have a near 100% annual success rate. Should my conclusion be that whitetail hunting in the big woods is easy too? :huh:

[Gr8ful Deer]

So are you talking from experience at actually hunting elk in PA or watching them along side the road with the rest of the tourists?

I can ride around and see deer feeding anytime I want also. And I have a near 100% annual success rate. Should my conclusion be that whitetail hunting in the big woods is easy too? :huh:

Ole 20 point:

I have not hunted PA elk ... and I never will! :naughty: I could get the same level of enjoyment and challenge from hunting the neighbor's collie or a farmer's livestock. :(

However, I have extensively hiked the forests in and around the Emporium area hunting grouse and turkeys. While hunting turkeys and grouse, I have encountered these elk in virtually the same situations as if I was hunting them. (albeit without a guide.)

As I related, I PERSONALLY stalked to within 20 yards of a huge bedded 6x6 that was not at all concerned by my proximity on one of those hunts. This was not in one of the "tourist viewing areas" ... it was in a large section of state forest far from the Winslow Hill area. :razz:

Now, if you are going to make the claim that they are difficult to hunt, please relay your personal hunting experiences in this area and the encounters YOU have personally had with these PA elk that would prove they are more difficult than Makoman and I suggest. Otherwise, I'll most certainly take my experiences over your wild supposition. :naughty:

I am betting that you have never even seen one of them in the tourist areas let alone hunted them, so please stop speculating about the difficulty of hunting them! :nuts:

As for hunting deer in the big woods of PA ... Aahhhh nevermind! :rolleyes:

- Gr8ful

[Ole 20 Point]

Ole 20 point:

I have not hunted PA elk ... and I never will! :naughty: Then how can you speculate on the difficulty of filling the elk tag in PA with no experience of the hunt? So right back at ya...:nuts:

And let's be very clear...I NEVER made the claim that elk are difficult to hunt in PA. ;) In fact, I'm questioning the same thing you are but from the opposite side! How can anyone SUPPOSE it's EASY if you HAVE NOT done the hunt?

And your "experience" of stalking up an elk during turkey season proves nothing Gr8ful. You know very well that when turkey hunting you can also stalk up a deer much easier than when they are being hunted. I have walked right by deer that were watching me as I go by. Heck, this past rifle season I even had some fun stalking within 20 yards of a buck and it never knew I was there. So what does that prove? By that "experience", if compared your elk "experience", am I expected to believe that makes whitetail hunting easy too. :rolleyes: That's my only point.

Let's hear from somebody with some actual elk hunting experience in PA. When they say it's like shooting monkey's in a barrel...so be it, I'm listening. :thup:

[Gr8ful Deer]

Then how can you speculate on the difficulty of filling the elk tag in PA with no experience of the hunt? So right back at ya...

And let's be very clear...I NEVER made the claim that elk are difficult to hunt in PA. In fact, I'm questioning the same thing you are but from the opposite side! How can anyone SUPPOSE it's EASY if you HAVE NOT done the hunt?

And your "experience" of stalking up an elk during turkey season proves nothing Gr8ful. You know very well that when turkey hunting you can also stalk up a deer much easier than when they are being hunted. I have walked right by deer that were watching me as I go by. Heck, this past rifle season I even had some fun stalking within 20 yards of a buck and it never knew I was there. So what does that prove? By that "experience", if compared your elk "experience", am I expected to believe that makes whitetail hunting easy too. That's my only point.

Let's hear from somebody with some actual elk hunting experience in PA. When they say it's like shooting monkey's in a barrel...so be it, I'm listening.

Ole 20 point:

The 90% success rate of hunters that get tags should tell you all you need to know about how "difficult" these animals are to kill. :rolleyes: ... AND THOSE STATS ARE FROM THE PA GAME COMMISSION ... NOT SOME WILD SPECULATION OR SUPPOSITION! :razz:

If 27 out of the 30 that got tags killed one, it is next to impossible for a sane man to argue that they are difficult to hunt. :naughty:

Like Makoman said, compare that 90% success rate to the 10% success rate for whitetails which are exponentially more numerous and common; and you will clearly get your answer as to whether or not they are difficult to hunt. :thup:

But hey, if you would rather get your story from one of the folks that killed one, GOOD FOR YOU! :rolleyes: I am quite sure you will get a much more "objective" opinion about their hunt, because we all know how people like to belittle their own accomplishments. :nuts::rolleyes:

- Gr8ful

[ACEarcher]

Hey Guys, I moved this for you so you can have your discussion specifically on elk hunting in Pa.

[Ole 20 Point]

Hey Guys, I moved this for you so you can have your discussion specifically on elk hunting in Pa.Good idea Ace...thanks! ;)

[Ole 20 Point]

If 27 out of the 30 that got tags killed one, it is next to impossible for a sane man to argue that they are difficult to hunt.

Like Makoman said, compare that 90% success rate to the 10% success rate for whitetails which are exponentially more numerous and common; and you will clearly get your answer as to whether or not they are difficult to hunt.

I am quite well aware of the NUMBERS you have professed multiple times. IMHO numbers and %’s, good or bad, often only tell part of the story.



But hey, if you would rather get your story from one of the folks that killed one, GOOD FOR YOU!

I am simply not willing to jump to a CONCLUSION without the stories behind the numbers. If that makes me or anyone else insane in your mind…oh well, I’ll try to get over it and move on.


I am quite sure you will get a much more "objective" opinion about their hunt, because we all know how people like to belittle their own accomplishments.

Hmm, if that’s your opinion of most hunters, then we might as well shut down the Buck Barn discussion forum since everyone must be lying.


Oh and for the record…
I have hunted elk in western USA, so I just might have a little real life “experience”.
I also have no interest (at least for now) in hunting elk in PA.


And I really have to repeat myself here too…I never said or assumed hunting elk in PA was difficult. I just don’t agree with your attempts to belittle the elk hunters in PA. If that’s what they choose to do and they consider it a good hunt, who cares? IMO it’s no different than the ongoing disagreement between the drive vs. non-drive deer hunters...to each his own.

[Gr8ful Deer]

And I really have to repeat myself here too…I never said or assumed hunting elk in PA was difficult. I just don’t agree with your attempts to belittle the elk hunters in PA. If that’s what they choose to do and they consider it a good hunt, who cares? IMO it’s no different than the ongoing disagreement between the drive vs. non-drive deer hunters...to each his own.

Hey Ole 20 Point:

It is obvious to me (& I suspect to everyone else here that has seen this thread) that you are simply looking to start an argument! :huh::(

Go back and read my posts & you will clearly see that I was not belittling anybody's PA elk hunting experience. :naughty: I simply related my numerous PERSONAL experiences with these animals & Makoman did the same ... to which YOU (with presumably NO PERSONAL experience with these same animals) decided that the situation could be different than what we told. :nuts:

Re-read the posts ... here is a cut/paste of my exact words with only the emoticons removed & pay particular attention to the portion I bolded and underlined in red text: :razz:

"Yeah, and guys that shoot monster bucks in fenced enclosures on canned hunts will tell you hard that game is as well.

Trust me, it is much tougher to draw an elk tag in PA than it is to fill one ... especially considering you are required to use the services of a local guide.

In 2001, there were 50,000 applicants that applied to get one of the allowed 30 tags the state released. Of the 30 lucky persons drawn, 27 were successful in tagging out with an elk. With that high of a kill percentage, any sane person would have to agree that they can't be too tough!)

I'm sure Makoman and I are not trying to start any arguments about the difficulty of getting an elk in PA. We are both relating our own personal experiences with them, and the fact is that the PA elk are much more habituated to humans than the ones that live in the Rocky Mountains.

Check out the elk history section of the PA Game Commision's web site, and it will give you a lot of cool facts about the population over the past 100 or more years. You will also see some interesting photos as well ... including one of people hand feeding these "tough to hunt" animals. "

Now, I hope someone who has actually hunted them (and based upon the 90% sucess rate ... most likely killed one) can come on here to satisfy your warped need to hear a firsthand account of shooting animals that have never really felt the pressure of a legitimate hunting season. :rolleyes:

As for your comment about this being like the "drive hunters vs non-drive hunters", well you would be right IF & ONLY IF those drives were being conducted on farms for steers and heifers that are accustomed to being watched and fed by humans. Otherwise, the two arguments are completely separate, different and unrelated! :nuts:

I am done with this discussion, so you'll have to find someone else to argue with from here on out!

Good luck!

- Gr8ful

[Ole 20 Point]

Hey Gr8ful:

It is obvious to me (& I suspect to everyone else here that has seen this thread) that you are simply looking to start an argument!
I believe I started a discussion with a difference of opinion…if that ain’t part of what a forum like this for, my bad.


Go back and read my posts & you will clearly see that I was not belittling anybody's PA elk hunting experience.
Oops, sorry, I must have misunderstood these Gr8ful posts…

Yeah, and guys that shoot monster bucks in fenced enclosures on canned hunts will tell you hard that game is as well.

I could get the same level of enjoyment and challenge from hunting the neighbor's collie or a farmer's livestock.

I am quite sure you will get a much more "objective" opinion about their hunt, because we all know how people like to belittle their own accomplishments

As for your comment about this being like the "drive hunters vs non-drive hunters", well you would be right IF & ONLY IF those drives were being conducted on farms for steers and heifers that are accustomed to being watched and fed by humans.

Now, I hope someone who has actually hunted them (and based upon the 90% success rate ... most likely killed one) can come on here to satisfy your warped need to hear a firsthand account of shooting animals that have never really felt the pressure of a legitimate hunting season.


I simply related my numerous PERSONAL experiences with these animals & Makoman did the same ... to which YOU (with presumably NO PERSONAL experience with these same animals) decided that the situation could be different than what we told.
Nope, I have no issue with your experience, just that you are equating that experience to the actual hunt. I tried to point out my opinion of the difference but alas I have failed. So with no other information or input, sure I’d agree with your opinion.


… and the fact is that the PA elk are much more habituated to humans than the ones that live in the Rocky Mountains.
Agreed, no doubt about that.


Now, I hope someone who has actually hunted them (and based upon the 90% success rate ... most likely killed one) can come on here to satisfy your warped need to hear a firsthand account of shooting animals that have never really felt the pressure of a legitimate hunting season.
Yeah, me too...warped as I am, not to mention insane. :nuts:



I am done with this discussion, so you'll have to find someone else to argue with from here on out!
Okey dokey, but we can shake hands and agree to disagree can’t we? :cheers:

[Gr8ful Deer]

Okey dokey, but we can shake hands and agree to disagree can’t we? :cheers:

ABSOLUTELY !!! ... and if we ever have the fortune to meet in person, I would be glad to share a beer and swap some hunting/fishing tales!

Take care!

- Gr8ful

[Ole 20 Point]

ABSOLUTELY !!! ... and if we ever have the fortune to meet in person, I would be glad to share a beer and swap some hunting/fishing tales!DEAL!!! :bow:

Hey, do you have any pics you could share of some of the elk you have seen in PA? They really are awesome animals.

[Gr8ful Deer]

DEAL!!! :bow:

Hey, do you have any pics you could share of some of the elk you have seen in PA? They really are awesome animals.

:cool: :cool:
Sure do ... but hey are all 3x5 glossies not digi shots. In fact, I think I took most with those $5 cheapo disposable cameras. :rolleyes:

I'll scan a few tomorrow in the office & post them up here! :wave:

- JC

[Shear Madness]

FYI, you do not HAVE to use a guide in PA.

I agree that some of the elk in the viewing areas around Benezette and ST Mary's might be conditioned. The elk in the SW corner of potter and ne corner of clinton are not and very much wild.

Also, there was a 20% sucess rate for the September hunt.

[Liv2hunt]

Check out the elk history section of the PA Game Commision's web site, and it will give you a lot of cool facts about the population over the past 100 or more years. You will also see some interesting photos as well ...Gr8ful

That was a great read, thanks:thup:

[Ole 20 Point]

:cool: :cool:
Sure do ... but hey are all 3x5 glossies not digi shots. In fact, I think I took most with those $5 cheapo disposable cameras. :rolleyes:

I'll scan a few tomorrow in the office & post them up here! :wave:

- JC
Any luck finding those elk pics???