Thursday, November 13, 2008

Pennsylvania Elk Hunt Results: 2008

Last week, Pennsylvania held it's eight modern day elk hunt. There was no elk hunting in the state for 70 years until 2001. 45 permits were issued for this years' hunt and 40 hunters were successful. I did not go to the elk range during the hunt and as of yet do not know which, if any of the bulls frequently seen at the viewing areas were shot.



The following is the official Pennsylvania Game Commission News Release . While the article is shown here for your convenience, it is recommended that you follow the link, if you wish to read more information on elk and other wildlife in Pennsylvania.

Source: Pennsylvania Game Commission News Releases
2008 Press Releases
Release #123-08

ELK HUNTERS HARVEST 42 ELK IN 2008

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced that 40 of the 45 licensed elk hunters harvested an elk during the season that was held Nov. 3-8. Additionally, of the 10 licensed elk hunters who participated in the September season, two harvested an elk.


“Elk are one of North America’s premier big game animals,” Roe said. “Pennsylvania is privileged to offer this unique hunting opportunity, a product of successful wildlife management that helps to finance wildlife conservation and supports Pennsylvania’s rich hunting heritage. It’s an unparalleled experience for hunters, particularly those who can’t afford to go on an expensive one- or two-week guided elk hunt out West.”


Along with extracting samples needed for disease testing, the agency also collected samples necessary to examine food preferences and habitat use by elk. Also, hunters collected liver samples that will be evaluated for mineral contents.


The largest antlered elk was taken by Susan Luse, of Aaronsburg, Centre County. She took a 799-pound, 7x7 on Nov. 3, in Covington Township, Clearfield County.


Those hunters rounding out the top five heaviest antlered elk harvested, were: William Kleppinger, of Quakertown, Bucks County, took a 653-pound, 7x7 on Nov. 3, in Bradford Township, Clearfield County; Tyler Rieder, of St. Marys, Elk County, took a 652-pound, 7x7 on Nov. 6, in Covington, Clearfield County; Darrel Maines, of North East, Erie County, took a 624-pound, 7x6 on Nov. 3, in Grove Township, Cameron County; and Kerry McAfoose, of Kittanning, Armstrong County, took a 591-pound, 7x7 on Nov. 4, in Benzette Township, Elk County.

The heaviest antlerless elk was taken by James Misti, of Lyndonville, New York, who harvested a 435-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 4, in West Keating, Clinton County.


Those hunters rounding out the top five heaviest antlerless elk harvested were: Leroy Byler, of Mercer, Mercer County, who harvested a 409-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 6, in Benezette Township, Elk County; Thomas Williams, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, who harvested a 406-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 4, in Benezette Township, Elk County; Bernard Cossack, of Old Forge, Lackawanna County, who harvested a 400-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 5, in Benezette Township, Elk County; George Laudeman, of Minersville, Schuylkill County, who harvested a 395-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 3, in Gibson Township, Cameron County.


For the September 2008 hunt, which was held September 1-27, two elk were harvested. Dale Schmidt, of Germansville, Lehigh County, and Cark Kemp, of Leechburg, Armstrong County, each harvested an antlerless elk.


For more information on elk in Pennsylvania, visit the Game Commission’s website (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/), choose “Hunting,” then click on the photograph of an elk.

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Content Last Modified on 11/12/2008 9:21:01 AM


6 comments:

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Willard: I guess I have mixed feeling about the hunt. I would say if the bulls were in the wild areas and not tame to people it is okay. If it does not impact the numers of Elk in the area then it is okay. Harvesting does control the numbers to some extent but to take the monster bulls out of the mix doesn't make much sense.

Brad Myers said...

Great photo Willard. I guess you beat me to it, the Harrisburg paper yesterday had the stats for this years Elk hunt and I was going to post them in the future with an Elk photo, I will just link this post to mine now.

Looking forward to seeing some of your photos from this past weekend, I have been enjoying Salty's very much.

lv2scpbk said...

Sorry I don't have time to read what you've written but I like the photo.

EG CameraGirl said...

Willard,
I hope the elk you like to photograph ALL made it through the hunting season so that you can continue to take more great shots of them!

Unknown said...

40 elks in a week...I guess this magnificent elk that you managed to photograh is one of those lucky to escape being hunted this season.

And that's a beautiful image...Thomas

Ken Conger Photography said...

Interesting rack on this guy. Informative post. Blue Skies.