Thursday, September 4, 2014

PA Elk Rut Underway/PGC Announces Fall 2014 Schedule For Viewing Areas


Elk At Winslow Hill/Porcupine Run Viewing Area-September 2013
The Pennsylvania elk rut begins in late August and continues through October, with the peak activity being from mid-September into early October.  Elk Country Visitor Center provides an excellent starting point  for first time visitors, but much of the best elk viewing is on the State Game Lands on Winslow Hill.  The PGC maintains the Winslow Hill/ Porcupine Run and Dents Run Viewing Areas.  When driving up Winslow Hill, past the entrance to the Visitor Center, the Winslow Hill/Porcupine Run area is to the left at the intersection with Dewey Road.  This is perhaps the best for seeing elk at close distance to the road.

Bull Herding Cows At Winslow Hill/Porcupine Run 2013
 Many long time visitors to the elk range still call this ""The Gilbert Viewing Area" or "The Gilbert Farm" as Kenny Gilbert owned it for many years before selling to a consortium of conservation organizations

The Dents Run Viewing Area looks over a large meadow on a distant hillside.  It is picturesque, but most photo opportunities there are at long range.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is conducting activities at the viewing areas on the weekends  throughout September and early October. The public will have the opportunity to chat with representatives of the agency and special informational programs will be provided.

PGC Personnel  At 2013 Elk Expo

Fall Schedule

September 5
4:00 PM-Dark: Visit with the PGC (Winslow Hill Viewing Area)
Saturday September 6
4:00 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Winslow Hill Viewing Area)
8:00 PM - Dark: Campfire (Dents Run Viewing Area)
8:30 PM - 9:00: Campfire Program “Coyotes” (Dents Run Viewing Area) … bring a camp chair if you have one

Friday September 12
3:30 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Winslow Hill Viewing Area)
3:30 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Dents Run Viewing Area)

Saturday September 13
3:30 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Winslow Hill Viewing Area)
3:30 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Dents Run Viewing Area)
7:30 PM - Dark: Campfire (Dents Run Viewing Area)
8:00 PM – 8:30: Campfire Program “Sounds of the night” (Dents Run Viewing Area) …
bring   a camp chair if you have one
 
Friday September 19
3:30 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Winslow Hill Viewing Area)
3:30 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Dents Run Viewing Area)

Saturday September 20
1:00 PM – PGC Program “Monarch Butterflies” (Elk Country Visitor’s Center0
3:30 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Winslow Hill Viewing Area)
3:30 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Dents Run Viewing Area)


Friday September 26
3:30 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Winslow Hill Viewing Area)
3:30 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Dents Run Viewing Area)


Saturday September 27
3:30 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Winslow Hill Viewing Area)
3:30 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Dents Run Viewing Area)
7:30 PM - Dark: Campfire (Dents Run Viewing Area)
8:00 PM – 8:30: Campfire Program “Into to Geocaching” (Dents Run Viewing Area) … bring a camp chair if you have one
Followed by an optional “Night Cache” filled with PGC Goodies

OCTOBER
Friday October 3
3:00 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Winslow Hill Viewing Area)
Saturday October 4
3:00 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Winslow Hill Viewing Area)
7:00 PM - Dark: Campfire (Dents Run Viewing Area)
7:30 PM – 8:00: Campfire Program “Pennsylvania Owls” (Dents Run Viewing Area)
Sunday October 5
11:00 AM: Pavillion Program “Wildlife Sign” (Dents Run Viewing Area)
Friday October 10
3:00 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Winslow Hill Viewing Area)
Saturday October 11
3:00 PM – Dark: Visit with the PGC (Winslow Hill Viewing Area)
            7:00 PM - Dark: Campfire (Dents Run Viewing Area)
7:30 PM – 8:00: Campfire Program “Pennsylvania Bats” (Dents Run Viewing Area)
Sunday October 12
1:00 – 4:00: Driving Tour of SGL 311 (Beginning at the bottom of Dewey Road at gate.

A special thanks to PGC Northcentral Region Information & Educations Supervisor Doty McDowell for providing the information.

Originally published at Pennsylvania Wildlife Photographer by Willard Hill.

RED