PA Elk hunt

[cobbc03]

Has anyone hunted in the PA elk hunts? A buddy and I are going to apply for it next year, just looking for peoples experiences. Were you successful? Elk pretty prevalent? What unit were you in? What was the terrain like? And possibly most importantly, would you do it again?

 

[Quackshack]

The Pennsylvania Game Commission website has alot of info on success rates- 80-90%. I look at as winning the lottery, it doesnt happen to many people, let alone multiple times to the same person. The attached table is from Gohunt. Every year you apply and dont get drawn, you get a bonus point for the following year. I like most others am still waiting to "win the lottery"

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[Quackshack]

And I see the table is too small to read. Google "Pa elk hunting draw odds" and look for an article from Gohunt.

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[FLAK]

10 yrs.,,,,,,no luck.

 

[Michael54]

Lol with the odds of drawing a tag im gonna die of old age with preference points and no tag. I'm in my 30's now. Its not a hunt you plan on doing you just hope it happens one day. Also you almost have to pay an outfitter if you draw a tag unless you happen to also be a landowner up there with elk on it already.

 

[jpe5714]

no thanks...I'm not into hunting "tourist elk". I never even apply here
Go west!

 

[Fullfan]

I drew a bull tag in 04, DIY resulted in a 407" 7x7. And don't buy into them being tame, My bull came from a remote area. Old unit 9, which I would guess is approx. 50sq miles with very few roads through it.

Have to play to win, odds are not very good of drawing.

My bull was 11.5 years old and not fit to eat. I have killed bulls out west that were much better table fair. But I was not hunting here in PA for meat..

 

[AaronMColeman]

I drew a bull tag in 04, DIY resulted in a 407" 7x7. And don't buy into them being tame, My bull came from a remote area. Old unit 9, which I would guess is approx. 50sq miles with very few roads through it.

Have to play to win, odds are not very good of drawing.

My bull was 11.5 years old and not fit to eat. I have killed bulls out west that were much better table fair. But I was not hunting here in PA for meat..

Old and not edible? Dang I’ve not heard of that. Of course in most of the west they’ll never come close to 11 years old.


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[Zeeman]

I am frequently in the Pa elk areas. As big bulls as anywhere in North America. A 360 is probably a medium size here in Pa. Larger bulls are not uncommon and are truly old ! Body size is exceptional also. Odds to draw about 100 out of 40000!!!!

 

[Buckshot1822]

I am frequently in the Pa elk areas. As big bulls as anywhere in North America. A 360 is probably a medium size here in Pa. Larger bulls are not uncommon and are truly old ! Body size is exceptional also. Odds to draw about 100 out of 40000!!!!

I live in the PA elk range. All of this is true. If you are able to draw a tag, and put in some scouting time you have really good odds at a really great bull.

 

[Indian Summer]

You can pretty much wait until you draw before asking questions. That’s like saying.... I’m playing the Powerball tonight can anyone who win tell me if it was worth 5 bucks and would you win again if you could?

I live in Pa. If you get a tag you’ll get an elk.

 

[cobbc03]

You can pretty much wait until you draw before asking questions. That’s like saying.... I’m playing the Powerball tonight can anyone who win tell me if it was worth 5 bucks and would you win again if you could?

I live in Pa. If you get a tag you’ll get an elk.

I was really just wondering if it was worth the time and money to put in for the lottery, or if I should just save that money to go out west. At $35 a year for the lottery for all 3 seasons, it sounds more than worth it to start applying now.

 

[Sekora]

I spend more money on one meal than I do to put in for the PA elk draw. In my opinion, it is money well spent even if I never draw. You can not win if you do not play.

 

[Buckshot1822]

I was really just wondering if it was worth the time and money to put in for the lottery, or if I should just save that money to go out west. At $35 a year for the lottery for all 3 seasons, it sounds more than worth it to start applying now.

Its worth it if you are interested. You could draw a tag on your first application, it happens every year even though there are guys with 15 or 16 points. Odds are not good regardless but, you will have a crack at a world class bull if you draw. The archery and late cow seasons just started last year so there wouldnt be a big point differential there, but less tags are awarded.

 

[7mmremmag]

Has anyone hunted in the PA elk hunts? A buddy and I are going to apply for it next year, just looking for peoples experiences. Were you successful? Elk pretty prevalent? What unit were you in? What was the terrain like? And possibly most importantly, would you do it again?

I've been putting in for it for years... good luck on the draw. I have a close friend that has been putting in for it since the beginning without success.



If you want to hunt elk in your lifetime, start planning a western hunt. Sorry for being pessimistic, just sharing my view. I still donate my $10 or whatever it is though.

 

[DAVIDE1333]

Has anyone hunted in the PA elk hunts? A buddy and I are going to apply for it next year, just looking for peoples experiences. Were you successful? Elk pretty prevalent? What unit were you in? What was the terrain like? And possibly most importantly, would you do it again?

This doesn't answer any of your questions but my uncle drew one of the bull rifle tags this year. He had been applying for 6 years. He is a resident of PA.

 

[Muddler]

For all the more that it costs I see no reason to not apply.

Terrain varies but can actually be pretty rugged. There's some damn steep mountains in some areas. Make sure to use permethrin or something along those lines. Ticks are all over.

 

[RS3579]

Has anyone hunted in the PA elk hunts? A buddy and I are going to apply for it next year, just looking for peoples experiences. Were you successful? Elk pretty prevalent? What unit were you in? What was the terrain like? And possibly most importantly, would you do it again?

I drew a Cow tag in zone 4 this year. I’ve gone to the zone every weekend scouting. I’ve seen elk every time. They were 1/4 mile to 1.5 miles from the road all on public land. The ones I am seeking are not tamed. They are free range animals. Give it a shot, ya never know when you’ll get the tag. I’ve applied 6-7 years. I cannot wait for this season to start. Scouting has been a blast. I live in Pittsburgh and have a camp relatively close to the zone. Good luck!

 

[cobbc03]

I've been putting in for it for years... good luck on the draw. I have a close friend that has been putting in for it since the beginning without success.



If you want to hunt elk in your lifetime, start planning a western hunt. Sorry for being pessimistic, just sharing my view. I still donate my $10 or whatever it is though.

I am already saving for a western hunt in the next 2 or 3 years. The hunt zones in PA are only a 4 hour drive for me, so it really takes no extra savings. I certainly wont miss the $35 a year on the lottery in PA, hopefully one day it will pay off.

 

[cobbc03]

Thank for all the input guys. Definitely going to put in next year!