Keystone Bugles

There was a time when elk roamed throughout the Pennsylvania Wilds. Bulls could be heard letting out roaring bugles throughout the Allegheny Mountains, across the surrounding fields and through nearby valleys.

Unfortunately, due to settlement and lack of regulation, hunting wiped out the state’s native herd in the 1870s. There wouldn’t be an elk in Penn’s woods until the dawn of the new century. The early 1900s arrived along with the re-introduction of elk by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Shipments made from the west and Yellowstone National Park brought bugling bulls back to Pennsylvania. Luckily, they have since remained. As yet another century began, so did modern elk hunting in PA. Since 2001, each new year has been accompanied by a Pennsylvania elk season. Today, almost 1,400 elk roam the keystone state and this 2021 season, 187 tags will be issued to those lucky enough to have drawn.

A few weeks ago, I ventured to the annual Elk Expo held at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette. Throughout the trip, my eyes were peeled searching for the elusive beasts. Unfortunately, I did not lay eyes on one. Arriving mid-day no doubt lessened the chances, and the following morning drive home was through a heavy fog.

The trip, however, certainly wasn’t all for naught. I was amazed to learn not only just how many people visit our thriving elk country each year, but how many attended just the expo weekend itself. The drawing for tags took place Saturday at 1 PM. Seemingly everyone in attendance crowded around the gazebo in anticipation.

Needless to say, nearly all those gathered around were hoping to hear their name called (myself included). Of all those attending with high hopes that day, ONE person drew tag. While it was a cool experience to get to witness his excitement, it brought with it the reality of the difficulty in drawing a tag. This year, over 90,000 applications were sent in. Those include at least one from each of the 50 states as well as countries such as New Zealand and Australia. Clearly, Pennsylvania has something great to offer!

In a few days, those lucky enough to have drawn a PA Archery Elk tag will be hitting the woods. I wish them all the best. While I have long dreamt of hunting big bulls in the scenic mountains of the west, there is just something about doing so in my “backyard” of Pennsylvania. Without a doubt I will apply each year for the chance and hopefully, that chance isn’t too far away!