Sept. 2-Nov. 9
Sept. 14-28
Nov. 4-9
Dec. 28-Jan. 4
Seasons occur in designated Elk Hunt Zones within the Elk Management Area. Elk hunting is closed on Sundays.
Manually operated centerfire rifles and handguns at least .26 caliber that propel single-projectile ammunition 120 grains or larger. Manually operated or semiautomatic centerfire shotguns at least 12-gauge firing a single projectile. Muzzleloading firearms at least .50 caliber propelling a single projectile weighing at least 210 grains. A bow with a minimum draw weight of 45 pounds. Any arrow, or crossbow bolt, with a broadhead that has a fixed or mechanical tip having sharpened cutting edges consisting of metal or naturally occurring stone. The broadhead must have an outside diameter or width of at least 1 inch, and the length may not exceed 3.25 inches. Crossbows must have a minimum peak draw weight of 125 pounds.
It is unlawful to drive or herd elk. It is unlawful to feed elk at any time of year.
Except during the archery season, elk hunters and those accompanying them must wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange, visible 360 degrees, on the head, chest and back combined. Camouflage-fluorescent orange may satisfy this regulation if the total orange content is at least 250 square inches.
A successful hunter must attach the tag to the ear of an elk immediately after harvest and before the carcass is moved. In addition, within 24 hours, each hunter who harvests an elk must take it, along with his or her hunting license and elk license, to a Game Commission check station. Hunters will receive instructions for the location and hours of the elk check station in the mail prior to the season.
Elk guides are an optional service available to licensed elk hunters. Elk guides are regulated by the Game Commission and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and offer various services to the hunter.
Apply for an Elk License
AN ELK LICENSE IS REQUIRED TO HUNT ELK.
There are 14 established Elk Hunt Zones for which antlered and antlerless elk licenses may be allocated each year. Licenses are awarded by lottery.
There are three elk seasons with three separate drawings and “buckets” of bonus points. Residents and nonresidents may apply. Applicants may enter one, two or all three drawings, but they may submit only one application per drawing per year. Those drawn for an elk license are permitted to hunt within their designated Elk Hunt Zone (EHZ), as well as EHZ 1, which is open to all hunters with a valid elk license.
Hunters are limited to harvesting one antlered or one antlerless elk, depending on the license they obtain, per hunting license year.
Those who don’t want to be drawn for a tag in the coming seasons, but who want to continue accumulating bonus points that will increase their chances in coming years, may purchase a bonus point for any or all of the three seasons.
HOW TO APPLY:
Nonresidents have an equal opportunity in the drawing. If drawn, a Pennsylvania resident may purchase an elk license for $25; nonresidents $250. Individuals drawn for an antlered license are not eligible to apply again for five additional years; individuals drawn for an antlerless license can continue to apply the following season. Successful applicants must obtain a Pennsylvania general hunting license for the appropriate license year. Unsuccessful applicants earn bonus points for future drawings. Licenses are assigned according to the drawn hunter’s application preferences. Maps and descriptions of the Elk Hunt Zones can be found on the Game Commission website (www.pgc.pa.gov). Hunters may choose up to five Elk Hunt Zones, and may select a fallback option. If a hunter is drawn and their preferred Elk Hunt Zone choices already are filled, selecting the fallback option ensures the hunter will be assigned to the next available Elk Hunt Zone. Anyone submitting more than one application per elk season, will be subject to prosecution and have all of their applications voided. The elk license drawing is on July 27, 2024 at the Elk Country Visitor Center near Winslow Hill in Benezette Township.
Elk Management Area map, Elk Hunt Zone descriptions and check station information can be found on the Game Commission website at www.pgc.pa.gov.