Pennsylvania ELK HUNTERS HARVEST 35 ELK IN 2007
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe
today announced that 33 of the 40 licensed elk hunters harvested an elk
during the season that was held Nov. 5-10. 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 Dennis Henry, of Greensburg,
Westmoreland County. He took a 792-pound, 8x7 on Nov. 6, in Covington
Township, Clearfield County.
Those hunters rounding out the top five heaviest antlered elk harvested,
were: Aaron Richards, of Duncannon, Perry County, took a 768-pound, 6x6
on Nov. 5, in Gibson Township, Elk County; Keith Streightif, of
Kittanning, Armstrong County, took a 723-pound, 7x6 on Nov. 7, in Jay
Township, Elk County; Keith Quigel, of Williamsport, Lycoming County,
took a 720-pound, 7x7 on Nov. 6, in Lumber Township, Cameron County; and
Harry Rhone, of Catawissa, Columbia County, took a 707-pound, 6x7 on
Nov. 8, in Shippen Township, Cameron County.
The heaviest antlerless elk was taken by Robert Domachowski, of Butler,
Butler County, who harvested a 590-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 7, in
Benezette Township, Elk County.
Those hunters rounding out the top five heaviest antlerless elk
harvested were: Tindaro Bisbano, of Birdsboro, Berks County, who
harvested a 564-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 6, in Benezette Township,
Elk County; Clarence Burd, of Denver, Lancaster County, who harvested a
538-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 5, in Gibson Township, Cameron County;
Travis Zanders, of Wellsville, New York, who harvested a 530-pound
antlerless elk on Nov. 8, in Benezette Township, Elk County; and John
Barberio Jr., of Ebensburg, Cambria County, who harvested a 515-pound
antlerless elk on Nov. 8, in Jay Township, Elk County.
For the September 2007 hunt, which was held September 3-29, only two elk
were harvested: Charles Krug, of St. Marys, Elk County, harvested an
antlerless elk on Sept. 3; and Dwight Brown, of Abbeville, South
Carolina, harvested an antlerless elk on Sept. 10.
Originally scheduled for just Sept. 17-22, the Game Commission staff
recommended that the Board of Game Commissioners extend the September
season to run the entire month of September to afford hunters a greater
opportunity of harvesting an elk.
"As we noted after last year's early hunt, the September hunt is far
more difficult than the November hunt," Roe said. "The September elk
hunt was formed to address agricultural conflicts before crops are
harvested and to allow hunters a chance to harvest the elk rather than
force farmers to kill elk to protect their crops.
"Because these elk tend to move from the agricultural land to adjacent
forested private lands during the early morning, elk remain well hidden
and difficult to harvest, making this an extremely challenging hunt."
Roe noted that the agency will continue to review this September hunt
and make recommendations to the Board in January.
For more information on elk in Pennsylvania, visit the Game Commission's
website (
www.pgc.state.pa.us), choose "Hunting," then click on the
photograph of an elk.
