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Post by Loggy on Jan 30, 2023 19:07:55 GMT -5
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Post by ridgecommander on Jan 31, 2023 14:56:24 GMT -5
This is my year, lol.
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Post by bushmaster on Jan 31, 2023 15:08:25 GMT -5
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Post by Loggy on Jan 31, 2023 16:15:53 GMT -5
Seems a little strange applying before the hunting licenses go on sale or even before seasons are approved.
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Post by ridgecommander on Jan 31, 2023 17:07:45 GMT -5
Trying to give more time for non residents to get into the pool so that the percent by non residents hits 40% this time around.
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Post by Loggy on Jan 31, 2023 19:18:46 GMT -5
Trying to give more time for non residents to get into the pool so that the percent by non residents hits 40% this time around. Seriously doubt such. Will provide additional time for applying for BOTH Resident & Nonresident. My guess is that the NR applicants were more intune to prior cutoff dates than the Residents....... therefore Resident applicates likely benefiting more. |
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Post by ridgecommander on Jan 31, 2023 19:44:11 GMT -5
Trying to give more time for non residents to get into the pool so that the percent by non residents hits 40% this time around. Seriously doubt such. Will provide additional time for applying for BOTH Resident & Nonresident. My guess is that the NR applicants were more intune to prior cutoff dates than the Residents....... therefore Resident applicates likely benefiting more. Anything they can do to increase revenue. Much like the third season that was added. No reason for it other than baiting folks to ante up another application fee for a chance at a Pa elk. A lot of people shook their heads when they added the late season and added bull tags as well to the late season. Purely a money grab........... |
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Post by Loggy on Jan 31, 2023 20:31:53 GMT -5
Seriously doubt such. Will provide additional time for applying for BOTH Resident & Nonresident. My guess is that the NR applicants were more intune to prior cutoff dates than the Residents....... therefore Resident applicates likely benefiting more. Anything they can do to increase revenue. Much like the third season that was added. No reason for it other than baiting folks to ante up another application fee for a chance at a Pa elk. A lot of people shook their heads when they added the late season and added bull tags as well to the late season. Purely a money grab........... I have a totally different opinion of PA's Elk Program than you. My opinion is based upon an actual 2020 Late Season Elk hunt where I was fortunate enough to meet Jeremy Banfield PGC Elk Biologist who checked my Elk in. Per my conversations with Jeremy his dedication/devotion to PA's Elk Program was obvious. Jeremy's PA Elk knowledge was impressive to say the least. Sorry you foundlessly view that adding an additional season providing add'l opportunity as a "purely a money grab" via "baiting folks". Moneywise...talking peanuts really. Decisions were solely based upon meeting on resource management goals based upon documented historical data not disgruntled nonselectee applicants. Page 52 covers addition of Archery & Late Seasons(Bulls later added to meet specific Zone harvest goals):PGC Elk Management Plan |
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Post by ridgecommander on Feb 1, 2023 7:31:39 GMT -5
I have a totally different opinion of PA's Elk Program than you. My opinion is based upon an actual 2020 Late Season Elk hunt where I was fortunate enough to meet Jeremy Banfield PGC Elk Biologist who checked my Elk in. Per my conversations with Jeremy his dedication/devotion to PA's Elk Program was obvious. Jeremy's PA Elk knowledge was impressive to say the least. Sorry you foundlessly view that adding an additional season providing add'l opportunity as a "purely a money grab" via "baiting folks". Moneywise...talking peanuts really. Decisions were solely based upon meeting on resource management goals based upon documented historical data not disgruntled nonselectee applicants. I have no doubt about Banfield's dedication/devotion to Pa's elk. Never questioned that at all. We can agree to disagree for the motivating factors behind the late season, among other elk related topics. Especially when they added bull to the late season which is an incentive to get people to buy into another application, IMO. They can justify most actions with biology talk. Most objective minded folks know that non resident tags not being capped, two of our very limited and highly coveted bull tags being removed from the general allotment for special lotteries and bulls added to the late season was partly motivated by increasing revenue from the draw. As for being "disgruntled" as you put it. I have no expectations of drawing under our current system. The odds are heavily stacked against me in my remaining lifetime. Do I wish I was drawn? Absolutely. Am I disgruntled because I haven't? Absolutely not. Some confuse wanting a better system for everybody as being disgruntled but of course it is easy to understand why someone who has drawn would think that........................ |
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Post by dougl on Feb 1, 2023 11:12:04 GMT -5
I agree with Loggy.Any revenue being generated probably doesn't cover the costs of the actual employees who manage the elk.I actually laugh when I hear people claim that the elk are some sort of cash cow for the PGC.I'm not directing that last comment as you but I read that constantly.I live near the elk and have zero interest in hunting them.However,the opportunities for those who want to hunt them have been increased dramatically.I don't see that as a bad thing or a money grab.It is what it is.it's a low chance lottery that will pay off for quite a few people if they stick with it long enough.
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Post by ridgecommander on Feb 1, 2023 11:29:06 GMT -5
Any revenue being generated probably doesn't cover the costs of the actual employees who manage the elk.I actually laugh when I hear people claim that the elk are some sort of cash cow for the PGC.I'm not directing that last comment as you but I read that constantly.I live near the elk and have zero interest in hunting them.. I would agree with that assessment. I never claimed it was a cash cow but some may interpret it that way. My assertion is one of the factors behind some of the decisions being made on our elk is maximizing revenue that can be taken in. |
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Post by dougl on Feb 1, 2023 11:54:12 GMT -5
Like everything the PGC does,they appear to be taking a slow approach with elk management.There's a crap ton of elk and they keep expanding.I live about 25 miles south of Bennezette and 10 years ago,it was rare to have them wander down this way.Now we see them all the time and it's not unusual to see over 50 in a heard down this way.They'be been crossing the interstate for the past several years and getting dangerously close to where CWD is showing up more and more.That's a pretty far distance from where they're supposed to be.I don't have a problem with them expanding opportunities for hunters.
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Post by Loggy on Feb 2, 2023 8:24:44 GMT -5
Back in 2020 when the PGC first opened an Elk Late Season I drew a tag. The first Late Season was "Antlerless Only". I drew a tag for Zone 2 and hunted 2 days until I had opportunity to bag an elk. Tons of bulls both days sighted with many within shot range. Glad they now allot some bull tags for the Late Season. Reading recent season reports....same thing tons of bulls with cows being tougher to find. Be interesting to see current seasons zone/tag allotments.
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Post by Loggy on Feb 2, 2023 10:42:33 GMT -5
Just received this email from PGC titled: Drumroll Please...... Really promoting this change!!  Pennsylvania’s 2023-24 elk hunting seasons! Apply Now Elk Graphic Three seasons (archery, general, and late) have been preliminarily approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners. 🔸 APPLY for just $11.97 per season. Or $35.91 to apply for all three. Applications can be purchased online at www.huntfish.pa.gov or at any in-store hunting license vendor. [Review Elk Hunt Zone descriptions here.]. 🔸 Seasons and bag limits will be approved at the board meeting on April 15, 2023. *Changes can be made to application preferences (hunt zones and sex) until the application period closes on Sunday, July 16, 2023. 🔸 Important changes have been made to the application timeframe in response to the adjustment of the drawing date, which will take place on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the Keystone Elk Country Alliance’s Elk Expo, in Benezette, PA. The drawing date was moved up to allow archery elk hunters more time to prepare. Watch this video(below) on how to apply for a Pennsylvania elk hunting license online. Learn more about elk hunting in PA here. GOOD LUCK! Thank you for being a Pennsylvania hunter and supporting wildlife conservation in the Keystone State. |
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Post by ridgecommander on Feb 2, 2023 11:01:12 GMT -5
Interesting that they would open up the application period before the seasons were approved. Interesting that they are promoting this more. Maybe partly to maximize the revenue..............
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Post by Loggy on Feb 2, 2023 11:06:20 GMT -5
Yeah...be sorta nice to know the definitive seasons PLUS the number of elk tag allotments per specific Zones.
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Post by moosemike on Feb 2, 2023 17:36:28 GMT -5
The drawing is still way too late. I have to be in for Wyoming by May 31 and my hunting season will be planned out by late July
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Post by dougl on Feb 3, 2023 10:00:41 GMT -5
It is a late drawing and doesn't give people from out of the area much time to get a feel for the unit they draw in.
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Post by ridgecommander on Feb 3, 2023 10:34:10 GMT -5
The drawing is still way too late. I have to be in for Wyoming by May 31 and my hunting season will be planned out by late July Got to maximize that revenue. I may have mentioned that before, though some disagree revenue is part of the equation. I agree the drawing should be much earlier so folks have ample time to plan for such a coveted tag. I apply to he archery draw. Virtually no time to prepare, especially for those that want to DIY. |
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Post by Loggy on Feb 3, 2023 11:00:07 GMT -5
The drawing is still way too late. I have to be in for Wyoming by May 31 and my hunting season will be planned out by late July Got to maximize that revenue. I may have mentioned that before, though some disagree revenue is part of the equation. I agree the drawing should be much earlier so folks have ample time to plan for such a coveted tag. I apply to he archery draw. Virtually no time to prepare, especially for those that want to DIY. On the DIY comment. I know at one time I toyed with a DIY hunt but when drawn after almost 20 years of applying...I made the best hunting decision of my life by engaging a guide. Now if you personally know the elk range or have friends who live there that can advise you...maybe a different story. Also, if you have private landowners advance permission to hunt certain private areas ...another thing to factor in your decision. Now looking back...after personally spending a week at ECO's camp on my 2020 Late Season Elk hunt.... there's really no decision on which way to go least for me. I tagged out 2nd day but spent the rest of the week in camp observing the overall operation on how guides are assigned, sat down at dinner with them/tipped a few brews, became aware of how they had exclusive hunting rights/permissions to certain private landowners propery in addition to just learning the outstanding depth of expertise of the guides who are assigned based upon their specific Zone knowlege/experience. Now if it was a hunt that you could do every year...ok maybe consider DIY but when drawing is likely a once in a lifetime opportunity.... a nobrainer at least to me based upon my experience. I reserve my annual DIY experiences for Sullivan County!!  |
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Post by dougl on Feb 3, 2023 12:32:29 GMT -5
Nothing wrong with wanting to be involved with the camp experience but finding the elk really isn't that complicated and easily done as a DIY hunt.It's complicated if you draw in an area where they spend most of their time on private land.In that case,you almost need a guide to gain access.Otherwise,look at ONX and find the openings that were created for the elk.They bed in the timber but they come out to the openings to feed.For some reason Pa hunters want to bring their elk out whole like deer.If that's the case,a guide is also your best bet.I was on a list the first several years for people to contact me to haul them out with my horses.I was contacted several times and every single person expected me to drag them out lol.Not happening.I was even willing to do it pro bono.There are some areas where you really have to get out and hoof it.You can get an actual wilderness experience in those cases and the elk are as wild as any out west.In much of the range,it's like hunting them behind your house or camp.
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Post by moosemike on Feb 3, 2023 12:43:33 GMT -5
It would depend on the unit but I would lean towards DIY. But I never have hired a Guide
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Post by Loggy on Feb 3, 2023 18:02:34 GMT -5
It would depend on the unit but I would lean towards DIY. But I never have hired a Guide That was my first true guided hunt. Did one in Alabama and some similar where they’d drop you off at stands but not a “one on one” guide. I never realized the value of guided but now I do. Amazing what you can learn from professionals. |
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Post by dougl on Feb 7, 2023 15:47:20 GMT -5
I went on a guided archery elk hunt in 2003.Other than a nice horseback ride through the Rockies,it was a huge waste of time and money.About three days into seeing nothing,I asked the one guide how far the elk usually run after being bit with an arrow.He said,I don't know.We never had anyone hit one lol.The only thing I learned from that hunt was to never book a hunt at Harrisburg.My buddy was an HVAC tech and put new pluming in almost their entire camper.They knew nothing about horses and gave me a new horse that was afraid of water and it's own shadow.By the end of the week,he was a perfect gentleman.We almost sent them a bill for the plumbing and horse training.
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Post by Dutch on Feb 7, 2023 16:18:56 GMT -5
It would depend on the unit but I would lean towards DIY. But I never have hired a Guide That was my first true guided hunt. Did one in Alabama and some similar where they’d drop you off at stands but not a “one on one” guide. I never realized the value of guided but now I do. Amazing what you can learn from professionals. May I ask what they charge here in PA? Was always curious about that |
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