He’s Baaaaaaaaaaaack!

Well, what’ll ya know? Here we are. I suppose it was October of 1999 that I last had a chance to talk to you all.

Now, should I write a mushy column tonight about how good it is to be back? How many times I thought of my dear River Reporter readers during my hiatus—those great outdoor lovin’ folks, who had the patience to allow me to cut my writing teeth at their expense every week for eight years?

Or should I get right down to business and try to give you all your 75 cents worth? Oh, I think I hear ya loud and clear.

But geeze, there’s so much to catch up on, this may take months, maybe years. But I guess that’s not a bad thing. We may as well start off with the biggest wild subject on my cluttered old desk—the legendary Keystone elk—the only wild elk east of the Great Divide.

As a result of unregulated subsistence and market hunting combined with wholesale deforestation, Pennsylvania’s largest native game animals, the elk, were extirpated from the state by 1867. In the year 2001, thanks to a nationally renowned example of modern-day wildlife management techniques, much of which was documented right here in Talking The Wild and The River Reporter in the past, a highly regulated elk season is again a reality in the commonwealth.

Following more than a year of preparation and public input, the board of game commissioners gave final approval on April 10 to the state’s first modern-day elk hunting season. At the end of 2000, the general assembly and Governor Tom Ridge enacted Act 111, which created an elk hunting license, established the fee structure and stipulated that only one application per person be permitted.

The historic 2001 Pennsylvania elk season (antlered or antlerless) is slated for November 12 to 17. Daily and season limit: one. (The executive director is authorized to extend, by order, in accordance with Title 58, Section 139.3, this season by five days, from December 26 to 31, excluding Sunday, if the harvest quota is not met during the first season. If the quota is not met during the first extension, a second five-day extension from January 2 to 7, 2002, excluding Sunday, may be ordered.) Elk, Clearfield and Cameron counties encompass the commonwealth’s contemporary elk harboring region.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is now accepting applications from those interested in being included in the public drawing for one of 30 elk hunting licenses to be made available by the agency for this fall’s season. The public drawing is scheduled for September 29.

Hunters who wish to apply for the 2001 elk-hunting permit should write the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Elk License Application, PO Box 61890, Harrisburg, PA 17106-1890. Also, applications will be included in the 2001-2002 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, which will be provided to each license buyer.

The public drawing for elk permits will be held on September 29, as part of an “elk expo” that will be held in communities within the elk range in northcentral Pennsylvania. The exact time and location will be announced here in Talking The Wild as they become available.

The first 15 names drawn in the elk lottery will be awarded antlered elk licenses, and the next 15 will be awarded antlerless elk licenses. Of the 30, up to two may be awarded to nonresidents. This number is based on the percentage of nonresident general hunting licenses sold during the previous year, which is about seven percent.

Those applying for an elk license will have the option to indicate their preference for either an antlered or antlerless elk license, or they may select “either.” For those who select “antlered only,” if they are drawn after the antlered licenses are allocated, they will not receive an elk license. For those who do receive an antlered elk license, they will not be permitted to re-apply for future elk hunting opportunities for five years. But then again—you may not ever be picked again for another hundred years—stick with me friends and mark your application “either.”

“This season is based on more than three decades of biological research,” said Rawley Cogan, game commission elk biologist. “This year’s aerial survey conservatively estimates the elk population to be 622. Based on recent trends, we expect the elk population to be about 700 animals by this fall.”

The board also adopted minimum standards for sporting arms and ammunition for elk hunting as follows:

• Centerfire rifles or handguns at least 27-caliber that propel any projectiles designed to expand on impact and are at least 130 grains.
• Shotguns at least 12-gauge.
• Muzzleloading long-guns at least 50-caliber that propel a single projectile of at least 210 grains.
• Crossbows with a draw weight of at least 125 pounds or less than 200 pounds (for those with required permit).
• Bows with a draw weight of at least 45 pounds.
• Any arrows equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least an inch and no less than two fixed, steel-cutting edges in the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface.

Under the approved season, there will be 14 elk management areas established within Pennsylvania’s 835-square-mile elk range. Elk management area 15 was included to address elk conflicts outside the established elk range.

The board also approved a measure to permit individuals, especially those who live in the elk range or are familiar with the elk herd, to serve as guides for those who receive an elk license. Guides may provide assistance in locating or tracking elk.

The elk hunt proposal approved by the board was based on a report issued by the commission’s Elk Hunt Advisory Committee, which was created by commission executive director Vern Ross in September of 1999. The committee included representatives of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the general assembly; the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the agricultural and tourism industries, corporate and conservation partners in the elk program, and most importantly—sportsmen and woman.

Upper Delaware field notes:

• The 2001 spring shad run was shaping up well when the spring rains failed to show
• It’s great to be back.

Talk to you in two weeks. And friends, it gives me great pleasure to say once again:

Until next time, be safe and good luck!