PA elk drawing

[jimbires]

I'm not sure if any of you guys apply for the PA Elk hunting license draw . the draw system for the PA elk tags has been getting scrutinized . I've felt a few times it's not 100% legitimate , but then again , how would I know . I'd have to look , but I think I have 23 preference points in the original rifle draw . a recently started , late season cow tag draw , I have applied every year , I think that's 4 or 5 points , I have accumulated . here's a few links about what's going on .

https://www.repmaloney.com/News/36990/Press-Releases/Maloney-Calls-Out-PGC-s-Illegal-Procedures-of-PA-Elk-Tag-Drawings

https://www.goerie.com/story/sports/outdoors/2025/11/18/elk-hunting-lottery-pennsylvania-game-commission-to-implement-several-changes/87338626007/

PA Game Commission makes changes to elk tag lottery system amidst accusations

In an effort to make Pennsylvania’s elk lottery system more transparent, the Pennsylvania House Game and Fisheries Committee, has approved an amended version of House Resolution 356 to make...

www.lehighvalleyoutdoorsbynickhromiak.com

https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/ourstories/2025/11/pa-celebrating-25-years-of-elk-hunting-amid-concerns-license-lottery-not-compliant-with-law.html

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I have a nephew and his sons that live in PA and they don't apply for elk tags. He said it was too much hassle and restrictions. Just going by his word not having really checked it out. He has lived there for over 30 years. If he had started way back when maybe he would have gotten a tag by now

 

[jimbires]

early on , before I started applying , I heard a game warden accompanied the hunter , and pointed out the one to shoot , about like a cull hunt . I'm not sure if that's true , just what I've heard . the only thing I know of now , is you have to hunt in the area the tag is for . if you use a guide , they need to be registered . I think there is something about people that accompany you ,in the field , during the hunt . all of this would mean nothing to me .

I've been pondering about keeping in the draw game . I'm really thinking , I'm done with it . there are some monster bulls here , but I'm not sure the juice is worth the squeeze . they have burned me out on trying to be successful in the draw .

 

[salmonchaser]

I have never applied out side of Oregon, Montana or Wyoming but the idea of hunting Pennsylvania for elk is intriguing. Given I’m 70 I’m likely to remain in Oregon wondering if I’ll ever draw a tag in Pennsylvania. What the heck, if the cost isn’t too high and you’re in that area why not? They do kill some great bulls there.

 

[sako2]

It got pretty scrutinzed when Greg Ritz drew a tag and did his tv show.

 

[Charlie-NY]

It looks like 99% of the paid applications will be unselected. This has got to be a HUGE money maker for the state.

I saw something like this locally where you could apply to bowhunt whitetails in a large park that had NEVER allowed hunting. A paid applicant had to carefully watch for the selection date to see if he was one of the 100 successful applicants. If you were selected but didn't see it in 7 days, your spot was given away. I asked why they couldn't just notify paid applicants, through email, if they were successful or not. I was told, "that would be ridiculous because we have almost 15,000 applicants."

At $20 a pop, that should be $300,000 for a rather limited hunt. What a scam!

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I have never applied out side of Oregon, Montana or Wyoming but the idea of hunting Pennsylvania for elk is intriguing. Given I’m 70 I’m likely to remain in Oregon wondering if I’ll ever draw a tag in Pennsylvania. What the heck, if the cost isn’t too high and you’re in that area why not? They do kill some great bulls there.

KY might be another option for you. Not sure of the size of bulls that are killed though.