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2026 Pennsylvania Elk Hunting — New Seasons, New Rules w/ PGC Elk Biologist Jeremy Banfield

2026 Pennsylvania Elk Hunting — New Seasons, New Rules w/ PGC Elk Biologist Jeremy Banfield

Episode 492 Published 2 weeks ago
Description

Beau Martonik sits down with Pennsylvania Game Commission elk biologist Jeremy Banfield to break down the biggest changes to Pennsylvania's elk hunting program in years.

They cover the new October season that overlaps the rut, once-in-a-lifetime bull tags, the non-resident cap and higher application cost, how bonus points from all three old seasons are now combined into one application, and the completely redrawn hunt zones numbered 301–309. Jeremy also gives an honest update on the current state of the herd — population estimates, bull to cow ratios, habitat improvements, and where CWD stands relative to the elk range.

If you're applying for a Pennsylvania elk tag, this is required listening before July 12th.

Apply at huntfish.pa.gov — drawing is July 25th at the Elk Expo in Benezette


Topics: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:04:21 – Herd Population — 1,563 Elk and How They Count Them

00:10:31 – Bull to Cow Ratio and Why It's Too High

00:13:27 – CWD — What It Means for Pennsylvania Elk

00:17:21 – Why the Herd Grows Slowly by Design

00:23:05 – New October Season — Why It Was Added

00:26:47 – Resident vs. Non-Resident Changes

00:32:59 – Bull Tags Are Now Once in a Lifetime

00:33:50 – New Bonus Point System — One Application, Combined Points

00:41:11 – How to Apply and What Your Choices Mean

00:52:47 – New Hunt Zones 301–309 — How They Were Built

01:02:12 – Zone Selection Strategy

01:07:10 – Application Deadline and Drawing Day Details

01:16:08 – What Elk Eat and When to See Them

01:20:53 – Closing and Where to Find the Rules


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