Afield: The next few weeks are prime for viewing Pennsylvania’s elk. Here’s where to go
Early morning fog was still hanging over the field near Karthaus when the first elk’s bugle pierced the silence of the cool air. I could barely make out what appeared to be elk cows and calves feeding on the clover, but they were not the ones making the racket — a large bull was.
The morning light gradually brightened, and I could make out a dozen elk in the field. Every now and then I could see the tips of antlers sticking up over the edge of the rise, not 40 yards away. Camera ready, I hoped that the bull would soon come into view.
A second bull bugled and then a third called from farther down in the forest to my left. My intermittent view of antler tips got much better as a massive bull — likely weighing over 800 pounds — eased up over the rise. His antlers stretched back almost the entire length of his body.
The majestic bull paused, giving me a chance for a few photos before he gathered his harem of cows and moved off into the forest up slope and to my right.
If you have never heard an elk bugle, beware; the sound can be addictive. Their bugle is a high-pitched, nasal whistle that carries for long distances. Their eerie call is haunting — used to challenge rival males or defend a harem.
If you are interested in viewing Keystone State elk, their mating season — or rut — occurs from mid-September through mid-October. This is the best time to see elk and to hear them bugling.
According to Rawley Cogan, president and CEO of the Keystone Elk Country Alliance or KECA, record crowds have been visiting “Elk Country” and stopping in at the visitor center near Benezette.
“Thursday’s attendance looked more like what we would expect on a Saturday,” Cogan said. “We had to cancel several fund-raising banquets earlier this year, so the increased spending in our gift shop and the theater have helped to fill the void.”
Cogan added: “People need to get out, and because of the virus, I think that more people are taking short trips instead of longer vacations. I’m just glad that many people are making Pennsylvania’s ‘Elk Country’ one of their destinations.”
Pennsylvania is home to about 1,400 free-ranging elk — the largest herd of wild elk in the northeast. It is no doubt that Benezette, located in southeastern Elk County, is the center of Pennsylvania elk viewing. But you don’t have to drive that far north to observe these stately animals. You can see many elk in Clearfield and even northern Centre County.
Wild elk can be found north of I-80 in Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Lycoming, McKean, Potter and Tioga counties. Northern Centre, Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton and Elk counties hold the most elk. Good viewing opportunities occur in the Quehanna Wild Area, and also at Sinnemahoning (Cameron County) and Kettle Creek (Clinton County) state parks.
Where to go? Over the past decade, I have seen elk at several locations within the Quehanna Wild area (including along the Quehanna Highway, Red Run and Wycoff Run roads). Also, look along Routes 120, 555, 879, Rolling Stone Road and adjacent to the Caledonia Pike. If you are looking for towns, the area surrounding Benezette, Keewaydin, Karthaus, Pottersdale, Weedville, Medix Run, and the area north of Shawville are all good bets for seeing elk. The best times to view elk are early in the morning and the last hour before dusk, but I have seen elk at all hours — including in my headlights at night.
A road tour of Pennsylvania’s elk range, the Elk Scenic Drive, is clearly marked with distinctive brown signs. The entire tour begins on Route 144 at Snow Shoe and takes you counterclockwise on a 127-mile loop on Routes 144, 120, 555, and 153 through the heart of elk country. The drive ends at exit 111 of I-80, near S. B. Elliott State Park. I-80 will take you back east to the Woodland exit and Route 322 back to Philipsburg.
The Elk Scenic Drive has many places where you can stop and view various wildlife and possibly elk. Some of these include short walks to more secluded viewing areas. I suggest that you Google “Elk Scenic Drive” for a map of the exact route before heading out.
Other sources for information include the Elk Country Visitor Center at 950 Winslow Hill Road, Benezette, PA 15821 (www.elkvisitorcenter.com), and the Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau at www.visitpago.com — here you can download an elk viewing guide, as well as a map of the Elk Scenic Drive. The Pennsylvania Wilds website also has good elk information at www.pawilds.com.
The two main elk viewing routes north would be to take Route 144 north from Wingate or pick up Rolling Stone Road and go north from Kylertown. Elk might be seen anywhere north of I-80.
Cogan offered the following advice for those heading north to see the elk. “Be respectful of private property and don’t cause traffic jams by stopping in the middle of the highway. Elk are wild animals and elk viewers should always keep a safe distance.”
In addition to seeing elk during a visit to “Elk Country,” you might see a bear, wild turkeys, deer, a rattlesnake or many other wild creatures. Fall foliage should be at its peak in early October. You may not be fortunate enough to see elk during every trip to northcentral Pennsylvania, but every trip is still special.