Ep. 492: 2026 Pennsylvania Elk Hunting — New Seasons, New Rules w/ PGC Elk Biologist Jeremy Banfield
East Meets West HuntShow Notes
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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