tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31331017.post6544127271767032518..comments2023-10-29T09:54:07.216-04:00Comments on Country Captures: Thoughts on the Pennsylvania Elk HuntCoy Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961295214970687017noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31331017.post-25391371940581334982009-11-07T08:15:28.542-05:002009-11-07T08:15:28.542-05:00Kudos for your well prepared post Coy. The number...Kudos for your well prepared post Coy. The numbers you bring forward in your post along with the follow up comments by both you and Willard continue to prove the point about the Elk hunt and areas Elk are hunted in.<br /><br />I am not against hunting Elk although I would never hunt them, but I am against some of the areas Elk are hunted in.<br /><br />I do beleive away from these areas hunting Elk is much more difficult and like hunting them our west. But when bulls are taken that we know in the areas that are just to close to the viewing areas no difficulty is involved in shooting this animal. It almost reminds me of shooting them in a zoo.<br /><br />It is just to bad common sense is not a common thing or most of these issues would not exist.<br /><br />On a better note, I hope to see you next week and photograph some beautiful whitetail deer. Could you get the bobcat from last year to pay us a visit?Brad Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01884406142470585950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31331017.post-38499000580312704782009-11-07T00:09:10.854-05:002009-11-07T00:09:10.854-05:00Very interesting, and a beautiful photo.Very interesting, and a beautiful photo.Montanagirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16428565909247665015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31331017.post-10143607210365537012009-11-07T00:07:34.162-05:002009-11-07T00:07:34.162-05:00Very well said Coy and Willard. I also understand...Very well said Coy and Willard. I also understand about management, but killing healthy, monster bulls only from a trophy perspective is wrong, and it will hurt the herd in the future. <br />I have heard that there are "wild" elk in Medix Run. The 9x8 was not wild in any way except for the fact that he was able to run free. Killing him was wrong and heartless, and no one will ever convince me to believe differently.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31331017.post-13877932486811032892009-11-06T19:55:05.050-05:002009-11-06T19:55:05.050-05:00To further illustrate Coy's point, all that Fr...To further illustrate Coy's point, all that Fred or an other elk has to do is be on the side of front street next to Trout Run and it is in the Hunt Zone, although of course the safety zone issue takes care of that in Benezette proper.<br /><br />To Quote the current hunting Digest in Part, the boundary between Hunt Zone 2 and the No Hunt Zone is: "Beginning at Benezette then north on Front Street and continue to use the “Coal Haul Road” to the double gates at the parking lot at the head of Porcupine Run." <br /><br />In 2006 an attempt was made to put the entire lower end of Winslow Hill to Young Mark Road at the Dudley property in the Hunt Zone also, but the decision was reversed after vigorous, and sustained public outcry. <br /><br />In the scheme of things Benezette itself is but a small issue. The bulls that use all of the viewing areas on Winslow Hill need more protection, and thankfully the PGC saw fit to take steps that did help to a large extent this year, with the elimination of the combined hunt zones. Now we just need a little more space so that bulls like the 9x8 may survive.<br /><br />Management may be a necessity, but the targeting of the large bulls that frequent the viewing areas is not.Willardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17059945499957721902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31331017.post-72793626272695553582009-11-06T15:27:45.944-05:002009-11-06T15:27:45.944-05:00I must take exception with Im Clyde's comment....I must take exception with Im Clyde's comment. Yes there are designated hunt zones and of course it is true that there is a small no-hunt zone but certainly not adequate to protect the bulls that frequent the popular viewing areas. As for Benezette, just check behind the store where the border of hunt zone 8 begins. Do you really believe that Fred would never walk across the creek?<br /><br />As for these animals being difficult to hunt, I will not argue about the wariness of bulls well away from the no-hunt zone but I will site statistics, since the modern day hunt began in 2001 antlered elk hunters have enjoyed an average 90% + kill rate with 100% kills in three of the eight years. Difficult hunt? Who is kidding who?Coy Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17961295214970687017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31331017.post-69569618090188120912009-11-06T14:41:47.765-05:002009-11-06T14:41:47.765-05:00For those not fully understanding PA's Elk Hun...For those not fully understanding PA's Elk Hunt. There are designated Hunting Zones. Those zones 'do not' include the area around the heart of Benezette. So to answer one of the above comments. Those elk seen routinely around town, like Fred, are not in a zone that can be hunted. It's not as easy as you may think. Elk wild animals and each year out of the small number of license, some go unfilled. Our herd is a tremendous natural asset, management is a necessity.Im Clydenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31331017.post-20375809509922738142009-11-06T13:53:26.430-05:002009-11-06T13:53:26.430-05:00I like your choice of words for the hunting you do...I like your choice of words for the hunting you do...consumptive hunting....Never thought about the financial side of the hunt before. Very informative. Fred or Fred Jr. is a magnificient beast.photowannabehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11760961275666768173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31331017.post-35516410706324573782009-11-06T13:26:06.968-05:002009-11-06T13:26:06.968-05:00So nice to see a photo of the world's greatest...So nice to see a photo of the world's greatest elk.<br />Very well said....they kill the same bulls that they use to bring tourists to the area. Many people would not like to hear that the elk they enjoyed seeing and photographing was killed. People want experiences over time (example: Fred Jr.). They want to see the same elk each time they come to the area. It's fun to document their growth and habits over time. Going to Benezette would not be the same if we didn't put our focus on finding Fred. With the killing of all of these monster bulls, there will never be another "Fred Jr. situation" again, and that is very sad.<br />Don't know if I have my numbers correct, but I've heard that Benezette has 70,000 visitors a year. Plus add in the residents. There is no way around these elk becoming people-friendly with so many humans around them all of the time. It is not right to turn around and kill them. So many people keep coming back (and spending their money) because the elk are so tame. Those areas should be no hunt zones so that this relationship (and dollars coming into the area) can continue.<br />I also think collared elk should be off limits for two reasons:<br />1. They spend time and money to put the collars on, plus checking their health and progress.....isn't that money thrown down the drain if they just turn around and kill them?<br />2. If the elk with collars would be off limits, then tourists could enjoy elk which they know will be safe and "viewable" year after year.Elk Scenic Drivehttp://elkscenicdrivepa.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31331017.post-41835267194154663712009-11-06T12:10:54.762-05:002009-11-06T12:10:54.762-05:00As someone who has participated in 'field spor...As someone who has participated in 'field sports' here in Britain in the past I have defended hunting many times. BUT I don't think that it's particularly right to kill something just to hang it's head on my wall...JPThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00796856414981086841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31331017.post-31028809885202541832009-11-06T01:59:53.903-05:002009-11-06T01:59:53.903-05:00Hi Coy, An amazing post. Never really thought of ...Hi Coy, An amazing post. Never really thought of the ecomonic side to hunting before.. Hmmmmmm..... Well just wanted to say HI and that you have so many wonderful images that I have missed in the past few months. Glad to see you are still here posting... Aloha, Renee :)Kekiinanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07677783022512744784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31331017.post-49401835311714558032009-11-05T20:16:51.574-05:002009-11-05T20:16:51.574-05:00Very interesting post, along with another great ph...Very interesting post, along with another great photograph.Leedrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04914177127665868671noreply@blogger.com