Professional Pennsylvania elk guide service throughout Pennsylvania elk country, featuring extensive preseason scouting, personalized hunt preparation, private property access where available and experienced guides committed to helping hunters make the most of their Pennsylvania elk tag.
Important dates for Pennsylvania elk hunters, from the application period and elk license drawing through the 2026-2027 hunting seasons.
Pennsylvania elk license applications begin. Hunters planning for the upcoming season can begin the application process and start preparing for the possibility of drawing a coveted Pennsylvania elk tag.
One of the biggest weekends of the year for Pennsylvania elk hunters. The elk license drawing determines who will receive the coveted Pennsylvania elk tags for the upcoming seasons.
Two weeks of Pennsylvania archery elk hunting during the rut. This season provides hunters with an exciting opportunity to experience elk activity during one of the most memorable times of the year.
Pennsylvania's first firearm elk season provides hunters with the unique opportunity to pursue elk during the rut.
The planning, scouting, and preparation come together as hunters head into Pennsylvania elk country for the second firearm season.
A January Pennsylvania elk hunt brings its own challenges, including unpredictable winter weather, changing herd movement, and difficult north-central Pennsylvania terrain.
Guide Matthew Lutz with hunter Donald Saum during Don's successful 2026 Pennsylvania archery cow elk hunt in Zone 308 - the first official harvest for PA Backcountry Outfitters.
At PA Backcountry Outfitters, we understand that drawing a 2026 Pennsylvania elk tag is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many hunters. Our mission is to help you make the most of that opportunity through professional guide service, extensive preparation and firsthand knowledge of Pennsylvania elk country.
PA Backcountry Outfitters can guide hunters throughout Pennsylvania's elk hunting zones based on the zone they are awarded. Each hunt is prepared around the specific tag, season, hunt zone, hunter and conditions involved.
Our guide team brings substantial Pennsylvania elk hunting experience to every hunt. Senior Guide Dean Carper has professionally guided Pennsylvania elk hunters since 2010 and has been involved in approximately 45 successful Pennsylvania elk hunts. Dean has particularly strong experience and local knowledge in Pennsylvania elk zones 306, 307 and 308.
Through landowner relationships developed over approximately 10 years, PA Backcountry Outfitters has priority access to approximately 5,000 acres of private property across 12 properties in elk zones 306, 307 and 308. These relationships provide important opportunities for preseason scouting, trail camera monitoring and firsthand observation of elk activity before the season begins.
Years spent guiding in Pennsylvania elk country have also helped our guide team develop strong working relationships with landowners and Pennsylvania Game Commission personnel. PA Backcountry Outfitters supports the Keystone Elk Country Alliance and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
We take pride in ethical hunting practices, honesty and providing every hunter with professional, personalized attention. Whether this is your first elk hunt or you have spent years applying for a Pennsylvania elk tag, our commitment is to provide a safe, ethical and memorable Pennsylvania elk hunting experience.
Every hunt includes personalized one-on-one guide service with experienced, dedicated guides committed to making your Pennsylvania elk hunt successful. From the day you arrive until your hunt is complete, our focus is entirely on you.
Dedicated one-on-one Pennsylvania elk guide service focused on your hunt from start to finish.
Extensive preseason scouting, local knowledge, and preparation designed to locate quality elk before opening day.
Comfortable lodging and meals are included so you can stay focused on your Pennsylvania elk hunting experience.
Transportation throughout the hunt is included, using 4WD trucks and side-by-side UTVs to reach hunting areas and difficult terrain.
We assist with elk retrieval and extraction. Horses are available when terrain or conditions require additional extraction capability.
We assist with field dressing, transportation to the Pennsylvania Game Commission check station, and collecting required biological samples.
When necessary, trained blood-tracking dogs are available to assist in locating and recovering wounded game.
Established landowner relationships provide priority access to approximately 5,000 acres across 12 private properties in Pennsylvania elk zones 306, 307 and 308.
From the day you arrive until your hunt is complete, our team is committed to providing a safe, professional, ethical, and memorable experience.
$3,500
$3,000
Bull and cow hunt pricing applies to the 8-day archery season hunt and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd regular-season 8-day hunts.
Every hunt includes one-on-one guide service, meals, lodging, transportation throughout your hunt, and extensive preseason scouting to maximize your opportunity for success.
Second-week archery hunts are priced on a per-day basis and include one-on-one guide service, meals, lodging, and transportation throughout your hunt.
Hunters choosing not to lodge with PA Backcountry Outfitters during their hunt will receive adjusted package pricing.
Guests accompanying hunters who stay at our lodge are $100 per person, per day.
Drawing a Pennsylvania elk tag is an exciting milestone but many hunters quickly realize they don't know where to begin.
From preseason planning and scouting to understanding the hunting area, transportation, retrieval, and processing your elk after the harvest, there's far more involved than simply showing up on opening day.
PA Backcountry Outfitters is here to help guide you through every step of the process. We can guide hunters throughout Pennsylvania elk country based on the zone awarded, then develop a hunting plan around your specific tag, season, zone and goals.
Whether you're a first-time elk hunter or an experienced big-game hunter, we'll help turn your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity into an unforgettable experience.
Whether you've already drawn a Pennsylvania elk tag or you're planning ahead for a future season, we're here to answer your questions and help you prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime hunting experience.
PA Backcountry Outfitters can guide hunters throughout Pennsylvania elk country based on the zone awarded. Contact any member of our team below to discuss your tag, hunt zone, availability, pricing, lodging and preparation.
Dean Carper
Senior Guide
814-413-5338
Matthew Lutz
Owner/Guide
582-262-7502
Madyson Carper
Owner/Guide/Reservations/Customer Service
814-762-4673
Email
Backcountryoutfitterspa@gmail.com
PA Backcountry Outfitters - PA elk guides providing professional, ethical and personalized guided hunting experiences throughout Pennsylvania elk country.
51 Back Street, Frenchville, PA 16836