Pennsylvania Elk Hunting FAQ

I drew a Pennsylvania elk tag - what should I do next?

First, take time to understand exactly what you drew, including your season, hunt zone and whether your license is for a bull or cow elk. Those details become the foundation for planning your Pennsylvania elk hunt.

If you plan to hunt with a guide, this is also the time to begin talking with experienced Pennsylvania elk guides. PA Backcountry Outfitters develops each guided hunt around the hunter's specific tag, zone and season rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. Early communication gives our team time to begin planning, studying the hunt area and preparing for the season.

You can learn more about our Pennsylvania elk guide team and the experience they bring to Pennsylvania elk country.

When should I contact a Pennsylvania elk guide after drawing my tag?

As soon as possible. Pennsylvania elk tags are limited, and experienced guides can have availability fill quickly after the drawing. Contacting your guide early also provides more time to discuss your hunt zone, season, physical abilities, equipment, expectations and any special considerations before the hunt.

At PA Backcountry Outfitters, preparation begins well before opening day. The earlier we know which hunter, tag and zone we are working with, the more time we have to prepare a hunt plan around that specific opportunity.

Why should I hire a professional Pennsylvania elk guide?

Drawing a Pennsylvania elk tag is a rare opportunity, and many hunters have never hunted Pennsylvania's elk country before. An experienced guide brings knowledge of elk behavior, terrain, access, scouting, hunt zones and the logistics involved before, during and after a successful harvest.

A professional guide can also help a hunter avoid spending valuable hunt time learning unfamiliar country. Our goal is to arrive at opening day with a plan already built around the hunter's tag and the conditions we have observed during preseason preparation.

What should I look for when choosing a Pennsylvania elk guide or outfitter?

Experience matters, but hunters should look beyond a simple number of years in business. Ask how the outfitter prepares for individual tags, how much preseason scouting is performed, whether guides know the specific hunt zones, what services are included and what happens after an elk is harvested.

You should also look at the people who will actually be guiding you and the outfitter's history with Pennsylvania elk hunters. PA Backcountry Outfitters encourages hunters to meet our Pennsylvania elk guides and review our Pennsylvania elk hunting success and history when deciding whether our team is the right fit for their hunt.

How experienced are the Pennsylvania elk guides at PA Backcountry Outfitters?

PA Backcountry Outfitters brings together experienced Pennsylvania elk guides, successful big-game hunters and lifelong outdoorsmen who understand the preparation required for a Pennsylvania elk hunt.

Senior Guide Dean Carper has professionally guided Pennsylvania elk hunters since 2010 and has been involved in approximately 45 successful Pennsylvania elk hunts. Our guide team combines Pennsylvania elk experience, local knowledge, scouting and extensive hunting backgrounds to prepare for each hunter's individual tag.

Meet Dean and the rest of our team on our Pennsylvania Elk Guides page.

Where does PA Backcountry Outfitters guide Pennsylvania elk hunters?

PA Backcountry Outfitters guides hunters throughout Pennsylvania elk country based on the hunt zone awarded to the hunter. Because every tag is different, our planning begins with the specific zone, season and type of elk license you have drawn.

Pennsylvania elk country covers a large area with different terrain, access and hunting conditions from one zone to another. Our team develops each hunt around the area assigned to the hunter rather than limiting every client to the same location.

For more information about the areas we hunt, visit our Pennsylvania elk hunting zones page.

Do you guide hunters in all Pennsylvania elk zones?

PA Backcountry Outfitters can guide hunters throughout Pennsylvania elk country based on the zone awarded. The first step is knowing exactly which zone, season and license you have drawn so our team can evaluate the hunt and begin developing a plan for that specific tag.

Our approach is centered on the hunter's awarded zone. Scouting, access, terrain, elk movement and hunt strategy can vary considerably between areas, which is why preparation for an individual tag is so important.

Do you guide both bull and cow elk hunts in Pennsylvania?

Yes. PA Backcountry Outfitters provides professional guide service for both Pennsylvania bull elk and cow elk hunts. Each hunt is planned around the specific license, season and hunt zone awarded to the hunter.

Bull and cow hunts can require different strategies and expectations, so we approach each opportunity individually rather than treating every Pennsylvania elk hunt the same.

Visit our guided Pennsylvania elk hunts page for additional information about our bull and cow elk hunts.

How much does a guided Pennsylvania elk hunt cost?

PA Backcountry Outfitters currently offers guided Pennsylvania bull elk hunts for $3,500 and guided cow elk hunts for $3,000. Our hunts are designed to provide much more than simply meeting a guide on opening morning.

Pricing and included services can change, so hunters should always review our current Pennsylvania elk hunt pricing or contact PA Backcountry Outfitters before booking.

What is included with a PA Backcountry Outfitters guided elk hunt?

Our guided Pennsylvania elk hunts are built around preparation as well as time in the field. Hunt packages include professional one-on-one guide service, preseason scouting, lodging, meals and transportation associated with the guided hunt.

Our team also assists with the logistics surrounding a successful harvest, including elk recovery and transportation. The objective is to give the hunter a complete guided experience from preparation before the season through the work that follows a successful Pennsylvania elk hunt.

See our elk hunt pricing and package information for current details.

Is lodging included with my Pennsylvania elk hunt?

Yes. Lodging is included as part of our guided Pennsylvania elk hunt packages. Having lodging arranged allows hunters to stay focused on their hunt rather than trying to coordinate accommodations after drawing a tag.

If you have questions about lodging arrangements for your particular hunt, season or party, contact us before your hunt so those details can be discussed in advance.

Are meals included during my guided elk hunt?

Yes. Meals are included with our guided Pennsylvania elk hunt packages. We want hunters to be able to concentrate on the experience and the hunt while our team helps handle the details surrounding their time in Pennsylvania elk country.

Hunters with dietary restrictions, allergies or other special meal requirements should discuss those needs with PA Backcountry Outfitters before arriving for the hunt.

Can I bring a family member or guest on my Pennsylvania elk hunt?

We understand that drawing a Pennsylvania elk tag can be a major event for the hunter and the hunter's family. If you would like to bring a spouse, family member or other guest, contact PA Backcountry Outfitters before the hunt so we can discuss your plans.

Guest arrangements can depend on the hunt, lodging, transportation and the number of people involved. Discussing this ahead of time allows us to make sure expectations and arrangements are clear before you arrive.

How much preseason scouting do your Pennsylvania elk guides do?

Preseason scouting is a major part of preparing for a guided Pennsylvania elk hunt. Once we know the hunter's tag, season and hunt zone, our guides can begin concentrating on the area and developing a plan for that specific hunt.

Scouting can include learning current elk locations and movement patterns, evaluating access, studying terrain and identifying areas that may provide the best opportunities when the season arrives. Elk are wild animals and their locations can change, so scouting is an ongoing part of the preparation rather than something done only once before the hunt.

Will my Pennsylvania elk guide scout specifically for elk in my hunt zone?

Yes. Our approach is built around the specific tag and hunt zone awarded to the hunter. Pennsylvania elk zones can differ in terrain, access, elk distribution and hunting pressure, so information from one area may have little value to a hunter assigned somewhere else.

Our guides focus their preparation on the conditions and opportunities associated with your hunt. That zone-specific preparation is one of the reasons we encourage hunters to contact us as soon as possible after drawing a Pennsylvania elk tag.

You can learn more about the areas we hunt on our Pennsylvania elk zones page.

Does PA Backcountry Outfitters hunt both private and public land?

Depending on the hunt zone and circumstances of the hunt, Pennsylvania elk hunting opportunities may involve public land, private property or a combination of both. Access and elk movement can vary throughout the season, which is another reason our hunt planning is based on the individual tag rather than a single fixed hunting location.

PA Backcountry Outfitters works to identify appropriate hunting opportunities within the hunter's awarded zone while respecting property boundaries, landowner requirements and Pennsylvania hunting regulations.

What should I bring on a guided Pennsylvania elk hunt?

Hunters should arrive with the hunting license and equipment required for their specific season along with clothing and footwear suitable for changing Pennsylvania mountain weather. Comfortable waterproof boots, layered clothing, rain gear and the equipment you have practiced with are all important parts of preparing for the hunt.

Your exact needs can vary depending on whether you are hunting during an archery, general or late season and on the terrain and conditions expected in your hunt zone. PA Backcountry Outfitters will discuss hunt-specific preparation with you before your arrival so you know what to expect and what equipment to bring.

How physically demanding is a Pennsylvania elk hunt?

The physical demands of a Pennsylvania elk hunt can vary considerably. Some opportunities may be relatively accessible while others can require walking hills, uneven terrain, wooded areas or longer distances to reach elk. Weather and changing elk movement can also affect how demanding a particular day becomes.

Be open with your guide about mobility, health or physical limitations before the hunt. That information helps our team develop a realistic hunting plan around both the opportunity provided by your tag and your individual abilities.

How far should I be comfortable shooting before my Pennsylvania elk hunt?

There is no single shooting distance that every Pennsylvania elk hunter must be prepared for. Terrain, hunting method, weather, the animal's position and the hunter's ability all determine whether a shot should be taken.

Before arriving, hunters should practice extensively with the firearm or archery equipment they intend to use and understand their own effective range. A hunter should never feel pressured to take a shot beyond a distance at which he or she can make an accurate, ethical shot.

Our guides will work within the hunter's demonstrated abilities and the conditions encountered during the hunt. Knowing your equipment and your personal limitations before opening day is an important part of preparing for a successful Pennsylvania elk hunt.

What can I expect during a guided Pennsylvania elk hunt?

Every Pennsylvania elk hunt is different because every tag, hunt zone, season and hunter is different. Your guide will use preseason scouting, current elk activity, weather, terrain and access to develop a plan for each day of the hunt.

Conditions can change quickly, so hunters should expect the plan to remain flexible. Elk that were using an area during preseason scouting may move, hunting pressure can affect behavior and weather can change how and where elk travel. Our guides continually evaluate those conditions and adjust the hunt when necessary.

The goal is to combine preparation before the season with experienced decision-making in the field once the hunt begins.

What happens if the elk move before or during my hunt?

Elk are wild animals, and no guide can guarantee that an elk located during preseason scouting will remain in the same place when the season opens. Changes in weather, food sources, hunting pressure and natural elk movement can all affect where animals are found.

That is why PA Backcountry Outfitters does not build a hunt around only one animal or one location. Our guides use scouting, knowledge of the hunt area and current field observations to adjust the plan as conditions change. Being able to adapt is an important part of Pennsylvania elk hunting.

What happens after I harvest my Pennsylvania elk?

The work does not end when the elk is down. After a successful harvest, our team helps the hunter through the next steps of the process, including recovery and transportation of the elk.

A Pennsylvania elk is a very large animal, and having a plan for recovery before the hunt begins is important. Our guided hunt preparation includes planning for what happens after a successful shot so the hunter is not left trying to solve those logistics after the harvest.

Hunters can see examples of successful hunts with our team on the Pennsylvania elk hunting success & history page.

Does PA Backcountry Outfitters help recover and transport my elk?

Yes. Elk recovery and transportation are part of the services provided with our guided Pennsylvania elk hunts. Recovering an elk can require significant work depending on the terrain, distance from vehicle access and the location of the animal.

Our team plans for those possibilities before the hunt and assists with getting the harvested elk out of the field and through the next steps of the process.

What happens if an elk is wounded and needs to be tracked?

If an elk is hit but does not immediately go down, recovering that animal becomes the priority. The guide will evaluate what happened during the shot, look for available sign and determine the appropriate next step based on the circumstances.

Patience can be extremely important after a questionable hit. Pushing a wounded animal too quickly can make recovery more difficult, so decisions about when and how to continue tracking should be based on the evidence available in the field.

Our guides understand that responsible tracking and recovery are an important part of ethical Pennsylvania elk hunting.

Will you help with the Pennsylvania Game Commission check station, meat processing and taxidermy arrangements?

Yes. Our team can help hunters understand the steps that follow a successful Pennsylvania elk harvest and assist with the logistics involved in moving the animal through the required process.

We can also help hunters coordinate the next steps for meat processing and taxidermy so those decisions do not have to be figured out for the first time after an elk is already on the ground.

Official requirements can change, so Pennsylvania elk hunters should always follow the current Pennsylvania Game Commission regulations and instructions for the season in which they are hunting.

What happens if I don't harvest an elk during my guided hunt?

No ethical Pennsylvania elk guide can guarantee a harvest. Elk are wild animals, and weather, movement, hunting pressure, shot opportunities and many other factors can influence the outcome of a hunt.

What PA Backcountry Outfitters can provide is preparation, preseason scouting, experienced guide service and a hunt plan built around your specific Pennsylvania elk tag. Our guides will work to put the hunter in the best position possible while maintaining safe, legal and ethical hunting practices throughout the hunt.

For a look at hunts and hunters who have shared Pennsylvania elk country with our team, visit our elk hunting success & history page.

How do I book a Pennsylvania elk hunt with PA Backcountry Outfitters?

If you have drawn a Pennsylvania elk tag, contact PA Backcountry Outfitters as soon as possible with your hunt zone, season and whether you drew a bull or cow license. Those details allow us to discuss guide availability and begin evaluating your specific hunt.

We encourage hunters to ask questions and get to know the outfitter and guide team before making a decision. A Pennsylvania elk tag can represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and choosing a guide you are comfortable with is an important part of preparing for the experience.

To discuss your tag and guided hunt, visit our contact information, review our Pennsylvania elk hunt pricing, or learn more about our Pennsylvania elk guides.