Elk Hunters Harvest 41 Elk

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe announced that 41 of the 51 licensed elk hunters were successful during the 2010 elk season, which includes a possible new state record for the typical elk category.  Of that total, 18 were antlered elk and 23 were antlerless elk. 
“Elk are one of North America’s premier big game animals,” Roe said.  “Pennsylvania is privileged to offer this unique hunting opportunity, a product of successful wildlife management that supports Pennsylvania’s rich hunting heritage.  It’s an unparalleled experience for hunters, particularly those who can’t afford to go on an expensive one- or two-week guided elk hunt out West.”
The heaviest antlered elk was taken by John A. Murray Jr., of Grindstone, Fayette County.  He took a 880-pound (estimated live weight), 7×7 on Nov. 1, in Benezette Township, Elk County. 
Those hunters rounding out the top five heaviest (all estimated live weights) antlered elk harvested, were: Charles H. Stowman, of Westover, Clearfield County, took a 868-pound, 8×7 on Nov. 3, in Grove Township, Cameron County; Domenic V. Aversa Sr., of Woolwich, New Jersey, took an 867-pound, 7×7 on Nov. 1, in Jay Township, Elk County; Richard R. Lundgren, of Kittanning, Armstrong County, took a 852-pound, 8×9 on Nov. 1, in Jay Township, Elk County; and James F. Wolfe, of Mercersburg, Adams County, took an 823-pound, 7×7 on Nov. 1, in Covington Township, Clearfield County.
Roe noted that the antlers from Aversa’s elk green-scored at 389 and seven-eighths on the Boone & Crockett Club’s official scoring system.  If that score holds after the required 60-day drying time, it will set a new record for Pennsylvania state typical elk taken with a firearm. The current record is held by John A. Polenski, of Meyersdale, Somerset County, who, in 2009,  harvested a 6×7 antlered elk that scored 370.
The heaviest antlerless elk was taken by Mark E. Gowarty, of Johnstown, Cambria County, who harvested a 582-pound (estimated live weight) antlerless elk on Nov. 2, in Benezette Township, Elk County. 
Those hunters rounding out the top five heaviest (all estimated live weights) antlerless elk harvested were: Nicholas J. Draghi, of Elmira, New York, took a 575-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 2, in West Keating Township, Clinton County; George R. Shupe, of Scottdale, Westmoreland County, took a 571-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 1, in Jay Township, Elk County; Russell P. Krut, of Beaver Falls, Beaver County, took a 555-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 3, in West Keating Township, Clinton County; and Timothy J. Conners, of Monroeville, Allegheny County, took a 549-pound antlerless elk on Nov. 4, in West Keating Township, Clinton County.
Roe also noted that Robert Ehle, of Orefield, Lehigh County, who was the successful bidder for the Elk Conservation Tag, harvested an antlered elk, as well.  Ehle harvested a 5×6 on Oct. 7, in Shippen Township, in Cameron County.   Ehle purchased the Conservation Elk Tag during the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundations’s national conference in early 2010, and was able to hunt from Sept. 1-Nov. 6.
Agency biologists extracted samples needed for chronic wasting disease testing. Results are expected in early 2011.
For more information on elk in Pennsylvania, visit the Game Commission’s Web site, choose “Hunting,” and then click on the photograph of an elk.