The Eastern elk, or wapitis as they were known by the native peoples, once roamed the Eastern seaboard from upstate New York to as far south as Georgia. Pennsylvania was home to an abundant herd and could be found across the state, although the most abundant populations were in the Allegheny Mountains area.

As a prized source of both meat and hide the Keystone State’s elk were pursued wherever they could be found. Hunters with jacklights, dogs and in large parties would track the herds, killing as many as they could transport back to nearby settlements. It was not long before this unending pressure led to the elk’s demise.

In 1682, when William Penn first arrived in Pennsylvania, the elk population seemed endless. Like many species of fish and fauna, their abundance left settlers in awe. Settlers who were unaccustomed to seeing such plentiful bounty soon set out to take advantage of what Penn’s Woods had to offer. However, by the 1840’s elk were gone from the more populated southeast and Pocono areas. By the 1860’s small populations were found in the northcentral region and in 1877 the last reported elk kill was recorded in Centre County.

The once mighty elk no longer called Pennsylvania home. Future generations would not know the mighty bugle or see the majestic bulls roaming open pastures or rushing through thickets in search of a mate. At least not for many years to come.

Soon after its formation in 1895 the Pa game Commission began preparation to reintroduce elk to the state. Although much of the Eastern Elk population was either extirpated or seriously reduced in numbers, making it an unlikely candidate for relocation, the western Rocky Mountain Elk was still thriving in areas such as Yellowstone and Jackson Hole. This is where the PGC would secure Pennsylvania’s future elk herds.

The first elk were relocated in 1913 when the Game Commission purchased 50 elk from the Yellowstone herd. Their elk were released in Clinton & Clearfield counties, where they would form the beginnings of a new Pennsylvania population. 95 additional elk were released in 1915 with the herd being split between Cameron, Carbon, Potter, Forest, Blair and Monroe counties. By 1923 the herd was thriving, thanks in part to agricultural crops such as corn which they raided regularly, and a two week still hunting only season was established.

Early harvest numbers were strong, with an average annual harvest of approximately two dozen bulls. However, by 1931 that number had dropped to a single bull elk. The elk was once again vanishing from Penn’s Woods.

By the 1990’s the elk population was estimated at approximately 200 animals, much of which was concentrated in the Elk and Cameron counties. Because crop damage and interaction with humans was still a concern, the Game Commission trapped and transferred several elk to less populated areas, established a protected elk range on Game lands #311and invested in more robust elk management programs. By 2000 the population was deemed strong enough to support limited hunting and in 2001 the first hunt was held with over 50,000 hunters applying for only 30 permits. A similar permit system, with hunters being drawn for the chance to hunt, continues today. On July 26th, 140 such permits were issued for the 2025 elk season.

Although the Keystone elk population will never resemble that which greeted early settlers, it is nice to know that future generations will enjoy seeing wild elk in Pennsylvania again and maybe even hunting on.