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When hunter Michael Skvaria drew one of only 15 archery bull elk tags, he knew he had secured the hunt of a lifetime. That fortune peaked on Sept. 16, his 40th birthday, when he was in Centre County's Snowshoe Township. He arrowed a colossal 8-by-8. Green scored an astounding 428 inches gross, which, according to Outdoor Life, is likely to net score 395 inches; the 900-pound bull would decimate the current 381 1/8-inch record.
But now, weeks after the celebrations ended and the waiting game began, a new controversy has arisen: claims that the elk was taken illegally. The unidentified property owner filed a complaint, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission charged both guides with trespassing. According to the Centre County Gazette, guides Michael Conway of Port Matilda and Abner Druckenmiller of Milroy have been charged by Game Warden Cole Shompher. Both men's charges are for alleged violations of Pennsylvania Game & Wildlife Code Section 2314(a)(1) for trespassing on private property while hunting.
So, what does this mean for the potential record elk and hunter Michael Shvaria? For now, it remains unclear whether the bull will set a record. The rack is currently undergoing a mandated 60-day drying period, so no official score will be available until mid-November at the earliest. In addition to the official scoring, PGC officials have not yet determined whether the alleged trespassing will affect the rack's eligibility.
Organizations like the Boone and Crockett Club, which maintain national and international record books, enforce stringent rules, including Fair Chase ethics, that require all game to be taken in full compliance with local laws. How this potential record fares under those requirements is anyone's guess.
• Although guides Conway and Druckenmiller, both associated with Trophy Rack Lodge in Karthaus, have been charged, both have pleaded not guilty and continue to maintain their innocence. A summary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19 in front of Magisterial District Judge Allen Sinclair in Philipsburg. Until then, no one can predict what evidence will be presented or what the outcome may be.
• Michael Skvarla has not been charged with trespassing or any related violations of the Pennsylvania Game Code. Rumors circulate that the landowner did not want the hunter charged. PGC law enforcement supervisor Harold Malehorn said they did not pursue charges against Skvarla because he legitimately relied on licensed outfitters to guide him, which includes hunting within legal boundaries. Because Skvarla had no reason to believe the party had entered the property without legal permission, he was allowed to retain both the antlers and the meat.
• State and national record regulations clearly state that all animals must be taken through legal methods and in compliance with all local laws and state game regulations. Trespassing is a violation of state law and PGC regulations. If the guides change their plea to guilty or are found guilty at the November hearing, the elk was technically taken in violation of the law.
• Even though the hunter has not been charged, that does not erase the questions as to whether the overall hunt was legal. Only time will tell how state and record book officials will view this. Is it technically still a violation of the strict hunting ethics code? Or is it an example of a hunter being taken advantage of by unscrupulous guides and allowing any potential record stand?