Episode
Ep. 492: 2026 Pennsylvania Elk Hunting — New Seasons, New Rules w/ PGC Elk Biologist Jeremy Banfield
- Podcast
- East Meets West Hunt
- Published
- May 26, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 5096
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://www.eastmeetswesthunt.com/podcast
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Summary
Beau Martonik sits down with Pennsylvania Game Commission elk biologist Jeremy Banfield to break down the biggest changes to Pennsylvania's elk hunting program in years. They cover the new October season that overlaps the rut, once-in-a-lifetime bull tags, the non-resident cap and higher application cost, how bonus points from all three old seasons are now combined into one application, and the completely redrawn hunt zones numbered 301–309. Jeremy also gives an honest update on the current state of the herd — population estimates, bull to cow ratios, habitat improvements, and where CWD stands relative to the elk range. If you're applying for a Pennsylvania elk tag, this is required listening before July 12th. Apply at huntfish.pa.gov — drawing is July 25th at the Elk Expo in Benezette Topics: 00:00:00 – Intro 00:04:21 – Herd Population — 1,563 Elk and How They Count Them 00:10:31 – Bull to Cow Ratio and Why It's Too High 00:13:27 – CWD — What It Means for Pennsylvania Elk 00:17:21 – Why the Herd Grows Slowly by Design 00:23:05 – New October Season — Why It Was Added 00:26:47 – Resident vs. Non-Resident Changes 00:32:59 – Bull Tags Are Now Once in a Lifetime 00:33:50 – New Bonus Point System — One Application, Combined Points 00:41:11 – How to Apply and What Your Choices Mean 00:52:47 – New Hunt Zones 301–309 — How They Were Built 01:02:12 – Zone Selection Strategy 01:07:10 – Application Deadline and Drawing Day Details 01:16:08 – What Elk Eat and When to See Them 01:20:53 – Closing and Where to Find the Rules Instagram: @eastmeetswesthunt @beau.martonik Facebo…