Below is a news release from the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will help raise money for conservation by auctioning off a Special Conservation Elk License.
A number of changes meant to update and improve Pennsylvania’s elk license application system were given final approval by the Board of Commissioners.
The changes won’t take effect until published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, which usually takes about six weeks.
First, all hunters will be required to first buy a hunting license before applying for an elk tag. Current regulations allow anyone to submit an elk license application but only require applicants to buy a license if drawn.
Second, hunters no longer will be required to include their Social Security numbers or hunter ID numbers on applications. Because a hunting license will be needed to apply, that information already will be in the licensing system.
Third, no more than 10% of available elk licenses in any given year will be awarded to nonresidents. Previously, there was no limit, and while the percentage of tags going to nonresidents typically had been about 10%, it has increased in recent years to as high as 13%, which drew concern from residents.
Fourth, any hunter drawn for a bull elk license will be ineligible for another, a limit not now in place. Previously, a hunter who drew a Pennsylvania bull elk license could, after five years, enter the bull tag drawing again, in hopes of getting selected a second time.
Under the change adopted by the board, beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, any applicant who draws a bull elk tag will be ineligible to apply for a bull tag ever again.
Those who drew a bull tag prior to Jan. 1, 2026, still are eligible to draw a second bull tag. And those who draw a bull tag after Jan. 1, 2026, will only be able to apply for a cow tag going forward.
This limitation does not apply to the Special Conservation Elk Licenses auctioned and raffled off by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Keystone Elk Country Alliance, respectively.
Fifth, the Game Commission updated the language describing how the drawing is conducted. When the description was first written, paper applications were literally drawn by hand from a rotating barrel. Now, tags are drawn electronically. The change better reflects the existing drawing process.
And finally, the agency officially eliminated the requirement that hunters who draw an elk tag participate in an orientation program. The program no longer is conducted.
The application period for a Pennsylvania elk license, which in recent years has begun in February for licenses awarded in July, is not expected to change. An applicant will need to hold a valid hunting license at the time they apply.
(Photo credit: Pennsylvania Game Commission)