Elk Hunting - Keystone Elk Country Alliance

2025 KECA Elk Tag - Winner Douglas Willis

I was raised on a beef cattle farm in Rice’s Landing, PA, which is in the southwest corner of the state. My father Jim, brother Bob, and myself respectively own 3 farms. Hunting and fishing have been in my life as long as I can remember. My first hunt was alongside my brother when he harvested a turkey. I was 9 years old. I was hooked for life but had to wait until I was 12 years old to hunt. In school, our librarian would give me the previous month’s copy of Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, and the PA Game News magazines. I read them cover to cover with writers like O’Conner, Keith, Peterson, Zumbo, Askins, and many more.

I killed my first buck with an open sight 30-30 Winchester and a gobbler when I was 19. Since then, I’ve killed a buck and a gobbler every year of my hunting life. I harvested a bear in 2011, 2013, 2016, and 2024. That’s FOUR Triple Trophies! I’ve harvested too many does to count. I hunt with my bow, rifle, inline muzzleloader, flintlock, and my shotgun. I’ve also taught my wife to hunt, even though she is not a big fan, my daughters, and now my grandkids.

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Needless to say, I LOVE THE OUTDOORS. I also spend a lot of time at our camp, “Band of Hunter’s Camp LLC,” located in Wharton, Potter County, with fellow members Jim Willis, Bob Willis, Gerry Grote, and myself.

2018 was the year I drew my first Bull Elk Tag in Zone 10 with the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Raffle Drawing. My guide was Elk County Outfitters, Sean “Squatch” Shaffer. My brother Bob was with me as I harvested a 5×6 bull in the Quehanna Wild Area. Lots of miles were put on both walking and driving. Not an easy hunt!

Fast forward to July 27th, 2025. I am starting to mow hay on our farm when I get a phone call from a number in Weedville, PA. Thinking it’s a telemarketer, I wanted to ignore the call. I then see on the screen it says “Elk,” so I answered. I hear a gentleman introduce himself as Jeff Gauger, President and CEO of the Keystone Elk Country Alliance. Jeff informed me that I was the 2025 KECA Bull Tag Winner! I was so excited that I could barely remember the conversation, but I was in awe! The most coveted Elk Tag in the US, if not the world, I had just won for a SECOND time!

I thought to myself, this has to be a dream! I called my brother, dad, and cousin Paul Burkett. We then spoke to Larry Guenot from Trophy Rack Lodge, and he said that he was going to guide my hunt until you get a bull, no matter how long it takes!

Bob and Paul said, “Let’s get shooting!” Paul lent me his 300-win mag, and we must have shot 50+ times, ranging anywhere from 100 to 400 yards. August 29th, we get a call from Larry that he has found a bull and asked how soon could I get there? Bob, Paul, and I arrived at 1:30 PM that afternoon. We met Morgan from KECA there to get a quick video shot of the excitement! We then took off to Sheppard’s Run in Clinton County near Tamarack. We planned to hunt on the gas lines and wood strip near where Larry spotted the bull in Zone 14. After getting to our spots, the bull appeared 400 yards away.

The bull was looking away, so we started to get closer. We stopped just as the bull turned toward us. I was not feeling steady as the bull started to move, and Larry cow called and finally stopped him. That’s when I realized that my tripod sticks were too close together. I was able to fix the stand and then took the shot!

After the shot, Dean, one of the guides at Trophy Rack Lodge, Paul, and Bob then showed up. I then had to take another shot to anchor him. What a life-changing event from the time I ordered the KECA Elk Tag Raffle to the phone call to the harvesting of a massive 7×8 Bull! I’d like to give many thanks to KECA, Trophy Rack Lodge, Larry, Vicky, Dean, Jacob, Tommy, and all the other guides that helped!

Written by Douglas Willis

2027 Pennsylvania Governor’s Bull Elk Tag

2027 Elk Tag

KECA has worked diligently to build the best Pennsylvania Bull Elk hunt package possible. With that in mind, our package consists of one 2027 Pa Bull Elk License along with an all-inclusive accessory package of: Guided 6-day hunt with lodging and meals by Trophy Rack Lodge, taxidermy ready skin/cape and regular cut/wrap meat processing by Country Butcher, LLC along with a shoulder mount. Hunt will be filmed by TomBob Outdoors for airing on Friends in Wild Places. Elk hunt dates: Determined by the PA State Game Commission, in any legal elk hunt zone. Winner must purchase PA general and elk hunting license in order to participate in hunt. Hunt winner will be selected during a live drawing on June 26th at 4:00 P.M. at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette, PA during the Elk Expo.
Winner need not be present to win. License must be purchased and used in 2027 and according to all applicable state hunting laws. Proceeds are used by KECA for conservation education programs and elk habitat improvements. SGOC #260082

2027 Elk Tag Raffle

Why Does Pennsylvania Have an Elk Hunt?

Many people are surprised to learn that Pennsylvania has a carefully managed elk hunting season. While seeing a majestic bull elk in the wild is a bucket-list experience for wildlife enthusiasts, regulated hunting plays an important role in conserving and managing the state’s elk herd.

Pennsylvania’s elk population is managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission through decades of research, habitat management, population monitoring, and scientific data collection. Wildlife biologists track herd health, reproduction rates, habitat conditions, and population trends to determine how many elk the landscape can sustainably support.

Each year, only a limited number of elk licenses are issued through a highly competitive lottery system. Tens of thousands of hunters apply annually, but only a small number are selected to participate in the hunt. These limited licenses help ensure that harvest levels remain sustainable while maintaining a healthy elk population for future generations.

Learn More About Elk Hunting

It Helps Maintain Elk Numbers

Regulated hunting is a wildlife management tool used across North America. In Pennsylvania, it helps maintain elk numbers at levels that the available habitat can support, reducing potential impacts on habitat quality, agricultural lands, and other wildlife species. Hunting also provides valuable biological data that wildlife managers use to make informed decisions about future herd management.

Pennsylvania’s modern elk hunt is a conservation success story. Elk were once eliminated from the Commonwealth, but through restoration efforts, habitat improvements, and responsible wildlife management, the herd has grown into one of the state’s greatest conservation achievements. Today, visitors travel from across the country to experience Pennsylvania’s Elk Country, contributing to local economies while supporting wildlife conservation.

The Pennsylvania elk hunt demonstrates the principles of modern wildlife conservation: healthy habitats, science-based management, public involvement, and sustainable use of natural resources. Through careful regulation and ongoing monitoring, Pennsylvania’s elk herd remains a thriving symbol of successful conservation.

Interested in learning more about Pennsylvania’s elk hunt? The Pennsylvania Game Commission provides detailed information about elk hunting seasons, license applications, hunt zones, drawing statistics, hunter eligibility, and important deadlines. Whether you’re considering applying for an elk tag or simply want to understand how Pennsylvania’s elk hunt is managed, visit the link below for the latest information and updates. Be sure to explore the interactive hunt zone maps and annual application details to learn more about this unique conservation opportunity.

Pennsylvania Game Commission - Elk Hunting