My God, just lock this thread already. Just start a Bash Ritz thread.

 

And how do we get signed up for that?

 

Many of those complaining about what Ritz have also done the exact same thing.

 

What an awesome animal!! My heart would've been pounding out of my chest watching him heading my way. Great camera work and the guides made it all happen. Congrats to all involved........what a fantastic PA trophy!

 

In 47 years of hunting we put down 3 wounded deer with weapons we were hunting with after dark. I could care less what anyone thinks, and I’d do it again in a minute.

 

I like it. Does before hoes. 🤣

 

When Ritz drew a bull moose tag in Maine, he passed up bulls and went home empty handed. Not too many would do that.

 

Heck no. 15 years ago I paid $4k for an auction tag in VT and right at dark on day 4 I saw a Cow and since that was the first Moose I saw I hit send on my 30-06. I wasn't paying all that money to go home empty. On day 5 a local kid sat in my spot and shot a Bull that dropped at the shot but they never found. Oh well

 

just sent an E-mail to senator laughlin. its in the political section.

 

I can say that last year during my elk hunt the outfitters called the pgc when elk were hit and not recovered by the end of hunting hours. The pgc wanted details and locations, before deciding on what to do. They can and do give people the ok to track or finish an animal if it is a likely potential lethal hit.

All the outfitters know this and are not going to risk any problems, even more so with a celeb and a filmed hunt.

 

The pgc wanted details and locations, before deciding on what to do.

You think they'd give that much deliberation over a whitetail doe?

 

Guy did a great job putting PA elk hunting in a positive light.

 

Agreed.

 

No way will a WCO authorize someone to finish off an animal after dark.

 

No, it happened here in Zone 13. I believe it was 2015, the first year for that new zone. A guy was hunting with an outfitter, had a bull tag. On the last day of the season, with only minutes of legal light
left, they found a bunch of elk on SGL 100, off the Stateline Road. The hunter shot, and gut / liver hit a decent bull. It bedded down, and they could see its eyes shining. They had no rifle, as it was after hours.The outfitter called the PGC asking for direction, and the Centre County warden came out to where the bull was bedded. It wasn’t getting up. He had the hunter kill it where it was laying, in the dark, with a light.

What was interesting, even though he opened the gate and drove about 3/4 of a mile into the SGLs, he wouldn’t allow the outfitter to use his vehicle to get the elk out, nor would he bring it out for them. They had to bring it out without a vehicle.

Two of my buddies came out to help get the bull out to the gate, they worked for the outfitter.

 

Just so everyone is aware next year I plan on being drawn for a Maine moose and a PA bull tag. Calling my shot now.

 

Pretty awesome hunt. Great job guys. Thanks for sharing.

 

Big deal I will go with the 14 year old girl over a high dollar hunter!

 

Our elk hunt is a lot of fun. I'll go along with whoever has a tag and will let me.

 

So what zone was this killed in ?

 

Does before hoes, love it.

 

Congratulations Greg and the ECO team! Video was worth the wait!

 

I am a usurper and I wear it with pride. I don't roll around in bed at night worrying about it. Kinda the big reason why I don't get wrapped up in this stuff like some do.

 

If you contact the GC they will allow a hunter to take a weapon in after dark to finish off a wounded elk.

 

then they would have to do the same for deer and bear. . OH WAIT......elk are special and can bend the rules

 

Elk County, Pennsylvania (Sept. 24, 2025) – Hunt Masters Executive Producer, Host, and T/C Arms President & CEO Gregg Ritz has successfully harvested a bull elk with Mathews Archery in Pennsylvania, marking not only a personal achievement but also a milestone moment in the ongoing story of conservation within the Keystone State. Drawn from the lottery and guided by Elk County Outfitters, Ritz’s hunt underscores the incredible opportunities made possible through the conservation efforts of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Keystone Elk Country Alliance (KECA), and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF). Once nearly extirpated from the state, Pennsylvania’s elk herd now thrives as one of the nation's most celebrated conservation success stories. “Harvesting an archery bull elk in Pennsylvania is more than just a hunt; it’s the culmination of decades of habitat restoration, wildlife management, and sportsmen-funded conservation,” said Ritz. “This experience proves what can be achieved when hunters, outfitters, and conservation agencies work together to protect our wildlife heritage.” The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has supported Pennsylvania’s elk program since its reintroduction, investing in habitat restoration, land protection, and educational initiatives that directly benefit the herd. With KECA and state partners, RMEF has helped secure thousands of acres of critical habitat, expand access for hunters and wildlife enthusiasts, and ensure that elk populations remain strong for future generations. “This hunt represents a full-circle moment,” said a representative from Elk County Outfitters. “Gregg’s success showcases not only Pennsylvania’s thriving elk herd, but also the importance of conservation partnerships, spanning from local organizations to national groups like RMEF that continue to keep this legacy strong.” As Hunt Masters prepares to air this remarkable episode next Summer on Outdoor Channel, audiences nationwide can watch the hunt unfold on Hunt Masters’ social media platforms and YouTube channel. Viewers will witness Ritz’s pursuit and the deeper narrative of conservation stewardship in Pennsylvania, where the spirit of the elk and the resilience of the land come together in one unforgettable story.​

 

I've personally called in once. It was to track a bear after dark, and I was told I couldn't take my bow.

I was with a couple of friends who made a bad shot on a buck late in the day on the first Saturday of rifle season years ago, and they wanted to follow up the following Sunday morning. They called the PGC, and they said the person on the other end of the line was adamant that they couldn't take a firearm with them. We ended up dispatching the buck with a knife.

 

We ended up dispatching the buck with a knife.

Isn't that a weapon, too?

 

We need RSB' s input

 

My guess is that he's too wise to jump in this one. There's already way too many on here who jump at the opportunity to argue every single thing he says.

 

I'm curious if they called a dog in to find that bull?

 

Probably. Look how it was buried deep in that mountain laurel. Lol!! I got a chuckle out of that.

 

I will give you my opinions on the subject.

First of all though the wording of the law does make tracking, even of wounded game, part of the act of hunting. That means it is technically illegal to track game after hunting hours. That would also make it technically illegal to have a firearm or bow with you on an injured animal's blood trail after hunting hours.

But, with that said even though the wording of the law is clear I don't for one minute believe the legislative intent of the law was to prevent hunters from tracking and recovering deer after hunting hours. Nor do I believe the legislative intent was prevent a person from dispatching an animal that was down and unable to get up after hunting hours. Legislative intent has been successfully argued in court on cases where the law was technically violated but the violation was outside the parameters of what the Legislature had intended when the law was passed.

Therefore, I never had a problem with anyone tracking and recovering wounded game after hours even if they were using a light to do it. Over the years of my career I encountered many people tracking wounded game after hours and when I had time I would help them look. To me it just never made sense for them to possibly not recover game or have it eaten by a bear or coyotes by waiting until the next day.

I never had a problem with them also still being in possession of their bow or firearm if they were still searching and hadn't been back to their vehicle to safely store their equipment before looking for the wounded game. Nor, would I have any problem with them dispatching a wounded animal that was down and unable to get up and run away. If the animal was still getting up and running from them I would not suggest they shot at it though.

Those are grey areas of the law and different officers might disagree with the way I view it. The way it would be enforced, or at least successfully prosecuted, would be more dependent on the way the local courts would look on the difference between the black and white words of the law verses the meaning, practically and legislative intent of the law.

It is still a good idea to call the Game Commission if you are somewhere practical or even possible to do so then be guided by the local officer's advice when you have a need to track a wounded animal after hours. It might not even be a bad idea to broach the subject with your local officer before you find yourself in the situation where you have the need to track wounded game after hours.

Dick Bodenhorn

 

I will give you my opinions on the subject.

First of all though the wording of the law does make tracking, even of wounded game, part of the act of hunting. That means it is technically illegal to track game after hunting hours. That would also make it technically illegal to have a firearm or bow with you on an injured animal's blood trail after hunting hours.

But, with that said even though the wording of the law is clear I don't for one minute believe the legislative intent of the law was to prevent hunters from tracking and recovering deer after hunting hours. Nor do I believe the legislative intent was prevent a person from dispatching an animal that was down and unable to get up after hunting hours. Legislative intent has been successfully argued in court on cases where the law was technically violated but the violation was outside the parameters of what the Legislature had intended when the law was passed.

Therefore, I never had a problem with anyone tracking and recovering wounded game after hours even if they were using a light to do it. Over the years of my career I encountered many people tracking wounded game after hours and when I had time I would help them look. To me it just never made sense for them to possibly not recover game or have it eaten by a bear or coyotes by waiting until the next day.

I never had a problem with them also still being in possession of their bow or firearm if they were still searching and hadn't been back to their vehicle to safely store their equipment before looking for the wounded game. Nor, would I have any problem with them dispatching a wounded animal that was down and unable to get up and run away. If the animal was still getting up and running from them I would not suggest they shot at it though.

Those are grey areas of the law and different officers might disagree with the way I view it. The way it would be enforced, or at least successfully prosecuted, would be more dependent on the way the local courts would look on the difference between the black and white words of the law verses the meaning, practically and legislative intent of the law.

It is still a good idea to call the Game Commission if you are somewhere practical or even possible to do so then be guided by the local officer's advice when you have a need to track a wounded animal after hours. It might not even be a bad idea to broach the subject with your local officer before you find yourself in the situation where you have the need to track wounded game after hours.

Dick Bodenhorn

Cue the countdown to someone coming on to tell you that you’re wrong. Or start a line of questioning trying to make it look like you disagree with the PGC…………..

 

Only a couple of these tv guys show everything; good, bad, & indifferent. Thats the ones I watch, most like this guy only show highlights. It is what it is & makes no difference now but as I said early on its obvious that bull wasn't dead too long before the hero shots.

 

liver / gut shots take some time to kill the animal. especially if he just nicked or missed the liver. it could have died shortly before they found it.