[Traderdave]

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

 

[TrashPanda]

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.

 

[Little Big Man]

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.

Must have been Greitzer.

 

[Little Big Man]

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

 

[bohunr]

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

 

[TBrom]

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.​

 

[WOL]

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

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

 

[indianahunter]

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

The WCO'S place cell cams at well known parking areas to monitor the elk hunter's. They require you to mark all kill sites. A 150 tags vs 450k.

 

[WOL]

The WCO'S place cell cams at well known parking areas to monitor the elk hunter's. They require you to mark all kill sites. A 150 tags vs 450k....

I am definitely not a fan of finding out, so I would definitely not I would say bears are more specialer than does as well. Call in to say you're tracking a doe after hours or a 600 pound bear. Might get more attention. Or, how about this. Call and say there's a roadkill doe in front of your house and can someone come and get it. Versus - there's a huge, 12 point buck laying in front of my house. Which one might get a visit.

 

[Bigbrownie]

Must have been Greitzer.

It was either Greitzer or Dan Murray. I don‘t remember.

 

[TBrom]

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.

 

[mfuff]

We need RSB' s input

 

[WOL]

We ended up dispatching the buck with a knife.

Isn't that a weapon, too?

 

[TBrom]

Isn't that a weapon, too?

They only said " no firearm."

 

[WOL]

They only said " no firearm."

So a crossbow would have been OK.

 

[TBrom]

So a crossbow would have been OK.

OK. All my buddies are still alive. I'll call them in the morning, and we'll turn ourselves in. The PGC said we couldn't take a firearm with us on Sunday, so we tried to comply and still recover the deer without it suffering any further, which we did.

 

[WOL]

OK. All my buddies are still alive. I'll call them in the morning, and we'll turn ourselves in. The PGC said we couldn't take a firearm with us on Sunday, so we tried to comply and still recover the deer without it suffering any further, which we did.

I'm not criticizing you. I'm criticizing the law that wouldn't let you shoot a deer you already wounded.

 

[TrashPanda]

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.

 

[mfuff]

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.

While I don't disgaree, RSB has always been able to provide added insight, reasons and examples above and beyond what is written in the hunting regs.
There may be very good reasons as to why a hunter may be given permission to recover game after hours with or without a weapon and it may vary from each individual wardens personal call to something else policy wise within the commission.
And, RSB has never been one to shy away from clearing things up.

 

[dce]

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