Pa. Game Commission To Hold Drawing For Elk Licenses; Elk Guide Permit Application Deadline Approaches

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe said the agency's public drawing for the 2012 elk hunting licenses will be webcast beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 14. To view the drawing, a "Live Elk Drawing" icon will be posted on the agency's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) for individuals to click on and watch the drawing.

"Each year, tens of thousands of individuals apply for an elk license," Roe said.  "Unfortunately, not all of them can make it to the public drawings. And, due to financial limitations, we are only able to send notification letters to those who were selected to receive an elk license. By webcasting the public drawings, more people can view this drawing without having to travel to the agency's Harrisburg headquarters."

Beginning at 10 a.m., the agency will conduct the public drawing to award 65 elk licenses. Roe also noted that those who have submitted applications can check to see if they were selected, by Sept. 21, thanks to the Pennsylvania Automated License System (PALS). 

Presently, the status for all individual applications for elk licenses is listed as "Pending."  Once the database is updated, which is expected no later than Sept. 21, those who were selected for an elk license will see the status changed to "Awarded," as well as the designation of the Elk Hunt Zone and whether they were awarded an antlered or antlerless elk license.  Those not selected will see the status changed to "Unsuccessful."

To access the information, go to the Game Commission website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), and click on the blue box in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage.  Click on the "Purchase License Permit and or Application/Replace License and or Permit" option, which includes the ability to "Check on the status of any Lottery Application," scroll down and click on the "Start Here" button at the bottom of the page.  At this page, choose one of the identification options below to check your records, fill in the necessary information and click on the "Continue" button. Click on the appropriate residency status, which will display your current personal information.  At the bottom of the page, choose the "Check on the status of any Lottery Application" button, and then hit "Continue."

"While this may seem like a lot of clicking and box checking to get to the information, the system is designed to protect an individual's personal information, while at the same time enabling that person to check on the status of his or her applications, as well as their antlerless deer license applications," Roe said. "Prior to PALS, the only way to know for sure that you were awarded an elk license was to attend the public drawings, wait for a letter in the mail or to call the Game Commission.

"This year, thanks to PALS, we will be able to update the data files for each individual awarded a license shortly after the public drawing is completed so that they will be able to see for themselves if they were drawn for one of the licenses."

ELK GUIDE PERMIT APPLICATION DEADLINE APPROACHES

Anyone interested in applying to be an elk guide for the upcoming season should submit a completed application to the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Bureau of Wildlife Protection by Friday, Sept. 28.  Guide permits cost $25 for residents and $50 for nonresidents.

Applicants must possess a valid hunting license or qualify for license and fee exemptions under Title 34, Section 2706. Also, any application received from an individual convicted of a violation of the Game and Wildlife Code or Game Commission regulations within the last 10 years will be rejected. 

Guides may provide assistance in locating or tracking elk, and calling for elk, but they may not harvest an elk.  Permit applications may be obtained from the Game Commission's Harrisburg headquarters by calling 717-783-8164, or by contacting any of the Game Commission's six region offices.

The Board of Game Commissioners created the elk guide permit to allow experienced individuals, especially those who are familiar with or live in the elk range, to serve as guides for those who receive an elk license.  However, an elk license recipient is not required to hire a guide.

Guide permits are not required for those who only plan to accompany an elk license recipient, or those who plan to aid a successful elk hunter to remove an elk from the field.

Those seeking elk guide permits also should consult with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources concerning special guiding permits and requirements on state forest or state park lands. 

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SOURCE Pennsylvania Game Commission