Last Tuesday Geralyn Pundzak, Kathy Miller and I made a one day trip to see the elk near Benezette, PA. During the rut, September-October, the males pursue the ladies, spar with other males and “sing” a bugling love song.
Our first two stops came up empty and we began to worry that we’d miss them. Geralyn, who drove us there, said she wouldn’t leave until she saw an elk. The pressure was on!
At Woodring Farm we heard an elk bugling on the hill above us. He soon crossed the gravel road only 100 yards away, then stopped to bugle among the trees. I was so excited I forgot to take pictures.
On our way to Dents Run we saw an elk lying down, almost on a front porch. Was he a statue? No, his head moved! We returned to an elk traffic jam and took these photos.
In addition to the elk we enjoyed birding, scenic overlooks, and the Field of Flowers at Woodring Farm.
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Visit Elk Country now while the elk are bugling and the leaves are changing.
(photos by Kate St. John)
My daughter and I are going up tomorrow and staying overnight in St Mary’s. My daughter, a friend, and I went last year twice and enjoyed both experiences. It was cool hearing them bugle and wonder how they can keep that heavy rack steady on their heads.
Hi Kate,
Here is a website that you can watch the Elk . The elk are there most days. Early in the morning and early evening. http://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/Elk/Pages/default.aspx
Haven’t been to Benezette in a very long time. But I had a friend who had a camp there. Then he built a log cabin.
That third picture is a perfect illustration of why the residents of Benezette call them “nuisances”! 🙂
And the “elk” traffic jam does too! Saw that many times.
Great pictures, Kate! I really was sure he was a decoration on someone’s porch when we first saw him sitting there.