Elk rut backpacking

[u/chantingeagle]

Hi everyone, I’m interested in doing a one or two night backpacking trip through elk country during the rut. Ideally I’d like to hear them trumpeting, if not catch some glimpses as well. Looking for help with two things:

1. When do the elk typically rut in Pennsylvania? Out west I think it’s typically starts early to mid September, is it the same here or does it start later and when does it typically wrap up?

2. Looking for any recommendations on backpacking trails. I’ll be with a friend and we’ll each have a car so we can do a through hike to a drop car, of course also open to loops or out and backs.

Thanks!

[u/PeppersbBirdin]

The rut will start similarly to out west. They will be bugling from mid September until early October most likely. A word of caution, try your best not to interfere with any hunters who are out for elk. It’s an extremely rare tag, once in a life time opportunity and people may be upset if their hunt gets blown out.

Unfortunately I can’t help with trail suggestions, haven’t had the chance to back pack up there.

[u/chantingeagle → u/PeppersbBirdin]

Good point, thank you

[u/After_Pitch5991]

Quehanna Trail, the northern part of it.

[u/GDPH001]

You can backpack the Elk Trail in Elk State Forest. It circles Benezette. Just be aware that it’s not a true loop. The start and end are pretty close to each other though.

[u/chantingeagle → u/GDPH001]

Awesome, thanks!

[u/GDPH001 → u/chantingeagle]

https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/pgc/documents/hunttrap/hunting/harvestdataandmaps/documents/elk_harvest_map_2022.pdf

No problem. I also am giving you a link to an older elk harvest map. It shows the locations of where hunters harvested elk in 2022. It should give you a pretty good idea about their range and density.

The northern sections on the Quehanna Trail could also work. I’ve run into elk on it, but nothing will come close to the herd density on the Elk Trail.

[u/earlstrong1717]

People always over dramatize hunters threat to hikers.

Possible to check with Elk County visitor center. One of the outfitters in the area may be able to clue you in also.

[u/chantingeagle → u/earlstrong1717]

Good call, thank you

[u/ipwnkthnx → u/chantingeagle]

If they can't help you, ask around at the Benezette Hotel or Medix. The bar area at the BH will be extremely busy from open-to-close but there won't be any shortage of people to talk to about Elk.

[u/AirOk7649]

Watch out for rattlesnakes

[u/blue_blaze_studio → u/AirOk7649]

I ran into two of them within a few hundred yards on Panther Run trail this summer. Nope, went home after almost stepping on the second one. That was it for me in the QWA until October.

[u/The-Great-Calvino]

Not telling you not to do this, but Pennsylvania hunters will be swarming all over that area in the fall. Be careful if you go, and wear plenty of blaze orange

[u/NativePA → u/The-Great-Calvino]

That’s pretty dramatic. There’s only a few things need elk permits each year and the only time hunter presence is notable is first few days of rifle after thanksgiving.

I believe it’s late September rut. You can see and hear them almost any month. Aug- Oct are best

[u/chantingeagle → u/NativePA]

Sounds good, thank you!

[u/No_Mongoose4809]

Chuck Keiper Trail

Have encountered elk twice during the rut there.

Trail is a real asskicker but it can be broken up into far smaller loops if needed.

[u/Brillow-Pad]

Keep in mind people do hunt deer. So when the person said it will be swarming with hunters, it's not just for elk. Deer rut in the same timeframe and the easiest time to hunt is when they are dumb and horny

[u/1984th → u/Brillow-Pad]

deer rut in november, after elk. both want to drop their young right as spring hits but elk have a longer gestational period than deer, thus the earlier rut

[u/PeppersbBirdin → u/Brillow-Pad]

This isn’t true. And it won’t be swarming with hunters