Pennsylvania Elk Tags

[Mallardsx2]

Just read an article that broke down the demand….

in 2024 there were 109,780 apps for the 140 total tags

Sounds “almost” like Utah odds. Lol

 

[X13]

 

[KingOfTagSoup]

bonus point, not preference point sorry about that.

so the more years you enter the more times your name is in the hat. a lot of locals are upset because they have been putting in for 15-20years and haven't gotten drawn but someone will generally get drawn their first year. if it was a preference point there would be no reason for anyone to enter anymore since they give out so few tags/year

The problem with this system is the pool of applicants gets exponentially larger every year because each point is basically another ticket in the hat. This makes the odds in turn get exponentially worse.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Meh, PA is just trying to keep up with the Jones’s…

Aka; every western state that is currently reducing NR opportunity while simultaneously ripping them off and pricing them out.

How does one "rip-off" someone with a consenual, non required, transaction? So you know - the term "ripped off" usually means people arent lining up to buy one and theres not a wait. If anything - they are too cheap.

 

[Mallardsx2]

How does one "rip-off" someone with a consenual, non required, transaction? So you know - the term "ripped off" usually means people arent lining up to buy one and theres not a wait. If anything - they are too cheap.

Your probably the guy who thinks a 1/2-ton pickup is "worth" $80,000 as well. lol

Troll.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Your probably the guy who thinks a 1/2-ton pickup is "worth" $80,000 as well. lol

Troll.

Actually i dont. The vehicles i like the most at my place are 20 years old.

When something isnt what i consider a reasonable or fair price - i accept it and dont purchase it. It doesnt take a lot of my mental space or words. Its pretty normal really. Its how us "adults" deal with something in the world of capatalism.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Actually i dont. The vehicles i like the most at my place are 20 years old.

When something isnt what i consider a reasonable or fair price - i accept it and dont purchase it. It doesnt take a lot of my mental space or words. Its pretty normal really. Its how us "adults" deal with something in the world of capatalism.

Meh, PA is just trying to keep up with the Jones’s…

Aka; every western state that is currently reducing NR opportunity while simultaneously ripping them off and pricing them out.

Montana legislators propose raising nonresident hunting base fee by more than 500%

Three Montana legislators have drafted a bill that would raise nonresident base hunting fees by more than 500%.

www.montanaoutdoor.com

Brb thanking eric, gary, and curt. You can thank mr benjamin next year.

 

[cgasner1]

Sounds “almost” like Utah odds. Lol

I’ll keep at it with Utah and their odds. They have already rewarded me once. I won’t touch this since I can read.

 

[tim629]

The problem with this system is the pool of applicants gets exponentially larger every year because each point is basically another ticket in the hat. This makes the odds in turn get exponentially worse.

odds might get worse but they still aren't 0.

JT posted the 2020 numbers so 173 tags. if you had 3K people applying since day one even if the herd grew to where they had 175 tags/year that is 17 years to get through max point holders. that means only those that started we'll say in the first 5 years really have a chance in the future unless you start putting in for your kids.

I suspect the pool of applicants will ebb and flow but not grow by too much, especially with the new rules. The number of tickets in the hat will continue to grow but as that grows so does the number of times your name is in the hat and it only takes one.

 

[Corn king 60]

odds might get worse but they still aren't 0.

JT posted the 2020 numbers so 173 tags. if you had 3K people applying since day one even if the herd grew to where they had 175 tags/year that is 17 years to get through max point holders. that means only those that started we'll say in the first 5 years really have a chance in the future unless you start putting in for your kids.

I suspect the pool of applicants will ebb and flow but not grow by too much, especially with the new rules. The number of tickets in the hat will continue to grow but as that grows so does the number of times your name is in the hat and it only takes one.

 

[Corn king 60]

Looks like oil for everyone starting in 2026.

 

[WVTXn]

So many states are jumping in this “buy a qualifying” licence to apply, rather than just requiring it to hunt. But the odds are sooooooooo low to draw, it is clearly just a money grab. NR folks who don’t live near PA would be wise to look at those draw odds..they are way worse than most “almost impossible to draw” western tags. BUT - if you are near enough and want to use the licence and get after a whitetail, turkey, bear, small game, it could still be a good value to have the licence.

Bingo here. I’m done w PA after this. The attraction as a NR was the low cost of entry which justified the abysmally low draw odds. It DID pass basic cost benefit analysis. I won’t buy an out of state license yearly to pursue these low draw odds.

To the Keystone State……

NO DEAL. I’m out.

 

[Zak]

Just found this thread since I was looking into applying for PA elk next month. Doesn't even come close to being worth it with the new $102 qualifying license.

 

[johnnybow]

Just found this thread since I was looking into applying for PA elk next month. Doesn't even come close to being worth it with the new $102 qualifying license.

I agree with you if your out of state

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Just found this thread since I was looking into applying for PA elk next month. Doesn't even come close to being worth it with the new $102 qualifying license.

I was able to apply without purchasing a license. I thought this started in 2026?? Or did they change their minds?

 

[Zak]

I was able to apply without purchasing a license. I thought this started in 2026?? Or did they change their minds?

Yeah I read that it starts next year so I might put in one more time

 

[88man]

I can't believe we are giving NR tags, The NR tags should be over $3000 as the quality is very very high

 

[Bullshot]

I can't believe we are giving NR tags, The NR tags should be over $3000 as the quality is very very high

Have you noticed how hard PA pushes the “tourism” of elk in Bennezette area? Much of that is geared towards bringing in NR dollars and much of that is related to hunter (and hunter families) interest. It’s not just about tags, there is a whole elk economy there, and not much else. 10% NR tags is money well spent from PA point of view, just maybe not PA hunter point of view. You COULD always protest by refusing to apply, and so I think that is the best way for you to get your voice heard.

 

[Warner]

As a forester managing timber in the elk region of Pennsylvania, I can assure you the Game Commission looks at elk as a tourist attraction more than a managed game species. Elk numbers are shockingly high in places, making natural regeneration of hardwood species very difficult.however, it is important to the local economy. Hopefully they bring in landowner tags eventually. I wouldn’t complain about the numbers if I had an elk tag in my pocket!

 

[Commutair]

I drew a unit 12 bull tag as a NR. 5 points. Don’t give up. There’s hope. I made it. I leave next week for the hunt. I’ll be sure to update you guys.