Saturday morning found me heading out on the road for my long-awaited PA elk hunt in Cameron/Elk Counties on public lands.

The process of obtaining a PA elk tag really depends on two things: following the application process and secondly the luck of the draw.

Every year out of thousands of entries from all over about 25 bull tags and 100 cow tags are awarded. I like many other Pennsylvania hunters faithfully submitted our applications for the coveted elk tag. Over 15 years I had hoped with each drawing to be picked and finally it happened.

The PGC presents a very structured event which requires significant focus for the hunter. Each successful applicant was required to purchase an elk license as well as a current hunting license and was required to observe an informational video that was elk hunt specific. Although I had friends that were going to volunteer their services to assist me in the hunt this was not allowed.

The PGC did have a list of registered guides that were preapproved to aid hunters in this hunt. Later I found that most hunters will need all the help they can get in this six-day hunt.

I finally arrived at my location Hicks Run Outfitters and was met by Jeff and Janet Colwell, my hosts for the week. I had drawn a bobcat permit years ago and Jeff was able to help us with his knowledge of our quarry and the habitat. However, this week he was working with me on one of PA’s most prized hunt the PA elk hunt. I also had a back up plan when the Bryan boys showed up for a week of equestrian camping and trail riding. They had recently obtained their guide permits and offered their services as well. I would be hunting remote areas miles off the beaten path and packing out an elk is no job for the faint of heart.

Elk State Forest and my hunting areas would be the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds and no place for someone who wasn’t committed to the elk hunting experience.

During this hunt I would work with two guides, Bruce and Brian, both who have plenty of hunting experiences.

I must admit that after looking over the extensive trails, numerous waterways and dark forests there were some doubts creeping in to my resolve.

The weather was not helping with heavy rains, high winds and miles of hiking before me. The first two days left me both soaked and sore as we searched for fresh tracks. Two days into the hunt Bruce had to bow out and Brian Rumsky had to take over. Brian and I got to know each other very well over the next 5 days as we logged in 50 miles of hiking trails and searching feeding areas.

After 5 days of grueling weather and being soaked and chilled I thought about pulling the plug, after all I hadn’t seen an elk in my hunting zone yet and hundreds were miles up the road in Benezette.

The elk viewing center was a popular place for both the elk and tourists. Unfortunately, the elk must have figured it out and knew that it was a safe place for them.

We had been searching for two elusive groups of elk and they always seemed to be a step ahead of us. There is a lot of territory to cover and only so much time unless you get a break. Brian and I were talking about perseverance and testing your mettle, we agreed that you may only get one chance at this hunt in your life time and we needed to see it through no matter how tired, cold or wet we felt.

Our break came on the last day of the hunt when one of the elk groups we were searching for came across the creek and into our zone. We would just need to make a stealthy stalk, ford several streams, crawl through thorns and make a sure shot. We discussed our strategy and put it into action, happy for the opportunity but unsure of the results.

We crawled up to a spruce and peered through the thick branches. Brian had a clever way to check the wind direction by using milkweed silk and following its path in the breeze. Perfect … we confirmed our target to each other and agreed on it to be sure of no error.

The testing of the mettle was now and we were able to see if it would pay off on the last day.

I made a solid rest in the boughs of the spruce and prepared to make my shot as I had done dozens of times on the practice range. Only this wasn’t practice and I took the shot … the quest was over I had harvested a PA elk and it was a terrific challenge and more than I ever thought a hunt in the PA Wilds could be. After quite a bit of PGC procedural requirements the Hicks Run Outfitters took over the processing and work needed to get the elk venison from field to table and let me soak it all in and get on my way back to Butler County.

For more information on the types of outdoor services offered by Hicks Run Outfitters contact: Jeff Colwell 814-787-4287 or at hicksrunoutfitters@yahoo.com.

Jay Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle