HARRISBURG - Hunters have until Aug. 27 to submit applications for one of the 40 elk licenses in Pennsylvania to be awarded during a drawing at the Elk Expo.

That is the last date for hunters to submit paper applications and a $10 non-refundable fee to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Individuals submitting applications through The Outdoor Shop on the agency's web site at www.pgc.state.pa.us have until Sept. 10.

The Game Commission set an earlier deadline for paper applications so it can process them in time for the public drawing on Sept. 25.

Elk season is set for Nov. 8 to 13.

Hunters who want to apply by mail can print the application from the web site, complete it and mail it to: Pennsylvania Game Commission, Elk License Application, P.O. Box 61890, Harrisburg, PA 17106-1890.

Elk Expo will be in Sept. 25 and 26 at the Elk County Fairgrounds in Kersey, Elk County.

The fourth annual Elk Expo will be a festival all about elk and enjoying the outdoors.

It will have national and local entertainment, seminars, demonstrations and presentations, contests, exhibitions, sports activities, elk watching shuttle buses, arts and crafts booths, food booths, educational displays, wildlife calling contests, and a marketplace with the latest outdoors equipment and clothing.

Dove season will open Sept. 1, as part of Pennsylvania's 2004 migratory bird seasons.Dove hunters once again will have the opportunity to participate in a triple-split season. The first season is Sept. 1 to Oct. 5. The second and third splits will be Oct. 23 to Nov. 20 and Dec. 27 to Jan. 1.In all three seasons, the daily bag limit is 12 and the possession limit after opening day is 24.Other bird hunting seasons are:Early Canada geese, Sept. 1 to 25. The daily bag limit is eight and 16 in possession.Woodcock, Oct. 16 to Nov. 13. The daily limit is three birds and six in possession.Virginia and sora rails hunting, Sept. 1 to Nov. 9. The daily and possession limits are 25 in the aggregate. The season for king rail is closed.Moorhen and gallinules, Sept. 1 to Nov. 9. The daily limit is 15, and the possession limit is 30.Common snipe, Oct. 16 to Nov. 20. The daily limit is 8, and the possession limit is 16.Young hunters will have a special day of waterfowl hunting on Sept. 25. Youth Waterfowl Day will be open to holders of junior licenses ages 12 to 15 and who are accompanied by an adult.