One of my favorite places to visit in the fall is Elk County, Pennsylvania. The area around the small town of Benezette to be more specific. Only 215 miles from our house this locale has the best wild elk viewing in the area...
The elk were transplanted from the vicinity of Yellowstone National Park in the early years of the 20th century. To say that the relocation project was successful is an understatement...
The population is thriving to such an extent that a limited hunt is held each year to prevent expansion to areas where they are not welcome...
Each fall visitors come many states to view and photograph these remarkable animals, and many hunters from other nations apply for a coveted elk tag. Their presence adds millions to the state's economy and benefits local residents greatly. The natural beauty of the area is stunning...
At any time, one might encounter an elk in the campground...
The surrounding hills resound with the bugling of bulls during the rut. Ruffed grouse can often be seen feeding near the many unpaved roads...
Thanks for visiting, be well, and come back soon.
I bad no idea there were elk in Pennsylvania, Steve! Beautiful photos. Elk were stocked in Southern West Virginia, but we have never traveled down there to see them.
ReplyDeleteA great big "NO THANKS" for encouraging more people to visit the Benezette area. Winslow Hill is already infested with tourists including those who come on tour buses or in 15-passenger vans. While the tourism may be an economic boon to some local residents, they're a decided plague to others. For those of us who've been photographing Pennsylvania's elk for 50 years the influx of tourists has spoiled the experience to the extent that many of us won't go back to the area.
ReplyDeleteHello Woody, it is good to hear from you. In regard to your recent comments, I have to respectfully disagree. I believe the future of all species is dependent upon making the general public aware of its' existence and encouraging people to appreciate and value that existence in a natural setting as opposed to just seeing photographs in a publication. I will never forget the thrill of standing on Winslow Hill in a heavy pre-dawn fog and hearing bull elk passing so close that I could hear their stomach contents sloshing around and not being able to see them. I understand that more visitors make photographing wildlife more difficult. We all have to remember that wildlife belongs to everyone, not just those of us who can afford long lenses and expensive cameras. The obvious question that comes to mind is: After 50 years of photographing elk, how many pictures do you need?
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