Elk preference points

For those that apply. You are now able to see how many preference points you have for elk when you check the status of your applications/permits. Previously, you would have to call the PGC and they would look it up for you. I have 11 now. Some day, maybe I will actually draw a tag. 

dpms
If or when you draw a permit, will you hunt the elk with a crossbow?

Eman a person will receive preference points each year they apply for an elk permit but, are not chosen. Persons with points are given priority over those having fewer or no points next time around.

Just another way for the game commission to entice more hunters to apply.

Must not be working as I understand more elk permits are now being tossed on the table as bait.

Last I knew, the fee charged for elk permits is not refundable.

Pretty neat scam to generate funds for the coffers. But, as P. T. Barnum (is suppose to have) said " There is a sucker born every minute".

The way the game commission, and fish commission for that matter, leads the sportsman around reminds me of the old farmer that got his donkey to go where he wanted the animal to go by, dangling a carrot in front of the donkey's nose.

Certain information in this posting may be subject to correction. Except the reference to "The old farmer". That's a fact.

Hunt Safely......... The life you save may be mine.

I stand corrected. But, only (and only) on the points.

So if I read BeenThere's post correctly. Those of us who have spent the $10 on a chance for the tag lottery are suckers??? MMMM... Last I knew, your fee for a regular hunting licence was non refundable also.
Mike 

Correct you are Coyote but, you still get to hunt. There's just no guarantee you'll bag any game.

How is it we receive a refund should we not be 'awarded' a antlerless deer tag including the bonus tags.

Not wishing to P. in anybody's kool-aid but, you can rest assured that the game commission is laughing all the way to the bank.

Wish you the best of luck in the drawing and may you bag (no less then) a Royal.

I don't have an issue with the system. I have this year's entry plus six preference points. The only reason I don't have more points is there a few years I could not go if drawn, so I did not enter.

The only time I hunted for Elk was in 1998.  It took a year of research, whihc was a lot harder back then without th einternet as it is today, to find an outfitter that I felt comfortable with -- even talked to someone I knew that hunted with him.  Had to book two years ahead of time to get a slot.  Took a year to ge tin shape ad still was not in good enough condition.  Flew there a day early because of the time I needed to meet him at the airport.  Hunted six days at 6000 to 10000 feet in black timber and fire damaged areas.  Ttoal cost back then was about $5000 with everything except the long range rifle that I had no other use for.  And the only mammal I saw was a pine squirrel.
 
So dropping $10 a year for a chance to hunt within a few hours of home at a livable elevation in easy terrain where I feel I will at least see elk and have a great chance of actually harvesting one, is a no brainer.

just a couple comments...
 
#1 .. I agree it should be for Pa hunters ONLY....
#2 .. I HATE the idea that one tag goes to the highest bidder... that stinks !!!
#3 .. how much do I have invested in Pa elk hunting... absolutely ZERO ....

rocky mt elk group gets a "free" tag every year,, that they raffle off.
 
I'm talking the one that goes to highest bidder..one year I think it brought almost $25,000....

“RMEF appreciates this opportunity to raise funds to benefit Pennsylvania elk and Pennsylvania elk country,” said Dave Ragantesi, RMEF senior regional director. “We want to thank our conservation partners at the Game Commission who will receive 100 percent of the proceeds from the auction to put back on the ground. RMEF will absorb any administrative fees associated with running the auction.”  I do believe there is a stipulation somewhere that all of the money goes back into the elk herd.  I am looking into that. 

Jeeeesh SOOOOOOO much misinformation on this thread it's pathetic.....  Especially coming from some who want others to believe they have their fingers on the pulse of the PGC.
 
 
Elk preference points: You receive one point every year you elect to join the "lottery".
You can buy a "preference point" if you know you won't be able to hunt that year. Your name just won't be put into the drawing.
You can only gain ONE point a year. You either get in the drawing or buy a point.
It really isn't a preference point type of system. In a true preference system after so many entries you are guaranteed a tag. The first $100,000 is required by law to go back into the elk program.
 
The governors tag is a "highest bidder" tag. It is given to a outdoors/conservation group to auction off. I think this years tag was the fifth one to be auctioned.....  NWTF, DU, and this year RMEF have all had the opportunity to auction one off. I can't remember the others. I do believe it's an 80/20 split on the money for this tag, with the PGC getting the 80. RMEF reportedly gave all the proceeds from the tag this year to the PGC
 
Then there's the new one that was given to KECA (the ones that run the visitors center) that they raffle off for $25/chance. I heard tale that they raised over $160,000 almost all of which will go back into the conservation efforts in the elk range.
 
The way license numbers are allotted are mainly by a series of surveys conducted throughout the year, complaints. then the whole political factor. Surprisingly the political aspect of it is very minimal.
 
I know when I worked with the elk there were a couple times where people, both inside and outside the agency that wanted more tags allotted. But Jon DeBerti (the then head elk biologist) would show them the biological data that showed it wasn't needed.
 
It's been neat to watch the whole hunt process change, evolve, adapt over the years.