Every year, tens of thousands of hunters apply to hunt elk in Pennsylvania, but less than 200 are annually chosen for this opportunity. Hunters view the chance to hunt elk in Pennsylvania as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with many applying for several years without being selected. This opportunity is only heightened by the history of elk in Pennsylvania, as numerous efforts to bring elk to the state and provide suitable habitats for these animals were required to allow for this celebrated hunting tradition to take place.
 
That is why I plan to introduce a resolution designating October 3, 2026, the opening day of the 2026 first regular elk hunting season, as “Pennsylvania Elk Hunt Day.” The resolution will commemorate both the anniversary of Pennsylvania’s first regulated elk hunt and the 26th anniversary of the restoration of elk hunting in the Commonwealth. It will also recognize the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s longstanding efforts to restore, conserve, and manage the state’s elk population while raising public awareness of the elk’s historical, ecological, and cultural significance.
 
Pennsylvania’s elk herd is an important part of the Commonwealth’s natural heritage, and the annual elk hunt has become one of the state’s most celebrated outdoor traditions. Recognizing Pennsylvania Elk Hunt Day will honor the conservation efforts that made the restoration of elk possible while celebrating the sportsmen and sportswomen who help preserve Pennsylvania’s rich hunting heritage.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this resolution to recognize Pennsylvania’s elk hunting tradition, celebrate our wildlife conservation successes, and honor the Commonwealth’s hunting community.