Elk license by auction; poaching probed

A bill that would put one Pennsylvania elk-hunting license up for auction has sailed through the Pa. House of Representatives and is now before the State Senate.

Under House Bill 1695, an elk-hunting license would go to the highest bidder, with proceeds from the auction to be used for elk habitat improvements.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation might be enlisted to conduct the auction. A previous version of HB1695 had designated RMEF as the auction partner, but the bill that passed the House by a 198-0 vote

specifies that the auction will be conducted according to the Commonwealth Procurement Code. No more than five percent of the proceeds will go to the auctioning agent.

Pennsylvania residents and out-of-state hunters will be eligible to bid. HB1695 specifies that only one license would be sold by auction.

HB1695 is now before the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee.

There are about 700 elk in the Pennsylvania herd, according to the Pa. Game Commission.

Bull elk poached On a related note, game officials

last week were summoned to State Game Lands 14, across from Moore Hill Cemetery, where poachers killed a large bull elk. The 6 x 7 antlers and portions of the torso had been removed.

According to Wildlife Conservation Officer Doty McDowell, an anonymous tip led authorities to two suspects over the weekend. The rack and a portion of the elk meat were recovered.

McDowell said charges against two young men from Cameron County will be filed with District Judge Alvin Brown.