26 ELK TAKEN SO FAR IN '07 HUNT
695-pound, 7x7 largest animal so far

The six-day Pennsylvania elk season ends today (Saturday) at dusk.

As of Thursday afternoon, 26 of the 40 tags (25 cow, 15 bull) awarded in September's drawing, had been filled.

At press time, 10 bulls had been taken with the largest being harvested by Dennis Henry of Greensburg in a Clearfield County section of Hunt Zone 9.

Weighing in at 609 pounds dressed, the 8x7 bull was the heaviest bull taken so far and weighed an estimated 792 pounds while living.

Heaviest cow taken was 434 pounds dressed.

M. James Master Jr. of Gifford harvested a 695 pound 7x7 bull elk Nov. 5, on the first day of the special five-day elk hunt.

Master hired a guide from Elk County Outfitters, operated by Jack Manack.

Gifford is the most local of the elk hunters drawn. No Potter, Cameron or Elk county hunters were drawn.

The elk pictured above was taken by Aaron Richards of Duncannon.

The bull, a 6x6 with an estimated live weight of 768 pounds, was taken just after daylight on the opening day.

"It was an absolutely amazing experience," Richards said. "We could hear several bulls bugling and fighting just out of our sight. We just took our time and worked toward the herd. For the last 15 yards, I literally crawled on my belly with my face in the dirt, just to get close enough to take a good shot."

Richards was hunting with his friend Bryan Hale and a cow hunter who also had a tag for Management Unit 7.

The three men had scouted the area every weekend since their names were drawn.

Hale was able to capture the entire hunt on film, including the deadly shot from Richardss' 7mm.

"The footage is just unbelievable," Hale said.