The first sound may catch you off guard. A high call carries across the field, followed by another from somewhere beyond the trees. It is elk bugling season in Pennsylvania, and September is one of the best times to hear it.
Each fall, bull elk bugle during the rut, or breeding season. The Pennsylvania elk bugling season generally begins in mid-September and continues into early to mid-October. During this time, elk become more active, especially around dawn and dusk.
For travelers willing to get an early start or stay until evening, Pennsylvania’s Elk Country offers a fall experience unlike the usual festivals and scenic drives.
Start Your Elk Country Trip in Benezette
The small community of Benezette sits at the center of Pennsylvania’s elk range. A good first stop is the Elk Country Visitor Center, where exhibits share the history of Pennsylvania’s elk and ongoing conservation efforts.
The center’s 245 acres also give you plenty of room to look for elk. Three easy trails lead to viewing areas, or you can take a 45-minute covered wagon ride through the property.
September and October are busy months here, and for good reason. Elk are wild, so sightings are never guaranteed. Your chances improve if you arrive shortly after daylight or during the hours before dark.
Bring binoculars and give yourself time. You may hear the elk before you see them.
Listen for the Bugle
The bugle of a bull elk is hard to mistake once you hear it. During the rut, bulls use these calls as they compete for cows and challenge other males.
You may also see bulls gathering cows or squaring off with rivals. The activity makes September and early October one of the most popular times to visit Pennsylvania’s elk range.
Early mornings and evenings provide the best opportunities. Elk tend to move more around dawn and dusk and often rest during the warmer part of the day.
Head to Winslow Hill
After visiting the center, continue into the Winslow Hill area, one of Pennsylvania’s top spots for watching elk. Along Winslow Hill Road, a viewing area overlooks managed elk habitat, with off-road parking and a pavilion.
From there, follow Route 555 through the heart of Elk Country. Stop at the Hicks Run Viewing Area, where a viewing blind offers another chance to watch for elk. Early morning and evening are often the best times to catch them moving through the area.
As you travel between Benezette, Weedville, and Driftwood, keep watch along the surrounding fields and forest. Elk sometimes appear near the road, so take your time and drive carefully.
Give the Elk Plenty of Room
Seeing a bull elk nearby can be exciting, but fall is not the time to approach one.It’s recommended you remain 100 yards away from elk. Never feed them, and don’t leave designated viewing areas to get closer. Bulls can become aggressive during breeding season.
A pair of binoculars or a telephoto lens provides a closer look without disturbing the animals.
Make It a Fall Road Trip
Don’t be too quick to head home after your elk encounter. With forested hills, winding roads, and the Bennett Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek nearby, there is plenty to explore around Benezette.
Make a day of it with a drive through Elk Country, followed by dinner at a local spot. Better yet, stay overnight and head out again the next morning. Since elk are most active around dawn and dusk, you’ll have another opportunity to see—and hear—them.
There are plenty of ways to welcome fall, but hearing a bull elk call across a Pennsylvania hillside is hard to forget. So, this September, head to Elk Country and listen closely. You may hear the bugle before you ever see the elk.
