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KERSEY, Elk County - On Saturday, September 20, visitors to the Pennsylvania Outdoor Elk Expo witnessed the Pennsylvania Game Commission's public drawing to award elk licenses to 45 hunters for the upcoming season, which will be held November 3-8. There were 17,432 individuals eligible for the drawing. All 45 hunters selected to receive a license will be mailed a confirmation letter within a week.

"While there is great interest in the names of the hunters who will receive these 45 elk hunting licenses, by law, the Game Commission is not permitted to release information about our license buyers to the public," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "Beyond announcing the names and hometowns of those selected at the public drawing, we are not permitted to provide a complete list for public dissemination."

For the November hunt, 16 antlered elk licenses were awarded to Pennsylvanians, and one was awarded to a hunter from Florida. Pennsylvania hunters selected represent the following counties: Allegheny (2); Armstrong; Beaver; Berks; Blair; Bucks; Butler; Centre (2); Dauphin; Erie; Elk; Lackawanna; Northampton; and Potter.

Of the 28 antlerless elk licenses awarded, 26 were awarded to Pennsylvanians and one each was awarded to hunters from New York and Virginia. Pennsylvania hunters selected represented the following counties: Allegheny (2); Berks; Bradford; Clearfield; Clinton (2); Elk; Erie; Indiana; Lackawanna; Lancaster (2); Lehigh; Mercer; Montour; Northampton; Northumberland; Potter; Schuylkill; Tioga; Union; Venango; Washington; and Westmoreland (2).

Roe noted that preference points played a significant role in determining those drawn. According to results, 24 of the individuals selected for an elk license had six preference points; seven had five preference points; six had four preference points; three had three preference points; three had two preference points; and two had one preference point.

All 45 elk license recipients will receive in the mail two copies of the Game Commission's elk hunter orientation DVD or video, which they must view prior to the elk hunt. The second copy is to be previewed by their guide, if they choose to use a guide. Elk license recipients are not required to use a guide.

All elk license recipients must obtain a general hunting license prior to purchasing their elk license. Elk licenses cost $25 for residents and $250 for nonresidents.