More than 78 percent of the hunters participating in the 2016 elk hunt took home a trophy.
During the week-long elk season that ended Nov. 5, a total of 97 elk were taken by hunters. Those licensed to hunt antlered elk had a 96 percent success rate.
The 2016 harvest included 14 bulls, each estimated to weigh 700 pounds or more, with two bulls at more than 800 pounds. The heaviest bull taken was estimated at 824 pounds. That bull, which sported a 9 by 8 rack, was taken Oct. 31 by Stephen Winter of Perkasie.
The other 800-plus pound bull (813 pounds), which had a 7 by 8 rack, was harvested with a bow Nov. 4 by Steven Armburger of Guys Mills.
The largest bull in terms of rack size was a 9 by 8, harvested Nov. 2 by Joshua Fuqua of Clymer. Its rack initially was measured at 418 6/8 inches, according to Boone & Crockett big game scoring standards.
The second highest scoring bull, taken Oct. 31 by Donald Newman of Andreas, had an 8 by 9 rack which initially measured 407 2/8 inches. That bull weighed 776 pounds.
Other large bulls taken include a 6 by 7 weighing 797 pounds taken by Michael Baer of Waynesboro; a 6 by 7 weighing 761 pounds taken by Mark Butcher of Newport; a 6 by 7 weighing 745 pounds taken by Israel Messinger of Palmerton; a 6 by 6 weighing 741 pounds taken by Paul Scansaroli of Downingtown; and a 6 by 6 weighing 741 pounds taken by Eddy Stamm of Jersey Shore.
There also were large antlerless elk taken in the harvest. Eleven of the 73 cows taken by hunters during the one week season weighed over 500 pounds.
On Oct. 31, opening day of the elk season, 56 elk (10 bulls and 46 cows) of the 97 harvested were taken.
To participate in the elk hunt, hunters submit an application and are selected through a random drawing and purchase a license. The drawing annually attracts more than 30,000 applicants.