A bowhunt for bugling elk in the Rocky Mountains is arguably the most exciting hunting adventure in North America. However, some guided hunts have crept above $20,000, and licenses on public land are very difficult to draw. If you live in Pennsylvania or another Eastern state, traveling “out West” adds another expense, compounded by the need (hopefully) to bring two hundred pounds of venison back home.
Fortunately, Eastern states have begun introducing elk into vast segments of public land, and the number of licenses issued grows each year. If you’d like to hunt elk in the east, you will find it cheaper and possibly a hunt you can do on your own. You can also scout the area you plan to hunt, stay at a local park or campground, and gain the knowledge critical to success.  Here’s a list of states that offer Eastern elk hunts and the contact information:
- Agency: Pennsylvania Game Commission
- Phone: 1-833-PGC-HUNT (1-833-742-4868) or 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453)
- Website: PGC Official Website [1]
- Agency: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR)
- Phone: 1-800-858-1549 or 1-502-564-3400
- Email: info.center@ky.gov
- Website: Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Elk Portal [1, 2]
- Agency: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR Wildlife Division)
- Phone: 1-517-284-9453 (517-284-WILD)
- Email: DNR-Wildlife@michigan.gov
- Website: Michigan DNR Portal [1]
- Agency: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC)
- Phone: 1-800-364-4263
- Website: AGFC Official Website
- Agency: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)
- Phone: 1-615-781-6500
- Website: TWRA Official Website
