Larry A. Smail's Blog

   I was in “Elk country” prior to daylight. I was in route to the Sinnemahoning area of Pennsylvania and planned to spend a couple of hours listening  and  taking photos of elk. The pre-dawn lighting allowed my eyes to focus in on elk feeding and bedding at a few spots. I parked at the top of a hill and could see additional elk at various places. I heard several bugling off in the distance. Of course, as the light intensified I could see elk far off in several directions and some closer.

I looked east and the early sky was brilliant in colors. The colors and cloud patterns reminded me off videos I saw of recent California wildfires. The colors were intense. The deep reds; yellows, gold and purples were vivid in color. However, I realized the,probable, outcome of such beauty and that was rain.

Elk were not my priority with this trip although I do enjoy seeing them about the management areas and forests of Pennsylvania. My goals were to fish the tributaries of the Sinnemahoning Creek for native Brook trout. I find having elk  running all over a good thing to be part of. Pennsylvania has a stable enough population that controlled hunting by licenses is reality.

Beech leaves

At one point I saw thirteen bull Elk running and feeding together. Some of the racks were impressive. On the way home I would spot a big bull sleeping at one point with eight cows and calves. I managed to get close enough for some decent photos. This was on state forest lands.

I would see a number of deer this morning feeding as well. This told me they were feeding because of the change coming in the weather. I saw one grouse, too. That is a very rare sight  anymore.

I continued to the George Stevenson dam controlling the First Fork of the Sinnemahoning Creek. The beauty of this area leaves me spellbound. The area is often called God’s Country. High steep mountains border the watershed area. Most of the leaves were already off the trees, but enough yellows and oranges of the oaks and Beech made for a great contrast of the “naked” trees and the big White Pines.

I realized the waterways would be high and swift from recent heavy rains. I didn’t try to fish the Sinnemahoning, but I would fish for native trout in a couple of tributaries. I will be adding more entries on my hiking; fishing and camping experiences.; bird watching