Larry A. Smail's Blog

The three day trip to northern Pennsylvania would not be complete without looking for Elk. I planned for several hours to search out and listen for these beautiful animals during our time near Benezette, Pennsylvania.  I had a lot of things I wanted to do so I needed cooperation with the elk as quick as possible.

  Laurie and I left our place of stay early and headed to the Winslow area where many elk may be spending their time. We drove to the bottom of a hill and walked upslope in heavy fog to listen for those bugling creatures. We weren’t disappointed. The big males were scattered around within a relative close proximity bugling and threatening each other. One bull had, at least, fifteen cows and calves in his harem. For a time the best we could see were an occasional darkened form.

In my allotted time trying to capture the Elk, I had to deal with dense fog and distances, so I failed to get the quality of photos I would have enjoyed. We saw many elk and a lot of deer, also.

Lifting fog

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My friend for years, Bob “Slim” Bowser, and I, needed to go to Potter County to retrieve some of the completed Wheatfield stones. (These stones are made at this county. The stones feature my painting called, The Wheatfield-Whirlpool Of Death. Prints of this painting are transferred to stones. They make a great addition to those interested in the Civil War.) We left in the dark hours to enjoy the trip and hopefully see some elk along the way. As per the title of this entry we were not disappointed for the Elk were everywhere! We estimated at least seventy elk were viewed, very possibly many more.

Deer were out and about everywhere as well.

   We saw turkeys and many squirrels. We lucked out seeing two Black Squirrels.

Two bald Eagles were spotted along the Sinnemahoning Creek perched in trees.

We stopped at the Marion Brooks area where there are 900 acres of White Birch.

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   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

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Beautiful Pennsylvania

The morning trip for a day in the woods and streams began at 4: 50 A.M. for me. I would be spending all   day in some of the most beautiful areas of Pennsylvania. I needed to travel to Austin, Pennsylvania to pick up stones that had some of my art prints applied to them, so why not make a day out of it. I had been looking forward with hiking and fishing, as well as, wildlife watching. I had been planning on this day excursion all along!

I arrived at Benezette, Pennsylvania around 6:30A.M. The day was already becoming light since we moved to a different time on Sunday. I traveled up and over the hill to watch the sun rise and cast its rays onto the easterly facing mountains. A reddish-golden glow was the result. The temperatures were below freezing for a blue-white colored frost would be everywhere the sun had not warmed.

Headin’ to the cows!

   The elk were all about this morning. Bulls, cows and calves were scattered all about. I watched two mature bulls as they bugled declaring their availability to the many cows and calves. Young bulls of the year were busy being frisky. They would head bump and run and chase each other.  The big bulls didn’t have time for such actions. These fellers had serious things on their minds. The primary rut is over, but these bulls were still in the mood!                      

I saw some cows and calves out in the sun. I liked the yellow morning glow against the yellow leaves of the birch. I took a lot of photos of all these elk. I would see another small-racked elk later near Medix Run, Pennsylvania. Only a couple of people were in the area at this time. That was a plus for me!

I spent an hour or so in this area before moving along towards the First Fork of the Sinnemahoning.

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