Archery Elk Could Be New Pennsylvania Record

by
posted on November 19, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
jimlickfeld-paarcheryelk_lead.jpg
courtesy of Jim Lickfeld

Pennsylvania hunting history was made when the state’s inaugural archery elk season opened on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. Jim Lickfeld of Williamsville, N.Y., killed Pennsylvania's first archery-season bull elk, and it could become the No. 1 state record.

In total, there were five bull elk tags available for the state's first official archery season, and Jim, who has hunted deer in Pennsylvania since 1983, was one of the lucky hunters to draw a tag after filling out an application and paying $11.90 to enter the lottery. On Aug. 17, Jim was notified he’d won one of the archery bull tags in Pennsylvania’s Hunt Zone 10. He then purchased the required nonresident bull elk tag for $250.

Jim normally kept his shots to 25 yards on deer in his home state of New York, but after scouting the area in Zone 10, he quickly realized longer shots were possible, so he began practicing out to 40 and 50 yards. He was soon consistently placing lethal shots.

Jim knew a guide was necessary, and selected Trophy Rack Lodge, owned and operated by Larry Guenot, to help him find and take a bull. Using the contacts he's gained over the years, Larry recruited Al Morris from Utah—a five-time world champion elk caller, who works with Pennsylvania-based call company FoxPro—to help with the hunt.

On the season’s opening evening, after hearing several bulls throughout the day, Jim and his team called in a monster.

When Al whispered “57,” Jim adjusted for the long shot. Knowing his arrow’s trajectory from his Hoyt Carbon Defiant bow, Jim held 20 inches high with his 40-yard pin and let his arrow fly. His double-lung shot dropped Pennsylvania’s first archery bull of the season. The bull measured a green score of 370⅝ inches.

“The elk didn’t make it 60 yards,” Jim told American Hunter staff. “We saw it go down. It ran hard, stopped, staggered and dropped. I practiced at 50, but felt confident at 57. I saw my arrow in flight, but lost sight of the nock. I initially wasn’t sure if I hit it, but Al knew right away it was fatal, and he was really excited.”

The state archery record for a typical bull is 349½ inches. Though an official dry score has yet to be determined, it's likely there will soon be a new Pennsylvania state-record archery bull elk.

Latest

LEDE John&Jim
LEDE John&Jim

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Moose

This month's Member's Hunt comes from John R. Bean of Tucson, Ariz.

Breeding Duck Numbers Decline Again in ND

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 78th-annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.66-million birds, down from 2.9 million in 2024 and 3.4 million in 2023.

2025-26 Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons have been set. There are two significant changes to waterfowl seasons. The regular season daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Zone has decreased from three to one, and for northern pintail, there will be a flat daily bag limit of three.

New for 2025: Christensen Arms Evoke in 450 Bushmaster

Christensen Arms has announced the release of the Evoke rifle chambered in powerful 450 Bushmaster.

Oklahoma Wildlife Commission Passes Rules for Nonresident Hunters, Public Hunting Lands

New emergency rules and resolutions for public hunting lands were approved last month by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.

First Look: Premium and Premium Deluxe Die Sets From Redding Reloading Equipment

Redding Reloading Equipment has expanded its Premium Die Set and Premium Deluxe Die Set product lines, including over seventy of the most popular cartridges in the industry today.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.