Live Pennsylvania Elk Cam captures annual mating season

If you’re a wildlife enthusiast looking for a closer look at one of nature’s most stunning mating rituals, then the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Elk Cam livestream is a must-watch. The 24/7 feed captures the annual rut of elk in Benezette, Elk County, a prime location for elk activity during their mating season in late summer and fall.

Elk, part of the deer family, are known for their bugling calls that males use to attract females and ward off rival males. The sights and sounds of the elk rut are truly a sight to behold.

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Jordan Sanford, wildlife outreach coordinator for the game commission, describes the annual elk rut as a thrilling experience in the Northcentral Region. The chance to witness elk herds, bulls sparring, and bugling calls echoing through the wilderness is truly awe-inspiring.

To catch the action live, the game commission recommends tuning into the Elk Cam in the late afternoon. The camera switches to infrared at night, offering glimpses of other wildlife like turkeys, deer, bears, and coyotes throughout the day.

Pennsylvania is home to approximately 1,400 elk, primarily found in the Poconos and northern counties. These majestic animals were nearly extinct in the region by the end of the Civil War, prompting a federal repopulation program in 1913 that reintroduced elk from Yellowstone National Park.

Elk hunting was prohibited in Pennsylvania from the 1930s to the 1980s to protect the population. Today, a limited lottery system regulates elk hunting in designated time frames between mid-September and early January.

The Elk Cam is just one of several livestreams hosted by HDonTap on behalf of the game commission, including eagle cams and a black bear cam. The previous elk videos have garnered over 1 million viewers annually, showcasing the popularity of these streams. The Elk Cam will be live until the end of bugling season in mid-October.