'ELK PATROL,' PUBLIC OUTREACH EFFORT HAILED AS SUCCESS; MORE IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED

Local Residents, Tourists Applaud Educational Effort in Benezette Area 

HARRISBURG: Buoyed by acclaim from township residents and visiting tourists alike, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has joined Benezette Township and other state agency officials in announcing plans to fine-tune and improve the first-ever "Elk Patrol" and public education effort, launched late last summer in areas of the elk's prime range.

Designed to improve wildlife-viewing tourism and lessen traffic and related problems in the Benezette area of Elk County, special patrols and related efforts were started just before the peak elk-viewing season in late summer and early fall. Participants included the township, Pennsylvania State Police, state Game Commission, Department of Transportation, and DCNR.

"We like what we are seeing," said DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. "We accomplished what we set out to do -- minimize traffic problems and help visitors find safe and 
rewarding places to see elk on public lands."

Patrolling from before Labor Day through October, 2002, the special units made contact with more than 1,140 individuals, offering advice, directions, and, sometimes, warnings and citations to individuals drawn to the Benezette area by the thrill of seeing and hearing wild elk. A total of seven citations were issued, along with 296 written and verbal warnings.

"The accent was on education, not law enforcement, and these figures bear that out," said Secretary DiBerardinis. "Based on feedback from township residents, tourists, and the patrolling officers themselves, we know the initial effort was a success."
Benezette Township Supervisors Chairman Bert Reis agreed. For the first time, resident complaints have decreased while the influx of fall visitors continues to increase, he said, and a new appreciation of tourism-related business is evident.
"I think the people in the township are starting to realize elk-related tourism can be a good thing," Reis said. "There is a new cooperative spirit among the township and state agencies, and it can only get better. A new restaurant just opened up here, and other tourism-related businesses are coming. One thing's for sure, its sure made life easier for the people of Benezette."
Officials of the three patrolling agencies say field reports from their officers may result in minor modifications this year to present a more concentrated and effective effort in late summer and early fall. "Elk patrol" revisions could include:
Joint patrol efforts involving two agencies when elk-viewing numbers peak; more concentrated efforts during Friday-to-Sunday and holiday periods; a later start-up, closer to the last weekend in August; and flexibility when bad weather limits visitation.
George M. Khoury, district engineer for PennDOT's Clearfield District, said his department would again be posting two flashing warning and directional signs along Route 555 near Benezette to warn of elk and possible driving hazards, and try to supply a third - requested by the township officials for Winslow Hill Road. That approach to the most heavily visited elk-viewing area sometimes is clogged with vehicles.

The patrol force will continue to include state police, game commission officers, and forest rangers. Emphasis will be on educating motorists about other elk-viewing areas, but careless driving, and motor vehicle, trespassing, and state Game Law violations will be addressed.

"From every standpoint, the joint patrols last year were a success," said State Police Sgt. Charles R. Trinkle, Station Commander of Troop C, Ridgway. "My people had the chance to meet officers from the other two departments' agencies and work closely together, and there was a huge drop in complaints from the local residents as a result."

An "Elk Patrol" participant himself, Sgt. Trinkle said elk-viewing groups he encountered were appreciative of any information he passed on, and often eager to follow suggestions: "I actually directed a group of people to an area where I had just passed elk on patrol. When I later passed by, there was a huge bull elk about 30 yards from the road, and a huge group of people all taking pictures."

State police and the other patrolling agencies distribute the pamphlet prepared jointly by the four state agencies, "Wildlife Watching in Pennsylvania's Elk Country," which was unveiled late last summer. Safe driving and elk-viewing tips; 
alternate viewing sites on state land away from the often-crowded Winslow Hill area of Benezette; and a detailed, color-coded map all are offered in this publication. It is distributed by Elk Patrol members and available throughout the elk range. 

Game Commission Executive Director Vernon R. Ross applauded first-year efforts to bring welcomed relief to the Winslow Hill area, where hunting is not allowed, and the elk are common.

"Just as hunting is an essential management tool to assure the long-term health of the elk herd and its habitat," said Ross, "education is needed to shape and direct tourists' newfound interest in elk. Our goal is to have both continued big-game opportunities for hunters, and additional outdoor viewing adventures for visitors throughout the area." 

Besides Winslow Hill, the "Wildlife Watching" pamphlet suggests Elk County visitors travel to these areas to view elk and other wildlife:

Sinnemahoning State Park along Route 872; Hicks Run Viewing Area, along Route 555, about 12 miles east of Benezette; Elk Trail, 19-mile loop off of Route 555, 10 miles east of Benezette; Thunder Mountain Equestrian Trail, 26-mile loop, off of east Hicks Run Road, 12 miles east of Benezette; and Beaver Run Dam, off the Quehanna Highway, southeast of intersection with Route 555. 
For more information on elk watching and a related nature tourism study underway, or the state forest and parkland involved, visit DCNR's web site through the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us;  through www.dcnr.state.pa.us;  or directly at www.Fermatainc.com/pennelk/index.html. 

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