BENEZETTE - The peak of Pennsylvania's elk viewing season is here.

Labor Day through Columbus Day is the prime time for fall elk viewing, and the peak of the rut is the third week in Sept., according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

"Our current population is probably somewhere a little over 1,000 elk," wildlife conservation officer Jason Wagner said. "State game lands 311 in the heart of Elk County, and here, we've have probably the largest sub-population of elk. There is between 200 and 300, so if you're looking for a place to see an elk, that's the place to go."

Wagner said the best place to see them is at one of their viewing areas, like the Winslow Hill area, or by taking a guided interactive hike.

The time of day is also crucial for viewing elk. Wagner said mornings and evenings are the best bet.

"If there's an overcast day, you might get lucky in the middle of the day and see some elk," Wagner said. "But throughout the mid-day hours, the animals are resting and heading to the woods where they're going to be bedded down. Right after dawn and before dusk are the best times to see the elk."

With 400,000 people visiting every year, traffic is one of the biggest issues the Game Commission runs into.

Wagner said for better viewing, avoid the weekends.

"This is the best chance, the closet you're ever going to get to an elk probably in this side of the Mississippi River," Wagner said.

It is illegal to feed elk in Pennsylvania. Wagner said he recommends staying 100 yards back from any elk you come across.

If you can't make it to Elk Country, you can watch the Game Commission's live stream.

The Game Commission’s Fall 2017 Events and Programs Schedule:

Guided Interactive Trail Hikes At the Woodring Farm: 9/1@6pm, 9/2@6pm, 9/3@8am, 9/8@6pm 9/9@6pm, 9/10@8am, 9/15@5:30pm, 9/16@5:30pm, 9/17@8am, 9/22@5:30pm, 9/23@5:30pm, 9/24@8am, 9/29@5:30pm, 9/30@5:30pm, 10/1@8am, 10/6@5:30pm, 10/7@5:30pm, 10/8@8am

Children's Story and Craft at the Elk Country Visitor Center: 9/3, 9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8 @11am

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Great Elk Tour at the Winslow Hill Viewing Area: All Day 9/30-10/7

Pennsylvania Game Commission Operation Game Thief Trailer at the Winslow Hill Viewing Area: All Day 9/29-10/8

9/2 Timber Rattlesnakes in PA 4pm @ the Dents Run Viewing Area (Live Snakes)

9/9 Wildlife Law Enforcement 4pm@ the Dents Run Viewing Area

9/15 Archeology in the PA Wilds 3pm @ the Dent’s Run Viewing Area

9/16 Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) 4pm @ the Dents Run Viewing Area

9/23 Elk Management 4pm @ the Dent’s Run Viewing Area

9/30 Wildlife Photography 4pm @the Dent’s Run Viewing Area

10/7 Bats are the Good Guys 4pm@ the Dents Run Viewing Area

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