The Truth About Pennsylvania's Elk Herd-a film by Willard Hill

2008-11-17T14:21:00.000-08:00

Special Note: I will be unable to answer e-mail inquiries or fill orders for the Elk DVD from September 19th-through October 2, 2010

"Shortly after the great American Civil War, the last native elk in Pennsylvania was killed. The animals were absent from the state until they were re- introduced in 1913. Numbers soon plummeted again until there were only approximately 76 animals in 1972.

Elk County native, Ralph Harrison who worked for over forty years for the Bureau of Forestry was instrumental in organizing support from a wide range of persons, many of whom did an outstanding job in helping the elk."

These words begin a 2hr.-42min. documentary of Pennsylvania's Elk herd, which was shot over a period of thirteen years. The film is organized into segments.

The first deals with the overall wildlife situation in Pennsylvania and the agencies responsible for administering public lands and rules and regulations pertaining to wildlife.

The following clip is a portion of the introduction:

Pennsylvania: Home To A Variety Of Wildlife from Willard C. Hill on Vimeo.

The second segment covers the situation on Winslow Hill from 1995 to the present and deals with the "elk culture" present on Winslow Hill, that was perhaps best personified by Claude Nye, better known as "Dr. Perk". It covers such issues as collaring elk and giving them human names. There are descriptions of the major viewing areas, with a segment dealing with the reclamation project in the area known as The Saddle. The film is also a basic primer on the natural history of the animal.

It portrays the life cycle of the elk from spring through winter with a special focus on the rut, with stunning footage of cows, calves and bulls in different stages of development, along with many of the largest bulls the state has produced.

Summer: A Time Of Growth-A Time Of Renewal from Willard C. Hill on Vimeo

It is not; however, just another elk film. It also features a large amount of scenic footage and a wide variety of other wildlife that is found in the Pennsylvania woods.

Sunrise,The Morning Is Cool from Willard C. Hill on Vimeo.

The Rut from Willard C. Hill on Vimeo.

Intimidation And Fighting from Willard C. Hill on Vimeo.

Showdown In The Saddle from Willard C. Hill on Vimeo.

Issues-A Hunt Looms from Willard C. Hill on Vimeo

A Choice Was Made from Willard C. Hill on Vimeo.

"The Truth About Pennsylvania's Elk Herd"

The Truth About Pennsylvania's Elk Herd-a film by Willard Hill