Pennsylvania's free-ranging elk herds are spectacular to watch, and their numbers are managed through hunter harvesting.

Forty-five elk licenses (17 antlered and 28 antlerless) will be available through a public drawing for the Nov. 3-8 elk hunting season. The drawing will be held Sept. 20. Online applications cost $10 non-refundable and must be filed by Aug. 29 at the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Website, www.pgc.state.pa.us.

Mail-in forms, also $10, are in the 2008-2009 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations (provided to each license buyer) and are due by Aug. 15. Hunters may also apply at Game Commission offices by Aug. 15.

One application per person. If the application is accepted, elk license fees are $25 for residents, $250 nonresidents. General hunting license required.

The September elk hunt, instituted in 2006 to help farmers burdened by elk browsing, has been a bust. Too much posted private property; too few killed. This year, the commission voted to drop the September elk hunts after the previously scheduled Sept. 1-27 season.

Paradise found

Seats are still available for a Penn's Woods West Trout Unlimited coach trip to the Fisherman's Paradise stretch of Spring Creek, near Bellefonte and State College. Just fish -- leave the driving to the professionals. Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only regulations apply, and non-members are welcome. $50, 412-521-0714, pwwtubustrip@gmail.com.