More than 82 percent of the hunters participating Pennsylvania's 2014 elk hunt have taken home a trophy according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which announced 88 elk were taken by hunters during the regular one-week elk season that ended November 8.

For those licensed to hunt antlered elk, the success rate was 93 percent, including 16 bulls estimated to weigh 700 pounds or more, with the heaviest bull taken in this year's hunt estimated at more than 872 pounds. That bull, which sported a 7-by-7 rack, was taken by Mark Colt of Ligonier.The largest bull in terms of rack size was an 11-by-7 by Robert Baker of Worthington. That bull weighed an estimated 851 pounds and its rack initially was measured at 414 inches, according to Boone & Crockett big-game scoring standards.The second-highest-scoring bull, taken by Michael Weaver of Hanover had a 7-by-7 rack initially measured at 398 inches. That bull weighed 786 pounds.Other large bulls taken include a 7-by-8 weighing 830 pounds taken by Frederick Kass of Glenside; a 7-by-6 weighing 837 pounds taken by George Oko of Wilkes-Barre; a 6-by-7 weighing 829 pounds taken by John Trout of Felton; a 7-by-8 weighing 780 pounds taken by David Bailor of Madera; a 5-by-6 weighing 772 pounds taken by Justin Forsythe of Imperial; a 7-by-5 weighing 772 pounds taken by Llewellyn Kauffman of Red Lion; an 8-by-7 weighing 715 pounds taken by David Condie of Pittsburgh; an 8-by-6 weighing 715 pounds taken by Dean Erney of Telford; a 7-by-7 weighing 715 pounds taken by Mark Wickizer of Dickson City; and a 7-by-8 weighing 702 pounds taken by Christopher Mumber of Richlandtown.There also were some large antlerless elk taken in the harvest, with 12 of the 63 cows taken by hunters weighing more than 500 pounds. Opening day, Monday, Nov. 3, produced the most success with 25 of the 88 elk being taken.**********Sunday's edition of "Experience The Outdoors," winner of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association's best outdoors radio program award hosted by award-winning POWA member Doyle Dietz, at 7 a.m. on 1410-AM WLSH, at 9:30 a.m. on Magic 105.5-FM and on the Web at

www.wmgh.com by clicking the link to the program, features New York State waterfowl guide Bill Saiff III.**********A measure is being considered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission board of game commissioners to allow the use of raptors in nuisance-wildlife control, a practice for which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues permits. All other regulations pertaining to nuisance-wildlife-control operators would apply to those receiving a permit to use a raptor. This form of nuisance wildlife control has existed in other states for many years. If this regulation is approved for the 2014-15 hunting seasons, the PGC would need to amend its regulations in order for it to be permitted in Pennsylvania.**********Schuylkill County Chapter of Trout Unlimited is holding its annual fund-raising event of selling $1 hand-made trout spinners by chapter members as stocking-stuffer gifts. Each year this event raises several hundred dollars to support the chapter's various youth programs. Spinners may be purchased by attending the chapter meeting, Tuesday, Nov. 25, beginning at 6 p.m., at the Amvets, 13th and Seneca St., Pottsville, or by ordering through the chapter website at

http://schuylkillcountytu.org/2014/11/16/hand-made-trout-spinners-2.