SNOW SHOE — Two men involved in a potentially record-breaking archery elk hunt in Centre County have been cited by the Pennsylvania Game Commission for allegedly trespassing on private property while hunting, according to court documents filed earlier this month.
Michael A. Conaway of Port Matilda and Abner J. Druckenmiller of Milroy each face a second-degree summary offense under Pennsylvania’s Game and Wildlife Code.
According to court records, both alleged violations occurred Sept. 15 in Snow Shoe Township, the same day hunter Michael Skvarla of Port Matilda harvested an elk that could potentially enter Pennsylvania’s record books.
The citations were filed Oct. 7 before Magisterial District Judge Allen W. Sinclair. Pennsylvania Game Commission Officer Cole Shomper is listed as the citing officer in both cases.
Conaway and Druckenmiller were identified in previous reporting as members of the hunting party that helped Skvarla harvest the massive bull elk. Conaway served as a guide, while Druckenmiller assisted as a caller.
The elk, reportedly an 8-by-8 bull with a preliminary score of 428 inches, attracted considerable attention because of its potential standing among Pennsylvania’s largest archery elk harvests.
The hunt was associated with Trophy Rack Lodge, a guided hunting operation in Karthaus, Pennsylvania.
While the alleged trespassing violations and the elk harvest share the same date, court documents do not specify whether the citations stem directly from Skvarla’s hunt.
The documents also do not identify the private property involved, describe the circumstances that led to the citations or indicate whether the alleged violations involved entering property without permission, hunting on restricted land or another situation.
Both men were cited under Section 2314(a)(1) of Pennsylvania’s Game and Wildlife Code, which addresses trespassing on private property while hunting.
The two cases share several similarities beyond the alleged offense date. Both list Snow Shoe Township as the location, Shomper as the citing officer and Oct. 7 as the filing date. The citations also carry consecutive identification numbers.
Both cases remained active and were awaiting pleas as of Oct. 13.
Neither court docket lists a disposition, and neither man has been found guilty in connection with the allegations.
The Centre County Gazette contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Skvarla seeking clarification about the citations and whether they are connected to the potentially historic elk harvest. Calls and emails requesting comments had not been returned as of publication.
In an email response to The Centre County Gazette, Trophy Rack Lodge wrote, “The guides have pleaded not guilty to trespassing.”
Among the unanswered questions is whether the alleged violations could affect the legal status of the harvest or its eligibility for official record recognition.
The available court records do not indicate that Skvarla was cited or charged in connection with the alleged trespassing violations.
The Gazette will continue following the cases as they move through the court system and as additional information becomes available.
