In winter, they paw through snow to reach grass, or turn to twigs, buds and the bark of trees. Among trees and shrubs, Pennsylvania elk seem to prefer aspen, red maple, fire cherry and blackberry. They also browse oak, striped maple, black cherry, Juneberry and witch hazel. They drink from streams and springs and, if necessary, during the winter they get water by eating snow. The mating season is September and October.
Bulls bugle invitations to cows and challenges to other bulls.
The bulls fight with each other, joining antlers and pushing and shoving. Like their western counterparts, Pennsylvania bull elk amass harems of 15-20 cows. Most harems are controlled by large mature bulls, although younger males, which hang around on the fringes of the groups, may also share in the breeding. A calf weighs about 30 pounds and can stand when only 20 minutes old. Within an hour it starts to nurse, and it begins feeding on vegetation when less than a month old In spring and summer, bulls go off by themselves, living alone or in small groups.