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 The 2007 Elk Expo wrapped up Saturday afternoon after the elk license drawing. A large crowd gathered for the drawing, but no names from Elk County were drawn this year. Those in attendance also enjoyed a variety of exhibits and vendors' booths at the expo. Crowds also gathered to watch Benelli World Class Exhibition Shooter Tim Bradley and to hear music from bluegrass band Bob Fink and the Elk Hunters. By Becky Polaski
Cooler temperatures and occasional rain showers were not enough to keep people from turning out for this year’s Elk Expo.
"I think it turned out really well," said Carla Wehler, Elk Expo Coordinator. "We had a little bit of bad weather, but other than that it turned out well. We had a good crowd. Once the rain stopped and the sun came out everyone seemed to have a good time."
During the intervals of rain Friday night and Saturday morning there were plenty of opportunities for those in attendance to get out of the weather. Decent sized crowds gathered under the pavilion at the main stage on Friday night to hear Freddie McKnight and Rusty Snyder give talks. It was also warm and dry in both exhibition buildings at the fair grounds, which were filled with a variety of vendors booths and exhibits, including a display of world class mounts from the NRA’s Great American Hunters Tour. Official Elk Expo merchandise was also being sold at the event.
The rain had mostly cleared out by Saturday afternoon and a considerable crowd gathered to watch a presentation by Tim Bradley, a Benelli World Class Exhibition Shooter. Bradley wowed crowds with his excellent shooting abilities while discussing various shooting techniques.
Bluegrass band Bob Fink and the Elk Hunters also entertained crowds on Saturday afternoon, playing a variety of songs for those gathered around the main stage.
The biggest draw for crowds throughout the weekend was without a doubt the elk license drawing that took place Saturday afternoon. A large crowd gathered around the main stage waiting to hear who the lucky individuals would be this year.
There were 17,245 elk license applications for this years drawing, which was down from last years number of 18,877. Those who had never previously been drawn for a license could also have up to five preference points. When preference points were factored in, it made for a total of 56,841 names in the computer.
The Pennsylvania county with the most applicants was Allegheny County with 841, followed by Westmoreland County with 787, York County with 670, and Lancaster County with 659. Elk County had 282 applications, Cameron County had 68 and Clearfield County had 333.
1,760 non Pennsylvania residents also applied for elk licenses. 463 applications were submitted from residents of New York, 315 applications were submitted from residents of Ohio, 176 applications were submitted from residents of Maryland, and 147 applications were submitted from residents of New Jersey. In total, applications were received from residents of 49 states.
Volunteers from the audience, many of them being young children, were asked to go up to the stage and push a button on a computer, which would in turn select an applicants name from the database to determine who would receive this years elk licenses.
Individuals drawn for bull licenses must wait five years before applying for another license. Those drawn for a cow license are permitted to apply for another license the following year but lose their preference points.
The following individuals were drawn for bull elk licenses for the November 2007 season:
Fred Baumgarden of Bethel Park, Allegheny County, Randy Behney of Myerstown, Lebanon County, Douglas Bobeck of Linwood, New Jersey, Darren Deltondo of Glenshaw, Allegheny County, Thomas Gach of Summerhill, Cambria County, Chad Heintzelma of Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Dennis Henry of Greensburg, Westmoreland County James Master of Gifford, McKean County, Keith Quigel of Williamsport, Lycoming County , Harry Rhone of Catawissa, Columbia County, Aaron Richards of Duncannon, Perry County, John Shields of Blairsville, Indiana County, Michael Stone of Downsville, New York, Keith Streightif of Kittanning, Armstrong County, and Clair Zimmerman of Mifflinburg, Union County.
Drawn for bull elk licenses for the September 2008 season were Carey Bollman of Osterburg, Bedford County, and Bradley Jordan of East Brady, Armstrong County.
The following individuals were drawn for cow elk licenses for the November 2007 season:
Brian Alt of Lake Ariel, Lackawanna County, James Babco of Blairsville, Indiana County, John Barberio, Jr. of Ebensburg, Cambria County, Tindaro Bisbano of Birdsbobo, Berks County, Chris Blough of Altoona, Blair County, Bruce Bomberger of Lebanon, Lebanon County, Clarence Burd, Jr. of Denver, Lancaster County, Robert Domachows of Butler, Butler County, Neil Edwards of State College, Centre County, Korey Eppinette of Reinholds, Lancaster County, Jay Farney of Lititz, Lancaster County, Jamie Field of Moscow, Lackawanna County, Justin Gamble of McConnellsburg, Fulton County, Gunther Harold of Blandon, Berks County, Charles Kilgore of Marion Center, Indiana County, Jason Laudermilc of Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, Keith Macurdy of Harrison City, Westmoreland County, Robert McClury of Clarks Mills, Mercer County, James Newman of Bellefonte, Centre County, Brandon Pastierik of Springdale, Allegheny County, Suzy Stefani of Sigel, Jefferson County, Thomas Steinruck of Hatfeild, Montgomery County, Richard Tait of North Fort Myers, Florida, Richard Wiltanger of Dillsburg, York County, and Travis Zanders of Wellsville, New York.
Drawn for cow elk licenses for the September 2008 season were Donald Detwiler of Telford, Montgomery County, Robert Hofer, Sr. of Duncannon, Perry County, Jamie Hostetter of Hanover, Adams County, Carl Kemp, Jr. of Leechburg, Armstrong County, John Loveland of Prince William, Virginia, David Rogus of Snow Shoe, Centre County, Dale Schmidt of Germansville, Lehigh County, and Michael Stoner of Wescosville, Lehigh County.
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