Elk Expo 'Hands-On' Affair

This year's Pennsylvania Elk Expo in Kersey is a real handson affair. The organizers have hooked up with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to arrange for an entire building devoted to Pennsylvania's elk herd. This Elk Education Center is a first for the Expo, scheduled for Sept. 22-23 at the Elk County Fairgrounds. Elk hides, skulls and antlers will be on display for visitors to touch and feel.

The center will include the "Pennsylvania Great Elk" display, featuring bulls killed by hunters since elk-hunting resumed in the state several years ago. A replica of "Crazy Legs," an enormous non-typical bull illegally killed in 2000, will also be on display.

The Elk Education Center will feature educational information on the elk herd and displays on conserving, preserving and enhancing wildlife habitat. Elk antler crowns, tattoos, coloring books, balloons and stickers will be distributed to children.

"We wanted to expand the educational opportunities," said Carla Wehler, Elk Expo coordinator. "We want visitors to see how big the elk are, and be able to touch and feel their hides for a better understanding of the animal."

Among the other highlights this year:

--Elk-Calling Contest, in which contestants vie for trophies and cash prizes using their voices and hand-held or breath operated devices to create realistic elk sounds.

--Elk License Drawing, where the names of hunters are drawn for the coveted licenses issued by the Pa. Game Commission. For more information, along with an online application can be found at: http:// www.pgc.state.pa.us/

--A guided slide show, "Pennsylvania Elk Through the Seasons," by author and photographer Carol Mulvihill.

--A whitetailed deer and elk antler measuring and aging station. Any legally obtained deer or elk mounted head or antlers with the skull plate intact, or shed antlers, may be submitted for scoring and display.

--Information for the novice and experienced flintlock muzzleloader hunter, from primitive rifles to modern, scoped in-line rifles.

--Predator hunting seminars, with a special focus on the eastern coyote.

--Archery deer hunting basics, including making and maintaining trails, use of scents, fertilization of plants, placement of food plots, creating remote watering locations and using hunting pressure.

--Turkey calling seminars, featuring demonstrations of voice, mouth and call methods.

--Rusty Snyder, "The Deer Lady," who has been raising deer since 1986. Visitors can pet and feed the deer and learn about their habits.

--Quality Deer Management seminar, led by Tim Smail.

--Food Plots and Habitat Management workshop, conducted by Steve Trupe.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Elk Expo, visit the website at www.pagreatoutdoors.com/ elkexpo or call (81) 834-1267.