It's ain't over 'til it's over!

That's the message from former State Assemblyman Dan Surra, who is still trying to persuade state officials to bring the 2009 elk-hunting license drawing to Cameron County.

It's also the feeling of the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce, whose efforts in that area continue as well.

Surra now serves as senior advisor for the Pennsylvania Wilds tourist promotion campaign. He's protesting the Pa. Game Commission's decision to hold the drawing in Harrisburg following the cancellation of the Pennsylvania Elk Expo in Kersey, where the agency has traditionally selected license recipients.

Surra said he was impressed with the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce's willingness to host the drawing this year and immediately went to work with his Harrisburg contacts in an effort to make that happen.

At this point, the Game Commission is still on course to hold the elk license drawing in Harrisburg at the same time bobcat-hunting license winners are picked.

But Surra is not giving up. He has found a receptive ear in Rep. Martin Causer and the two are asking the Game Commission to reconsider.

Cameron County, for its part, would have to quickly organize a festival that would attract a sufficient number of people to make the option attractive to the Game Commission, Surra said.

He also said he's hopeful the Pennsylvania Elk Expo can eventually be resurrected and located at the Elk Country Visitors Center being built at Benezette.

Tina Johns Lorson, Chamber of Commerce director, told the Endeavor that her group's executive board has voted to pay a portion of the mileage and meal costs for the state officials if they hold the drawing Cameron County, as those costs were among the issues raised by the state.

"We've extended an olive branch and offered the possibility of them still coming, and us helping to defray some of the costs," she added.

The Chamber is also encouraging local residents to write letters in support of holding the drawing in Cameron County to Carl Roe, executive director of the Game Commission, and Dennis Dusza, director of the agency's northcentral regional offi ce.