Are you an avid elk hunter? Or, are you an outdoors person who is interested in learning more about elk and their habitat?
Then, the 2016 Elk Expo, held on Saturday and Sunday at the Elk Country Visitor Center (ECVC) on Winslow Hill in Benezette is something you don’t want to miss.
The highlight of the event is the license drawings held on Saturday and Sunday.
The Pa. Game Commission’s elk license drawing is set for 1 p.m. Saturday. Then, on Sunday, the drawing for the Keystone Elk Country Alliance Elk Tag will be held at 1 p.m.
There will be various food vendors, sporting goods vendors, and plenty of fun things to do for anyone of any age.
Parking at the ECVC will be limited and given first to vehicles with handicap parking requirements.
All other vehicles will be directed to parking areas at the Benezette Community Center. Look for signs!
Two shuttles will be transporting visitors to and from the ECVC all day.
There is a $3.00/car fee, so visitors can park their cars and use the bus service. This fee helps pay for transportation.
ALL WEEKEND
PA Trappers Association Demonstrations and Exhibit
The Pa Trappers Association will be on hand in their booth all weekend to provide trapping demonstrations, answer all furbearer and pest control questions, along with providing hands-on activities for youth and adults.
Pennsylvania Game Commission Black Bear Processing
If they are able to trap a black bear, they will transport it to the Elk Expo to show how they record and process the animal before releasing it.
Keystone Elk Country Alliance Youth Shooting Sports
Join volunteers of the Keystone Elk Country Alliance for an opportunity to learn about their hunting heritage and youth shooting sports program. Hands-on training of both pellet gun and archery shooting will be available.
Feet Are Neat
This station will be set up throughout the weekend. Make sure to stop by and learn some interesting facts about a few of the animals found in the Pennsylvania Wilds. When visitors read about their preferred habitat, they will get a better idea of where to find some of their tracks! There will be a “Track Making Station” set up where visitors can see what they would look like if they come across one in the wild.
Antler Scoring
Big Game Scoring of any Pennsylvania harvested animal. Scoring will be done in the PA Game Commission Booth by Wildlife Biologist, Tony Ross. Tony will also score Elk and Whitetail sheds.
Elk Trap Unit
The PA Game Commission will have their new single animal trap unit. Elk Biologist, Jeremy Banfield has successfully used the trap to capture elk throughout the winter. The trap will be conveniently located near the Elk Country Visitor Center, so visitors can get an up close look at it.
Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
There will be horse drawn wagon rides in the evening . Visitors will learn about the ECVC property and PA elk and their habitat. If participants are lucky, they will get to view elk from the wagon. Stop by the information desk for reservations.
For more information, go to visitpago.com or elkexpo.com
Here is the schedule of events.
Saturday, August 20
9 a.m. – Flag Raising Ceremony
10-11 a.m. – All About Elk
Main Tent
KECA staff will teach you everything you would ever want to know about elk! Learn fascinating facts about them. For example, did you know that antlers are one of the world’s fastest growing tissues?
11 a.m. – PA Reptiles
Main Tent
11 a.m.-Noon & 1:30-3 p.m. – Six-Pak performs
ECCO Building
From bluegrass to rock and back to country. Johnny Cash to Guns n Roses and back to Waylon Jennings. June Carter Cash to Joan Jett and back to Miranda Lambert, Six-Pak has a great variety of music.
11-11:30 a.m. – K9 Officer Demonstration
TBD
PA Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer, Derek Daly, and K9 Officer, Gunner, will be performing demonstrations.
11:30-12:30 p.m.- Kurt Thomas, Fly Fishing Seminar
High skilled angler, Kurt Thomas, will be giving casting demonstrations, tips and tricks.
Noon-5 p.m. – Nick Forsyth performs
Rest Tent
Nick has been involved in many musical projects over the years. He now covers everything from Johnny Cash to Led Zepplin and Tom Petty.
12:30 p.m. – Jeremy Banfield, PGC
ECCO Building
Elk Biologist – Elk overview
1 p.m. – Pennsylvania Game Commission Elk License Drawing
ECCO Building
There will be no live video feed of the drawing.
2-3 p.m. – Water In Our World
Main Tent
Join the Elk County Conservation District for an interactive children’s activity that will focus on the importance of water quality and water use in our world.
3-4 p.m. – KECA Elk Calling Contest
Main Tent
Can you grunt, bugle, or mew like an elk? If so, join KECA’s Youth Elk Calling Contest sponsored by Cabela’s. Must be 17 and under to participate.
3:45 p.m. – The 2016 Elk Patch Photo Contest Winner Award Presentation
ECCO Building
4-5 p.m. – Painted Rocks
Main Tent
Calling all kids, bring out your creative side and join KECA’s staff as we paint rocks! The staff will be judging the rocks and awarding prizes for the most original and the cutest. After the contest take the rocks home with you as a great souvenir.
5 p.m. – NWTF Youth Turkey Calling Contest
ECCO Building
One of the most challenging and enjoyable parts of turkey hunting is turkey “calling”. Various types of calls are used to mimic the natural “talk” of the wild turkey. By mimicking a female the hunter attempts to entice the gobbler into range. During the “off” season turkey hunters practice their calling by competing in Calling Contests where they test their skills against other “callers”. The NWTF will host a non sanctioned calling contest.
5-6 p.m. – Paracord Survival
Main Tent
Join the KECA staff to learn the many ways that paracord can be used in a survival situation. Stay after the demonstration and make your own paracord bracelet!
Sunday, August 21
Noon-1 p.m. & 1:30-3 p.m. – Company Townes performs
ECCO Building
Acoustic country folk trio with original and cover tunes with influences stemming from early country/ rock/ blues/ and roots-based music.
11 a.m.-Noon – Bluebird Seminar
Main Tent
Join staff from the ECVC as we partner with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to provide a very informative seminar on the Eastern Bluebird. During this program learn interesting facts about the bluebird, such as its preferred habitat, reasons they are declining, and what you can do to help! After the seminar stay and construct a “make and take” bluebird box, generously donated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Kurt Thomas, Fly Fishing Seminar
High skilled angler, Kurt Thomas, will be giving casting demonstrations, tips and tricks.
Noon-12:30 p.m. – All About Elk Nature Walk
Meet at the Main Tent
KECA staff will teach you everything you would ever want to know about elk! Learn fascinating facts about them and take a nature walk on our trails.
Noon-5 p.m. – Nick Forsyth performs
Rest Tent
Nick has been involved in many musical projects over the years. He now covers everything from Johnny Cash to Led Zepplin and Tom Petty.
1 p.m. – Keystone Elk Country Alliance Elk Tag Raffle Drawing
ECCO Building
2:30-3:30 p.m. – Family Fun with Science Experiments
Main Tent
Bring your family out for a fun-filled afternoon of science experiments. We will be doing several different hands-on science experiments demonstrating many wonders of the Earth.
“The Great Outdoors,” sponsored by the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors, is a weekly blog by exploreClarion.com’s Scott Shindledecker. Plan you next outdoor adventure at VisitPAGO.com or call (814) 849-5197 for more information.
Copyright © 2024 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited.
