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Only in America could flickin' draw
a crowd. |
Richard Irving battles the bane of
every moose flicker ... arthritis. |
grand strategy on a titanic scale
...
Game wardens of the world rejoice! The moose population continues
to increase and the annual migration of the herd trying to cross
the Susquehannah at Lancaster Pennsylvania continues to swell.
64 contestants vied for the honor of being the Elchfest
champion of the World and to answer the annual question of why
the moose crossed the river. They got the same answer again
this year .. because they wanted to.
Recent years have seen a new generation of Elchfest
players coming forth to challenge the older bulls and this year
was no exception as the younger generation has solidly established
itself in the upper echelon of the sport. Young Ben Gardner
was the talk of the river with his advance through the early
rounds while flexing those nimble young fingers and laughing
at the arthritic plight of the older set.
As the older moose ... meese? ... fell by the wayside in the
ever evolving Circle of Life like some bad Disney movie, it was
clear that the youth movement was in full swing as the adults
were pushed aside by the surge of youngsters competing for the
coveted wood. Defending champion Dave Meyaard was
working his way through the field with methodical precision and
Jonathan Gemmell was heard to say "I've been attending WBC
for years and this is the first event I've ever really wanted
to win."
As the night wore on, ex-champ Dan Dolan Sr became the last
of the old bulls to fall when Jonathan took him down n the semi-final
round for the right to face defending champion Dave for all the
marbles. The Final struggle was witnessed by about 20 people
who expressed their opinions and comments with each flick as
Dave and Jonathan struggled to attain the pinnacle of the Elchfest
world. Rumors abounded that Sarah Palin was even in the
woods that night. When the splashing subsided, Dave Meyaard remained
the Alpha Moose. Dave becomes a two time Elchfest
champion and next year he will no longer be viewed as a flash
in the pan winner. He will be THE MOOSE - the head of the
herd.
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"Age before beauty" didn't
help Paul Weintraub against Rebecca Hebner. |
Board member Monnin challenges a young
buck with head stag Dolan in the background. |
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My moose can beat your moose ...
aah
the enthusiasm and supple fingers of youth.
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What a softie ... the secret is out.
There are no ball peen hammers in Dan's World.
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Elchfest Junior
17 Elk calves tried to cross the river. The six fastest were:
1st: Rebecca Melton
2nd: B. Gardner
3rd: M. Leader
4th: J. Shea
5th: C. Mullet
6th: J. Mansfield
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