Nov 4, 2017 4 min read

What do Ed Thomas, Tom Strang and the late Dave Kelso have in common?

While many persons would have no idea, I happen to know they all are Washington County residents who have drawn a bull elk permit. The odds of a successful application to hunt a bull elk here in Pennsylvania are very slim and these three are very lucky gentlemen indeed. I remember having a discussion on the shooting of the elk, which inhabit portions of Cameron and Elk counties and somewhat beyond their boundaries.

I had written previously that I didn’t understand why someone would shoot these magnificent animals illegally and because of crop damage. A resident of the St. Mary’s area showed up where I was working and proceeded to explain to me in nice terms just what the residents put up with in terms of elk damage. It finally came down to what is done to local farmers by this deer population, and you multiply that figure many times and you can see in your mind just what these larger deer type are capable of doing.

The person trying to raise a garden around Driftwood or Weedville has to be frustrated when he gets up one morning to find his corn, cabbages and beans totally destroyed by the elk. On the other side of the coin, many people travel miles just to see a bull elk in the wild. They are an attraction and feed money into the local towns and cities. Who would ever mention the name Bennezet if it weren’t for the elk? I have seen traffic jams in Weedville as tourists stop to photograph the elk in the middle of town eating grass.

While I know Ed Thomas of Marianna and knew Dave Kelso, who resided in Woodrow, it is Tom Strang that I have known the longest. Tom’s case is somewhat different from the others, for 27 years ago Tom fell and broke his back leaving him a paraplegic. Before he was confined to a wheelchair, he was a skilled hunter. Now, after the accident, he is still the same skilled hunter. Call it consistency or strength, Tom made up his mind to remain a hunter.

I remember his shooting re-loads with his 30-06 and downing an elk out west, but this Pennsylvania hunt would offer a new challenge. To my eyes, just getting off the road would be a challenge. Imagine bumps, sticks and logs for starters. Sometimes it is even a challenge for those of us with two good legs.

While most of us worry about money, it could be said that we find out that friends are more important than money. So it was with Tom and his two friends, Ray Fiscus of Leetsdale and Randy Smith of Kittanning, who volunteered to help Tom. As it turned out, Randy used his ATV on the hunt and Ray located the Elk when all else failed. On Saturday, a huge bull elk was spotted feeding with some cows and another smaller bull. Now in most instances, these elk would be in the same area come Monday and the hunt. But when Monday arrived, that small herd had moved on to greener pastures, their whereabouts unknown.

Tom had hired a guide, Bill May, who lived in the area, but it was Ray who drove to the other side of Driftwood and found those cows and the smaller bull. A decision then had to be made, do they stay and hope the bigger bull reappeared or go to the other location? Tom decided to move. After all, a bird in the hand is better than one hopefully in the bush. With the landowner’s permission, they went after the nice 6×6 who by now was in the hillside cover.

Tom had a problem when they located this bull. He was up a steep slope and Tom kept sliding backwards in the vehicle. Friends are a blessing though, and at such times one held his back to keep him from falling off backwards. With their help Tom managed to down the big bull with his .300 Winchester magnum.

Now the game-room in Tom’s house will be honored with this fine elk alongside the elk he had taken before his accident. In the same room are many medals Tom has won in wheelchair races and shooting events for the handicapped. Incidentally, Tom also helps by volunteering time at the Veterans hospital.

Congratulations to Tom for this great accomplishment.