KC hunter stands above the rest
KARNS CITY— After a seven-year wait, the highlight of Jim Macurak's hunting life was over in 15 minutes.
Macurak, 51, of Karns City, became the first Pennsylvania hunter to bag an elk in the state this season when he shot a 742-pound bull in Clearfield County on the morning of Nov. 3.
Only 17 bull and 28 cow hunting licenses were granted in the state this year. More than 70,000 hunters applied for them.
"They started that lottery about seven years ago and I've entered every year — except last year. I forgot about it,"Macurak admitted.
He's glad he remembered this year.
"I was elated when I received word I got one of those (licenses). I couldn't believe it,"Macurak said.
He had hunted for elk only once before, joining longtime friend Ernie Earley of Chicora on an elk hunt in Idaho eight years ago. He came up empty that time.
Earley and a hunting guide accompanied Macurak on his trek to Clearfield County.
"You can't actually shoot your gun until 6:32 a.m.," Macurak said of the Game Commission's rules. "We scouted that area for three weeks leading up to the first day of the season.
"Early that morning (on Nov. 3), we spotted two bull elk standing by a patch of goldenrod on a dirt road, but it was too early to shoot. They saw us and took off into the goldenrod.
"We ran about a quarter mile down the road to head them off. I saw one (of the elk)again, but I was tired from running and couldn't set up an accurate shot,"he added.
Moments later, he spotted the elk in a clearing again — and made no mistake.
"It was 6:45 a.m.,"Macurak said. "Just like that, it was over."
Susan Luce, from the State College area, bagged the second elk of the day at about 7 a.m.
Macurak's elk had a 49Z\x-inch inside spread and a 53Z\x-inch spread from the farthest tips of the rack.
He's having the head mounted and now faces a five-year wait before he can apply for an elk hunting license in Pennsylvania again.
"I'll definitely apply again when I'm eligible," Macurak said.
His son, 9-year-old Skylar, wants to enter the hunter mentoring program this year.
"He's calling himself an elk-a-holic,"Macurak said, laughing.
Before bagging the bull elk, Macurak's hunting resume consisted of deer and waterfowl. He has been hunting for 39 years.
"Nothing tops this,"he said. "I'll cherish that hunt forever. I only wish it lasted longer."
