Oklahoma hunters who want fewer guess-and-check moments in the woods will have a full day of instruction headed their way. The annual deer conference in Oklahoma City is bringing together experts, conservation educators and hunting veterans for practical lessons aimed at everyone from first-timers to seasoned hunters. The agenda ranges from deer biology to field safety, with plenty of room for the finer points that can make or break a hunt.
The Oklahoma Deer Hunting Conference is scheduled for Saturday at Metro Tech’s Springlake Campus, where more than 20 experts will lead sessions on hunting tactics, property management, wildlife knowledge and safety, according to News 9. The official event listing says programming will run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., giving attendees a full day to rotate through workshops and compare notes with other Oklahoma hunters.
Organized by Oklahoma Hunters & Anglers with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the event is now in its eighth year. The OHA conference page says organizers expect roughly 300 participants, a major jump from the approximately 25 people who attended the first gathering.
From Deer Biology To Shot Placement
The conference is designed to be useful whether someone is buying a first license or trying to improve an already well-worn hunting routine. Sessions will cover deer biology, scouting, tracking, finding a place to hunt, managing property for deer and field-to-fork practices, while other classes will get more specific about shot placement and where to aim, as reported by News 9.
Safety is also a major part of the schedule, with instruction on stop-the-bleed techniques, basic first aid and responsible hunting practices. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation says the conference will feature about 35 breakout sessions, along with industry partners, nonprofit groups, vendors and hunting television personalities.
Registration Includes Lunch And Hunting Resources
Individual registration costs $50 and includes lunch, access to the sessions, door-prize tickets and a one-year membership in Oklahoma Hunters & Anglers, according to the organization’s event information. The first 300 attendees are also slated to receive a one-year HuntStand Pro subscription, while thousands of dollars in raffle and door prizes are planned.
Rick Nolan, president of Oklahoma Hunters & Anglers and founder of DeerCon, said the event has grown into an all-day gathering for hunters at every experience level. “There’s a gamut of people from brand new to the experienced hunter,” Nolan told the wildlife agency, which also noted that seating is limited and early registration is encouraged.
