9:15 to 10:15 Sessions
Fall Prevention and Tree Stand Safety with TBD – Room A
Overall, hunting can be a safe and enjoyable time. However, it poses some dangers, and tree stand injuries are common throughout the hunting season. Each year, between 3,000 to 4,000 people in the U.S. are injured after falling out of a tree stand.
Tree stand falls can lead to significant injuries like broken bones, concussions, and internal bleeding. Occasionally, a fall can lead to a head injury or spine damage that results in paralysis. Most trauma injuries, including falls from tree stands, are preventable. They are almost always related to three factors: alcohol or drug use, risk-taking behaviors, and poor judgment.
In this session, hunters learn best practices and how to avoid poor judgment and risk-taking behaviors anytime their feet of off the ground.
Shot Placement with Kelly Boyer -Room D
In this session, we will cover proper shot placement, basic after-the-shot analysis, and tracking for most hunting situations. We will discuss deer anatomy and the importance of a proper angle for a shot. We will also cover what to do after the shot, including suggestions on how long to wait to recover downed game, and tactics that will help you with a successful game recovery. Tracking after the shot, what to do, or just as important, what not to do after the shot, often leads to a successful recovery or the nightmare of lost game.
In this session, Kelly will bring countless years and hundreds of tracking adventures to the classroom. Kelly will outline best practices, what to do, and what to avoid, as well as tips and tricks that can lead to a happy ending at the end of the blood trail.
Deer Hunting Q&A with Jeff Danker – Big Room G
Jeff Danker, host of Buckventures TV. Jeff makes a living hunting whitetail deer. In this session, attendees are encouraged to bring their questions to be answered by one of the nation’s best and most successful deer hunters. There is no safer place to ask your deer hunting questions than during this session. No question is too simple or complex for Jeff to provide meaningful, respectful input to make you a better hunter.
Field Care of Meat, Skinning, etc. with Steve Abbott – Big Room H
Once you have harvested your game the real work begins. In the session, you will learn from a meat processor and taxidermist how to properly care for you meat while in the field, how to cape a deer you might want to have mounted later
Scouting and Stand Placement 101 with Kreg Griffith – Big Room I
Kreg focuses on the “Foundational Truths” of being consistently successful in selecting a stand location, such as food-to-bed/bed-to-food cycle, access, and wind direction. Specific areas to focus on pinch points/funnels, edges, and all the different variations. When will you be hunting? Feeding patterns vs the rut and scouting digitally.
Finding a Place to Hunt with Joshua Luft – Room J
Finding a Place to Hunt – Finding a place to hunt can be a challenge. In this session, Joshua will discuss the many options to consider in your search for safe and productive hunting ground. Included in the session will be an introduction to the ODWC public Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), OLAP land options, USFS offerings as well as private land considerations. Also covered will be hunt clubs, private leases, day hunts and other options to assist you in your search for a place to hunt.
10:30 to 11:30 Sessions
Hunter First Aid with TBD – Room A
Mistakes and injuries can happen to even the most prepared hunter. The woods are hard on everyone and in this environment, one misstep, one slip of the knife, and you’re in a situation that demands more than grit; you need to know basic first aid.
In this session, you will learn basic first aid and learn to recognize and treat the most common injuries that could occur while hunting.
Ladies Only Session with Lacie Lowry & Lacey Swope – Room D
Sorry, gentlemen – NO men allowed. Women are the fastest-growing demographic to enjoy our hunting and fishing heritage, and Lacey and Lacie offer a unique perspective to the outdoor experience. In this session, lady attendees are encouraged to bring questions to be answered by two of Oklahoma’s best-known outdoorswomen. There is no safer place to ask your deer hunting questions than during this session. No question is too simple or complex for the ladies who will provide meaningful and respectful input to make you a better hunter. Lacie Lowry, an award-winning journalist, and Lacey Swope, an award-winning meteorologist, are both living the outdoor lifestyle while keeping Oklahomans informed in the latest news and weather stories.
Thinking Like a Deer with Jeff Danker – Big Room G
In this session, BuckVentres TV star, Jeff Danker, will discuss how to view the world through the eyes of a whitetail deer. Attempting to think like a deer, understanding deer sign, and the best times to be in the field.
Field Care of Meat, Skinning etc. with Steve Abbott – Big Room H
Once you have harvested your game, the real work begins. In the session, you will learn from a meat processor and taxidermist how to properly care for your meat while in the field, how to cape a deer you might want to have mounted later
Deer Biology 101 with Dallas Barber – Big Room I
Understanding whitetail deer biology is the foundation to developing a hunting strategy that will improve hunters’ success in the field. In this session Dallas Barber will provide a high-level view of whitetail biology, life cycle, etc. and how to use that knowledge to the hunter’s advantage.
Finding a Place to Hunt with Joshua Luft – Room J
Finding a Place to Hunt – Finding a place to hunt can be a challenge. In this session, Joshua will discuss the many options to consider in your search for safe and productive hunting ground. Included in the session will be an introduction to the ODWC public Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), OLAP land options, USFS offerings as well as private land considerations. Also covered will be hunt clubs, private leases, day hunts and other options to assist you in your search for a place to hunt.
11:45 to 1:15 Lunch
Big Rooms GHI
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1:30 to 2:30 Sessions
Habitat Improvement with Leah Lowe – Room A
Proper land management is vital for creating and maintaining quality habitat for wildlife. Depending on the objectives, there are several practices you can implement on your property to achieve your goals. But where should you start? Thinning? Burning? Planting? Are you encouraging native forbs to grow? Do you need to remove invasive plants? Rather than depending on food plots alone to attract wildlife, learn how to manage the landscape so that it is providing all the basic needs of your target species.
Deer Hunting Safety and Hunting Regulations with Jacob Harriet & Jake Rowland – Room D
The ODWC hunting rules and regulations can sometime be confusing and everyone wants to follow the rules. In this session an ODWC Game Warden Jacob Harriet will lead the attendees through the law to ensure everyone is following both the intent and the letter of the law.
This session brings an overview of deer hunting safety protocols, deer hunting regulations, using the Go Oklahoma App, (https://gooutdoorsoklahoma.com/), checking in game, operation game thief, and more.
Thinking Like a Deer with Jeff Danker – Big Room G
In this session, BuckVentres TV star, Jeff Danker, will discuss how to view the world through the eyes of a whitetail deer. Attempting to think like a deer, understanding deer sign, and the best times to be in the field.
Introduction to Bow Hunting with Bryn Chapman – Big Room H
Your first bow hunt will be a success if you take the time to get the right equipment, practice your skills, and prepare for the hunt. Bow hunting can be a rewarding experience for new hunters and those with lots of experience.
Bow hunting is unlike rifle hunting in almost every way. It is a much more intimate form of hunting that requires high-level skills and accuracy. Distances that are simple shots for inexperienced rifle hunters are nearly impossible for even the most experienced bow hunters. A successful hunt depends on practice, patience, and timing as much as on the weapon the hunter wields.
Many new hunters want to start your hunting journey as a bowhunter or can’t resist the challenge or intimate encounters with game that only bowhunting can provide. Bowhunting is the most challenging method of pursuing game. It requires the hunter to get close to their quarry and excite a well-placed shot without being detracted. Becoming proficient enough with a bow to ethically take one afield requires time and consistent practice.
In this session, you will be introduced to the world of bow hunting for deer. Including selection of bows, compound bows, crossbows, long bows, recurve bows, setup, scent control, practice, shot placement, setting up for bow shots, and much more.Big
Deer Biology 101 with Dallas Barber – Big Room I
Understanding whitetail deer biology is the foundation to developing a hunting strategy that will improve hunters’ success in the field. In this session Dallas Barber will provide a high-level view of whitetail biology, life cycle, etc. and how to use that knowledge to the hunter’s advantage.
Using Trail Cameras with Chancy Holdsworth and Cole Cannon – Room J
The development of trail cameras has arguably has had a significant impact on deer hunting. Many hunters would not enjoy deer season nearly as much without the use of cameras.
Chancy and Cole will discuss strategies such as setup and placement of trail cameras, key locations, and movement of trail cameras according to seasonal and pattern changes, and using cameras to study and learn behavioral traits of deer. The team from Buckventures will also discuss using cameras to identify and pattern individual deer as well as how to analyze the data you collect to maximize your hunting success. They will wrap up the session with a Q&A session.
2:45 to 3:45 Sessions
Caliber & Ammo Selection and Bullet Ballistics with Ronnie and Mindy Porter – Room A
What is the best caliber and bullet type for deer hunting has been discussed over campfires, in hunting camps, and during Monday morning quarterbacking sessions for ages! The debate is as endless as the options to choose from. In this session, Ronny will discuss the best practices in picking a suitable caliber and bullet type for deer hunting.
Deer are relatively small game animals, and most controlled-expansion bullets will work well. The distance you expect to shoot will influence the choice of caliber and bullet type. Choose a caliber and bullet that you are comfortable with and that performs well in your rifle.
Saddle Hunting with Jacob Harriet and Jake Rowland – Room D
In this session you will be introduced to Saddle Hunting. Jacob and Jake will cover different saddle types, climbing methods, gear considerations and the safety aspects of saddle hunting. They will also discuss considerations before, during and after the hunt while saddle hunting along with several different saddles and climbing methods so the attendees will have a visual representation. The information in this session will hope to eliminate any hesitation and encourage new and veteran hunters to consider saddle hunting as an option this upcoming fall.
Field to Fork with Jim Reynolds – Big Room G
Once you have successfully harvested your deer, the work begins. Processing a deer starts immediately after it is harvested and ends with whatever culinary dish that you decide to prepare, and is as old as the consumption of meat by humans.
The methods used to effectively process a deer, and quite frankly, all game, are rudimentary. The game is killed, field dressed, the hide removed, and then cooked, either whole or cut up for consumption or storage. The processing of deer from field to table is riddled with myths and often overcomplicated by fear of the unknown.
This session of Field-to-Fork aims to remove any fears you may have about processing your harvest and will focus on the equipment and basic processing of your deer with the intent of demonstrating how simple deer processing can be.
Intermediate Bow Hunting with Bryn Chapman – Big Room H
In this session, Bryn will help you better prepare for the challenges facing all bow hunters. Covered topics include suggestions on how to practice safely at home, finding a place to practice near where you live, additional gear selection, shot placement scenarios for a variety of hunting situations, learn in-field hunting skills, and much more.
Deer Biology 102 with Dallas Barber – Big Room I
Taking the Deer Biology 101 to the next level, Dallas Barber will do a deer dive into how whitetail tick and using the advanced knowledge to the hunter’s advantage.
Self – Videoing Your Hunts Chancy Holdsworth and Cole Cannon – Room J
Hunting is a challenge all on its own. With a camera, you’ll quickly realize that hunting AND filming is even more of a challenge.
Whether your goals in filming your hunts are to simply preserve the memories for you and your friends or family or, if you’re hoping to be the next big YouTube sensation, here are a few of the upsides and downsides to consider when it comes to filming your hunts.
In this session, Chancy and Cole will cover the basics of self-filming including set up, camera selection, accessories, telling the story, the “hero shot,” B Roll, editing and what to do with your footage and much more.
4:00 to 5:00 Sessions
Tracking after the shot Bobby Armstrong, Rhett Acker & McKayla or Craig Hunt – Room D
What to do after the shot, or just as important, what NOT to do after the shot often leads to a successful recovery or the nightmare of lost game. In this session, our three subject matter experts will bring countless years and hundreds of tracking experiences to the classroom.
This session will help bridge the self-tracking, drone, and dog-tracking divide.
- Bobby Armstrong will offer tips and strategies about tracking on your own.
- Mckayla or Craig will discuss why and when to call in a dog.
- Rhett covers the pros and cons of using a drone.
Field to Fork with Jim Reynolds – Big Room G
Once you have successfully harvested your deer, the work begins. Processing a deer starts immediately after it is harvested and ends with whatever culinary dish that you decide to prepare, and is as old as the consumption of meat by humans.
The methods used to effectively process a deer, and quite frankly, all game, are rudimentary. The game is killed, field dressed, the hide removed, and then cooked, either whole or cut up for consumption or storage. The processing of deer from field to table is riddled with myths and often overcomplicated by fear of the unknown.
This session of Field-to-Fork aims to remove any fears you may have about processing your harvest and will focus on the equipment and basic processing of your deer with the intent of demonstrating how simple deer processing can be.
Advanced Bow Tuning with Bryn Chapman – Big Room H
Advanced Bow Tuning
The foundation of all successful bowhunting is simply this: Make sure your bow has been properly set up and tuned, and that you have it sighted in with precision. At first blush, this sounds obvious, does it not? Yet every year, many bowhunters who have done neither.
It’s impossible to dive far into the weeds on both topics in a one-hour session. In this session, Bryn will concentrate on giving you some tips gleaned over a lifetime of tuning and shooting compound bows as a bowhunter and a competitive target shooter. Bryn will walk you through a 30,000-foot view of what to look for and how to get started taking your shot performance to the next level.
Deer Biology 102 with Dallas Barber – Big Room I
Taking the Deer Biology 101 to the next level, Dallas Barber will do a deer dive into how whitetail tick and using the advanced knowledge to the hunter’s advantage.
How to Kill a Buck on a Budget with Jeff Danker – Room J
There is a myth out there that deer hunting has turned into a rich man’s sport. The fact of the matter is, deer hunting can be as affordable as you want it to be. You can spend as little or as much as you want on fancy gear and gadgets, but there is no product you could buy that can replace the education gained during this session.
In this session, Jeff will teach you tactics and tricks that will lead to the budget-minded hunter’s success. Following Jeff’s suggestions can lead to wildly successful hunts and not break the bank. So, if you want or need to hunt on a budget, Jeff will offer plenty of experiences that the frugal-minded hunter can employ along the way.
