On behalf of the Oklahoma Hunters & Anglers LLC (OHA), the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), volunteers, and your conference sponsors and partners, we welcome you to the 7th Annual Deer Hunting Conference & Expo. The goal of the conference is to better equip you, the deer hunter, with the fundamental knowledge that will lead to both your enjoyment of the hunt and to successful adventures in the field.
The Deer Conference began in 2019 with the first Deer Hunting 101 Workshop held at H&H Gun Range in OKC and has grown exponentially each year. The size and scope of the event have evolved over the years to meet the needs of the hunters attending; however, the goal of the conference has not changed.
The goals since the first planning session in 2019 through today have been to;
- Create a hunter recruitment, reactivation, and retention (R3) opportunity for both early onset hunters and experienced hunters, regardless of their level of experience.
- Provide a space where all hunters, regardless of experience, can learn and have their hunting questions answered by subject matter experts.
- Provide an event that is designed to be informative, educational, user-friendly, and fun.
- Assemble a team of true deer hunting subject matter experts to lead each session and provide evidence-based hunting tactics and strategies.
Door prizes for the Deer Conference are evidence of the importance of these types of events to industry professionals from across the nation. Please take time to express your appreciation to these companies that have provided your 2025 Door Prizes.
This conference would not be possible without the tremendous effort from OHA and the staff of the ODWC, dedicated volunteers, professional staff, and committed partners. The planning team spends countless hours planning and executing the deer conference. Please take time throughout the day to thank the team members for their dedication to making this year’s Deer Conference a success.
Bobby Armstrong, OHA Leigh Britton OHA Todd Craighead OHA OD Curry OHA Jordan Graves OHA
Kasie Harriet OHA Jacob Harriet ODWC Lance Meek ODWC Rick Nolan OHA Billy Strawn OHA
Again, on behalf of all involved, welcome to your 2025 Oklahoma to the Deer Conference.
A Word from the Oklahoma Hunters & Anglers
Raised Here - Stays Here
As the Oklahoma Hunters & Anglers’ LLC (OHA) celebrates its second anniversary, their mission has not changed and remains focused; To serve Oklahoma’s sportsmen and women by enhancing Oklahoma’s wildlife and fishery resources, our hunting and fishing heritage, and the conservation efforts of those who value our states fish and wildlife resources. This mission is shared by the ODWC.
The founders of the OHA have an unwavering commitment to lead the OHA to becoming the premier Oklahoma centric non-governmental organization in the fight to preserve our hunting and fishing heritage. Hunters and anglers are an integral part of funding conservation, and every year tens of thousands of Oklahoma outdoor enthusiast’s experience wildlife and other natural resources that have been preserved and maintained by hunters, anglers, and shooters. This user-pay system is at the core of conservation; however, with participation in hunting generally declining since the 1980s, there is a sense of urgency to broaden the funding base. This is one reason why recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and anglers’ efforts here in Oklahoma are critical.
Hunting outreach and education programs, such as this Deer Conference, are one way to ensure our hunting heritage, which is so deeply ingrained in our mission, is preserved for generations to come. The OHA believes in doing what is necessary to keep our hunting heritage alive. Events like the Deer Conference, mentored hunts and other hunting and fishing education programs will help pass on the traditions of safe, ethical hunting and fishing while teaching conservation principles.
Hunters fund conservation, but less than 10 percent of the American population hunts. The funding source is going away. The OHA is working hard to secure the future of Oklahoma’s hunting heritage by increasing the number of hunters, who pay for 80% of wildlife conservation through hunting license purchases and excise taxes on guns, ammunition and more.
The OHA’s moto is, “Raised Here – Stays Here.” This moto is OHA’s commitment to keeping every dollar raised for the mission in Oklahoma and is put to work on the mission; Hunter and Angler R3 Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation and Habitat Enhancement programs on both public and private land.
To learn more about how the OHA and its mission and goals reach out to one of the OHA Board of Directors.
From the OHA Board of Directors, we hope you enjoy the conference.
Bobbby Armstrong Leigh Britton Todd Craighead OD Curry Jordan Graves Rick Nolan OHA Billy Strawn
8:30 - 9:00 Opening Session
Big Rooms GHI
Welcome and Opening Remarks – Rick Nolan
Prayer – Jeff Danker
Presentation of the Colors – ODWC Warden Color Guard
Pledge of Allegiance
Lay of the Land
9:15 to 10:15 Break Out Sessions
1:30 - 2:30 Break Out Sessions
Big Room G – Thinking Like a Deer with Jeff Danker
Big Room H – Introduction to Bow Hunting with Bryn Chapman
Big Room I – Deer Biology 101 with Dallas Barber
Room D – Deer Hunting Regulations with Jacob Harrett & Jake Rowland
Room J – Using Trail Cameras with Chancy Holdsworth & Cole Cannon
Room TBD – Habitat Improvement with Leah Lowe
2:45 - 3:45 Break Out Sessions
Big Room G – Field to Fork with Jim Reynolds
Big Room H – Intermediate Bow Hunting Tactics with Bryn Chapman
Big Room I – Deer Biology 102 with Dallas Barber
Room D – Saddle Hunting with Jacob Harrett & Jake Rowland
Room I – Self-Videoing Your Hunts with Chancy Holdsworth & Cole Cannon
Room TBD – Caliber and Ammo Selection with Mandy and Ronny
4:00 - 5:00 Break Out Sessions
5:00 Wrap Up and Door Prizes
Big Rooms GHI
