Deer hunting conference, expo offers an escape
Why sweat your brains out Saturday when you can stay cool and learn instead?
One hundred degrees, 6% humidity, feels like 103 in the shade—Oklahoma gross.
That’s the forecast for Saturday.
If you’re like me and you feel a little anxious that you haven’t found time to get out in the sticks and ticks and do some food-plot or other pre-season deer hunting work this month, the good news is there’s always Sunday instead.
Sure, it’ll be August 1, just 60 days shy of the archery opener, but who really cares about the calendar if it might be 10 degrees cooler and cloudy.
Instead of sweating your brains out on Saturday, why not be cool and learn something at the 2021 National Wild Turkey Federation Oklahoma Deer Hunting Conference and Expo?
The NWTF, in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, has a great lineup of educational programs scheduled Saturday at the Reed Center, 5800 Will Rogers Road, Midwest City. The conference runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the cost is a mere $35 with lunch (and air-conditioning!) provided.
NWTF Board member and event coordinator Rick Nolan said plenty of spots remain if you want to register online (which is easiest) and he even decided on-the-spot with my Thursday phone call that they will take signups at the door for those last-minute decision makers.
That means they’re hoping to see a lot more folks than have signed up, folks.
“I like to consider myself a seasoned veteran but every time Dallas goes to talking I pull up a chair and listen.” Nolan said.
Not only will you get a lunch for your $35, but Todd Craighead of Outdoor Oklahoma will be sure to entertain as the lunchtime speaker and there will be door prizes and raffles, too, Nolan said.
The main morning meeting will be lead by Big Game Biologist Dallas Barber, who will be there fresh off aerial surveys of pronghorn on a lush, green Panhandle this week.
“If you’re a deer hunter you’re going to gain some knowledge over the course of the day, whether you’re experienced or brand new, from people we call subject-matter experts,” Nolan said.
Barber is a practiced discussion leader and is extremely generous in sharing information from his experience as a hunter, biologist and with experience as a wildlife lands manager for both private and public entities.
“I like to consider myself a seasoned veteran but every time Dallas goes to talking I pull up a chair and listen,” Nolan said. “His knowledge and his ability to put things in layman’s terms is better than most.”
After the first session folks can enjoy up to three more breakout sessions on subjects including: Introduction to Deer Hunting, Introduction to Bow Hunting, Introduction to Rifle Hunting, Oklahoma Deer Hunting Regulations, Deer Biology and Behavior, Shot Placement, Tracking After the Shot, Scouting and Stand Placement, Field to Fork, Game Care, Finding a Place to Hunt, Introduction to Muzzleloader Hunting, Women in the Outdoors, Wheeling Sportsman and Avoiding Common Mistakes.
The Field to Fork session might even include an on-site breakdown of a venison hindquarter. That’s worth the price of admission right there.
Tulsa’s favorite noodling and hunting outdoors woman Trish Maune of News On 6 and Oklahoma NWTF Women in the Outdoors Coordinator Sierra Michels will lead the breakout session on Women in The Outdoors and, given the field experience of those two it should be informative for anyone, but especially women who are into or getting into deer hunting, Nolan said.
Another on the list that popped out at me is the Scouting and Stand Placement session with Brandon Adams, the Oklahoma hunter who took the Oklahoma big game grand slam last year and who produces outdoors videos.
Want to add a challenge to your hunting season and stand placement? Add the demand for a second person and a camera. Been there, failed at that. I’m sure Adams will have plenty of good tips to offer.
To register go to this NWTF Registration Page or contact Nolan at (405) 410-1379.