We broke up into 2 groups and started on the hunter responsibility test and wildlife id.

The OK Wildlife Federation's Lance Meek and Margaret Ruff drafted a new test for our state challenge, and with a little help from some other OWF members they presented, and scored the test, Chris Clary led the seniors with 300 while Rafe Ford led the juniors with 290. Thanks again Margaret & Lance, and the Wildlife Federation.

JD Peer & Cindy Speckman dug deep into the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's specimen bag and really stumped our very knowledgeable participants. Do you know what a pelican wishbone looks like? Well, 30 shooters from Oklahoma do now. Thanks again JD and Cindy for your creative input for the challenge. Senior E J Oppenheimer with a 210 and Jonathan Caddell showed the Juniors how to ID with a 180.

Next we broke up into 6 groups and enjoyed our first state YHEC that was dry!! No wind, low 80s, and 30 young ladies & gentlemen literally having a blast. (So were the 80 more mature ladies & gentlemen).

The ODWC Game Wardens really made everyone think hard on the Hunter Safety Trail. Testing our young hunter's knowledge of game laws and presenting shoot don't shoot scenarios proves to be an education every time. Chris Clary led the Seniors with a 300 and Rafe Ford led the Juniors with a 300.

Thanks to our Game Wardens, Rick Cagle -- Kingfisher Co., Ronnie Arganbright -- Pott Co., Mark Walker -- Blain Co., and Shane Hodgins -- McClain Co.

What a positive experience for these rookie hunters to get some one-on-one instruction with Oklahoma Game Wardens.

Doug Hackney with OKC Gun Club Archery Division has for the last 4 years taken off work the Friday before state and mows, helps ODWC set up the Hunter Safety Trail, sets up the Archery trail etc . . . then he helps tune bows, gives instruction to new shooters and parents. What an event the Archery Division provides, thanks guys. Our top Senior was Matt Treece with 288, and our top Junior was Rafe Ford with 294.

Amil Lyon knows orienteering, each year he makes out a different type of challenge to get "lost" on. He has provided instruction to a lot of flatlanders that thought a line of declination was a military term. He has presented another challenge with outstanding results. Senior E J Oppenheimer scored 220 and Junior Jonathan Caddell scored 220. Thanks again Amil & gang.

We ran ahead of schedule and started lunch around 11:30. The Heartland Friends of NRA served up 250 hot dogs & hot links with sour crout, chili, and all the fixings. Thanks to Vaughn Foods for their awesome potato salad, slaw, and beans. I heard the beans are a new recipe, they were a winner!! Thanks to my mom & dad for helping with lunch, couldn't do it without you.

During lunch we posted the scores and the competition got pushed up a notch, as did the temperature.

Monroe Lutrick held court at the Silhouette range where we shot muzzleloader, Monroe ran the most efficient black powder event ever, he surrounded himself with super nice and knowledgeable instructors, and made it one of the most enjoyable events. (He also had a primo location in the shade). Senior E J Oppenheimer scored 300 and Junior Hawk Bledsoe scored 300.

Kevin Welsh of the Tri-City Gun Club made this 22 range perfect for competition & Suzi Rouse rallied the women together providing lots of fun for our shooters. They had 22+ volunteers for 22 rifle, a record! Man did it go smooth. Senior Chris Clary shot a 241 and Junior Rafe Ford shot a 244. Thanks again guys & dolls.

Last was the Skeet range for shotgun. Jim Hanson leads the construction on what is quickly becoming the state's premier facility. As Jim worked on a new trap/skeet field, the shooters were showing their stuff. Senior Jarod Conrady shot 240 and Junior Rafe Ford shot 228. Dusty Chambliss, Mark Vaughn, and Tom Elder were joined by another half dozen instructors presenting a variation of skeet. Thanks guys, see you next year.

At the end of the day we handed out 48 medals, 3 guns, 28 prizes, t-shirts, pins, hunters guides, certificates, etc…. The Senior winners were 1^st - E J Oppenheimer 2^nd - Jarod Conrady 3^rd - Chris Clary. The Junior winners were 1^st - Rafe Ford 2^nd - Hawk Bledsoe 3^rd - Bobby Bradley. The sportsmanship award went to Austin Ederer. The door prize, a Ruger 1022, went to Jacob Schuchardt. Congratulations to all of this year's competitors. Hope we put a couple of international teams together and go to Raton, New Mexico, all competitors are eligible. It's been a blast, see you at Raton.