2026 Seminar Schedule
Seminar Schedule & Locations
Elevate your outdoor knowledge at the Midwest Sportsmen Classic Expo with our engaging seminar series, all covered by your general admission ticket! We feature an impressive lineup of experts across two distinct locations: the main Coliseum and the Trade Show Seminar Area. Throughout Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, attendees can learn from renowned speakers like Terry Hodges of Warden Force, Hall of Fame Angler Mark Zona, and the Legends Classic team, covering diverse topics from deer lure tactics and fruit trees for wildlife to advanced fishing techniques and woodsmanship skills. Be sure to check the detailed schedule for times and specific presentations, ensuring you don’t miss out on valuable insights from leading figures in the outdoor community.
2026 Featured Speakers
Brent Henderson
Brent Henderson is a national speaker, author, and outdoor adventurer whose real-life survival experiences captivate audiences. From brown bear encounters in Alaska to extreme medical emergencies, Brent’s stories point to faith, purpose, and perseverance. He is the host of The Unleashed Podcast, an ordained pastor, and Executive Director of Unleashed.Men. Brent has spoken worldwide and has seen over 20,000 men come to Christ through his events.
Mike Raber
Mike Raber is a Major League Fishing professional angler from Wolcottville, Indiana. He has competed across multiple MLF circuits, earning numerous Top Tens and a major victory on the Detroit River. Known for his versatility and electronics expertise, Mike excels at chasing smallmouth bass, especially on Lake Erie. When not competing, he works at Tackle Shack LLC and enjoys whitetail hunting.
Terry Peer
Terry Peer is the co-host of the Chasing Giants podcast alongside Don Higgins, where he shares practical advice on land management and hunting mature whitetails. He has played a key role in the growth of both Chasing Giants and Real World Wildlife Products. Terry’s consistent success as a deer hunter was highlighted on Whitetail Cribs. Known for his steady approach and sound decision-making, Terry quietly tags mature bucks year after year.
Lee Mitchell
Lee Mitchell is a veteran public-land bowhunter with over 42 years of whitetail hunting experience across the United States. His mobile hunting style was shaped by years of hunting military installations and adapting to unpredictable access. A former Army wildlife biologist, Lee now serves as Senior Natural Resources Specialist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He also consults private landowners and manages a large South Texas ranch focused on trophy whitetails.
Gene Wensel
Gene Wensel is widely regarded as the “thinking man’s deer hunter,” known for his deep analysis of whitetail behavior and sign interpretation. A lifelong recurve bowhunter, Gene has authored influential books and lectured nationwide. He is also the creator of the Wensel Woodsman broadhead. Despite his many accomplishments, Gene remains focused on what he loves most—hunting big bucks.
Barry Wensel
Barry Wensel is a legendary traditional bowhunter whose life has revolved around understanding mature whitetail behavior. He has guided hundreds of bowhunters to record-book bucks and personally taken multiple Boone & Crockett whitetails with a recurve bow at close range. Barry has spoken nationwide and ran the first-ever whitetail hunting schools for over a decade. His proven, unconventional methods continue to influence bowhunters across the country.
Bobby Worthington
Bobby Worthington is a lifelong traditional archer, competitive champion, and acclaimed outdoor author. He has won multiple world titles and national championships while earning Shooter of the Year honors across major archery organizations. Bobby has had seven bow-killed bucks featured in North American Whitetail Magazine, more than any other hunter. Known for blending faith, humor, and wisdom, he is a sought-after speaker and instructor nationwide.
Andy Andreas
Andy Andreas is a nationally respected apple breeder whose work has transformed fruit trees for wildlife and land managers. Through extensive breeding trials, he developed new apple varieties with exceptional disease resistance, vigor, and fruit quality—without heavy spraying. His work has been validated through DNA testing by Ohio State University. Andy’s genetics now provide land managers with reliable, high-performing fruit trees that consistently attract whitetails.
Allen Weaver
Allen Weaver is a U.S. Coast Guard–approved charter captain based on Lake Erie, the walleye capital of the world. He fishes walleye year-round using techniques ranging from spring jigging to fall drifting and casting. Allen is especially known for teaching anglers proper long-casting techniques to keep worm harnesses in the strike zone longer. His hands-on instruction helps anglers consistently put more fish in the boat.
Cal Dittmar
Cal Dittmar began trapping at age eight, following in his father and uncle’s footsteps, and has spent decades mastering both water and land trapping techniques. Known for running demanding traplines in all conditions, his dedication earned him the nickname “The Trappin’ Fool.” In 2011, Cal turned his lifelong passion into a business, specializing in nuisance wildlife control. A former first responder and Chief of Police, Cal is also active in the Indiana State Trappers Association and has worked with numerous outdoor industry brands.
Mark Zona
Mark Zona is one of the most recognizable personalities in bass fishing as the longtime host of Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show. A passionate angler and storyteller, Zona brings humor, authenticity, and deep fishing knowledge to everything he does. He has worked closely with Major League Fishing and numerous top anglers throughout his career. Mark is widely respected for his ability to educate while entertaining anglers of all skill levels.
Nate Standerfer
Nate Standerfer is a core member of Team Radical and an accomplished whitetail hunter known for his attention to detail. He specializes in breaking down properties and adapting setups based on real-time deer behavior. Nate contributes educational and authentic hunting content through Team Radical’s platforms. His approach centers on learning, adapting, and hunting mature bucks the right way.
Jack Huston
Jack Huston is an active outdoorsman and whitetail hunter who shares his passion and experiences through social media. He focuses on realistic hunting strategies, time in the field, and continual improvement as a hunter. Jack values woodsmanship, patience, and learning from every encounter. His content resonates with hunters who appreciate authenticity over hype.
Kevin VanDam
Kevin VanDam is one of the most accomplished professional bass anglers in history. A four-time Bassmaster Classic Champion and multi-time Angler of the Year, KVD has helped redefine modern tournament fishing. Known for his versatility, intensity, and innovation, his influence extends well beyond competition. Kevin continues to educate and inspire anglers through media, seminars, and industry leadership.
Kyle Heuerman
Kyle Heuerman is a member of Team Radical and a passionate whitetail hunter focused on disciplined strategy and aggressive scouting. He shares real-world hunting experiences through Team Radical’s social media platforms. Kyle is dedicated to helping hunters understand deer movement, setup efficiency, and execution. His content emphasizes consistency, preparation, and learning from every season.
Ryan Herschberger
Ryan Hershberger is the founder of Hersch Custom Calls, where he handcrafts high-quality game calls for serious hunters. His calls are designed through extensive field testing and real hunting experience. Ryan is committed to producing reliable tools that perform when it matters most. His passion for hunting drives continuous innovation in call design.
Wes Delks
Wes Delks has pursued whitetails passionately since childhood, combining hands-on experience with a Wildlife Management degree from Purdue University. He is a full-time whitetail consultant with Higgins Outdoors and a seminar speaker for Real World Wildlife Products. Wes has conducted food plot trials, raised captive deer, and written for multiple outdoor publications. Faith, family, and whitetails remain central to everything he does.
Don Higgins
Don Higgins is the owner of Higgins Outdoors and one of the most sought-after whitetail consultants in the world. He is the founder of Real World Wildlife Products, host of the Chasing Giants podcast, and editor of Whitetail Life magazine. Don has personally taken multiple bucks over 200 inches and helped clients do the same through proven strategies. He is also an outspoken Christian who uses his platform to share his faith.
Alan Foster
Alan Foster is a lifelong Illinois outdoorsman and respected voice in the whitetail community. A passionate bowhunter during the 1980s and 1990s, he authored multiple articles sharing hard-earned hunting knowledge. Alan believes old-school techniques remain highly effective when paired with modern technology. Though he no longer hunts, he continues helping others pursue trophy whitetails.
Joe Miles
Joe Miles is a lifelong bowhunter who turned his passion into successful outdoor ventures including Sporting Adventures International and ASIO Gear. One of only a few Americans to hold a Professional Hunter license, Joe has hunted and guided across 15 countries. Despite global adventures, his greatest passion remains bowhunting mature whitetails in North America. Joe has taken over 100 whitetails with a bow, including multiple record-book bucks.
Smokey
Smokey is the founder of Smokey’s Deer Lures, a company built on real-world testing and a deep understanding of whitetail behavior. His lure formulas are crafted to work in high-pressure hunting environments. Smokey’s passion for whitetails drives continuous refinement of scent products. His goal is simple—help hunters create more close-range encounters with mature bucks.