From Archery to ODNR: How an IBO Scholarship and Hocking College Launched a Career in Conservation

When Ryan Harris was a teenager competing in youth archery tournaments, he never imagined his skill with a bow would lead to a career in wildlife conservation. But thanks to a scholarship partnership between the International Bowhunting Organization (IBO) and Hocking College (Hocking), that’s exactly what happened.

Today, Harris serves as the District 4 Wildlife Management Supervisor for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), overseeing 19 counties and more than 175,000 acres of public and private land. His path began with a 3D deer target, a scholarship, and Hocking’s hands-on Wildlife Sciences program.

“I had so much scholarship built up from winning at IBO that Hocking was kind of an easy choice,” Harris said. “The scholarship was what made me investigate Hocking more. And once I went down and saw what they had to offer, it was a slam dunk, no questions asked.”

At the time, IBO awarded college scholarships rather than cash prizes to top youth competitors. For Harris, those scholarships covered nearly his entire tuition at Hocking, allowing him to focus fully on his studies without the need for a part-time job.

The Hocking experience was rooted in practical, field-based learning. Professors weren’t just educators. They were former field professionals who brought years of experience and field-tested knowledge into every lesson.

“We were learning how to run chainsaws, identify trees, and solve real-world problems,” Harris said. “It wasn’t lectures. It was the real thing.”

Harris credits his former Hocking faculty members, like the late Dennis Profant and TreeCare Forest Manager Dale Hatfield, with teaching him skills that translated directly to the field. After earning his associate degree from Hocking, Harris transferred to West Virginia University (WVU), where he quickly noticed the edge he had over other students.

“They placed us in junior-level classes, and we were so far ahead,” he said. “Students at WVU were just learning terms and techniques we had already covered in our first few weeks at Hocking.”

Just two months after graduating from WVU, Harris landed a job with ODNR. He was hired as an assistant supervisor, overseeing staff with decades of experience.

“The skills I had from Hocking helped me earn their respect,” he said. “It wasn’t just the technical skills. It was the way the program taught us to think and stay sharp.”

Now more than a decade into his career, Harris still relies on the knowledge and mindset he gained at Hocking.

“Almost every day,” he said. “Species ID, chainsaw use, habitat management—it all shows up. And the mindset to stay curious and evolve? That stuck with me too.”

Harris hopes more students will take advantage of the opportunities that exist, especially those that make college more affordable. “My advice is: don’t skip college because of the cost. There’s help out there,” he said. “And if you’re serious about natural resources, Hocking is the place to start.”

Reflecting on IBO’s continued investment in Hocking students, Harris said it best: “They’re helping shape the people who will carry this industry forward. It’s smart. And I’m living proof of that.”

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