HELP! When can a Professor hunt???

[freebird134]

I'm starting as a new professor at a university in the south in a few months. I'll probably have a course each Fall and each Spring, making it nearly impossible for big hunting trips. Fortunately I have a couple teaching releases that will allow me to elk hunt in Idaho (my home state) this year and another, but beyond that is uncertain. I was hoping those of you with experience in other states (or countries) could chime in with good hunts (particularly archery) that are available outside the school semesters.

Basically, I can't take off mid-August through mid-December or mid-January through early May.

So, what big game hunts are available May through mid-August, or maybe late December? Any big game species.... OTC or lottery. I'm even open to antlerless hunts if it gets me into the backcountry and chasing big game with a bow.

Thanks!

EDIT: I plan to hunt locally the whitetail, hogs, turkey, etc that are available. I'm hoping to hear about other hunts that I can take off for a week or two, especially if it let's me pack in and hunt off my back. Thanks!

 

[Vids]

Colorado has elk seasons in December and January, both bull and cow. Also a couple of late deer seasons. They are rifle seasons, but you can use a bow.

There are also spring bear seasons in other states that may be going on in late May, but I'm not totally sure on the season dates as I've never researched them.

 

[ohoopee]

Several of the southern states have liberal tag limits and extended whitetail seasons. A very different style of hunting but you will have the benefit of having your bow and hunting outdoors. Not many mountains or valleys but you will probably come to appreciate the lowly wood duck in a swamp bottom creek.

 

[freebird134]

Oh, I plan to hit the whitetail, hogs and turkey opportunities locally. I guess I'm asking about "trips".... things I can take off for a week or two, maybe backpack hunt, etc. I'll see if I can edit my original post.. thanks!

 

[gmajor]

Man those eastern academic schedules are brutal. I am able to go on a weeklong hunt in CO before fall quarter begins (late sept). After that, I try to head out for 2 to 3 trips where I'll leave on a thursday night and come back sunday or monday for deer and bear ("drivable" trips in CA where I live). Obviously I try not to teach in the fall, and it usually works, but not this upcoming fall (I'm a phd student though, so I'm sure your teaching load is heavier). I'm going to do what I can to make my sessions on Tues or Weds...

As far as a week or two off during the quarter? No teaching load or lab meetings or research demands and/or convince people you're doing work? haha. But for December - look into some western states' bear seasons perhaps.

 

[freebird134]

I'm a phd student though, so I'm sure your teaching load is heavier

Thanks for the feedback. Enjoy that freedom of the grad student life while it lasts! Actually, I've had a lot of freedom as a postdoc too. My position has a relatively light teaching load, and I'm hoping to stack 2 classes in the spring and 0 in the fall. But it might not be possible.



Does anyone know about caribou hunting alaska in July? I saw something about it. Idaho has some early elk hunts starting Aug 1 I'll look into.

 

[Zbot]

There are several opportunities to backpack for exotics in Texas and Hawaii OTC and year round.

Nevada has archery muleys and cow elk in August.

 

[MuleyFever]

AZ deer season runs in Dec and Jan.

 

[PNWGATOR]

Coues whitetail, mulies and javelina in AZ mid Dec through end of January. Australia for buffalo. Flyfish during your summer break.

 

[freebird134]

Australia for buffalo.

I do have a friend and colleague at James Cook Univ I should probably visit! . Thanks

 

[El Gavilan]

Javelina in Arizona in January, you will need to apply in the draw for the good units but there are some leftover tags in some units too. You can also hunt deer in January with an over the counter tag. There are some December deer hunts as well.

 

[weaver]

New Zealand for tahr, chamois and red deer

 

[Poser]

I teach some college. It's a MWF class in the fall. I leave on a Monday after class, cancel Wed, have the class meet independently for a project on The Friday. The next week, I have someone sub/guest on Mon/fri and cancel Wednesday. -have a midterm project due when I get back.
Friday classes are canceled as needed for weekend trips and cold fronts.

 

[freebird134]

I teach some college. It's a MWF class in the fall. I leave on a Monday after class, cancel Wed, have the class meet independently for a project on The Friday. The next week, I have someone sub/guest on Mon/fri and cancel Wednesday. -have a midterm project due when I get back.
Friday classes are canceled as needed for weekend trips and cold fronts.

Brilliant! That flexibility definitely differs among schools. I hope I can swing something like that!!

 

[charvey9]

Can still get good spring bear hunting in June in Alberta. Can hunt New Zealand year round, but not sure what the best times/season is. Early August can get you the start of fall bear and Antelope in most Western states and some early archery opportunities for deer in a couple states. I know CA has deer archery in August. I think Utah and Colorado might start then also.

 

[5MilesBack]

I guess when you're teaching the class it's much harder to just skip out for a few weeks at a time, like I always did as a student during hunting seasons. All I can say is choose your occupations wisely if hunting is important.

 

[Mtnboy]

You probably already know this, but bear season runs til June 15 in a lot of Units in Idaho.

 

[freebird134]

Early August can get you the start of fall bear and Antelope in most Western states and some early archery opportunities for deer in a couple states.

I'll check into this. Thanks! At least in Idaho, Pronghorn starts 15 August, which is probably too late for me most school years (This university starts so early!).

I guess when you're teaching the class it's much harder to just skip out for a few weeks at a time, like I always did as a student during hunting seasons. All I can say is choose your occupations wisely if hunting is important.

It's all compromise. I've spent 5 years as a postdoc with the most flexible schedule on the planet. It might be harder to hunt now, but there is more to life then hunting (Blasphemy?)! But, part of my research is actually studying hunting data. I've literally been paid to study elk harvest stats and travel to conferences to report my work. So it's got its perks.

You probably already know this, but bear season runs til June 15 in a lot of Units in Idaho.

Thanks! I hadn't realized that. I've only killed one bear and it was a booner. Maybe I'm cut out for a life of June bear hunts?

 

[69ChrisCraft]

Blacktail archery on the central CA coast starts the 2nd week in July. PM me if you want some insight.

 

[kaboku68]

Black and Brown Bears in the Spring in Alaska.

While its tough to get off from teaching he should be able to put in 20 -25 years and retire earlier with a body that is functionally intact. He also will be able to take a sabbatical every once in a while to write up his research.