What College courses to increase hunting odds??

[plentycoupe]

Not sure where to ask this so this. There is such a wealth of knowledge on here so why not.
On to my question...I have the time and ability to take some college courses. I would like to know what courses you all would recommend that could increase my chances of success at locating and understanding the flora and fona better. Mule deer, bear and elk in particular.
I totally understand the need to spend time in the field yet think there has to be some formal education that would help me better understand the habits and habitat choices of a species. As well as identifing what their food sources are and what that looks like at different times of the year.
I find a spend a great deal of time walking through a forest yet not really understand what everything I'm seeing is, or what its importance, if any, is to the species I'm trying to find. I do spend time looking for a mentor as I can only imagine what a wealth of knowledge an old timer that knows the woods around him to be. I myself am no spring chicken at 46 yet now desire to learn much more about our flora and fona.
Please advise if any form of formal education has helped you all.
Thanks!

 

[DamnRinella]

Similar boat you are in and relying on the great people in this forum, YouTube, and hunting shows like meateater, fresh tracks, solo hunter, etc.

 

[JohnnyB]

Statistics

 

[TBHasler]

My first impression is may be a waste of time to pursue classroom curriculum. I think you’re on to the most impactful approach which is a mentor. Maybe contact a local parks & wildlife agent/director and see if you could spend some time with them (ride alongs) or volunteer with any of their projects.
My guy just tells me documentaries and online research are going to be more valuable than any collegiate classroom time. Your outlook is admirable - never to old to learn something new!
Best of luck

 

[FLAK]

I've had a few I've enjoyed.
Dendrology, Entomology, Parasitology, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy,
Ornithology, Ecology, Environmental Conservation and yes, Statistics to name
a few.

 

[New Yoraska]

While there isn't a course that focuses on those 3 animals you can broaden your knowledge on the other stuff and then start seeing where the pieces fit in. I would consider ethnobotany, dendrology, ecology, GIS, and any local ecosystem or plant course.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

 

[khel]

I would consider ethnobotany, dendrology, ecology, GIS, and any local ecosystem or plant course.

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[Wapiti1]

Look at the classes and find one that is geared toward problem solving skills. Hunting is an exercise in problem solving. You'll find the best hunters are able to put a lot of facts together to paint a picture of what the animals are doing. Then they apply that in the woods.

That knowledge stuff on plants, etc changes from hunt to hunt depending on season, animal and location. The plants in Arizona that mule deer love, may not exist in MT, or CO. So, research those when the hunt is selected. Then apply that piece of the puzzle with the others for your hunt.

Jeremy

 

[JWP58]

Something you could afford to skip, to go hunting.

 

[Billinsd]

Do a ride along with big game biologists.

 

[chops24]

sounds like you have time. in my opinion there is no better teacher than boots on the ground. you find out real quick what you need and what you dont. A tripod and binos watching animals can be a great way to spend a day and you will learn a lot. Aside from that, maybe you have a local BHA chapter or something that needs volunteers, that would be a great way to get outside, meet a potential mentor and learn all at the same time. Where are you located?

 

[Sportsman]

REad this book for deer and look for similar for other species and regions.

Deer of the Southwest by Jim Heffelfinger.

Deer of the Southwest

Author Jim Heffelfinger presents a wide array of data in a reader-friendly, well-organized way. With a clear mission to make his information not only helpful, but entertaining and attractive as well, each chapter focuses on a specific aspect of understanding deer. The clear, detailed table of...

books.google.com

This is updated edition. 2006 edition is available on Amazon. I bought from Jim's website which I can't find now. I think he has enough volume for other sellers after being featured on Randy Newberg's podcast.

 

[street]

Search the literature. You don't need to take a class at university - not worth time or money.

 

[GrumpyHiker]

Doing it yourself ought to be more effective and satisfying than sitting and listening to some yokel. Grab a book, a pair of boots, and start walking.

 

[All American Boy]

Statistics

Absolutely. Trying to read the stats for each unit, species, season, weapon choice, year over year stats.

 

[Btaylor]

Personally, I think the probably the 3 most important people you could learn from are like mentioned above a biologist and also someone from forestry and a trapper.

 

[Huntindog45]

I've had a few I've enjoyed.
Dendrology, Entomology, Parasitology, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy,
Ornithology, Ecology, Environmental Conservation and yes, Statistics to name
a few.

i just had a nasty ptsd moment when you mentioned comparative vertebrate anatomy. I think i passed it the third time. Our comparative final at MSU bozeman was a bitch...

that being said the courses i had that had that helped the most for hunting purposes probably would have been very broad classes like Ecology of the rockies or something similar. it seems all the major schools that offer environmental degrees or have similar ecology classes that look at the ecosystem in a broad spectrum. They are usually fun classes that have cool field trips also.

 

[WCB]

Botany, forestry, ecology, mammalogy/zoology. I started as a Wildlife major and glad I got through these courses before a switched majors. There is no substitute for hunting and actually watching the animals. However, its is nice to know what your looking at instead of "cool flower, grass, tree, etc" wonder what it is? I would highly recommend finding a good trapper or start trapping your self. Trapping has caused me to look at things in a different way than the people I hunt with that don't trap.

 

[plentycoupe]

sounds like you have time. in my opinion there is no better teacher than boots on the ground. you find out real quick what you need and what you dont. A tripod and binos watching animals can be a great way to spend a day and you will learn a lot. Aside from that, maybe you have a local BHA chapter or something that needs volunteers, that would be a great way to get outside, meet a potential mentor and learn all at the same time. Where are you located?

I’m in Yelm, WA now.

 

[hevi14]

plant taxonomy was a cool class i would reccomend

Not sure where to ask this so this. There is such a wealth of knowledge on here so why not.
On to my question...I have the time and ability to take some college courses. I would like to know what courses you all would recommend that could increase my chances of success at locating and understanding the flora and fona better. Mule deer, bear and elk in particular.
I totally understand the need to spend time in the field yet think there has to be some formal education that would help me better understand the habits and habitat choices of a species. As well as identifing what their food sources are and what that looks like at different times of the year.
I find a spend a great deal of time walking through a forest yet not really understand what everything I'm seeing is, or what its importance, if any, is to the species I'm trying to find. I do spend time looking for a mentor as I can only imagine what a wealth of knowledge an old timer that knows the woods around him to be. I myself am no spring chicken at 46 yet now desire to learn much more about our flora and fona.
Please advise if any form of formal education has helped you all.
Thanks!