Parents: How do you hunt elk with your kids around school schedules?

[ljsommer]

Dad of a four year old boy (born September 15th) and I want to start planning future hunts with him where I can make a big deal of hunting season. I love the idea of taking him out for his birthday on some sort of special elk hunt but school seems like it would get in the way.

How do you work around school schedules with hunting? Is it just a weekend only activity with kids or is there any way to go on longer trips during season?

[highside74]

I have 2 boys born Sept 12th and Sept 15th. One is 14 and the other is 18. With school, sports, family and friends I still haven't figured out elk hunting around their birthdays. Basically I have given up anything other than day hunts between the 12th and the 15th. The 18yo wasn't interested in hunting much but has started to show more interest lately. The 14yo just did muzzle loader this year after rifle the last couple years. Because of school and football I haven't pushed him towards archery yet.

[Dan-o]

I'm a father of 5 adult kids.

Not all of them hunted, but all of them "earned" days out of school to do stuff with dad.

I spoke openly and directly with my kids about this when they were young.

That conversation included that I'd love to take them hunting, including missing school, if they do their part.   Their part included keeping excellent grades.     

I think the days they spent hunting or fishing (instead of in school) were very beneficial to them.

None of them were hurt by missing a few days here and there.   They just need to be willing to do the make up work as part of the bargain.

Honestly, ask yourself this:     will my son/daughter be harmed by missing a couple days of school for elk hunting?   what will my child gain from it?   In my case, my children would say they gained much more from those special days than they would have from a few more days in school.

I've got 2 engineers, a law enforcement supervisor, a successful small business owner, and a financial planner as kids now.    None of them suffered from missing a little school.

I would say this:  If I had a child that was struggling with school, I'd have to think about how to approach it.

P.S.   When your kid shoots his first deer or elk on a school day, and takes it apart and does the work (with help and supervision, of course) they will have learned more than the next many days of school will get them.

[Timberstalker]

I’m no expert, and I didn’t stay at a Motel 8 last night, but Dan-o nailed it.

My Dad had a similar approach to what Dan-o suggested. It kept us boys accountable and gave us something to work towards.

I’ll try a similar approach with my three daughters.

[2MANY]

"That conversation included that I'd love to take them hunting, including missing school, if they do their part.   Their part included keeping excellent grades."   

This.

My kids miss 6 weeks a year and carry straight A's.
Learning how to manage your work load through vacation is an important skill.

[Stein]

Same here, my son had a 4.0 and I have no problem pulling him out for 3 days.  Add Saturday and Sunday and you have a good hunt.

[jrebel]

My son misses 3-4 weeks a year to hunt.  He has to maintain good grades and work hard, but if he does…..I have no problem taking him out of school.   He learns more in a day out hunting than he does in a week at school.   

I also take a different approach with school work.   I let the school and teachers know 3-4 weeks in advance and ask for his homework early.   I have a very strict rule……no homework in camp, the days are long enough as it is.   I don’t take my work with me on vacations….why would I expect anything else of my kids.   Vacation is vacation….he can get the work done before he goes or when he gets back…..period, no exceptions. 

[vandeman17]

I don’t have kids but I firmly believe that it’s important for parents to bring their kids on trips like this because they learn way more about life in those days then they will in the classroom especially with our current education system. Add to that, the family time/memories made and the trade off is well worth it 

[Iveexcaped3]

We home school so that time is spent learning biology, anatomy, astrology. I know this doesn’t help but might be something to consider if you can afford to do so.

[LongBomb]

My dad liked to tell my mom, "I cant let school get in the way of my sons education"

[Hillbilly Zen]

Also a home school family here: so clearly biased.  Just go hunt!  I would be respectful to the teachers and let them know when my kids would be out of the classroom but also make it known to them “this is just going to happen.” I have worked with districts and kids with truancy issues in the past.  I 100% guarantee you there will be no consequences for a loving parent taking their kid out of class however many days you want to go hunting.  You might get a threatening letter in middle school.  Toss it in the trash and go hunting.  wouldn’t even mess around with requirements for good grades or a reward system.  Same for hiking/fishing/backpacking.  It could end up being what ties you together when things get bad in life later on.  I wouldn’t want spending time outside with my kids to be something that happens only in some form of work/pay relationship.  When we are all at our worst around the house, the answer is often “go outside”. Just one opinion.  Public education is a tax payed service offered to you and your family.  By all means take full advantage of it where it coincides and is working with how you want to raise your children.  If it gets in the way of that, dont stress over it just do what you know is right!

[frazierw]

I'm a father of 5 adult kids.

Not all of them hunted, but all of them "earned" days out of school to do stuff with dad.

I spoke openly and directly with my kids about this when they were young.

That conversation included that I'd love to take them hunting, including missing school, if they do their part.   Their part included keeping excellent grades.     

I think the days they spent hunting or fishing (instead of in school) were very beneficial to them.

None of them were hurt by missing a few days here and there.   They just need to be willing to do the make up work as part of the bargain.

Honestly, ask yourself this:     will my son/daughter be harmed by missing a couple days of school for elk hunting?   what will my child gain from it?   In my case, my children would say they gained much more from those special days than they would have from a few more days in school.

I've got 2 engineers, a law enforcement supervisor, a successful small business owner, and a financial planner as kids now.    None of them suffered from missing a little school.

I would say this:  If I had a child that was struggling with school, I'd have to think about how to approach it.

P.S.   When your kid shoots his first deer or elk on a school day, and takes it apart and does the work (with help and supervision, of course) they will have learned more than the next many days of school will get them.

This is great advice. 

[ljsommer]

Wow this thread blew up, really excellent advice everyone, thank you!

[Alchase]

My son misses 3-4 weeks a year to hunt.  He has to maintain good grades and work hard, but if he does…..I have no problem taking him out of school.   He learns more in a day out hunting than he does in a week at school.   

I also take a different approach with school work.   I let the school and teachers know 3-4 weeks in advance and ask for his homework early.   I have a very strict rule……no homework in camp, the days are long enough as it is.   I don’t take my work with me on vacations….why would I expect anything else of my kids.   Vacation is vacation….he can get the work done before he goes or when he gets back…..period, no exceptions. 

I did the same thing. My sons had to provide their teachers weeks notice ahead to gather their homework for the duration of the hunting trip.
I only had one teacher say I could not do that for a "Hunting Trip" I told her it is none of your business what I do with my son on our vacation, and if you had a problem with that then the Principle will be requiring you to provide the homework as we asked.

Taking that time to create traditions with your kids is one of the bests investments you can make in their lives!

[huntnfmly]

My son misses 3-4 weeks a year to hunt.  He has to maintain good grades and work hard, but if he does…..I have no problem taking him out of school.   He learns more in a day out hunting than he does in a week at school.   

I also take a different approach with school work.   I let the school and teachers know 3-4 weeks in advance and ask for his homework early.   I have a very strict rule……no homework in camp, the days are long enough as it is.   I don’t take my work with me on vacations….why would I expect anything else of my kids.   Vacation is vacation….he can get the work done before he goes or when he gets back…..period, no exceptions. 

^^^^^^This I did it with my 2 daughters when they were in school their principal and I didn’t see eye to eye on this but I didn’t care 😂

[huntnfmly]

My son misses 3-4 weeks a year to hunt.  He has to maintain good grades and work hard, but if he does…..I have no problem taking him out of school.   He learns more in a day out hunting than he does in a week at school.   

I also take a different approach with school work.   I let the school and teachers know 3-4 weeks in advance and ask for his homework early.   I have a very strict rule……no homework in camp, the days are long enough as it is.   I don’t take my work with me on vacations….why would I expect anything else of my kids.   Vacation is vacation….he can get the work done before he goes or when he gets back…..period, no exceptions. 

I did the same thing. My sons had to provide their teachers weeks notice ahead to gather their homework for the duration of the hunting trip.
I only had one teacher say I could not do that for a "Hunting Trip" I told her it is none of your business what I do with my son on our vacation, and if you had a problem with that then the Principle will be requiring you to provide the homework as we asked.

Taking that time to create traditions with your kids is one of the bests investments you can make in their lives!

👍

[rainshadow1]

We home school so that time is spent learning biology, anatomy, astrology. I know this doesn’t help but might be something to consider if you can afford to do so.

I've done both, and have also had homeschoolers pinned down with school sports and other commitments. Plan aggressively for the time you do have! (But I do HIGHLY recommend home schooling, this is only one of the reasons! It's worth altering a lifestyle, imho.)

Edit: If you're stuck with public school for coparenting or other reasons, a lot can be done if you're also in contact with the teachers (not just relying on the student to communicate.) Tell them the schedule well ahead of time, and just before, get assignments, etc. That'll circumvent a LOT of possible grade reductions. They'll usually work with you.

[HUNTIN4SIX]

We homeschool....

[ljsommer]

We home school so that time is spent learning biology, anatomy, astrology. I know this doesn’t help but might be something to consider if you can afford to do so.

I've done both, and have also had homeschoolers pinned down with school sports and other commitments. Plan aggressively for the time you do have! (But I do HIGHLY recommend home schooling, this is only one of the reasons! It's worth altering a lifestyle, imho.)

Edit: If you're stuck with public school for coparenting or other reasons, a lot can be done if you're also in contact with the teachers (not just relying on the student to communicate.) Tell them the schedule well ahead of time, and just before, get assignments, etc. That'll circumvent a LOT of possible grade reductions. They'll usually work with you.

I happen to fall into the coparenting category with 50/50 week on/week off and I am going to have to figure out how to navigate this territory knowing full well his mom will combat any proposal I make.

[Platensek-po]

We sent a letter to the schools office and our daughters teachers stating that we hunt, fish, gather and otherwise partake in outdoor activities to help feed our fam. It’s important to us that our daughter learn and participate in these activities so she will miss school periodically. Never been a problem.

[Whitpirate]

I'm a father of 5 adult kids.

Not all of them hunted, but all of them "earned" days out of school to do stuff with dad.

I spoke openly and directly with my kids about this when they were young.

That conversation included that I'd love to take them hunting, including missing school, if they do their part.   Their part included keeping excellent grades.     

I think the days they spent hunting or fishing (instead of in school) were very beneficial to them.

None of them were hurt by missing a few days here and there.   They just need to be willing to do the make up work as part of the bargain.

Honestly, ask yourself this:     will my son/daughter be harmed by missing a couple days of school for elk hunting?   what will my child gain from it?   In my case, my children would say they gained much more from those special days than they would have from a few more days in school.

I've got 2 engineers, a law enforcement supervisor, a successful small business owner, and a financial planner as kids now.    None of them suffered from missing a little school.

I would say this:  If I had a child that was struggling with school, I'd have to think about how to approach it.

P.S.   When your kid shoots his first deer or elk on a school day, and takes it apart and does the work (with help and supervision, of course) they will have learned more than the next many days of school will get them.

I follow the Dan-O plan.  Challenges to my oldest elk hunting has been his premier soccer club schedule this fall..... but Dan-O is wise and has the model that I think is the best.

[Katmai Guy]

I did not carry straight A's but I did all assigned homework either prior to or during the week of Elk season.  This was all pre arranged with the school and teachers and met with unanimous support from my teachers.  Dissapointing how things have changed in regards to support by schools.  Was like pulling teeth to get my sons teachers to agree when I was trying to get him out of school.

[Jpmiller]

We homeschool and it opens up a lot of travel and family activity options not just for hunting.

I went to public school in a pretty rural district (white river) and still had some teachers push back on letting me have "excused" absences. My dad would just delete the voicemails they'd leave but I did have a teacher combine another disciplinary action (one I did deserve) with my "unexcused absence" into a Saturday school detention. I'd be clear with the teachers about what you're doing but be aware my old man took that approach and it didn't always help the process.

[Dan-o]

We would generally communicate with the teachers in advance. 

Something I was careful about:
*  I never made it sound like I was asking permission
*  i never apologized for taking my kids out of school
*  I was never argumentative;  just told them what days the kids would miss.

I wanted to be sure that they didn't think it was their decision.

We hit a few small bumps.....   and went right over them. 

[Stein]

We've never had problems with school.  Obviously, if you plan ahead they have more time to help gather the work but I have pulled them out for fishing, hunting, vacations and whatever for 15 years now.

[rainshadow1]

We home school so that time is spent learning biology, anatomy, astrology. I know this doesn’t help but might be something to consider if you can afford to do so.

I've done both, and have also had homeschoolers pinned down with school sports and other commitments. Plan aggressively for the time you do have! (But I do HIGHLY recommend home schooling, this is only one of the reasons! It's worth altering a lifestyle, imho.)

Edit: If you're stuck with public school for coparenting or other reasons, a lot can be done if you're also in contact with the teachers (not just relying on the student to communicate.) Tell them the schedule well ahead of time, and just before, get assignments, etc. That'll circumvent a LOT of possible grade reductions. They'll usually work with you.

I happen to fall into the coparenting category with 50/50 week on/week off and I am going to have to figure out how to navigate this territory knowing full well his mom will combat any proposal I make.

I have 2 that were actively co-parented (2weeks on/off) until the oldest was 16 then he stuck with me. The youngest is now 16 and has gone to Football and Track seasons with me, (Go Selah Vikings!) and off time with his mom.  (I made it their decision to alter their parenting schedule, and also their responsibility to communicate that with their mom. The state never even heard about it, not even threatened. You'll get there.)
     The program started out a little combative (on her part) but settled in as she understood the focus was on the kids' life experience, and not just "what I wanted to do."  (Helped that they wanted to do it too!) That will be your goal, not antagonistic, manipulative, or self-centered... but getting yourself and your ex - both - to focus on what will create a great childhood and youth experience for your kid. (I interviewed kids of divorce before my divorce went through, and to a person their most traumatic and negative memories were of their parents fighting about THEM. Avoid it. Figure out how.)

I have 4 more (steps) that have an inactive parent. Still active enough for psychological sabotage, but little else. So they were just difficult to raise one parent children.

I have 1 more (4yo) that has both parents loving her at home... plan to keep it that way!

7 total, all still under my roof.

If you can possibly do it.... Homeschool a system that can be taken back and forth between homes, if at all possible. It will eliminate a LOT of the logistical headache! I did that, it was SO nice!

(Side note, with the 50/50 schedule, which I strongly advocate, make sure your child has his own space and place in your home. He's not visiting. He lives there. This is HUGE.)

If you have to public school, stay VERY active in the schooling, and communicate with each teacher, a lot. Don't let the school raise your kids. The teachers APPRECIATE that!

[Platensek-po]

We would generally communicate with the teachers in advance. 

Something I was careful about:
*  I never made it sound like I was asking permission
*  i never apologized for taking my kids out of school
*  I was never argumentative;  just told them what days the kids would miss.

I wanted to be sure that they didn't think it was their decision.

We hit a few small bumps.....   and went right over them.

I would like to reiterate what Dan-o is saying. Do not ask for permission. You are their parent not the school. You get to say what’s important. We always just told the school what was going on and never had to explain. Just say something along the lines of “ my child will be absent from class from this date to this date. Please give us any corresponding schoolwork for that time.” The end.

[goosehunter12]

I would tell the school it was a family vacation/trip and they are going to be gone! 

[jrebel]

I tell them we are going hunting.  I entertain confrontation from liberal teachers that don’t believe in hunting and want to treat my child differently than they would any other child for being gone for any other reason.  Be damnnned if I’m gonna let their ideologies effect me or my kids outings.   

My wife teaches at the school my son attends.  She takes care of the logistics so I don’t get in trouble telling them what I think. 

Schools now days allow kids to identify as cats, all the meanwhile accommodating them with litter boxes in the bathrooms.  The hell with anyone that says my kid shouldn’t hunt.  Bunch of folks with twisted minds in this world anymore.   I’m not very tolerant of the bs going in these days.   More people should be less tolerant….maybe it would all go away if people called a spade a spade.   

[goosehunter12]

I tell them we are going hunting.  I entertain confrontation from liberal teachers that don’t believe in hunting and want to treat my child differently than they would any other child for being gone for any other reason.  Be damnnned if I’m gonna let their ideologies effect me or my kids outings.   

My wife teaches at the school my son attends.  She takes care of the logistics so I don’t get in trouble telling them what I think. 

Schools now days allow kids to identify as cats, all the meanwhile accommodating them with litter boxes in the bathrooms.  The hell with anyone that says my kid shouldn’t hunt.  Bunch of folks with twisted minds in this world anymore.   I’m not very tolerant of the bs going in these days.   More people should be less tolerant….maybe it would all go away if people called a spade a spade.

Agree 100% 

Just don’t do it to much or you start getting the letters in the mail about missing to much school, but if their grades are good it shouldn’t matter!