There’s not a lot to hunt on Presidents’ Day, but it’d be a shame to waste a day off work. There may not be a lot of open seasons, but I always look forward to a bonus free day in February. In fact, a few years ago, I got a bit of an early start on Presidents’ Day. I worked at the Game and Fish in those days, and we got the day off. The Monday before the actual holiday, I grabbed the .22 and set out after rabbits, but my boss called me on my cell phone and pointed out that my internal clock was runnin’ a week fast. Whoops.
That year, the light goose season opened on Presidents’ Day. The light goose conservation order is in effect this year, too, and it starts on Monday. Just make sure you have your 2019 hunting license, conservation stamp and your conservation order stamp. You don’t need a HIP permit or a duck stamp during the light goose conservation order season.
If light goose hunting isn’t your thing, predator season’s always open. You can use this holiday to go after coyotes, foxes, and jackrabbits, as well as a number of other critters classified as predators.
We’re getting close to the end of the season for small game, too. If you have a mind to put some cottontails or snowshoe hares in the freezer, you better get with it. The small game season runs through March 1st.
And of course, there’s always fishing. If the ice is thick enough, you can cut a hole and drop a line.
Compared to some of the other holidays, there aren’t a lot of seasons open on Presidents’ Day. But there’s enough to keep you from being bored. Don’t waste a weekday you have off from work.
