Do You Catch Whitetail Flu Every Year?
The opening day of the deer rifle season in the Midwest is a big deal—to the point of where it feels like a national holiday. In fact, in some areas, schools shut down altogether.
I remember opening mornings when I was in high school. Nearly half the school (including myself) were seemingly “sick” on the same day every year. Of course, this made it awkward to return in the afternoon for football practice (that was one activity I couldn’t afford to miss), but all of the teachers and coaches knew the why and where behind our absences, so they didn’t give us any grief.
One year I remember having an particularly spiteful teacher who scheduled a test for opening day, knowing full well most of the class wouldn’t be there to take it. In the end, enough people complained and he allowed those who were gone to take the test again later in the week. It felt good to make the teacher rework the class schedule in the name of deer season.
I’m curious who else plays hooky when the most important outdoor-holiday falls on a school day? —Ben
Hey Ben,
November 10th, 2009 at 3:52 pmHere in Pa. most of the schools are closed the first Monday after Thanksgivimg for opening day. I guess they realize as well most kids cut class anyways so they now close that day HOWEVER, archery starts before that. My son Thomas is always cutting school for archery. Mostly because he works part time during the week which would only give him saturday’s to hunt. I usually find out he cut when I get a call on the cell while workin, looking for him (and the good mom that I am say’s “yes he’s home sick and I forgot to call”.) I then text him to see where he’s at and I allways get texted back “In my tree stand”. Tom’s a really good kid (so far.LOL) and gets good grades so I do cut him a break when deer season is in.
Being homeschooled I definitely do take some hunting holidays. Take this Thursday and Friday for example, I’m going out of state to hunt for pheasants. I’m very fortunate to have a flexible schedule; it really helps for hunting and fishing!
November 10th, 2009 at 4:50 pmI have played hooky the past couple of years and will be again this year. It is senior year so I will probably skip more than one day. I am pumped for the first Monday of December and I will be driving by the school on the way to the stand it will be great!!!!!!!!
November 10th, 2009 at 5:25 pm