The Best 10 Off-Season Hunts at Home or Abroad

For hunters, late winter means one thing: hunting season is over. Maybe you had plans to get out more this year, or you’re wrapping up the season of a lifetime, and you don’t want it to end. Whatever the case, you’re staring down the barrel of seven long months of chores, watching hunting videos, and even worse, fishing.

But you don’t need to trade your gun for a rod and reel just yet. Whether you’re after big game, small game, or birds, there are plenty of hunting opportunities for the off-season. You just need to know where to look. The following hunts will keep you busy all year round, and take you to some pretty amazing places.

Spring Bear Hunting

One of the best times to hunt black bears is in the spring. In the U.S., there are spring bear seasons in Idaho, Maine, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Alaska. You can also hunt spring bruins in 10 Canadian provinces, which include Newfoundland, British Columbia, Ontario, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and New Brunswick.

Hunting spring black bears is a great way to dip your toes into Western hunting. The tags are way more affordable than other big-game species and are usually available over the counter. The weather is also nicer in the spring, which makes camping and long glassing sessions more comfortable. You can also hunt spring bears with dogs and over bait. One thing to keep in mind about spring bear hunting is to have a plan to get the meat and hide out. Warmer temperatures can spoil meat and cause the hair to slip on a hide. Try to have ice and a cooler ready before going out on hot days.

Axis Deer in Hawaii

If you’re planning a vacation to Hawaii, you should put an axis deer hunt on the list. While your family is relaxing on the beach, you could be having the spot-and-stalk hunt of your life. Axis deer were introduced to Lanai in 1867, and today, they’re everywhere. They are also one of the more challenging deer to hunt with a bow. Axis bucks sport some impressive headgear, and many say they are the tastiest deer in the world. Bow season lasts from early February to early March, and general rifle season takes place on the weekends from late March to early June. In addition to Lanai, axis deer are huntable on Maui and several other Hawaiian islands.

Spring Squirrel Hunting

There are 10 states in the U.S. that offer a spring squirrel season. And if you like hunting squirrels as much as I do, you’ll want to grab a pen. Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia are all places to get your spring squirrel fix. Out-of-state small game licenses are cheap, and some hunters say that spring squirrels taste better than those shot in the fall.

You’ll want to switch up your tactics when hunting squirrels in the spring. They’re usually on soft mast like berries and mushrooms, or digging up last fall’s acorns. Bring a squirrel call to get bushytails to sound off in thicker foliage and give away their position—then stalk in with a rimfire or shotgun.

Feral Pigeons

Most don’t know it, but pigeons were brought to this country as a food source by early settlers. Today, they can be found everywhere, from highway overpasses and city skyscrapers to dairy farms and old barns. Because they are technically an invasive species, pigeons can be hunted year-round.

I’d avoid hunting city pigeons, but country pigeons are fair game. They live on corn and grain and can often be found raiding silage piles. Most farmers are thrilled to let you hunt pigeons on their land. Pigeons also readily come to decoys, and hunting them is a great way to tune up for duck season. When it comes time to cook one, don’t be shy. A pigeon is just like a big dove. Wrap the breast meat in bacon with cream cheese and jalapeno, and you’ll be a hit at any summer cookout.

Coyotes

Most states do not have any restrictions on coyote season, meaning they can be hunted year-round. If you don’t live in a state like this, you probably live close enough to one for a short road trip. Spring and early summer offer lights-out coyote hunting as pups that were born early have grown and are venturing out on their own.

Most who hunt spring and summer coyotes say that it’s a bit like a turkey hunt, but you need to worry more about scent control and the wind. Landowners are also likely to give you hunting access in the offseason for coyotes, and some will be happy to have help with predator control. Make some phone calls and knock on a few doors, and sooner or later, you’ll have a milk run of coyote hunting spots.

Iguana Hunting in Florida

Like many exotic pets gone wild in the Sunshine State, iguanas have become a scourge on the landscape. But unlike the Burmese pythons of the Everglades, they are delicious. Typically, Florida iguanas are hunted with large-caliber air rifles because they live near developed areas. It’s similar to squirrel hunting in that you’re going for headshots and stalking in close to take them. What's different, though, is that you’ll probably be hunting iguanas in shorts and a T-shirt. Iguanas can be hunted year-round, and many outfitters combine iguana hunts with fishing charters for species like peacock bass.

Nutria Hunting in Lousiana

Hunting nutria in Louisiana might be one of the more obscure hunts in the country. First of all, you usually do it from a boat. Nutria can also be hunted at night with the use of thermal and night-vision optics. And there’s a $6 bounty for nutria tails in some places because—like many other animals on this off-season list—they are invasive.

For the uninitiated, nutria are giant South American rats that were introduced to various swamps of this country to support the fur trade. When the fur market collapsed, the nutria took over. Now, they’re a big problem. It’s best to work with an outfitter to hunt nutria as they can supply the airboat and guns. Nutria hunts can also be combined with hog hunts, so you’ll want to bring a big cooler to get meat home. Nutria hunting seasons vary for public and private land, and methods of take vary, too. You’ll also need a trapper’s license to hunt nutria in Louisiana.

Ducks and Doves in Argentina

Many wing shooters have heard stories of liberal bag limits and sore shoulders from hunters south of the border. And there is perhaps no better place to hunt doves than Argentina. The best time to hunt doves in Argentina is from September through April, but even the offseason months are epic.

From May to August, you can expect to shoot one to two cases of shells per day. The weather is also more mild there during our summer. Those traveling to Argentina should also look into waterfowl hunting. Duck seasons run from May to August, and you can take species like rosy-billed poachards and a variety of teal.

European Deer Stalking

In Europe, there is a long tradition of hunting deer from your feet. They call this stalking, and it is similar to still-hunting in the U.S. As for species and seasons, Europe has a lot to offer. There are roe deer, muntjac, sika deer, red deer and fallow. Game is managed differently in Europe, and most of your hunting will take place on private land.

Gun laws and season regulations also vary depending on the country, so you’ll want to do your homework or work with a booking agent before you go. All of that said, hunting in Europe is less complicated than it appears, and it can be cheaper than hunting big game out West. Some countries to look into are Scotland, England, Spain, Italy, Poland, Croatia and France.

Africa

Africa is on many hunters’ bucket lists for a good reason. No place in the world offers such a variety of big game to hunt. The terrain can be just as diverse, from wide-open plains to dense jungles and mountains.

Because most hunting in Africa happens in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are the reverse of ours. One of the best times to go is from May to August when it is generally cooler in places like South Africa. A trip to Africa can seem complicated and expensive, but if you work through a good booking agent and outfitter, it is surprisingly attainable. The cost of your hunt will depend most upon the species you’re after. A good way to start is to avoid expensive dangerous game and focus on plains game like impala, springbok, bontebok and wildebeest.

You can also offset costs by shipping back euro mounts instead of shoulder mounts. If you do decide to pull the trigger and book your trip, you should know that it probably won't be the last time. Just about any hunter I know who goes to Africa always goes back.

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