Shooting doesn’t always involve the smell of gunpowder Originally posted 01/06
May 25, 2006
Besides my love for hunting in the off season I spend a lot of my time photographing wildlife and the great outdoors. I’m by far not a professional nor do I have a lot of technical tips to give you. I shoot often and it’s not unusual for me to photograph whatever I see in my backyard. Caught these two fawns one day with their mother feeding on the grass in my backyard.
I take a trip or two to the zoo every year that allows me the opportunity to practice some techniques. I try to focus on the eyes and to try to set it up so it’s hard to tell the photo was taken in captivity. It is also a good place to get photos of native birds and wildlife that are attracted in to the zoo area.
In the wild I plan trips to areas where I know wildlife is present. National parks as well as public lands are great places. Great Smokey Mountain National Park is about 5 hours from my home so I try to go there a couple of times a year. Often times a willingness to hike off the road will separate you from the rest of the crowds and give you an undisturbed session with wildlife.
If your not a hunter but are interested in photographing wildlife now is a good time to pick up some equipment that will help you afield. Hunting season is winding down and many stores are marking the equipment down. The top 5 things that you could pick up that will help you when out in the field are;
1. [b]A compass [/b](learn how to use it, pair it with a map and you will always find your way out)
2. [b]Monopod Gun Rest [/b]Many of them the gun rest either unscrews or is tapped to allow you to mount your camera. Many are telescoping so they take up little room and they also double as a walking staff.
3. [b]Day Pack with hydration bladder [/b]this way you can carry your gear plus have water with you.
4. [b]Turkey Seat and a cushion [/b]This is a small seat that is easy to carry and will keep you off the cold wet ground or reduce you risk to insects.
5. [b]Scent Killer spray [/b]don’t get anything that has animal urine in it and avoid the ones with cover scents like pine etc. unless you plan to use it where pines are present. This will often allow you to get close enough to an animal with out alarming it.
You may find other things you may find useful like pop up blinds, blind material, camo clothing etc. So far I’ve never found a need for a blind but I have a few I use hunting that I can use if I need to. I’m sure there are some other useful things I’m forgetting but it never hurts to walk through the sporting goods section to see what they got marked down and heck you might run into me doing the same.
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, Ill explore new places and ideas Ill learn new things and Ill teach the things Ive learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
