Oh deer, they are so shy!

In the past few months I‘ve been having some fun taking some landscape type photos in our local forest.

My last series was called “Forest Light”

http://www.dpreview.com/challenges/Entry.aspx?ID=810392

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53028988

There are however no wild animals as subjects in my photos, but I can imagine for example that a deer drinking from one of those streams would look great

Now, I realise taking photos of such shy deer is a completely different ball game altogether.
But I’d appreciate some tips on the following:

My neighbour is a hunter in this forest and has offered to take me along a few times to get a some good “shots”

You can see from my equipment list that I’m not really well prepared for this , but from what I do have available, I’m assuming the best would be the 50-500 Bigma or perhaps the 70-200/F4 + TC1.4IIE converter.

(The Bigma needs F8 to be sharp the 70-200 +TC is OK at 280mm , F5.6)

At the time of day when the deer might be visible it is already fairly dark in the forest. The D7100 has reasonable high ISO results and I can use Topaz denoise afterwards.

Anyway, the hunter mentions getting 100m away is usually possible but that sounds like much much too far away to me. How near would you guys be able to get?

I asked him about adding some remote flash guns near to where the deer would come by, but that idea was immediately rejected, “they are already shy enough, we don’t want to disturb them anymore”.
So, I’m left with only available light, a medium quality telephoto, high ISO and a tripod, which doesn’t sound too promising. The deer would have to be standing still, they are so fast when on the move I wouldn’t have a chance with that.

Anyway, what can you advise, so I can prepare better for this new “adventure”?
If I find it fun, then I might invest in some better glass but that would only be a second step.

Thanks

First, my experience is that the deer are "shy" if they are stressed by humans. I have best luck 1) Photographing alone 2) Early morning 3) going to National Parks or wildlife refuges.

Second the Sigma 50-500 is a great lens, best at f/8, but does well at f/6.3. The first example is early morning, bad light (including smoke from a wildfire). The second example is early morning good light and darn close.




500mm f/6.3




290 mm f/8



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****

fireplace33,

Deer are very shy animals. I would go with him one time just to see the area. I would have him point out deer runs. These are trails the deer use to travel the forest. Sitting in a blind near one of these runs may bring results. My experience tells me ahead of time that results are sometimes long coming. I personally do not use any of odor blocking chemicals. I do wear camouflage. WHEN HUNTING IS CLOSED.

Are there roads through the forest? deer are not as scared of vehicles and you can get close enough to use 400mm on 35mm .

Next If the trails are active and baiting is allowed you can place out carrots or corn and this will entice them in the area of your hide.

More than one person walking will scare deer. However, My dad taught me to walk on windy days as the wind hides your sound. Walk into the wind. Walk no more than fifty feet, always ending next to a tree. Wait ten minutes then do it again. this way you are apart of the forest. If deer are in the area you will see deer( part is learning to spot movement.)

I must go now, but I have given you a start.

Thanks Dock and **** !

That's useful and encouraging too.
Obviously the trick is to get close enough, I'm sure when I'm in the forest making my landscape photos, even when alone, I'm making enough noise to scare them all away, so a different approach is obviously needed, I'm hoping to learn that sort of thing from tips here and the trips out with the hunter.

I can somehow feel this will be a long and slow learning process.

Can anyone perhaps reccomend any good books on this subject?

Thanks

I have not found any books, but a couple of web sites:

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-tips/pbb-wildlife/

http://www.lightstalking.com/10-tips-to-improve-your-wildlife-photography

There are a few tips in that literature but true nature pictures the background is where the animal is not made by the photographer--- unless he is shooting in zoos. I disagree that animals can not be made to turn their heads. I have been quite successful with a crow call. When I have taken at least one picture of a subject and I would like his head in a better angle I blow twice on my call and heads turn right away. Crows act as warning signs for all animals and they become more alert.

Since, you are not familiar with forests and forest life carry a GPS and compass. Mark where you enter and note direction you are going. These tools will save a lot of aimless walking. People tend to walk in large circles, if the have no guidance. Remember the sun is directly south at 12 noon.

I'm very curious how your learning experience goes! I recently got a Sigma 50-500 and am itching to go out for some wildlife shots but it is currently 3 degrees outside

I too have a hunter (bow) I've been talking to about how to get close. Deer and coyote are my hopeful target subjects. Good luck and let us know what worked and what didn't scare them off.

Ok well, while I have not specifically tried to go out and photograph deer, I have hunted them for a few decades. Taking photos of them should be much easier.

A few basics about deer:

1. Their nose is unbelievably powerful. This is their primary defense. If you want to get close to deer you MUST respect their sense of smell. Always try to place yourself so that you are downwind of their anticipated approach.

2. Pay attention to how you, your clothes, your gear smells. Hunters go to great lengths to remove scent from their clothes and themselves. Any hunting store will be able to sell you no scent soap and deodorant as well as no scent laundry detergent.

3. They don't see well....unless you are moving. If you are still, they almost certainly will not spot you. You also don't necessarily need real expensive camo. Just do not wear solids blocks of color that will stand out against the background (the color itself isn't the problem, the pattern is).

4. They don't look up often. While a treestand may not be the best perspective for a photo, I can't tell you how many times I have had multiple deer directly underneath in a 10' high stand.

I have built many ground blinds and hunted from them successfully, the key is to have a very dark/black background that hides as much movement as possible. I've had dozens of deer come within 30 yards of me. Coyotes, fox, turkeys all the same. If you are going to hunt from a blind set it up days or weeks ahead of time if possible. Once it becomes part of the everyday scenery they will pay it no notice. Another trick I use is to put my own dirty clothes in the blind from time to time, get them used to my smell with no negative results, then I don't need to be as concerned about scent.

Getting a deer to turn its head (or stop walking) is easy. Say something out loud and they will look right at you for a few seconds. Make sure you are ready to shoot when you do so. They will pick out any movement and if they get spooky they will bolt after not seeing anything.. Finally, the last thing I will say about them is that they possess a magical ability to materialize from nothing right in front of you so be ready.

Animals in protected areas such as provincial/state and national parks tend to be a lot less wary of humans than the ones living in hunting zones. Check them out.

Thanks rrings & Soveraign for those very good and detailed tips, seems I have to "become one with the forest" !

It will take a while, I can't start just yet, but will let you know how I get on.

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www.fireplace-photography.com

I am a deer hunter living on a farm in rural Missouri. I literally eat only deer meat as a source of red meat. I also hunt just about anything else that can be eaten. I have had deer within a few meters of me on many occasions. Read rrings post over and over. He speaks deer wisdom. If they smell you they will run. Try to setup so the wind is blowing your smell away from where they will come out. This is why we like to sit it trees, it caries the smell away. Sometimes I will put my clothes in a bin with a cedar branch overnight. Shower with scent free soap. In reality it is nearly impossible to remove your smell so..."hunt" the wind. You could also bait them with corn though that would not be my style for hunting or photos...but it works. Find food sources and you will find does. Do not expect to see bucks in light except during and around rut time but I have many pictures of bucks taken from my house just because I live in the country and the back of my house is all windows....so once in a great while. Anyway have fun, deer are fantastic and beautiful animals.

Well said, I'd like to add to your comments. Minimalize shiny objects like watches, eye glasses etc. If you must wear glasses use a camo net over your head. Walk like a native American Indian, take one step then wait 2or 3. Pick a spot preferably near a runway(deer path) plunk your butt down, don't smoke and be patient but be ready. I hunted deer with bow and arrow. This was taken during the Rut.

Good luck







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ABA DABA

Thanks to ABA DABA & Tom Gallopavo.
Those sound like good tips from people that have done it successfully before!

I can't wait to get started.

After all this advice, keep us posted. I thought you already entered the forest.

I simply walk in the woods and fields around my house. I just walk slowly and when they see me they often stop to look. I usually move very slowly and speak to them in a soft voice to get them to look at me. Sometimes I drive to a field they frequent and take shots from my window too. I'll post a few of shots to give you an idea of how close I can get. This fawn would have walked right up to me, if I hadn't walked away...not wanting to upset the mother who I'm sure was nearby.









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Patti

fireplace33 said:

PK62 said:

I simply walk in the woods and fields around my house. I just walk slowly and when they see me they often stop to look. I usually move very slowly and speak to them in a soft voice to get them to look at me. Sometimes I drive to a field they frequent and take shots from my window too. I'll post a few of shots to give you an idea of how close I can get. This fawn would have walked right up to me, if I hadn't walked away...not wanting to upset the mother who I'm sure was nearby.

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Patti

Click to expand...

super great shots !!!

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www.fireplace-photography.com

Click to expand...

Thanks! Hope you find your deer shots and I'm looking forward to seeing some.

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Patti

dock said:

After all this advice, keep us posted. I thought you already entered the forest.

Click to expand...

I certainly will, but I'll have to ask for a little patience first, I have a long list of excuses ;-)

In fact, I just came back from a "dry run" in the forest, I'm often there with my "landscape equipment" but this time I took the Bigma and just tried to get used to some of the very basic things with this bigger lens like how to carry it around comfortably with the tripod, being ready to set up for a quick shot when the opportunity arises etc.
Trying out different settings in the fairly dark environment, it was obvious that I have to get the shutter speed up higher by using a fairly high ISO (and then use some denoise software afterwards)
My tripod is reasonably light so isn't super stabile. I need at least a 1 second exposure delay before it settles after clicking the shutter.
What I did notice is that walking over the dry leaves and twigs makes a huge noise!

Anyway I'm now at least sort of technically ready before I go into stealth mode.

Next step find some time when me and my neighbour are both available and hope for some good weather.