HUNTING WITH A CAMERA
– excerpts from “A Jewel in the Pacific Flyway” by John B. Cowan

Whether or not you hunt, wildlife photography gets you outdoors and gives you an opportunity to observe and enjoy nature’s creatures.  The photographic season lasts all year, and the game is almost unlimited.  I’ve been capturing wildlife on film for over fifty years and find the pursuit just as exciting today as it was when I started. 


Tips to help you get started:

1. Many kinds of cameras will do the job.  Begin with a good 35mm, traditional or digital, with a built in light meter that allows a range of shutter speeds. 
2. When using a telephoto lens, always use a tripod or other camera brace. 
3. Many interesting pictures can emerge in inclement weather.  Keep your camera dry in the fog or rain by using a plastic bag.
4. When in the field, wear nondescript clothing.  I like my camouflage hunting coat with its many pockets so I can carry film, lenses and other items.
5. Tripods and other gear are often made of aluminum alloy, which can startle wildlife.  In most cases you can cover the reflective areas with black or camouflage tape.
6. Before you go to an area, read about it so you know what to expect, how to prepare, and what to pursue.
7. When you’re ready to photograph, keep your camera focused on infinity or prefocused on the area where you expect action.
8. Capture birds in flight by tracking them with your camera as you gently squeeze the shutter release. 
9. Do not leave an established path to reach the nests of birds.  Doing so can lead predators to the next site or cause nest abandonment.  Instead use a telephoto lens and a tripod.

Wherever you do your photographic wildlife hunting, it will be a rewarding experience.  You might want to set goals, such as monthly, seasonal, or yearly wish lists of the species you want to capture on film.  A big advantage of becoming a wildlife photographer is that you will gradually become a more knowledgeable naturalist. 

As you learn more about wildlife and gain photographic experience, your enjoyment of the activity and your skills will increase.  Good luck and happy hunting!

To purchase the book, A Jewel in the Pacific Flyway, and support conservation in California at the same time, click here>>