| As a boy, I spent many hours in the woods, and over | | | | and get still about an hour before sunrise. Bedding |
| the years I've seen a lot of wildlife. Still, to this day, my | | | | areas are any place that has a lot of thick cover. The |
| heart races every time I get close to a wild animal in | | | | thicker the cover is, the better the bedding area. |
| the woods. There is something magical about it. | | | | Animals feel safe in these areas. You will want to pick |
| In some suburban areas these days, deer seem | | | | a spot overlooking a bedding area from a distance |
| almost tame, but try to approach one, and they will | | | | and watch as they make their way back from their |
| more than likely keep a safe distance between you. | | | | overnight feeding. If you scout out the bedding area |
| By the way, never try to approach a wild animal that | | | | ahead of time you should be able to identify heavily |
| just stands there and looks at you. That is a sure sign | | | | used game trails in and out of the bedding. |
| that the animal is not well. You don't want to be | | | | 3) Keep the wind in your face! In other words, always |
| attacked. Even seemingly small creatures can be | | | | position yourself so the wind is blowing from the |
| ferocious when sick! | | | | animals towards you. Not all, but most wildlife has a |
| That having been said, to go out into the woods where | | | | great sense of smell, and if they get downwind of you, |
| animals aren't so tame and get an up close view is not | | | | they will be gone in an instant. The more likely scenario |
| always that easy. Sometimes it can be downright | | | | is that they will be nearby, but you will never see them |
| discouraging if you don't know what you're doing. In | | | | or even know they were there. Do everything you can |
| most areas there are plenty of animals around, you | | | | to eliminate odors. Wash your clothes in unscented |
| just aren't seeing them. | | | | detergent and don't have a meal with a lot of garlic |
| WARNING! Whether you are hunting, photographing, or | | | | just before heading to the woods. |
| just observing wildlife, please be careful! You should be | | | | 4) When you move, walk slowly! Very slowly! I have |
| aware of the hunting seasons for various game in | | | | found that a good way to see deer is to keep the |
| your area. Even if you are not hunting, please wear | | | | wind in your face and walk at a snail's pace through |
| some blaze orange so that hunters can see you. Most | | | | the woods. Two or three steps at most, and then |
| hunters are very careful, but it only takes one who is | | | | freeze. Carefully and slowly move your head and |
| careless to ruin your day. If you are a photographer or | | | | eyes to observe your surroundings. Listen for every |
| observing wildlife during hunting season it is probably a | | | | little noise. Often you will see only a part of an animal |
| good idea to use areas where hunting is not allowed, | | | | to begin with. You may see an ear flicker, a tail wag, |
| such as state parks or private land that is posted. Still it | | | | or a slight head movement. Once you learn to pick up |
| is a good idea to wear blaze orange at least when | | | | these small details, you will begin seeing more wildlife. |
| you are moving. | | | | 5) Learn to use calls and decoys to get a closer look. |
| Here are a few basic tips that will help you see more | | | | Study your quarry and learn to emulate the calls they |
| wildlife: | | | | make using store bought game calls. Add a decoy and |
| 1) Look close to feeding and watering areas late | | | | you have a wildlife magnet. A mistake many beginners |
| evenings, between one hour before sunset and dark. | | | | make is to call too often and too loud. Remember, |
| Feeding areas are different for different parts of the | | | | animals generally have much better hearing than you. It |
| country. Crop fields, green pastures, and large oak | | | | may take them some time to move in to check out |
| trees are good places to look. Only oak trees that | | | | the source of the sound, however. When calling, make |
| have plenty of fresh acorns on the ground around their | | | | sure you are well hidden and still. Be patient. |
| base are suitable. Familiarize yourself with the diet of | | | | Above all, stay safe, have fun and learn all you can |
| the type of wildlife you want to see. | | | | about the wildlife you see. Take a notepad and pencil, |
| 2) Go out early in the mornings to view suspected | | | | camera, or video camera to record the action. |
| bedding areas. By early, I mean you should get there | | | | |