Comments on: Don’t be a Desperate Wildlife Photographer

By: Susan Myers

Susan Myers — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 20:44:52 +0000

Interesting article Trent. I’m a leader of nature tours with over 20 years experience now. I lead regularly in Japan. A somewhat recent problem is people (including photographers) throwing tidbits to foxes and other animals to entice them out onto the roads. Of course, this becomes a habit and next thing you know, you have a flat fox or raccoon dog. Earlier this year I encountered a group of Europeans on a photo workshop and suggested they stop throwing a stone close to a fox to get it to come out. The reply was “it’s not food, so it’s okay”. They knew perfectly well the fox thought it was food, and I pointed this out, they then proceeded to tell me f**k off (their words). If you don’t care about the welfare of the animals, you have absolutely NO business photographing them….

By: Betsy Rondeau

Betsy Rondeau — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 18:13:10 +0000

A college group from Montana Tech in Butte Montana collared and studied Big Horn sheep near Georgetown Lake. The conclusion of the study had some interesting points the most relevant being that when they were around people, though they just stood and grazed, they were freaking out on the inside. Just because they do not show signs of aggression or agitation they are stressed and a situation could escalate quickly.

By: JD

JD — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 05:05:18 +0000

In reply to Daniel.

How is that condescending? It’s a FACT – if you don’t have the right equipment then you have NO BUSINESS trying to make what equipment you have work when you know it won’t, and that’s not just with photography, it’s in ANYTHING you want to do.
You don’t go tent camping in the Rockies in January with equipment you bought at the local five-and-dime, you don’t go buy a car off the showroom floor and enter the Daytona 500, photography is no different.

By: Rob

Rob — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 20:36:28 +0000

Years ago, when visiting Glacier National Park, there was a group of mountain goats amazingly close to the road and a parking area. The group included some young and one very vigilant adult. A crowd of tourists ensued and the sheep seemed ok with us close. That was, until a guy gets out of a car with a very agitated and aggressive German Sheppard! The vigilant adult went right at the barking dog and the bozo holding it’s lead. 27 years later I can still see the mayhem in my head. Once I saw the speed and power of the charging goat, I realized my then-pregnant wife and I had made a poor choice joining the crowd only feet away from the animals. Thanks for the great blog.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 20:53:41 +0000

Trent, you are 100% right. Harassing wildlife is unethical and in some states, illegal. Equally bad, when idiots get hurt, the animal (who acted naturally) is killed. Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK-RN8C1mOE

By: Trent Sizemore

Trent Sizemore — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 18:00:13 +0000

In reply to Daniel. You aren’t entitled to break the rules and get closer just because you don’t have the correct equipment for the shot you want. Considering you can get a lens with 600mm for under $1000 there’s no excuse.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 16:31:53 +0000

“You don’t need to be close enough for a full frame head shot with your 300mm lens.”
that was rude and low. so you have a 500mm/600mm lenses and you think you’re better than others because of that? haha.. im all for NOT disturbing wildlife. i will never chase deer in order to get my shot. because i dont want them to get out of their territory into a highway. but i dont agree with your condescending.

By: John Miller

John Miller — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 07:46:59 +0000

It is funny watching the hazard-courting photogs drifting closer and closer to the wildlife equipped with pointy things! You feel as if you should say aloud: “Wait for it…” 🙂

By: Trent Sizemore

Trent Sizemore — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 03:37:53 +0000

In reply to Jim. Many professionals act worse than amateurs or tourists. All professionals know the rules, but a few choose to ignore them.

By: Trent Sizemore

Trent Sizemore — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 03:35:46 +0000

In reply to Cryssy. There are already rules for distance in National Parks, but they cannot be enforced.

By: Trent Sizemore

Trent Sizemore — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 03:35:12 +0000

In reply to Ian Douglas. The animals eventually get habituated to human presence, allowing people to get closer and closer until it’s TOO close and the animal has to defend itself.

By: Trent Sizemore

Trent Sizemore — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 03:32:20 +0000

In reply to Steve A.. If you want to be a master carpenter, you’re still going to start with a simple birdhouse. Fortunately the greater Yellowstone ecosystem has 20 million+ acres with plenty of WILD animals for those that desire a bigger challenge.