Hide help needed...

[wrogers]

I am struggling with wildlife photography...

I have a Canon 400D with sigma 100-300mm F/4 zoom, but cant get the shots i want...

I have been thinking about getting realtree camouflage clothing or maybe a hide...

what is most economical??

I am thinking of getting (or making) a hid that you can move around in, because I struggle when laying on my stomach for 2 hours or more

Also where is a good place to put a hide on the edge of woodland (where the muntjac are at sunset/rise)

I have been trying to hide sitting with my camera on a tripod (uncovered, all black) near the edge of the woodland, whilst wearing standard UK Army clothes... what am I doing wrong???


as for hides my budget is £80

[nightshade]

Not everyones cup of tea but I have used a large Utility tent (toilet tent)
there is room to sit down and stand in the same space there is even a "shelf"
around £30. any holes that you require can be cut/sealed with a soldering iron
I just opened the zip door a little

[ron1863]

I guess I am just lucky in that I have never gone out with the aim of taking shots of deer, I just seem to meet them regularly
Are you approaching them with the wind in your face or at your back, are you wearing deodorant/after shave etc. Do you keep low to the ground when walking near them. The following shot was taken about 200 yards from my back door with a Minolta 75 - 300mm lens.
I'm sure other members will advise you on clothing and hides. Good luck

[wrogers]

Nightshade: thanks for the tip, maybe a small green or camo tent would do, and is less likely to be laughed at if someone spots me!!!

Ron: unfortunately I only have muntjac which are small and hard to spot, also the farmer who owns the land around the wood ( which is owned by woodland trust) shoots them, to keep the population down....

maybe the grey squirrels will be easier!!!.

I am thinking of creating a small bamboo frame that is dismantled easily and buying some scrim netting.

[BillyPilgrim]

Most of this applies to birds. I'm still quite new to wildlife photography and a year ago I was thinking pretty much as you are now. Basically nothing would come near me so I blamed the lack of camo, portable hides etc. I lost count of the number of times that I almost bought a portable hide. For some reason I never did and I'm glad I resisted.

I read the advice on here and other sites and spoke to a friend who's been into wildlife photgraphy for donkeys' years. The advice was pretty consistant. You don't really need a hide or even camo clothing. Plain coloured clothing is fine.

Go to where you know there is wildlife and stand/sit still and be very patient. Above all keep as still as you can. I've had birds come within 4 feet and as long as I don't move they don't get spooked. If its mammals you're after you'll have to stay downwind as well. Put down plenty of feed and do it regularly. Give it a while and something will turn up. Most of my photos on this site were aquired by following these simple rules.


BillyPilgrim Gallery - Wildlife Photography

[deer boy]

I take it from your first post that it's mainly the muntjac that you want to photograph.
First of all watch them from a distance, learn where they go & at what time of day.
Then when you know there favourite places either set up a hide or hide in some bushes ect down wind & stay very still.

You could always get some camo netting & chuck over yourself.

Personally i wear camo clothing & have covers i got from wildlifewatchingsupplies for my cameras.
I know lots of places i can go to see Deer & prefer stalking them, much more fun.
But it took me months to find all the locations i now know & hours up on hours of walking.
So keep persevering & let us know how you get on

[larachmor]

Wildlife Watching Supplies at Tiverton in Devon have a wide range of hides and nets, though I wouldn't say they were cheap, but they are good quality. Most are portable. The dome hides are the most popular, and they also do a "bag-hide" which is basically a large throw-over cape with a hood, scrim-net face-cover and cut-outs for camera equipment and a tripod. This folds small enough to pack into a rucksack.

Wildlife Watching Supplies - Wildlife photography, Nature photography, Photo blinds

[Tobyh]

I've not used hides for deer (yet) but I do own a bag hide from the afore mentioned supplier.

They arent cheap but I was too lazy to make myself anything but they work a treat. I have the lightweight hardwoods version and so far have had foxes and badgers within 10 feet of me (in garden) and they are by no means tame, they scarper at the slightest noise (that'll be the shutter then!). Just last weekend I actually had a sparrow land on my arm whilst I was covered in the garden, they often come close but that beats all

I would recommend it even though you feel like a total tit when you first start using it

TobyH

[wrogers]

Thanks for the advice...

I am going to save up for one (my Ipod has died :sniff: )

in the mean time, i will go out and do reconnaissance on the muntjac from a distance with a notepad, then try to stay still (I fidget a lot )

as for the hide, well i guess a bag hide will do, maybe i can make one from material... but i will have to save up for a thimble to protect my shutter finger

hopefully when the wind dies down i can have a proper go at getting some pictures!!

thanks for the advice everyone!!!

[Badllarma]

Hi wrogers,
The bag hide should do you well on a budget, the dome hide that are carried in there own sack are great as well BUT you should be ok in just camo clothing to be honest deer have not got the greatest eye sight.

Smell will give you away quicker, also how does the farmer shoot them? Does he have high seats set up? If so climb on of them and sit there for a few hours. Or a tree over looking the area you have seen them

I don't really know the land you are on but if there is standing crops around you at present due to the bad weather that's where they could be lay up. I'd take a look along the woodland edge and see for there runs, they will use other deer or even badger runs out of the woodland and into the fields. look for track and droppings to give you a better idea of what they are up to.

Finally you have chooses the hardest deer to take images BTW When I was keepering in South Wales we had them on the estate (very few and far between) and bearing in mind I was on the ground 24/7 365 days a year AND it was only 1400 acres In 2 years I only saw them ONCE !! Although I did not go actively seeking them to be honest.

So if you get the shot your after with these, all the other deer species will be dead easy Have fun