Bill J H
AH veteran
***First, I'm not saying we should hunt with a camera instead of a gun. I'm simply saying that hunting with a camera allows me to hunt (with an objective in mind) MORE OFTEN. This year, I'll take my normal deer, a hog or two, my KS pronghorn (I should have the points to draw), and I'm headed to Africa in July. I love to gun hunt, but I only like to shoot what I (or someone else) is going to eat. So, please don't misunderstand my camera discussion.***
Over the last couple of years, I find I hunt with my Canon R7, FAR more than I do a rifle. Don't get me wrong, I still hunt with rifles, shotguns, and pistols...but I now use the camera, solely, 95% of the time.
I'm curious: Does anyone else find they "hunt" more and more with a camera?
For me, I guess the reason is that it gets me into the field, hunting, stalking to get close, framing my subject, then firing away - looking to get that perfect shot. It's a fun game: sometimes I win and sometimes the animals win. I liken it to counting coup or "catch and release" hunting like "catch and release" fishing. A photo that isn't "sharply focused" is like a shot and miss...a sharp photo is a kill shot. The best is to catch them doing interesting things, i.e., fighting, playing, etc.
My camera hunting gets me into the field at least a couple of times a week - hunting - regardless of the time of year and hunting season
My typical hunting day with a camera:
Then I get to spend time in my gun/hunting/camera room processing photos and cataloging. My wife says I'm like a serial (photo) killer, reliving the stalks and hunt when I tinker with the photos, catalog them, or show them to friends, etc.
Anyway, I was just wondering if others do this or if it's just me...
Over the last couple of years, I find I hunt with my Canon R7, FAR more than I do a rifle. Don't get me wrong, I still hunt with rifles, shotguns, and pistols...but I now use the camera, solely, 95% of the time.
I'm curious: Does anyone else find they "hunt" more and more with a camera?
For me, I guess the reason is that it gets me into the field, hunting, stalking to get close, framing my subject, then firing away - looking to get that perfect shot. It's a fun game: sometimes I win and sometimes the animals win. I liken it to counting coup or "catch and release" hunting like "catch and release" fishing. A photo that isn't "sharply focused" is like a shot and miss...a sharp photo is a kill shot. The best is to catch them doing interesting things, i.e., fighting, playing, etc.
My camera hunting gets me into the field at least a couple of times a week - hunting - regardless of the time of year and hunting season
My typical hunting day with a camera:
- Timing - Just like rifle hunting, I like to be in the field near daylight or dusk, but I'm not limited to that.
- Photo Equipment - Canon R7 and/or 80D with 100-400 zoom (plus short range lens).
- Other Equipment - Game calls, Binos, etc., normal hunting items.
- Firearm - always have a pistol (9mm, 22LR, 357, 45, or 44, etc.).
- Locations - exactly like I was rifle hunting, however, a lot more walk and stalk.
- Procedure around here in TX- Load my gear into my Jeep and head to area I'm hunting. Strap on the tools and start walking, just like a spot and stalk with a rifle. Once I see something I want to shoot (deer, hogs, turkey, coyote, heron, armadillo, skunk, etc.) I stalk. The closer I can get, the more fun and rewarding it is. For example, I often get within 15-20 yards of hogs, a few feet from armadillos and skunks; whitetails and turkey are more tricky. I'll call coyotes in close...and turkey.
- I do the same when I go to the mountains, etc., but my quarry changes...
Then I get to spend time in my gun/hunting/camera room processing photos and cataloging. My wife says I'm like a serial (photo) killer, reliving the stalks and hunt when I tinker with the photos, catalog them, or show them to friends, etc.
Anyway, I was just wondering if others do this or if it's just me...
