Baiting birds of prey

lifesdisciple

1. I read here once about throwing bait. Is this a tactic that works? What do you use for bait? I can get pretty close most times to hawks but they just sit there. Would like to get some pratice shots of them swooping and catching prey. I was thinking about throwing them some bait but not sure what to throw. Also, I thought it would be a nice gesture from one being to another after they let me photograph them without taking off.

2. Would a hawk attack a person? Today I was trying to photograph this one hawk and he was not happy with me. He kept screeching over and over and when i moved on to shoot some mallards. When i returned to the field to get back to where my car was he kept swooping and circling closer and closer to me screeching the whole time. then i heard another hawk screech in the distance. this was the first time i felt a bit uncomfortable. have you ever heard of a hawk attacking?

Harryb

The use of baiting is controversial in the birding and photography community. There are some who feel that its "unethical" and should not be done. I don't have enough knowledge about it to take a position myself.

That being said, mice and pigeons are a commonly used form of bait to attract raptors. Just be sure to have the camera set up before you set the bait out.

Hawks usually won't attack a person.

lifesdisciple

Thanks Harry. I don't think I would ever do it just because it wouldn't feel right to me. I can't even kill a fly let alone feed another being to another. I do wish there were a way to show my gratitude to the animals that pose for me. Guess I have to just hope they understand I am not there to harm them just appreciate them. Also, I didn't think hawks would attack people but man this guy was making me a little uneasy. Never heard a hawk just keep screeching over and over like that before. Thanks again.

Dick on Aruba

My 2 cents.

Nearby my job, there was an American Kestrels nest. Every morning when we open the office, or close it at night, the Kestrels were attacking. They just "touched" my head but were not picking. Therefore, for the Kestrel, they do attack if you come too close to the nest.


I think photographers should be careful and conscious about territories of animals. If an animal threatens you, I think it is wise to move away and try it from another angle (even if it is a less dangerous / harmful animal). Personally, I consider it a privilege to dwell around and take photographs of beings that rather see you go than come.

I not sure about feeding birds if there’s no scarcity. Taken cover and wait patiently is my choice. Just stay in your car and let it become a part of the scene.

Dick.

gluwater

As mentioned by Harry, this is a very controversial subject. First off I would not do this in a Wildlife Refuge because I'm pretty sure it is illegal there, along with playing recorded bird calls. I would also not do it unless you are sure you know what you are doing. It is winter and birds of prey are fighting to survive, do not put them under undo stress or cause them to exert unnecesary energy. Also you mentioned that the bird you were shooting was visibly and audibly annoyed at your presence. You should imediately leave the area if this happens because you are stressing the bird and could cause it harm. The animals wellbeing should be your number one priority while taking pictures, no shot is worth the price of harming the subject, even if it is not on purpose.

jwear

NG and others use balloons to float fish for eagles after they shoot they sould be shot --just my opinion does the eagle know to remove ballon before they eat

lifesdisciple

Thank you every one for your input. I will definitely take off next time I see a bird react the way this one was. I am not out to harm anything in life just simply enjoy it. As for the baiting thing, I am usually very patient but only thought, man if I could make this bird swoop down. But thats just not very naturaul and I try very hard to not disturb their environment. Thanks again for all the tips and advice.

ian408

Baiting wild animals helps create a dependency on humans for food. An
extreme example of this are squirrels in the National Parks. Another
example are the bears at Yosemite. Some of them have become quite
proficient at finding and eating human food. Once created, the dependence
is hard to break and can result in over-population (increased food supply)
and the association of food with people. This association might lead to more
aggressive behavior when the food supply is low and ultimately, the death
of the animal.

I see it as similar to throwing rocks to get a flight shot. It works to get the
shot but really isn't the right thing to do.

raptorcaptor

gluwater wrote:

As mentioned by Harry, this is a very controversial subject. First off I would not do this in a Wildlife Refuge because I'm pretty sure it is illegal there, along with playing recorded bird calls. I would also not do it unless you are sure you know what you are doing. It is winter and birds of prey are fighting to survive, do not put them under undo stress or cause them to exert unnecesary energy. Also you mentioned that the bird you were shooting was visibly and audibly annoyed at your presence. You should imediately leave the area if this happens because you are stressing the bird and could cause it harm. The animals wellbeing should be your number one priority while taking pictures, no shot is worth the price of harming the subject, even if it is not on purpose.

Harryb

While baiting is not something I have done or intend to do there are arguments on both sides of the issue.

My approach is to capture my subjects whie having the minimal impact on them. The ideal to strive for is to have no impact. You are trying to capture your subject in its natural settings and you defeat that purpose when they react to you.

That said, baiting if used minimally and by someone who knows their subjects will have minimal impact if any on one's subject. I know some shooters who leave out carrion to attract carrion eaters. There's a ranch in Texas that provides a blind and carrion for shooters. I wanted to try it but Linda wouldn't accept my proposal that she be the designated carrion tosser.

The key thing, IMHO, is having knowledge of your subjects & not doing the baiting excessively. Personally I don't have the knowledge to do it with assurances that I'm not causing some harm so I avoid it.

bfjr

Harryb wrote:

The use of baiting is controversial in the birding and photography community. There are some who feel that its "unethical" and should not be done. I don't have enough knowledge about it to take a position myself.

That being said, mice and pigeons are a commonly used form of bait to attract raptors. Just be sure to have the camera set up before you set the bait out.

True indeed, but to do this before spending the needed time to learn what you are baiting then your just a poacher :wow

Hawks usually won't attack a person.

Not true. I heard of some Nikon shooter in Florida (go figure ) who trained his Viera Hawks to attack them pesky Cannonites