How do I increase my chance of seeing animals while hiking?

Question

Any advices on how to track them? How to know which area they hang out at a lot? How to avoid alarming them? Any advices will be helpful. I would like to take more photography of them if possible.

Answer 1

+ Three things alert animals to your presence. One is sound so you should be silent. Another is smell so you should not smell like a human or like deodorant or laundry detergent. (being down wind of the animals helps here) Look up wind for the animals unless you can smell proof yourself. The last most important is motion. Animals can detect motion over color. Being still can conceal you in minimal cover.
If you want them close you should investigate their habits and what trails they follow and when, then wait for them. Bait or some attractants can work. Animals are almost always hungry or thirsty, so keep that in mind.

Use some optics that allow you to see them first if you can get them. There are also some hearing aide type of equipments that lets you hear them first then position yourself silently so that they come to you. (or the food you leave for them)

As far as tracking goes, you can try to find their tracks and trails and see where they go on an investigation. Then do a kind of "Police Stake out". It also depends on what you are trying to photograph. If it is skunks then I am not coming along. Asking someone local that spends time in the animals area, or doing a little advance research can go a long way.

Good luck

Answer 2

Quiet is the key...move slowly. Sometimes sitting still in one spot will allow animals to get close you without realizing you are there. Birds will get very close. I nest search this way for my job...just sit in one spot...silent and unmoving for an hour or more at a time! Just be careful if you are in an area with bears, as you do NOT want to sneak up on them or startle them in any way. Usually you are suppossed to MAKE noise in the case of hiking in areas with bear.

Answer 3

I grew up in the wilderness. The secret is to walk slow enough so that you don't make a sound. If you hear yourself making any noise, you are too loud. Don't talk, don't whisper, don't rub your pant legs when you walk or stomp or drag your feet. Animals are very sensitive. If you sit and listen, you can easily hear other people approach. Don't be like them. Be very quiet. Be patient and watch where you step. Take a few steps then look around. Blend into the wilderness.

Answer 4

Learn to walk quietly - it takes practice and you might have to find different shoes. Wear clothing that soesn't make noise - no nylon windbreakers that rustle. Learn tracks and how to find trails if you are looking for larger animals. Listen if you are looking for birds.

And as has been mentioned - if you are in bear areas be careful and carry pepper spray.

Answer 5

Wear dress which merge with the environment
sit motionless or move soundlessly in areas frequented by the animals you want to watch..
going against the wind is also essential.
Here are some useful tips:
Deer family,buffalows:Very good vision,hearing and sense of smell
Cats : Very good vision and hearing , relatively poor sense of smell
Bears,Elephants,Rhinos Wild Boars: Very good hearing & sense of smelll. relatinely poor vision

Answer 6

Hike on lesser used trails that go to more remote places. Focus on staying quiet and try to restrain from talking. Be patient and you should find them.

Answer 7

Walk into the wind. Don't make any noise. Canoeing is a great way to photograph wildlife, as long as you don't bring someone along who has to have a radio blasting.

Answer 8

Hike at the zoo

Answer 9

Hike at night with night vision goggles.