HABITUATION
An introduction to understanding deer habituation and how to succeed with deer photography
Deer are astute observers of people and will notice anything out of the ordinary or threatening about how we behave. Habituation is therefore a preferable approach for photographing Roe deer compared to camouflage and concealment.
Each animal has a unique personality and over time you can build up a picture of the different characters you are studying. From a photographers perspective it is good to know who are the most approachable, confiding, or curious.
No matter how confiding the animal is, always respect their circle of fear. Avoid approaching closer than the animal is comfortable with. If the animal is displaying any signs of alarm, back off and reconsider your approach.
Habituating wild animals will teach you that with patience you can unravel their secret life. In doing so, you will be able to capture unique moments and create intimate photographs.
TECHNIQUES
How to habituate wild deer successfully
- Wear consistently coloured clothing: camouflage not obligatory, but do avoid bright colours – choose natural colours in mid-tone range – green, brown, khaki.
- Keep quiet: no shouting or talking loudly.
Respect the deer’s circle of fear: maintain a minimum distance of 20 metres, over time when your habituation is successful reduce this to 10 metres. - Act submissively: avoid direct eye contact with the deer, sit down, if trying to approach an animal – pretend to be occupied with something other than looking at them.
- Map the deer territories: once you know where specific deer are located, you can systematically search for them – focus on deer that are more confiding, they will be easiest to habituate.
SIGNS
How to identify when deer are habituated
- Fleeing and hiding behaviour becomes uncommon.
- Deer can be sighted and followed while performing their daily activities, feeding, resting, social interaction, etc.,
After several months of using these habituation techniques I was able to get close to deer. These techniques even worked in the wide open. I was able to approach deer as they were passing through meadows without them displaying any signs of alarm or fleeing.
Eventually I was able to stand directly in front of deer as they were feeding, even in a meadow. After several months of using these habituation techniques I was able to sit a few metres directly in front of one deer for an hour as it was ruminating after an evening feeding bout.
It takes perseverance and patience to build trust with deer. Eventually I was able to confidently predict the appearance of individuals in an exact location at a certain time of day.
You’ll know you’re doing something right when deer start to approach you and accept your presence.
TIPS
How to search for and locate wild deer
- Only look when they’re likely to be there: The best way to find deer is to use their peak feeding activity in the evening to locate them.
- Don’t rush: When deer come out to feed in the open during the evening it is essential that you do not immediately approach them. You should approach to a close distance without disturbing the deer, ideally in stages, taking 3 to 5 steps at a time, walking very slowly.
- Never chase the deer: Always mirror their behaviour i.e. stop when they stop and move when they move.
- Keep a low profile: You can use the local terrain as cover while you move around to obtain a clear view of your focal deer without having to show yourself. Also bear in mind wind direction.
- Don’t give up: Habituation can be a slow process but I believe this is the best method for photographing wild deer, because they will tolerate people that don’t cause a disturbance and it is possible to earn their trust.
