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PahrumpValley Gazette, Y, May 5, i997 27., -:,?.
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Bringing inthe wild ones
by Ed Tomchin
The proper blind and decoy combination can bring in wildlife
which would not otherwise be approachable, allowing you to get some
very close, personal and exciting photographs.
The great blue heron, which is indigenous to Southern Nevada and
found at many small lakes and reservoirs is a safe bellwether for most
other waterbirds. It is notoriously wary and essentially a loner.
Therefore, ifa heron is standing along the shore of a lake, ducks, geese
and other waterfowl instinctively know the area is safe. Migrating
birds settle fearlessly on a body of water where they see a great blue
because they instinctively know there are no threats in the area. It's
a safe haven.
The fact that a heron decoy never moves would not have alerted
the birds because great blues can and do stand for hours on end without
moving. It is a natural behavior for them.
The use of decoys is neither new to hunting nor to photography,
although photographers were somewhat late in picking up this useful
tactic. The use of decoys goes far back into the dark reaches of human
history. Ancient natives used decoys to lure animals in for the kill.
Without decoys, whole tribes might have gone hungry or been forced
to move to more productive areas.
Nevada archaeologists found numerous ancient duck decoys
which had been stashed in Lovelock Cave, a large cave that opens up
onto fossil Lake Lahontan, more than 2,000 years ago. Fishhooks,
nets and hooks on setlines were found in the cave alongside the duck
decoys:
Other types, including mammal decoys, have been discovered at
various ancient sites throughout the Southwest. Some eastern tribes
dressed for a hunt by donning deer heads, antlers and sometimes even
skins. Evidence has been found indicating the use of blinds and
decoys of all kinds throughout this land's ancient past. Stick frame
figures holding draped animal skins have lured many an unwary
animal to its hasty demise, yet likely much to the pleasure of a hungry
band of hunters.
Sometime during the last century, hunters and craftsmen began
carving realistic decoys for use in hunting shorebirds. It is common
knowledge among hunters that using decoys make their hunts far
more successful. The same tricks will work when you are hunting
with a camera.
Using duck decoys in conjunction with a great blue decoy is an
excellent way to draw in many types of shorebirds, especially along
migratory routes. Set up your blind near the shore of a lake and lay
your decoys near the water's edge. Keep them close to the blind so
they don't appear in your photos along with the real wildlife. An
additional benefit of #acing your decoys close to your blind is that it
tacitly indicates the blind is also safe and not a threat to the birds.
Don't worry about wind carrying your scent to the birds. Most
birds' senseof smell is poor. It is their eyesight that is sharp. However,
wind direction is important in the placement of your blind and decoys
because birds, like planes, generally land into the wind. They also
swim with the wind after landing, so if the wind direction is toward
your blind or crosswind to it, your chances of success are greatly
increased.
Place your decoys to the side of the blind away from the wind.
Most incoming birds will land upwind from your decoys, placing
them in front of your blind in perfect position for some prize
photographs.
Decoys also work well for pulling in birds of prey, such as the red-
tailed hawk and golden eagle, both of which abound in Southern
Nevada. However, the dynamics are somewhat different. To get great
winged predator shots, it's best to work the migration ridges in spring
and fall. These are the mountain ridges that cause updrafts which
hawks and eagles love to ride while searching for breakfast or dinner.
You'll be able to pull some beautiful raptors into camera range by
placing a decoy such as a great homed owl on a long pole near the edge
of a clearing where hawks hunt. The clearing must be a decent size in
order to allow you the time and distance to get some great photos.
Don't forget, these birds come in smooth, fast and ready for anything.
Deer and elk also respond to decoys well. In fact, you should be
able to get some great shots of these animals using any of the types of
decoys available (full-bodied, silhouette or collapsible decoys in
either a standing or bedded position). You can also make deer decoys
interchangeably does or bucks by putting on or leaving off the antlers,
depending on what sex animal you want to pull in.
With deer, hiding your scent is important since most ungulates
(hoofed animals) have a very keen sense of smell. Try putting the
decoy 50 to 75 feet upwind from your blind. The first deer to arrive
should have its attention immediately directed toward the decoy, not
to your blind, which this distance will accomplish. If you are fortunate,
a deer will attempt to attack your decoy, giving you some great action
shots.
A key point: Don't try to photograph the first animal that arrives.
It' s likely it is not alone, and if that first animal accepts your decoy and
blind and begins to graze, the rest will follow easily and confidently,
giving you the potential for some fantastic wildlife photography.
Only risk photographing the first animal into your "shooting zone"
if it is a once-in-a-lifetime shot. Having a second or third creature
come into the area doesn't increase their alertness, it subdues their
suspicions and puts them both more at ease, allowing you more time
to get better shots.
s
A WORD ABOUT QUIET: Today, cameras are far quieter than
in the past, especially if you use one of the large formats. However,
even the mirror slap of a 35mm is sufficient tO .scatter birds and
mammals. Older, larger format cameras sometimes sound like a
screen door slamming shut. The only solution is to make a cover for
your camera that will dampen and diffuse the sound of mirror slap (and
film advance in automatic cameras). Wrap your camera with suffi-
cient soft foam or cloth to prevent the camera's natural sounds from
carrying far enough to startle your wild subjects.
Shooting from inside a blind also reduces the noise which can be
heard outside the blind. However, an animal's hearing is very sharp
and care must be taken to prevent it from being startled before you have
had a chance to shoot.
To learn more about getting in close with your camera, pick up any
good book on stalking and hunting wild animals. A caveat to keep in
mind is that a photographer has to get much closer for a decidedly
longer period of time to get a good picture, than does a hunter for a
good, clean rifle shot. Getting good wildlife photos is a much greater
challenge.
Hunters also have strict roles and restrictions placed on the use of
blinds, decoys and calls. None of them apply to photographers. With
the exception of some National Parks, photographers are readily
allowed to employ blinds, decoys and calls in pursuit of their art.
In a future column, I will explore how to get the most out of your
decoys and how to use various types of calls in conjunction with your
decoys and blinds.
Prehistoric tule reed
duck decoys from
Lovelock Cave, Nevada. Decoy with duck
Decoy with duck feathers inserted.
Fishing Report
by Geoff Schneider
Nevada Division of Wildlife
LAKE MEAD- Anglers continue to find fair action for
striped bass and largemouth bass in the Boulder Basin and
Overton Arm.
Large threadfin shad are being netted at Hemenway
Harbor and used for bait. This is somewhat unusual
because shad typically do not appear along shore until
June or July.
Some of the better areas for stripers have been
Pumphouse Cove, the intake tower, Saddle Island and
Boxcar Cove in the Boulder Basin. Fishing is also
reported to be good at the Meat Hole in the Overton
Arm.
Largemouth bass continue to be taken from brush in
coves. Coves toward the north end of the Overton Arm
have been particularly productive for bass.
LAKE MOHAVE --Striped bass fishing continues
to be fair for the few anglers who have been trying their
luck. Largemouth bass fishing is also fair with fish
weighing up to five pounds being taken.
One angler had good luck over the weekend by using
lead line to troll deep. He caught a number of two-pound
stripers in the South Basin.
Small stripers are still being caught in deep water
around Cottonwood Cove. Very little action for stripers
or trout is being found at Willow Beach.
EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR --Fishing contin-
ues to be good for stocked rainbow and brown trout at the
Lincoln County State Park. Boaters have been taking
limits of five fish by fishing in the upper portion of the
lake. Shore fishing is fair from the dam and fishing pier.
ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR -Trout fishing is
fair to good while the action for largemouth bass and
crappie is still below par. The lake's water level is low
and continues to decline.
SCHROEDER RESERVOIR ,-Anglers report slow
trout fishing in the reservoir, but fair action in the stream
below the lake. Roads leading to the state park are now
in fair condition.
URBAN PONDS --Plans call for channei catfish to be
stocked Thursday in ponds at Floyd Lamb State Park,
Lorenzi Park and Sunset Park. Fish for the plants are
being shipped from commercial growers in Arizona,
L .
