Autumn is the time of year when many animals spend their days looking for food and mating. The UK Deer rut happens annually in Autumn, which means there’s an opportunity to capture some fantastic photos of it.
Whether you’re a wildlife photographer or not, these tips will show you how to photograph this event effectively.
Tip 1 – Go with someone who has experience
It was great to be accompanied by fellow wildlife photographer Cory Robinson who has a wealth of knowledge and experience about the Deer and the Rut. Cory helped me find the group and safely get close (but not too close) to get some fantastic shots.
Tip 2 – Find a group of female Deer:
Take a scope and/or binoculars and scan the land to look for a group of females. The Dominant male stag will be amongst these females and will be actively warning off the other males.
Tip 3 – Take your time and plan where you are going to be walking.
It’s important to plan your approach once you’ve located a group of Deer. Away from the group will be outlying Stags that may be asleep in the long grass and you don’t want to be disturbing them. So watch your footing and keep an eye out for Stags at all times.
Tip 4 – Find a good sheltered spot to watch the Deer
Once you have the Deer Rut in view, find a good, safe spot to watch. Watching from behind trees is a good idea. Be quiet and try to go unnoticed.
Tip 5 – Leave the Tripod at home
Nothing could look more like antlers than a tripod. Stags can see these as a threat and could possibly charge at you.
Tip 6 – Take a long way around
Don’t head straight towards the Deer. At any other time of the year, Deer will probably see/smell you and run away to seek safety. During the rut this isn’t the case and heading straight toward them will appear as a challenge. Navigate a way to get closer by circumnavigating around them.
Tip 7 – Enjoy these majestic animals at an interesting time for them
Watching the UK Deer Rut can be an amazing moment to witness and you’ll feel waves of intensity and calmness over the course of a few hours. Remember to keep yourself safe and keep your wits about you.
Want to know more about getting closer to wildlife?
How to get close to wild animals