Grrrr People and Wildlife!

I figured I would share with ya all my little experience I had yesterday while down at Garden of the Gods shooting at first light.

I don't know what it is lately with people and the total disregard and respect for wildlife, but this guy yesterday took the cake....

So I am driving around in The Garden, I had my Dad with me as he said he would love to go, never having seen it in morning light, when all the sudden he slams on the breaks and says look, well, not 10 feet away out my side window in a HUGE Mule Deer Buck, either 10 or 12 points, was hard to count....acting like he was stuck in the brush when in fact he was just scratching his head. So I right away start firing shots off, he now moves closer, putting him maybe 6 feet away. Now to me, that is a lil to close, even being in the car and shooting.

Well I happen to notice couple on their morning walk, walking towards me on my side of the road, so I kinda signal them to go to the other side of the street (thinking hey, safety, they will be literally 4 feet away from this gigantic Buck and they have no idea he is there) So the lady heeds my warning and crosses to the other side. Meanwhile, Mr Macho doesn't and keep coming my way, to which I yell out, "don't approach. It's not safe". Does this guy listen?? Nope...in fact, he walks right up to my car window and says "What!!" I look at him and turn and say "are you aware that 4 behind you is a massive Mule Deer Buck??" He turns, look at it, looks at me, and says "I live here buddy!!!!" and literally screams that at me. I look at him and say "Ummmm ok, well that isn't any reason to disregard your safety and figured you might just want to know"...as he was getting ready to yell something else at me, my German Shepherd suddenly decided to take some interest in him after hearing him yell at me, and he walked off....in pursuit of his I imagine, embarrassed wife.

Ya know, this got me thinking...what the heck is it with people lately, and the sheer lack of respect for wildlife. Doubt this guy knows, but Deer are actually the most dangerous animal in North America, killing more humans than any other animal, every year. It's like those idiots in RMNP who go running out into the fields after Elk during the rut....feet away....or the ones who chase the Moose when she has young with her....it just seems lately it has gotten really bad........sigh.......

Unfortunately, your story doesn't surprise me.

I worked for a guy once who was convinced that 80% of the population is just plan stupid. At the time I was young and optimistic. Time has eroded the optimism (and the youth)

We have all witnessed the behavior you've described - on the roads, in the shopping malls, at the grocer, etc. To me, the most disturbing part of your experience is this individuals willingness to yell at you! It's sad, but in large part our society has lost the notions of 'honor' and courtesy.

-Arlen Fletcher

Sometimes you just have to let nature takes it's course. Seeing this behavior from some very close relatives I have to agree with Arlen's assessment.

I'm convinced that most people are foolish and myopic in the presence of wildlife. And don't ever mount a big lens in a heavily used area unless you expect to draw a crowd - some of whom will make noises guaranteed to scare off your subject. They won't even know they caused the animal(s) to leave. Normally they'll ask what you're looking at - as if they can't see for themselves without being told. If the animal does something cute - they'll shriek...or scream. On a recent RMNP trip, some folks hiked cross country to within 20 yards of rutting elk. This was a trek of about 1/2 mile and I was rooting for the elk to defend their territory. It's up to each of us to make sure that our behavior is ethical with the well-being of the subject our top priority.

You'd be amazed to witness the disregard some people here in Texas have for gators.
You know, those slow moving, lethargic reptiles.
Sure glad they prefer Nutria for snacks.

So far, I haven't seen anyone try to pose their kid riding one.

I don't see what the big problem is. My mule deer fetch my paper and bring me my slippers.

Just kidding. I live a few miles north of the Garden and we've got tons of deer in the yard most of the time. Usually there are 4-5 does in the yard, sometimes as many as 12. Luckily its normally does, not bucks (only because they can just hurt you with hooves, not hooves and antlers). They are much to tame for their own good, but I don't trust them and always keep my distance.

Unfortunately, some idiots in my neighborhood think they need to honk their horns at all hours if they see deer near the street. Since there are almost always deer in our yard we get to hear this 12V electronic symphony all the time. Only problem is that these people are always doing this when I'm working in the back of the house, so I don't know which of the neighbors is doing it. When I find them I'll be having a conversation with them about the honking.

lets not forget to mention when the ummmmm yahoos decides to feed the bear or other form of wild life. I remember seeing a photo of a person giving food to a bear. I think we shouldn't bother saying anything to these people, if they are going to do something stupid let them pay the consequences

I remember one time at RMNP one summer I was shooting some elk at the top of Fall River Road. I had my big lens on and was not intruding on the elk. Then this couple in a convertible stops right in front of me. This lady gets out with her point-and-shoot and takes a couple of pictures. I do not think the husband saw me. He then tell his wife that there is a photographer trying to gt some shots. She just looks at him and says, "Oh well."

Very nice.

My favorite are the know-it-alls who proclaim their 'expertise' in being around wildlife, like a guy i heard in RMNP a couple months ago who was approaching a huge bull elk that was sctatching its head on a tree: "Oh, ive been around these elk for years and I know how they react--he's totally busy working on that tree, and i could go pet him on the head without him even noticeing me" Yeah, right--tell that to Tim Treadwell!

I'm sensing future Darwin awards.

A few years ago I was visiting the tourist trap of Royal Gorge. The road to it had lots of bucks wandering around and I saw a couple allowing there very young kids near the deer trying to feed them...antlers and all.