Approach them from the front, very slowly and at ground level.
Posted by Major Gilbert on February 20, 2008 at 7:21 AM
First of all lewis you need to find an area with as many Hares as possible.
I no that sounds stupid but it just makes your chances that much greater.
Find a symphathetic land owner so that you can drive up to them. Get some netting for the window and obviously a bean bag. You will find that some will just run off staright away as you pull up but others will sit tight. Very oftens they will be lying prone to the ground and hoping that you havnt seen them. Then the wait. You have to sit there and wait for something to happen. Very oftens they will start to rise up and continue feeding once they are happy with things. On other occasions you may even get one running up to you. Either way its a time job unless you are dead lucky.
On Sunday I did just this having found one at the edge of a field. After 3/4 hour of it doing nothing I began to think it was ill. I whistled at it tapped the side of the car but it still didnt move. I got out of the car changed my set up to a 300m..and crept over the gound until I was that close up its backside. It still hadnt moved so I crept around to the side I continued to take shots. Beyond a certain point it suddenly shot up and fell over its self before shooting off.
So the answer is lots of patience and just keep trying.
Major.
Posted by gary cox on February 20, 2008 at 1:29 PM
Hi Lewis
I echo Majors comments about finding an area with a lot of Hares, and a symphathetic land owner,
I was lucky enough to meet a Gamekeeper whilst photographing from a gateway, who was very interested and keen and to allow me access to his estate with over 350 Hares.
Tell tale ‘runs’ are often very noticeable in fields, Thease are used regularly by the Hares.
If there is a dry-stone wall surrounding the field then I look to see if it has collapsed in any places.
Hares will eagerly use gateways and gaps in walls, to move from field to field. By positioning myself near to these entrances, I significantly increase my chances of capturing a close-up of a Hare.
Soon I am treated to a procession of Hares moving from field to field. Often coming too close. I have even had a Hare sit down right next to me and start grooming! And that was not using a hide I was just wearing camouflage gear.
Also I find a small " mouse whistle " very effective in stopping them where you want and getting an alert pose.
I can't wait for the "Hare season" to start, my favorite time of the photographic year.
see some photo at http://uk.geocities.com/gary.cox836@btinternet.com/hares.htm
Gary
Discussion
3 repliesThanks Lewis
I no that sounds stupid but it just makes your chances that much greater.
Find a symphathetic land owner so that you can drive up to them. Get some netting for the window and obviously a bean bag. You will find that some will just run off staright away as you pull up but others will sit tight. Very oftens they will be lying prone to the ground and hoping that you havnt seen them. Then the wait. You have to sit there and wait for something to happen. Very oftens they will start to rise up and continue feeding once they are happy with things. On other occasions you may even get one running up to you. Either way its a time job unless you are dead lucky.
On Sunday I did just this having found one at the edge of a field. After 3/4 hour of it doing nothing I began to think it was ill. I whistled at it tapped the side of the car but it still didnt move. I got out of the car changed my set up to a 300m..and crept over the gound until I was that close up its backside. It still hadnt moved so I crept around to the side I continued to take shots. Beyond a certain point it suddenly shot up and fell over its self before shooting off.
So the answer is lots of patience and just keep trying.
Major.
I echo Majors comments about finding an area with a lot of Hares, and a symphathetic land owner,
I was lucky enough to meet a Gamekeeper whilst photographing from a gateway, who was very interested and keen and to allow me access to his estate with over 350 Hares.
Tell tale ‘runs’ are often very noticeable in fields, Thease are used regularly by the Hares.
If there is a dry-stone wall surrounding the field then I look to see if it has collapsed in any places.
Hares will eagerly use gateways and gaps in walls, to move from field to field. By positioning myself near to these entrances, I significantly increase my chances of capturing a close-up of a Hare.
Soon I am treated to a procession of Hares moving from field to field. Often coming too close. I have even had a Hare sit down right next to me and start grooming! And that was not using a hide I was just wearing camouflage gear.
Also I find a small " mouse whistle " very effective in stopping them where you want and getting an alert pose.
I can't wait for the "Hare season" to start, my favorite time of the photographic year.
see some photo at http://uk.geocities.com/gary.cox836@btinternet.com/hares.htm
Gary