Raw Hide

Hi everyone,

I don’t usual bother with a hide due to the huge distances I often walk to get close to my chosen subjects. I have discovered a breeding pair that I wish to photograph but they are really nervous. I have spent about two weeks just watching them with no photographic equipment to determine their flight paths, feeding times, etc… They do spook very easily and deviate from the norm if anyone (usually doggy walker’s) come crashing though.

I know during the week it’s a lot quieter so will be aiming to target them during this period. A permanent hide is out of the question and I don’t fancy spending all day in a bag hide.

So I need a hide of some sort or other but three problems need to be taken into consideration;

Firstly I have to be able to put it up and down quickly in high winds (as I can’t leave the hide set-up).
Secondly it must be able to survive high winds (i.e. not get blown away.
Finally it must be reasonably light and easy to carry (with all the usual photographic hardware taken on these trips) as it is a good three mile trek from the road.

Any suggestions would be welcome!

Many thanks,

I use several different types of hide depending on what I'm shooting. Often a bag hide is all that's needed but for longer stake-outs I use a dome hide. Mostly I use a Wildlife Watching Supplies Mini-dome hide which allows a pretty low shooting angle but can get a bit uncomfortable after a few hours as you're sitting on the ground. The Standard dome hide allows you sit on a stool but with a somewhat higher shooting angle. Stability in wind of both hides is good with the main problem being when erecting or taking down the hide. The Mini-dome is a lot easier to put up and take down in high winds. I've done so with mine on an exposed estuary in gale-force winds. I frequently have to walk miles with all my gear including the hide and don't find it a problem.



Paul

Paul

I have just started using a spring loaded lightweight hide in Kansas which can be pegged down. It's spring loaded as I mentioned and takes 30 seconds to errect or dismantle. I paid about $75.00 www.cabelas.com will ship. I'm sure they must be available in the EU I return to Kansas on 5/3/08 if your stuck. Just shoot me a e-mail.

Barry


Eastbourne / Kansas

Hi Paul
Try this link.
Hope it helps.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?id=0004801&navCount=1&parentId=cat540014&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat21424-cat540014&parentType=index&indexId=cat540014&rid=
Regards
SteveHL

Hi Paul,

If I'm not shooting from a vehicle, I wear full camo including gloves and a headnet and carry light weight scrim netting, once set up ,cover myself up and sit and wait, looking like a new bush in the field. You know it works when Wood Pigeons land near you

Regards

Rob

if damage/vandalisation is a consideratuion, a cheap camping toilet tent from Ebay cut down in height, cut out a camera port and drape in cheap army camo netting - total cost is under £20 - OK its a bit cramped, but you can make 6 for the price of a dome hide

Mike

Paul,

Following up on Mikes suggestion - Argos do a range of cheapo tents including if I remember correctly the toilet tent (luckily without the associated toilet ). You can also get the pop-up hide (I have an Ameristep Doghouse) from http://www.schuiltent.nl/?menu=category&categoryID=103433 for a not too unreasonable price.

Adrian

Thanks Guys,

A lot of choice. I will look into each one - Cheers!

Rob I often wear all camo even when just milling around with a pair of bins! I probably will add a light weight scrim netting to the mix as you suggested though.

For this project though I need a full blown hide as I'll be sat in it for 10-12 hours per day.