How to Observe Animals in the Wilderness

Contributor

By eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating:

(3 Ratings)

The more you know about an animal, the more likely you are to see it. By keeping quiet and still, you can effectively observe many animals in their natural environment.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

14-function Pocketknives
String

Step 1

Choose a spot near a main trail in the wilderness. The trail should be infrequently traveled by humans and have many animal tracks.
Step 2

Avoid walking the section of the trail you wish to observe.
Step 3

Use string and sticks to build a simple blind near the trail.
Step 4

Tie the string between two trees and lean branches and brush against it to make your blind.
Step 5

Make your blind so that it covers you from all sides.
Step 6

Allow a few days to pass before returning to the blind. This allows time for the animals to return to their normal activity.
Step 7

Return to your blind quietly, in early morning or late afternoon, just before sundown.
Step 8

Be patient and quiet and the animals will soon walk right past you.

Tips & Warnings

Set your blind up near a "fringe" area. This is an area that is neither in the densest brush, where many animals make their homes, nor in an open field, but in the area in between. These are the best areas to observe animals.
Take notes on the animals that walk past as much as possible. Notice the manner they walk, the time they pass, the direction they are going, how many of them there are. Many animals keep fairly regular schedules and by getting to know their schedules, you can more effectively observe them.
Sit quietly and patiently in a brushy area to observe animals without a blind. It can only take 15 minutes of stillness before the natural area gets back to its business.
Be aware of your own scent. Animals have better senses of smell and hearing than humans. Cologne, perfumes or body odor can scare animals away.
Be wary of animals with their young and animals near their dens. In these situations animals can become protective and, hence, dangerous.

Who Can Help Sponsored