Stewardship
Where Hunting Happens, Conservation Happens™
Seven Tips For Ethical Field Photos
At the Boone and Crockett Club, we’ve seen our share of hunting field photos. They range from downright awesome to a tad cringeworthy. In a time when we post our accolades on social media for the world to see, like it or not, we’re all ambassadors for our passion. We should be proud to be a hunter and proud of our accomplishments. But that doesn’t mean we have to take the low road when shouting from the virtual rooftops. We hope that you consider a few of these tips when posing with your trophy after a hunt.
1. Include the Habitat
Here, we see two mule deer taken in two very different landscapes. Try to include a little (or a lot) of the trophy’s habitat in the photos. Celebrate those wide open spaces where these animals thrive.
2. Muzzle Control
You’re as sure it’s unloaded as that deer is dead. But then again... Lead by example and always point your weapon in a safe direction—even in a photo. Try not to point the muzzle at your temple while propped up on the antlers of your dead whitetail. It might seem insignificant at the time, until it’s not.
3. Show Respect
Of these two barren ground caribou photos, which one would you rather show your neighbor who’s on the fence about hunting? Chances are it’s the one where the hunter isn’t riding a dead caribou. Taking the life of an animal shouldn’t be taken lightly, which is why the least we can do is make a clean, quick kill and respect them even after they’re gone.
4. Celebrate the Hunt
You know hunting is so much more than pulling a trigger and putting meat in the freezer. There’s the scouting, the hiking, the weather, the other animals, the camaraderie, and so many more aspects. Try to include images that tell the whole story of a memorable experience, not just the end result.
5. Sit in the Same County
Sitting far behind the animal you killed might give the illusion that you killed a 3,000-pound grizzly, but 90 percent of hunters know what you’re up to. Then again, there’s no need to get all snuggly with it, either. The field photo of this grizzly taken in the Yukon Territory is a good compromise. Showing the size of those claws is a nice touch, too.
6. It’s Not an Ad
Ever see those photos that make the animal look like a prop in a hunting ad? Even if you have dreams of being sponsored by a rifle or optics company one day (or even if you are), do your best to resist the urge to hide yourself and the animal behind every logo in the business. Look at Henry Sampson here. He’s able to tastefully show the weapon he used to take this ram in 1907 down in Baja California, Mexico. No sponsorship needed. And he still manages a smile.
7. Some Practical Tips
To wrap this up, it’s only fair to offer a few practical tips as well. Don’t be afraid to use the flash, especially on sunny days. It will brighten dark shadows. Always wait for the autofocus to actually focus. Understand the rule of thirds for composition. And by all means, make it a family portrait. You and your kids will be glad you did.
For more resources about taking high-quality field photos this season, visit these pages:
All the images featured in this article are from following Boone and Crockett Club publications.
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"The wildlife and its habitat cannot speak. So we must and we will."
-Theodore Roosevelt
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