Disclosing Wildlife Locations On a Public Forum -Your Thoughts

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I went back to re-read the OP for clarification. I see quite a few responses implying immediate posting on FB or IG which I did not note in the OP. Not to denigrate anyone but if you find a need to post on FB your photo of wildlife while you are in the field I propose you are a tourist and not a photographer. Unless I have shot with a person in the field and know their skills and ethics I will not tell someone specifically where I took a photo until well after the event, if ever. And never of a den or nest site as they are generally re-used. As behind as I get in my PP all you may find is month old scat if I give you air strike coordinates. As I get attached to/post shots that I had to put the most effort into it is not likely to draw a crowd where the trail is non existent.
 
I learned that lesson years ago as a birder. The only time I ever gave a location that was not a regularly traveled public place was when I saw several California condors perching on rooftops in Stallion Springs - where there were many people living.
 
That's a great point. I think the reason I do wildlife photography is exactly for that one-on-one experience with an animal. With every person added to the scene, the enjoyment drops down a notch.
Unfortunately social media has ruined so many locations that were once special, peaceful and environmentally great.
I find you don't lend your wife, lawnmower and you never reveal you favorite fishing spot, why reveal unique locations of nature.
Sorry, people are very very destructive. I never reveal any location for lots of great reasons.
I do a lot of unique surfing shots of pro riders, it is a sin to reveal any location going off, if you do you will find your swamped with mobs of limited skilled surfers crowding out the location. Its a real porblembe.

Only an Opinion OZ down under
 
I agree the majority of people don't care. I left the UK because our wild areas are now accessed by everyone and anyone. Twenty years ago you could walk in the lake District and not see a soul all day, now you join the queue. I moved to Bulgaria where they care even less but with a population of only 6 million ish they have less impact on the wild areas. It saddens me really but there is little that can be done about it. I think the problem is they have made access to these areas too easy. Tracks in the Uk which were n't tracks at all and were a difficult scrambles have now become paved steps.
I can't begrudge anyone else for using a public space just like I am. What bothers me is those who won't follow the rules and /or don't respect the place and its inhabitants as they should and end up causing damage.

If others' use of a public space gets too much for my comfort, it's up to me to move on.

W
 
One of my pet peeves is the recent tendency for public, and many private, land managing agencies to build trails (wide, smoothed, with gentle grades and often usable by "mobility devices") into lovely formerly relatively wild places. They're now making it easy for the cell phone-photographers to dash in snap a few quick shots and dash off to the next place disturbing wildlife, trampling plants and leaving trash. And COVID-19 has made it even worse, bringing hordes of folks to natural places, people who would never have gone outdoors in earlier years.
 
Another aspect that can be at play to drive poor behaviours is the competitiveness of pro photography and how pushy some agencies can be. I am no pro but I sold a series of pollinator shots last summer to a large corporation through an agency, easy job that paid well because they wanted global exclusive rights and were willing to pay for that (refreshing attitude). Once done the agency said they also wanted ground beetles... well that’s another ball of wax, they come out at night mostly and don’t really stand still for shots - so the agency told me “other photographers” just trap them, freeze them, and put them on a leaf with dew, early morning for the shot. That way they don’t move... I declined the job but it just tells me that agencies looking for a specific shot for a client aren’t too bothered with ethical treatment of animals. And I get it, making a living as a stock photographer must be hell, but all the more reason to keep those locations secret because the pressure to get those money shots is huge.
 
Another aspect that can be at play to drive poor behaviours is the competitiveness of pro photography and how pushy some agencies can be. I am no pro but I sold a series of pollinator shots last summer to a large corporation through an agency, easy job that paid well because they wanted global exclusive rights and were willing to pay for that (refreshing attitude). Once done the agency said they also wanted ground beetles... well that’s another ball of wax, they come out at night mostly and don’t really stand still for shots - so the agency told me “other photographers” just trap them, freeze them, and put them on a leaf with dew, early morning for the shot. That way they don’t move... I declined the job but it just tells me that agencies looking for a specific shot for a client aren’t too bothered with ethical treatment of animals. And I get it, making a living as a stock photographer must be hell, but all the more reason to keep those locations secret because the pressure to get those money shots is huge.
If a person needs to throws out ethical behavior to make a buck Maybe being a stock photo photographer isn’t meant to be a real profession. 🤷‍♂️
 
If a person needs to throws out ethical behavior to make a buck Maybe being a stock photo photographer isn’t meant to be a real profession. 🤷‍♂️

What's more unethical, freezing a beetle or letting your kids go hungry?
I am just happy that it is not a choice I need to worry about, but I won't pass judgment on anybody as I don't know their personal circumstances. All I am saying is that the pressure exists, the temptation is real and therefore the sentiments expressed in this thread to keep valuable ecological information confidential are very wise; it's not just ignorance or disrespect at play and when $ and livelihood get in the mix, you can absolutely expect abuse.
 
What's more unethical, freezing a beetle or letting your kids go hungry?
I am just happy that it is not a choice I need to worry about, but I won't pass judgment on anybody as I don't know their personal circumstances. All I am saying is that the pressure exists, the temptation is real and therefore the sentiments expressed in this thread to keep valuable ecological information confidential are very wise; it's not just ignorance or disrespect at play and when $ and livelihood get in the mix, you can absolutely expect abuse.
Yeah as if that is a real dilemma. You could try to justify anything with that sort of logic. What’s worse armed robbery or starve the children?
How about, get a real job if you can’t do it right
 
A suggestion for all of us who love wildlife, often (and justifiably) more so than human beings: if you witness abhorrent behavior such as outlined in so many comments in this thread, please take a moment to contact the state/province wildlife office nearest to you, as soon as possible, and report the incident. While laws vary from one state/province to the other, most have very strict laws against harassing wildlife. In Colorado, for example, dogs chasing deer--or any wildlife--can be lawfully killled for doing so. A quote from a Colorado Parks & Wildlife regional manager: "Pet owners should know that, because it is so harmful to wildlife, any law enforcement officer in Colorado is authorized by state statute to use whatever force is necessary to stop any dog that is chasing, injuring or killing a wild animal.” He went on to encourage anyone who sees such behavior to contact Colorado Parks & Wildlife or the State Patrol. The penalties against harassing any wildlife, by two- or four-legged creatures, are usually quite severe; at least they are in Colorado.

Point being, witnessing bad behavior and doing nothing about it does not stop the problem, nor does it stop the offenders. Many people think of their state or federal "game wardens" as only being concerned with unethical hunters; in reality, problems with the public at large occupy most of the officers' time. So, we will all be doing the wildlife a favor by reporting unacceptable and harmful behavior to the authorities.

An interesting side note: at least in Colorado, wildlife officers have more power and more authority than the police; in fact, more than just about any other law enforcement officer. And they take their jobs seriously. The Federal wildlife officers I've spoken with are even more zealous in their enforcement. They have no sense of humor when it comes to wildlife violations. So, take a moment to report the offenders. The animals and the birds will thank you.
 
Yeah as if that is a real dilemma. You could try to justify anything with that sort of logic. What’s worse armed robbery or starve the children?
How about, get a real job if you can’t do it right

I wish everything in life was that simple and black or white.
No, this kind of logic doesn't justify armed-robbery under any circumstance but it does compel me (emphasis on ME) to have a more compassionate view of shop-lifters who are facing that dilemma. No it doesn't justify looting during riots. It doesn't justify choosing crime over honest work. All it does is remind me that high moral grounds are a luxury far easier to defend when nothing graver is at stake. I applaud those who have the strength and character to adhere to them under all circumstances but I have grown to be more understanding of those who can't. I completely understand and respect your view, it used to be mine, but I have learnt since that many in the world aren't granted that luxury.
 
I wish everything in life was that simple and black or white.
No, this kind of logic doesn't justify armed-robbery under any circumstance but it does compel me (emphasis on ME) to have a more compassionate view of shop-lifters who are facing that dilemma. No it doesn't justify looting during riots. It doesn't justify choosing crime over honest work. All it does is remind me that high moral grounds are a luxury far easier to defend when nothing graver is at stake. I applaud those who have the strength and character to adhere to them under all circumstances but I have grown to be more understanding of those who can't. I completely understand and respect your view, it used to be mine, but I have learnt since that many in the world aren't granted that luxury.
Nice melodramatic post there. It's not a luxury to work a real job instead of pretending to be a professional at something that you are not. If you need to sell stock photos of bugs you killed to survive maybe you're doing it wrong. 'nuff said
 
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