![\"elk\"](\"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/elk-header.jpg\")
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We’ve mentioned conflicts between people and wildlife\u00a0in these past posts:<\/p>\n
Yet, \u00a0done safely, watching wildlife can be a terrific reason to get out and explore. \u00a0In fact a program called “Watchable Wildlife” has been working for decades to keep people informed and interested in wildlife. \u00a0The ulterior motive is, of course, \u00a0to build support for wildlife conservation efforts.<\/p>\n
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<\/h1>\nMany Federal, state and even private organizations were working on wildlife conservation when, in 1990, 13 of them got together and formally created the Watchable Wildlife Program. \u00a0Those initial agencies were:<\/p>\n
They agreed to a framework for the cooperative activities needed\u00a0to develop, implement, maintain and enhance a Watchable Wildlife Program on federal and state lands and to assist private landowners. \u00a0Since then the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service and National Marine Fisheries Service have joined the group.<\/p>\n
A formal organization, Watchable Wildlife, Inc.<\/a> was created to support these efforts.<\/p>\n The various agencies, through Watchable Wildlife, Inc. , work with almost all the 50 states to support\u00a0their efforts in wildlife conservation. \u00a0Many states have developed wildlife viewing guides to help people visit wildlife without disturbing the animals or their environment. \u00a0A few of the state programs are:<\/p>\n To find more information about what your state has to offer, \u00a0just Google<\/a> your state name followed by “watchable wildlife.”<\/p>\n Second, be one with the animals. \u00a0Be invisible, be quiet and don’t stink! \u00a0Animals don’t generally like to be watched. \u00a0They are always watching, \u00a0listening and smelling the air for threats. \u00a0If you are quiet and move slowly, \u00a0you may not be seen as a threat and thus have a better chance to watch the natural behavior of the animals. \u00a0Generally animals have a keen sense of smell. \u00a0If you are wearing any scented product (e.g. cologne, after shave, perfume,\u00a0 hair products) they will smell you and probably move\u00a0away from you. \u00a0You can also move into the wind so that your odor, natural or artificial, is blowing away from the animal. \u00a0If you wear natural colors you will blend better in nature and seem less threatening to animals. \u00a0One exception is during hunting season\u00a0\u2013 be sure you know your state hunting regulations and wear orange so hunters can easily distinguish you from a animal.<\/p>\n Fourth, sit still and listen. Once you are properly prepared and in a place where you expect to see wildlife, find a comfortable spot with a view, sit still and listen. \u00a0You will likely hear birds, so check them out with your binoculars. \u00a0As you tune your ears, \u00a0you will begin to hear other sounds like the hammering of a woodpecker or the creaks of the trees as they sway in the breeze. \u00a0If you hear rustling in the brush, the crack of twigs breaking or similar sounds, \u00a0there is probably a larger animal nearby. \u00a0Keep watching and listening.<\/p>\n Finally, respect the animals. \u00a0If you haven’t already done so, \u00a0 read the four blog posts listed at the top of this page. \u00a0Remember that when watching wildlife you are in their world and that requires respect. \u00a0If you are watching an animal that isn’t\u00a0dangerous, \u00a0let them approach if they wish, but don’t try chasing them. \u00a0Most larger animals can be dangerous, so keep your distance and don’t behave like the people mentioned in those four blog posts.<\/p>\nStates Support Watchable Wildlife<\/h1>\n
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![\"Idaho](\"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Idaho.jpg\")
<\/a><\/li>\nHow to Watch\u00a0Wildlife<\/h1>\n
![\"Watching\"](\"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/TrekkerTreat.jpg\")
First, \u00a0to see wildlife you have to find it. \u00a0The state guides mentioned above are very helpful because they identify specific places where the public is invited to visit and see wildlife. \u00a0For further adventure, \u00a0decide what kinds of wildlife you would like to see, study up on their habitats and behaviors then seek out locations where they are likely to be found in the seasons and during the time of day they are likely to be there. \u00a0While you may or may not find the animal you are seeking, you are likely to find other animals to watch, if you keep alert.<\/p>\n![\"Sit](\"https:\/\/explore.globalcreations.com\/theblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/sitting-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>Third, bring the proper equipment. \u00a0Obviously you will want to dress properly for the conditions at hand and bring food and water. If you are in bear country, \u00a0be sure to carry your bear spray<\/a>. Beyond that, \u00a0don’t forget your binoculars and camera. \u00a0If you don’t have a camera and a pair of binoculars, \u00a0be sure to check out the many types of binoculars<\/a> and cameras<\/a> and find one that works for you. \u00a0 For serious wildlife photography you will want a \u00a0quality camera with a telephoto lens, but these days even the\u00a0camera in your telephone may work for you.<\/p>\nGetting Started Watching Wildlife<\/h1>\n
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<\/a>More people watch birds than any other animal. \u00a0Bird watching is a great place to start because you can probably sit in your yard and see and hear several varieties of birds. \u00a0Further, \u00a0there is a lot of information available to help you identify birds and learn about their behaviors. \u00a0As you become more interested in birding, \u00a0you will probably want to see specific species. \u00a0At that point you can apply the techniques for watching wildlife listed \u00a0above to find and observe the bird of your interest.<\/p>\n