It’s that time of year again when we as hunters go to extremes to ensure that we are scent free, we bundle up to brave the harsh cold elements of nature and wake up before the sun rises in hopes of seeing that big buck.

When a plan come together it is a beautiful thing! I know several people that don’t take the time in the field to get nice pictures. However, I always want to cherish the memories and remember the moments that led up to this successful harvest and that will live beyond this day as we provide meals and share stories with our family.

“A picture is a memory frozen in time”

I am not a professional photographer but I have learned a few tips from being around them and through trial and error that has helped me take better pictures of my bucks and other big game animals.

1. Clean up the animal – I realize that blood is part of the kill, however I believe in respecting the animal and nothing takes away from the beauty and majesty of an animal more than pools of blood or a tongue hanging out of the deer’s mouth.

2. Set him up as if he were in a bedded position – Bend the legs underneath their body to make the deer look as if he is bedded down. You want him to be in a natural position. If the back legs get too stiff, you can leave them straight out but make sure the deer is laying on his stomach and his front legs are folded under so he is sitting upright.

3. Look for a pretty backdrop – You want to take the picture in a setting that won’t distract from the antlers and the beauty of the deer. If you don’t have a pretty back ground most antlers look great with the sky in the background.

4. Get low – I see many pictures taken from an above camera angle, meaning the person that is taking the picture is standing. This often creates a shadow on the hunters face, you want to kneel or bend so you are able to see the deer and hunter’s eyes.

5. SMILE

I hope to see many great pictures of deer this year, however remember that hunting is not about the animal but about the experience and creating memories with the ones you love, so while you have your phone out this hunting season snap some pictures of you and your hunting buddy as those are always wonderful memories to look back on!