Fieldcraft for Wildlife Film-makers

Whether you want to film, photograph, study or observe wildlife behaving naturally, it is vital that you have a range of fieldcraft skills. These include tracking, building hides, and the use of remote camera traps and trail monitors.

The tracking element of this weekend course includes the study of tracking principals, animal sign characteristics, ground disturbance, animal profiling, identification of regular routes, track mapping, record keeping, track interpretation, all terrain tracking including the ability to track over hard and stoney ground.

Instruction in trail monitors and camera traps provides candidates with the necessary skills to successfully place and conceal remote trail monitors and camera traps in any location from sub surface to aerial locations in an environment in the most non invasive manner possible.

A guide to concealed hide construction covers the in-depth techniques needed to become proficient in the construction of naturally concealed ground level hides and sub surface hides. During the course candidates will learn about natural camouflage and concealment, hide construction methods for above and below ground and maintenance for long term occupation.

The location is Whitwell Hall Country Centre in the centre of Norfolk, UK. Accommodation is shared rooms, dormitory style (or there are nearby bed and breakfasts/hotels if you prefer), and there will be excellent home-cooked food.

No experience or equipment is required, but you will need outdoor clothing and you are welcome to bring your camera/camcorder to record the weekend. Note that much of the weekend will be spent outdoors on practical activites. Five of the photos on this page feature the sort of hides you will learn to build - can you spot them all?

Itinerary

Friday: Aim to arrive by 6pm if possible
7pm - evening meal served (no problem if you arrive later)
8.30pm - introductory chat - who we are, who you are, and what we will be doing this weekend.
10pm - time to relax, chat with new friends, and watch wildlife films in the viewing lounge.

Saturday:
8am - breakfast
9am - introduction to fieldcraft, tracking and sign awareness
11am - tea break.
11.30am - practical in the grounds and countryside around Whitwell Hall.
1pm - lunch
2pm - introduction to trail monitors and camera traps followed by practical work setting them in the grounds of the Hall.
4pm - tea break
4.30pm - practical
7pm - evening meal served
8pm - Further wildlife films will be shown and you will be free to continue chattng to the tutors and looking at the equipment provided.

Sunday:
8am - breakfast
9am - checking the camera traps set overnight.
10am - introduction to concealed hide construction followed by practical work in the grounds of the Hall.
11am - tea break.
11.30am - further practical work
1pm - lunch
2pm - further practical work
4pm - course ends

Staff/Tutors

Wildlife Cameraman (to be decided)

Terry Bailey is a former British Special Forces soldier who spent many years living with indigenous people from around the world and was able to learn and refine the art of tracking, which enabled him to obtain a deeper and richer understanding of nature and the wildlife.

He utilised these skills working as a professional tracker for numerous wildlife agencies, research groups and anti-poaching units across the globe. His professional services include direct tracking, non-evasive observation, wildlife profiling and the construction of naturally concealed hides from ground level hides to sub-surface hides through to aerial observation platforms which all aid and help to promote responsible and sustainable wildlife observation, research, wildlife preservation and protection.

Piers Warren - Principal of Wildeye - Piers is well known throughout the wildlife film-making industry as the editor of Wildlife Film News and producer of wildlife-film.com, which he created in the 1990s. With a strong background in biology, education and conservation, he has had a lifelong passion for wildlife films and has a wide knowledge of natural history. He cut his teeth in the industry as a sound engineer and multi-media producer, running a studio for many years. He is one of the founders of the international organisation Filmmakers for Conservation and was Vice President for the first three years. Piers is the author of many magazine features and several books including Careers in Wildlife Film-making and Go Wild with Your Camcorder - How to Make Wildlife Films.

Booking Information

Costs: £245 per person
This includes tuition, accommodation, and meals.

Forthcoming Dates:
To be notified

To be informed of future courses please add your email address in the column on the right to receive Wildeye Bulletins.

Booking: If the home page shows that there are places available for the course of your choice - please complete the online application form and send in your deposit/fee as detailed.

View our Terms and Conditions for Booking Courses.