Tony Bynum - Mule Deer Rut Action

[400out]

those are sweet shots   I have to let the air out of them to get pictures    
Do you run in after and or between seasons or do you find yourself getting followed or running into huners?
Also I have ment to ask bone this , Generaly how far are you away from your subject when you take your photos?

[cameraguy]

I had the pleasure of spending 4 or 5 days photographing mule deer with Pope and Tony.  I learned a lot in the time we spent taking pics. of rutting bucks.  I'm looking forward to doing it again some day.   Thanks Tony and Pope, you are both class acts in my book.

Jeff

[Finalshot]

400 - many of the places where there's good access to wildlife are also places where the animals rut, and most often those places also are protected from hunting.  In many places animals in those areas migrate to them for the rut which often means they are "huntable" or at least make their way though or across huntable land to get to the girls.  In some cases the animals are hunted in some cases they are not.  To answer your question about being followed, - yes.  I've been followed into the bush before and if that dont make your skin crawl a bit youre not alive.  I have ran guys off, i've also had other guy jump in front of me to get the shots, cut me off, etc. . .  even seasoned pro's do it now and then.  In some places other photographers and people - even lookyloos cause more problems than you can imagine. . .  In almost all cases, at least where i shoot, the animals are hunted by wolves, lions, and bears.  In other area they are hunted by people.  All of them know what people are some dont care, some do, some hate the smell some dont care but no matter what the boyz like the girls and often that is their downfall . . . .

Thanks cameraguy, i had a great time with you and your friends - the campfire's were fun and the wildlife, well it was wild!  Thanks for showing me around your backyard, love the place and will come back . . . Youre a great guy.

Tony Bynum 

[boneaddict]

I still think you'd find it easier to get closer to those big bucks Tony with one of those big white lens instead.   

[Finalshot]

lol - if I did that i'd likely get one for free too, double bonus . . . .  But then nikon would drop me and that would suck . . .

[boneaddict]

LOL.    The black one seems to be doing ok for ya so you better just stick with it.    Them damn big white ones are too heavy anyway.

[droptine]

Tony

  When are you coming back over to Wash?.  If  and when you do, we need to get back together and BS about the old days at CWU.  And let the kids play.  Great to see you on hear.  talk to you soon  Jim  G

[7mag.]

I use to post on this site as many know.  Intersting topic I thought I'd add to.

7mag, your perception is way off.  I have a lot of friends who are professional photographers and your perception is not the reality.  They work as hard for their photos as anyone.  They don't get secret access to special spots like you think.  They all shoot in parks, reservations, wildlife areas, etc. no matter who you are.  They don't get free equipment unless they are shooting for some specific client that has the equipment.  Some professional services like Nikon and Canon let you rent equipment or try it out for a period of time.  They struggle with time shooting and balancing a family.  They all have kids and spend a lot of time away from home.  To contrast that, they spend 90% of their time selling their images and 10% creating them.  Getting good images is the easy part, putting them in the hands of buyers and selling them is another.  That's why they spend their time doing that, so they can make money to pay for food.  I know no professional that is rich or well off.  They love what they do and that is their life satisfaction.

Many of us hobby shooters, myself included, get to spend more time in the field shooting than do professionals.  Bone and I spend most of our vacation time shooting wildlife and our families take a back seat sometimes.  It's what we love to do.  Professionals get the call, no matter where they are at and have to send a proof or image to a client.  They don't have internet access, their images on them, etc.  You get the problems.  Not only that, but what you shoot and what sells isn't what you always feel passionate about.  You are taking someone else's photos many of the times.  It's not the romanticized profession we sometimes think it is.  My wife and child stayed at home, my mom picking up my child from daycare and my wife holding down the household for a recent trip.  She knows how much I love to get away from attorney work and do stuff like this:

Thanks for setting me straight. I always feel like an idiot when I perceive something completely the wrong way, especially when it has to do with the hard work someone puts into something. Too bad you don't post on here anymore, I miss your posts. You always have that view from a different angle that makes me think. Plus your pictures are awesome too.

[400out]

Thanks Tony for the reply! It really put it into perspective 

[Finalshot]

i forgot to mention distance, from a long way to in your lap depending on where youre at and what time of year it is . . .   

[Hornseeker]

When did you guys go to Central??

[Finalshot]

late 80's . . .   spent 10 years there and fished and hunted the heck out of the place.  I'm first from walla walla.  While in eburg I worked with Jack to get the Evening Hatch going, we made a couple TV shows and were featured in some magazines and newspapers. Jack's gone on to make it the best outfitter in the state for fly fishing . . .   I'm proud of him for that. . .  I remember meeting jack when he showed up to fish matoon lake in a old beat up top down white caddy with his glass fenwick and a bugger in hand, he hardly new how to put the fly on the water . . .  fun days those were . . .   I graduated with an undergrad in geography and land planning, minor in environmental studies and later got a grad degree in science . . .

[Hornseeker]

Right on, I was there 89-94...and off and on after that working for DFW.... it was a good place... spent a lot of time on the river and even more up stash on Quartz...

Degree in Biology, Aquatic Ecology emphasis... Bone was there during those years too....