The 5-day workshop will introduce the use of camera traps to photograph wild mammals and birds. Participants may use their own scouting or trail cameras, or use a limited number of camera traps provided by the instructor. This hands-on workshop will teach about the relative merits of "homebrew" versus commercial camera traps, triggering devices, use of flash and infrared light, battery use, camera security, and protection from bears and curious wildlife. It will demonstrate use of animal sign in making camera "sets", and the use of baits and lures. Participants will use cameras to photograph local wildlife, and are referred to http://cameratrapcodger.blogspot.com/ for background information
Chris Wemmer is a retired zoologist from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park where he directed the Conservation & Research Center for 30 years. He has used camera traps in the US and in SE Asia as teaching tools, and to survey wildlife and search for endangered species. His blog is a hodgepodge of past and present adventures.
Plan to arrive at the Sierra Nevada Field Campus on Sunday, July 19, 2008. Introductions and orientation will take place that evening at 7:30. The class will begin at 7:30 AM on Monday, July 13. We will set and check some camera traps daily, targeting different species and using different methods. After an afternoon break, we will return to the field in the late afternoon. Lectures and discussions will take place in the field or in the evening. The class will end at noon on Friday, July 17.
Small notebook and pencil/pen. Bring a camera trap if you have one, together with two memory cards. If not, I will have a few extra camera traps that can be used. You may also want to bring binoculars, telescope, GPS, other camera equipment, lenses and tripod. I will have a laptop for downloading photos, and CDs for making copies.
Warm sleeping bag, foam pad, flashlight, etc. Bring your own tent or use tents with beds provided at the field campus (see brochure).
Be prepared for variable weather. For warm days: shorts, t-shirts and a sweat shirt. For nights and cool days: Long field pants, long-sleeved shirt, sweater or polar fleece, light jacket, gloves. For rainy days: slicker or poncho. Headwear: cap or hat. Footwear: tennis shoes or hiking boots with hiking socks.
Miscellaneous: Day pack, sunscreen, insect repellant, alarm clock, water bottles.
When you register I will email you pdfs of selected articles.
Contact Jim Steele
Before June 1:
School of Science and Engineering
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94132-9987
(415)-338-1571 or (650)738-1814
After 1 June
c/o Sierra
Nevada Field Campus
Star Route, Sattley, CA 96124, (530)862-1230.