11/05/2025
“Ethical Photography”
I came across this post tonight from the page called “Ontario Owls”, and felt compelled to share it. As most of you know, I have strong feelings about this topic and have been very vocal about it in the past. But it can’t be said often enough and I couldn’t agree more with the message! Please share if you agree too. The title for this post was:
“Baiting and Owl Photography Workshops”
Ontario has gained a troubling reputation as the wildlife baiting capital of Canada, particularly concerning lucrative, resident and international, snowy owl photography workshops.
These workshops often rely on baiting practices, employing a local “owl whisperer” or “specialized expert” to attract these majestic birds. With workshop costs ranging from $2,800 - $4,250 USD and up, per person, it’s clear that this is a profitable venture for those involved, but the implications for wildlife are serious.
The recent classification of Snowy Owls as a threatened “species at risk” is in part duo to human related threats, making it essential to question how workshops maintain access to wild animals on private property and how their manipulation of natural behaviours has contributed to it.
When considering participation in photography workshops, look for red flags in marketing material, such as photos that show owls grasping at nothing, like in the attached photo. This is to cover-up that “live” mice, are being used and edited out of the image. Be wary of language such as, “accustomed to my presence”, we use the services of an “owl whisperer” or “specialized owl photography experts”, in addition to “private access to farmers’ fields”, or “exclusive land access on private property”. Wild animals should not be habituated to anyone’s presence.
Before signing up for any photography workshop, ask if they bait, or if someone else does the baiting for them, ask if they use live mice, ask if they use drones or bird call devices, ask if landowners are being inappropriately incentivized?
Encourage everyone to advocate for responsible wildlife interactions and protect the natural behaviours of our wildlife, ask workshop providers how they operate, and ask your self, is baiting wildlife a fulfilling way to be a photographer.
The picture below is not mine and there was no name provided.
