Post by Lee Williams on Jul 10, 2012 4:03:43 GMT -5
After a long day glassing the slope of the Riddle HMA and only seeing 4 horses I decided to go back to the Kiger HMA. It was a long brutal hill climb at Riddle so I slept well that night. The plan of getting up before daylight and setting up in the Lambing grounds fell flat when I slept in. By 7:30 I crested the saddle by Ant Hill and before me was the mother load of Kigers. They were all around the south water hole so sneaking up on them was the plan. Only about half a mile so they should hang around long enough for me to get there. BUT, two bachelor studs were at the north water hole and I would have to get past them first.
Just as I got above them it appeared that they were going to see me for sure but then they started moving towards the others. I was able to move in right above the south water hole and set up under two trees that gave me great shade and cover. That's when panic sets in as you never know when they will bolt. I scrambled for my camera and set it up on the tripod and started filming.
I lost track of time and before I knew it 3 hrs had gone by. I could not believe how lucky I was and if they had left then I would have been 100% satisfied. They did not go however and managing my cameras battery life became a concern.
By noon I switched my cameras spot on the tripod with my binoculars. I hate to say it but I think I was actually getting bored ? But then I remembered all the other tasked that I planned getting group counts, color surveys, and such. Whoops ! forgot a note pad.
2:00,,,,,,,,,,, still glassing,,,,,,,,,,3:00,,,,,,,,,,,still glassing. Seven hours later none had left ? and the two BLM employees turned up on quads from the south. That's what I needed ! something to stir them up for some good photo ops !,,,,,,,,,,, not. While the BLM guys did their range survey the Kigers moved over slightly and mingled just bellow me. As the BLM folks left and came by me I went over to talk to the first one, he did not even stop and drove right past me as I waved him or her down. Pricks. So I went back to my tree and sat down. The second guy drove past and did wave. Get the feeling the first had something to hide ? And maybe was shocked to see someone filming them ?
Back to the Kigers I went. By this time I was down to the last minutes of power in my battery. It was hour 9 and surely they would leave soon and if so it would be in grand fashion right past me. This was not to be , I waited another hour and packed it in at 6:00 pm. 10 hours after I first saw them. 9:50 minutes after I thought they would bolt. Will I ever get the chance to sit down with 30+ Kigers again for 10 hours ? I think not but just in case I will order 2 more spare batteries for my video camera.
The other part to this story is what I learned about them when I just stopped worrying about getting some good video and just started observing them and their habits. What I saw blew me away. Stallions mixed in with the mares of other stallions with permission. Other stallions leading colts that were just months old to follow them by their side while they performed their stallion duties around the water holes. A form of training ? I saw this twice. And after looking very close was able to confirm they were colts. Also when the little buggers were playing they would cross into territory they should not be in causing everyone to mix it up. Only to get a firm bite in the ass on return to their band.
I learned much that day but apparently I was not the only one !
youtu.be/Lw0WCU2QDfs
I have some of my video picked through and you can see it on YouTube channel "danmar outfitters" or Facebook group Branded Kiger Mustang Association.
Just as I got above them it appeared that they were going to see me for sure but then they started moving towards the others. I was able to move in right above the south water hole and set up under two trees that gave me great shade and cover. That's when panic sets in as you never know when they will bolt. I scrambled for my camera and set it up on the tripod and started filming.
I lost track of time and before I knew it 3 hrs had gone by. I could not believe how lucky I was and if they had left then I would have been 100% satisfied. They did not go however and managing my cameras battery life became a concern.
By noon I switched my cameras spot on the tripod with my binoculars. I hate to say it but I think I was actually getting bored ? But then I remembered all the other tasked that I planned getting group counts, color surveys, and such. Whoops ! forgot a note pad.
2:00,,,,,,,,,,, still glassing,,,,,,,,,,3:00,,,,,,,,,,,still glassing. Seven hours later none had left ? and the two BLM employees turned up on quads from the south. That's what I needed ! something to stir them up for some good photo ops !,,,,,,,,,,, not. While the BLM guys did their range survey the Kigers moved over slightly and mingled just bellow me. As the BLM folks left and came by me I went over to talk to the first one, he did not even stop and drove right past me as I waved him or her down. Pricks. So I went back to my tree and sat down. The second guy drove past and did wave. Get the feeling the first had something to hide ? And maybe was shocked to see someone filming them ?
Back to the Kigers I went. By this time I was down to the last minutes of power in my battery. It was hour 9 and surely they would leave soon and if so it would be in grand fashion right past me. This was not to be , I waited another hour and packed it in at 6:00 pm. 10 hours after I first saw them. 9:50 minutes after I thought they would bolt. Will I ever get the chance to sit down with 30+ Kigers again for 10 hours ? I think not but just in case I will order 2 more spare batteries for my video camera.
The other part to this story is what I learned about them when I just stopped worrying about getting some good video and just started observing them and their habits. What I saw blew me away. Stallions mixed in with the mares of other stallions with permission. Other stallions leading colts that were just months old to follow them by their side while they performed their stallion duties around the water holes. A form of training ? I saw this twice. And after looking very close was able to confirm they were colts. Also when the little buggers were playing they would cross into territory they should not be in causing everyone to mix it up. Only to get a firm bite in the ass on return to their band.
I learned much that day but apparently I was not the only one !
youtu.be/Lw0WCU2QDfs
I have some of my video picked through and you can see it on YouTube channel "danmar outfitters" or Facebook group Branded Kiger Mustang Association.
