1995 VHS • Watching Wildlife 60 FPS

About

A 1995 wildlife viewing instructional video hosted by Marty Stouffer, producer and host of the PBS series Wild America. Stouffer guides viewers through the practical steps needed to reliably find and observe wild animals in their natural habitats. The video begins with a meditation on why humans are drawn to wildlife, then moves into methodology: starting with library research on any target species to understand its range, habitat, territory, niche, and activity patterns before going into the field. It covers the diurnal and nocturnal distinction, the effect of hunting pressure on animal behavior, and why dawn and dusk are reliably productive viewing windows.

Extended footage of a ground squirrel family illustrates family roles and the drama available to patient observers. The tape discusses how seasonal changes affect both camouflage and temperament, using bison mating season, mother moose with calves, and autumn elk rut as examples of when animals become dangerous. The second half covers active observation techniques: setting up a tent blind or natural blind, managing scent and clothing noise, using food bait, calls, decoys, and the hand-sucking technique to attract curious animals through a blind. Stouffer then demonstrates walking stalks, emphasizing moving into the wind, stopping to watch and listen more than walking, and looking for body parts rather than whole animals. The tape closes by recommending National Wildlife Refuges and National Parks, noting that most species can also be found close to home, and reminding viewers to treat wild habitats respectfully.

Human-made No record of this work says a model made it. What this means.

Archive

Internet Archive, in The VHS Vault

Licence or status

The Internet Archive states none for this item.

Credit

The Vista Group®

Language

English

Subtitles

English

Who can watch

The archive gives no rating. Invisible Network shows it to Tweens profiles and older, judged from its collection and subjects. How films are placed