Into the Wild: Searching for Wolves and Filming Wildlife in Arizona
Welcome back to Filming The Wild! In this episode, I’m out with my good buddy Jason Yoder from Exploring with Jason. If you love landscapes, wildlife, and adventure, be sure to check out his channel!
The Search for Wildlife Begins
Jason and I are set up in a blind, overlooking a spot where we’ve seen elk the past few nights. We’re hoping they come down again this evening, but in the meantime, we’re taking you along for another behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to capture wildlife on film. If you enjoy this kind of content, be sure to subscribe, hit that like button, and leave a comment below!
A Coyote Wake-Up Call
In the early hours, just before sunrise, we were woken up by the call of a lone coyote in a clearing just outside our tents. It was an incredible way to start the day. As the sun rose, the coyote called out again, but by the time we unzipped our tents, it had moved too far away to film. However, we could still see it for a solid 5-10 minutes before it disappeared over the hill.
I did manage to capture a little footage—though, as always with coyotes, it was mostly the tail end running away. That’s just the reality of wildlife filmmaking!
Chasing Bluebirds and Fall Colors
With the morning sun shining, we brewed some coffee and planned the day ahead. We decided to go in search of mountain bluebirds, aiming to capture them against the vibrant backdrop of fall foliage. These birds stand out beautifully against the autumn colors, making them a fun and visually striking subject to film.
After setting up the blind near a promising location, we settled in and waited. Bluebirds flitted around in the trees, teasing us by perching just out of frame. Meanwhile, a chipmunk took center stage, putting on quite a show as it kept watch from a nearby log. Despite its cautious nature, it always returned, chattering and adding personality to the scene. Nature’s drama was unfolding right before us—mountain bluebirds, a chipmunk, and even a red-tailed hawk soaring overhead.
A Herd of Elk… or Not?
That evening, we returned to our original spot, hoping to film the elk we had seen the last few nights. However, before we could even set up, we hit a roadblock—literally. A cattle jam delayed us as we made our way to the blind. Grazing cattle are a common sight in many national forests in the West, and while I’m not opposed to grass-fed cows, they do present challenges for wildlife filmmakers. Their presence can push wildlife farther away, and their heavy hooves scar the landscape. Not to mention, you have to watch your step!
Once we reached our location, we quickly set up the blind and prepared for a long wait. As the sun dipped lower, we settled in, hoping the elk would emerge from the trees. But wildlife is unpredictable—this time, the elk didn’t show. Instead, we were treated to a different visitor: a pronghorn antelope.
An Unexpected Encounter with a Pronghorn
Pronghorn are notoriously difficult to film because they tend to flee at the slightest movement. They are also one of the fastest land animals in North America, capable of reaching speeds up to 55 mph—a survival trait from when they had to outrun the now-extinct American cheetah. Unlike deer and elk, pronghorn struggle with fences, making their migration routes more challenging.
To our surprise, this pronghorn didn’t bolt. Instead, it casually scratched its neck on a thistle and moved across the meadow, allowing us a rare opportunity to observe and film it up close. It was an incredible moment and a win in our book, even if the elk never appeared.
The Reality of Wildlife Filmmaking
As darkness fell, we packed up our gear and headed back to camp. No elk this time, but that’s part of the adventure. Wildlife doesn’t follow a script, and every outing brings something unexpected.
Before we wrap up, I want to say a huge thank you to my Patreon supporters—you make these episodes possible! If you want more exclusive behind-the-scenes content, consider joining my Filming The Wild family over on Patreon. You can also become a member here on YouTube by clicking the Join button.
And don’t forget to check out Jason’s channel—he’s got some amazing footage from our trip, including how close we came to finding Mexican wolves!
What adventure would you like to see next? Let me know in the comments! Until next time, keep exploring, keep filming, and keep celebrating the wild!
