Mammal field guide · Deer

Photographing the Caribou

How to photograph the Caribou (Rangifer tarandus): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (June, July and August).

100–300 cm1/1600–1/2000 sVU
Caribou (Rangifer tarandus)
Photo: © Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, some rights reserved (CC BY) via iNaturalist
100–300 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/500 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/1600–1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/8
Aperture
5,696
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/500 s
Shutter (action)1/1600–1/2000 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionUse animal-eye AF; for herds stop down a little so several animals are sharp.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 200 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)30 mm45 mm20 mm15 mm
10 m (33 ft)59 mm89 mm39 mm30 mm
15 m (49 ft)89 mm134 mm59 mm44 mm
20 m (66 ft)118 mm178 mm79 mm59 mm
30 m (98 ft)177 mm268 mm118 mm89 mm
50 m (164 ft)295 mm446 mm197 mm148 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 1% Jan Feb: 4% Feb Mar: 2% Mar Apr: 3% Apr May: 9% May Jun: 21% Jun Jul: 27% Jul Aug: 22% Aug Sep: 7% Sep Oct: 2% Oct Nov: 1% Nov Dec: 1% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: June, July and August.

About the Caribou#

The reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), also known as caribou in North America, is a species of deer with circumpolar distribution, native to arctic, subarctic, tundra, boreal, and mountainous regions of northern Europe, Siberia, and North America. This includes both sedentary and migratory populations. Rangifer herd size varies greatly in different geographic regions.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • The autumn rut (Sept–Nov) brings bugling elk and sparring bucks.
  • Keep 25 m+ from elk and moose; they are dangerous during the rut and calving.
  • Use animal-eye AF; for herds stop down a little so several animals are sharp.
  • Sightings peak in June, July and August, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Deer#

White-tailed Deer White-tailed DeerOdocoileus virginianus Mule Deer Mule DeerOdocoileus hemionus WapitiCervus canadensis Moose MooseAlces alces

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Caribou?

At about 200 cm long, a caribou fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 59 mm, or at 20 m with 118 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Caribou?

1/500 s when it's still; 1/1600–1/2000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Caribou?

Observations in North America peak in June, July and August. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources