How to Find an Owl in the Woods
If you’re looking for a little magic, it’s closer than you think

In 2014, I had an encounter with a great horned owl that changed my life. I was walking in the woods and startled the beautiful bird from where it sat hidden in the branches of a juniper tree. I was so excited, I attempted to find the owl a few weeks later and even dared to bring my camera. Incredibly, I not only located the owl, but was able to capture photographs of it, as well.
After that, there was no turning back. I’d become an “owler.”
Over the years, many have asked me how I learned to find and photograph owls. Here’s what I tell them:
Ask around
Chances are, someone in your circle will be able to give you a starting point. Perhaps they know someone who owns a large property where owls have been seen. Or maybe they know where the owls hang out in your local national forest. If nothing else, do what I did: just start walking in the woods and see what you find.
Come prepared
Always bring a pair of binoculars when you go out to look for owls. If you find one, this is the best way to observe it from a distance. If you’ve got a good zoom lens and know how to use it, bring your camera, too. Don’t expect to get more than a couple shots, but even getting one good shot is a thrill and a wonderful way to capture a memory of your encounter.

Always respect the wild
Remember you can’t make an owl appearance happen. Seeing one of these birds is a privilege and they will allow it when they want to. Don’t try to force it. Also, while you’re out in the woods, be respectful of the land and the other creatures and plants there.
Move slowly and be quiet
Walking slowly and remaining silent are not methods of hiding your presence from the owls. Once you enter their domain, they know you’re there, even when you think you’ve been as sneaky and quiet as a mouse. Guess what? Owls can hear a mouse moving under a foot of snow. So there’s no such thing as being quiet as a mouse. But you’ll be less likely to startle them if you move slowly and quietly.
Listen
Many scientists argue that owls rely more on their ears when hunting than on their sharp eyes. This method is best for owlers, too. You’re not likely to catch a glimpse of a well-camouflaged owl in a tree — but you might hear them squawking or screeching (yes, owls squawk and screech) or hooting. You might hear branches shifting if the owls are moving from one location on the tree to another.
And here’s my most top secret tip: Listen for magpies, ravens, and crows. These members of the Corvidae family are born to hate owls, and vice versa. If they come across an owl in the woods, they will make quite a racket in an attempt to bully the owl into relocating. When you hear this mad squawking — you’ll find an owl nearby.
Look for clues
There are a few visual indicators that can help you locate owl territory. Look for the white and gray splashes of their excrement on tree limbs, rocks, and the ground. You might find a feather or two (though don’t take it — it’s illegal to take the feathers of native North American migratory birds!). Also, keep an eye out for owl pellets. These look like small gray or black sausages. You might see hair or bone sticking out of them. Owl pellets are regurgitated by owls after their meals and include anything their stomachs cannot digest.

Sit and wait
Once you have found an area that looks to be frequented by an owl, revisit that place once a week or so. Find a place to sit that’s somewhat obscured and a good distance away. It’s important to respect an owl’s space — if you intrude there, they will likely not return. So remain on the outskirts.
Then sit. And wait.
Yes, owling is often all about patience. Encounters happen at their convenience — not yours. Be patient.
Go when the time is right
At what time of day should you go owling? If you know what you’re doing, where to go, and have the proper equipment, the hours between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM are best. However, you don’t have to crawl out of bed in the middle of the night in order to encounter an owl. During my walks in the woods, I’ve found them at all hours of the day. I think the most important thing to do is to respect their natural rhythms — try not to seek them out at midday (which is their “middle of the night”) or in the evening, when they are getting ready to begin their nightly hunt. Try looking for them just after dawn or at mid-afternoon.
Be cool
When you encounter an owl, be cool as a cucumber. Assume any and every movement you make might be the one that sends the owl flying off. You can try to take a step or two closer for a better look, but be forewarned: This is likely to scare the owl away. It’s less likely, but entirely possible that approaching the owl might cause it to attack. Determine whether or not you’re willing to take that risk.
Seeing an owl or capturing photographs of an owl does not make you an owler. The most important thing to remember about owling is that it’s about building a relationship with owls and the land in which they live. You are there to watch, learn, and connect. This isn’t about your agenda, what you can get, or what you want.
Think about the land and about the owls in every decision you make. Don’t harass the owls. Don’t wear out your welcome. Don’t invade their private territory.
Your observations as an owler should become an act of stewardship. Your interests should align with their interests. As an owler, you are becoming a liaison to the owl world — an educator, an ambassador, a protector.
Never forget the responsibility you carry in exchange for the privilege of observing these beautiful creatures.
© Yael Wolfe 2019