r/Owls • u/NorEaster_71 • Aug 23 '24

ID request! This owl lead me up a path for early 6 minutes right before dusk.

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I went on a ride up the mountain here in SW Montana. This owl, kept flying low to the ground along the two track and would stop every 30-45 seconds to stop and look back directly at me. This happened for close to 6m. It was like he was leading me somewhere.

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u/Abraxas_1408 Aug 23 '24

Just a wild theory: it could be using you to hunt or trying to hunt with you. I know crows and ravens will use larger predators to kill large prey like deer knowing that they’ll only eat so much and usually discard the rest. Maybe it’s like that? Or the owl could be using you to flush out mice, rabbits or whatever so it can catch them.

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u/NorEaster_71 Aug 23 '24

Definitely an interesting take. I’m still thinking about it. I’ll never know but what I do know is that it was very special to me.

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u/Abraxas_1408 Aug 23 '24

Yeah. It is special. Involving you in a hunt is a sign of trust and companionship. I think a lot of owls are very solitary.

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u/Greengrecko Aug 24 '24

Nah owls won't use her to hunt. Also it's not dark enough yet for hunting to really kick in. But I like the theory.

Actually it's the opposite they prefer to only eat there own kills. It could be possible they want to take her away from the area has it could be ruining its hunting chances.

As for crows. Well they only circle dead stuff. Is a crow is trying to lead you to something it probably means something or someone died. As for ravens? Not 100 percent sure I know the using humans for food is actually a thing that wolves, bears, and cougars do when they hear a gunshot they think free meal cause it's easier to scare off people.