In big country it pays to keep an eye on the activities of these guys (Magpies). They frequently point out the locations of obscure deer or elk when one sees them suddenly interrupt their flight and drop into some small hiding spot.

Neat picture, that's the first time I have seen one doing that. Another thing about Magpies is how they seem to follow Coyotes around looking to share their next meal them. Also you know when your predator calling is working when the Magpie's show up.
When I was a kid there used to be a bounty on them.
Again, nice picture. Yours or Cookie's?

Ken

Great pic

Cookie's, of course. We see these activities quite frequently, but don't seen to be within range or have a proper angle for a shot. She also dumped a couple because she wanted eye shine in both the bird and the buck. Missed one other where the bird was hopping around in the deer's rack for about 10 seconds or so.

She considered this one a reject because of the bird's shadow on the bucks nose.

Have a good one,

I like that one too. We had a huge crop of Magpies this year and a lot of Mule deer and I am going to start paying more attention to both from now on.
I would love to get one like you posted.
Thanks,
Ken

The reject photo is better than anything I've taken or will ever take. Thank you for sharing.

Cookie sure takes her share of amazing pics!!

4 or 5 years ago, one of my partners shot a deer about 3 miles back. It was in a nasty place so he hiked out to get us to help with my llamas. They went back in while I drove to camp to get the llamas. They got back there and everything looked the same. He couldn't recognize the 'easy to find' spot where he'd left it. Then they noticed magpies and crows circling. They just followed the birdies and walked right to it. Magpies love a good gut pile.

Rock Chuck:
Yes. Unless we are in a panic to get somewhere, any concentration of magpies is worth investigating.

great pic

Cool photos..