In early winter, Great Horned Owls in Superior become more visible. They hoot at night and sit on prominent perches to attract mates and establish nesting territories. At the same time, their breeding hormones are ramping up and they may occasionally become more aggressive toward perceived intruders.

So, it’s important to really respect their space during winter and early spring. Owls normally don’t mind people walking past them, but can become uneasy if a person or group approaches or stands near them. If you’re close enough to get a decent cell phone picture, you are close enough to disturb it. An owl that is becoming upset may bob its head or arch its wings.

If you are out between dusk and dawn when owls are most active please be aware of your surroundings. Owls fly very quietly, so you may not hear one coming if you're not looking around. If an owl comes towards you, cover your face and head with your hands and arms and try to put as much distance between you and the bird since they are unlikely to chase. Also, duck down and move in a zig zag pattern as owls are not agile flyers.