K first off before I get flamed I own 10 cameras, obsessive collection. I was the first of all my buddies to get them and would always rant and rave about how I love tracking deer and seeing the fawn pics throughout the year etc. I hunt two properties, one I actually live on. I own 4 acres which backs onto 150 acre bush that I have permission on. I put 6 cameras out there. This year a friend and I got permission on a nice 125 acres property loaded with deer. I brought in 2 cameras and two stands. My friend brought 2 more cameras and two stands. Within the first week some trespassers who have been hunting their without permission for yesrs were not happy with us actually being allowed to hunt their and setting up. So they stole everything but one stand. Broke the ladders on purpose in half and leaving them behind. Real *******s! They even made threatening signs etc. Did not scare us. So what we started doing was hunting on climbers. We didn't bring in anymore cameras. And for the first time hunts without any cameras. Just scouted, set up on heavily used trails, scrapes and rubs. Not knowing if there is a fork or 160" giant. But we set up multiple spots for climbers. Since October 1, my fiend took a 155" giant 8 point. This was a 9.5 year old deer according to the taxidermist. We brought a guest out who took a 150 class 10 point. And I took a 125" 8 point two days ago. In my sits though I've seen multiple 140-150 class bucks. Every time you go out its so exciting not knowing what's out there and what can go by. And when something does you get that excitement like when you see the first pic. Also not having the cameras IMO is making bucks less pressured. We have seen daytime bucks almost on every sit. I guess it's because we only walk in to hunt. No trail cameras, no licks, bait nothing. No interruptions, just whe we come to hunt. Back to my home property for me I have no desire to hunt. I have some nice bucks on cameras but for some reason every chance I get to hunt I want to go to th land that's unknown. Just a bigger excitement. That's my rant. Any thoughts?
I don't use my ONE camera (my stealthcam died) to pattern deer. I only use it to get a good idea of the deer that are using the property I hunt as a core area. But truth is, the property I hunt is small enough that when the bucks start cruising...that's when I get excited. I never know what buck I might see. It's nice knowing I have a 130" deer or two walking around. It makes it less tempting when a 100" 8pt comes walking under my stand in October.
I don't see it that way. I run 5-6 cameras on my 45 acre place year round. I enjoy keeping tabs on the deer and learning their habits. I have learned a lot about deer from doing this. I don't try to track deer down with cameras but run them where the deer want or need something. Specifically, water holes and food plots. After a while you learn who the boss doe is and her family unit and also the bucks and their pecking order. It's also nice to see who survived the season and winter. I'm trying to run the cams as low of impact as possible. I make and tend the plots and water holes on my tractor and Rhino. Over the years the deer get used to that. All told, even with running my cameras I still see many things that the cameras don't catch. I don't think cameras will ruin hunting unless you let them.
I have 8 cams and really like them for trespassers. Caught another one this year. I do not like them for knowing your local bucks already. This year I knew we had 4-5 130 class but that was it till the corn fell this week. It takes the excitement of the hunt away somewhat. I think between cams,hunting forums and unrealistic cable shows guys get frustrated and the driving factor is bone. A lot to be said for the ol' days before cams and horn porn when most enjoyed the hunt and the buck you took vs. self imposed pressure trying to measure up to a forum competition or Tiffany. hunting is supposed to be fun not mental anguish from cam pics or peer pressure.
interesting. At one of my old hunt clubs we had the same thing happening. We would put a camera at one of our best stands( did that for about 7 stands) and its like all of a sudden the deer just stopped coming there. No added pressure to the area just kinda ruined the stands for some reason
agreed! How did you set them up to catch the trespassers? Or were they just stupid enough to just walk right past without seeing them?
They walked into them retrieving bear dogs. Hounds men have zero respect for private land. $276 per guy and dog fine. Trailcams have cut down on trespassers.
Drago, I've heard of people using a climber to hang them and aim them down at an agle. Tresspassors either never see them or can't reach them. We run cams at my house pretty hard core. however, we also complain of the amount of pressure??? so it's give and take. The other land I hunt is technically public land and I haven't put a cam on it. I know there was a monster running around down there last year, but I have no idea if he's where I'm at now. I kind of wish I had one up for that reason. Mostly though like cablebob, I just use them for inventory.
I do also like the unknowing! This happened to me twice>>>. I kill nice Buck and find out later someone else has game cam photos of him. Most recent my 2013 Buck
I enjoy the trail camera hobby/aspect as much sometimes as hunting itself. Therefore, I will ALWAYS run cameras year round. With that being said, I usually run 4-5 cameras on 90 acres. Most of the time, these are on mineral sites with easy/unobtrusive access points. I like to inventory what I'm working with during the season. Once, the season gets closer, and throughout the season, I will move them to more seasonal food sources and mock scrapes. I will check these very rarely, or when I'm hunting that spot, and of course, I'm already very cautious of my scent. I haven't seen a reduction in deer activity since running cameras pretty heavily starting about 3-4 years ago.
If you're putting a camera out, regardless if you're checking it weekly or 3 weeks, it's still a form of pressure. You're scent will be all over the area the camera is in, plus the walk in and out to check it. Deer will pick it up and know to redirect their travel. It wont be as bad if you are strict with your scent control but a lot of people are not. I like trail cams for knowing what's around and the progress the deer are making on a year to year basis. Mine are on mineral sites, plots and just inside the tree line. If I put a camera by a stand it would be one of the black infared cameras and would only check it when Im hunting that stand.
I never saw the allure of using trail cams. Whether for inventory or patterning, just was never the least bit interested. A couple times I stuck one up behind my house or in the yard to take pics of deer. But it's been sitting in a cabinet for a few years now.
Ya I may pull them out one year just to see what happens. See if I notice more trails etc. I dunno just a discussion of preference. I've only hunted do 8 years now and hunted with cams from first day. This is first time without and I must say the season has been a lot more exciting. Seeing deer I never knew existed excites me more. And I don't want to blame the cameras for me now seeing more deer without them. But I would bet it helped.
I really enjoy using my cameras. I don't get out to hunt a whole lot and so pulling the cards every month I get out or so is nice to see whats in the area, helps me get better at figuring out patterns, etc. In addition one thing I have really found to be fun is watching the deer grow and seeing specific deer. I took my girlfriend out hunting for her first time ever and we had a cool experience seeing a 1.5 year old (unique fork horn) about 4 yards in front of the blind. I have gotten several pictures of him on camera and everytime he shows up on camera we both get excited to see him. It's a pretty fun side hobby.
I have 4 cameras on 40 acres of woods. I love having them, because I love seeing the pics of deer. Getting horn porn is just a plus. Love seeing what goes on when Im not sitting in the woods, and most of my cams are on heavily used trails, a food plot, and a mineral lick site. I stop using the mineral lick around august though. lol don't wanna get busted for baiting. That being said, that 40 acres of land is an hour and a half way. And for me to get down there every couple weeks is absolutely ludicrous. Being engaged, planning a wedding, and between seeing family and spending times with the fiancé its tough to get down there a lot. So being able to pull a card, and come back in a month is very nice for me.
I use them some, not a whole lot. I have two cam's on my 101 acres. I leave them out year rounds. I might check them 5 times a year. Most of the time the batteries are dead when I go to them...lol.
I was about to give up on this new property I get permission to hunt. 4 sits andabsolutley nothing. I had my camera up 75 yards away on the other side of some thick stuff. I pulled the card yesterday and was suprised to see 30 different deer went by, half at night, in the last 5 days. A little minor adjustment on my stand placement and I have a whole new excitement level. So, I am not targeting certain deer but it hasnt ruined my hunting.
Double edged sword. Its fun not knowing what's there, but it does help pattern. I like seeing who made it through gun season which makes those cold late season sits easier.
I love trail cameras but if you think they are just for deer your rally missing out. I do love knowing just about every deer by name except for the newbie that shows up during the rut. Targeting a certain buck that you have a bunch of pictures of sometimes multiple years worth is what I really enjoy. Trail camming is an awesome hobby or sport all in it's own. I run mine 24/7/365 I have 10-15 set up for deer the rest are doing what I like to call "remote photography" It does help I'm employed by a trail camera company that also fuels my addiction.
