I'm kinda with Jeff, on this. There are variables that dictate how often. I have left cameras for a few months, before, without checking them. Actually this bit me in the butt before, though. I set a camera and left it for over a month due to the sensitivity of the area. I was really anticipating some GREAT photos- well, I go back to check it and I never turned it on. I generally TRY to put cameras where I hunt. Not only do I place cameras where I can get an "inventory", but I also want to gain as much information regarding the time deer or a specific deer may be utilizing a given trail, stream/fence/road crossing, field entrance, feeder location, mineral site, scrape, rub-line etc, etc. Lets say I hung a stand in a location because maybe I witness a buck come from, say, a wood lot and enter a food plot, bean field or cut corn field. So, I scout and narrow down a few possible trails, to the best of my ability. I'll then place a camera on the trail I feel said buck is utilizing. I'll give it a few weeks(depending on time of year), and then go check it out. Then, if I see that he is using the trail and at what time- I'll either hang a stand there, maybe further back if he's coming in too late/early, or I'll move on to another spot. I use that information to maximize the effectiveness of my stand placement. Its better than hanging a stand "blind". Also, I make certain to scent shower, wear scent blocker gear, scent containing boots, spray down with scent killer/cover scent and enter to check my cameras at a time when I LEAST expect to bump any deer from the area. Treat a camera check as a hunt. Like stated previous- minimal intrusion.
For me it's like Christmas and it's hard to wait LOL! :D I would have to say the longer the better just because of the simple fact of less human odor. I would say the biggest thing is don't just swing by without your rubber boots or scent killer with you!
I check mine once a week. I have 400+ pictures each time I pull the card....not all deer but 400+ pics none the less. :D I use scent control precautions when entering though, rubber boats, scent-a-way spray, etc.
in the summer I can check my cameras everyweek, but when its getting close to season ill leave it out there for a good 2-3 weeks just to keep my scent to minimum, even thoo i dont excpect my batteries to last longer than a week and a half....pathetic i know......
I will check mine once a week when I am around. When I am gone to school (like now), I check them when I am able to make it home. That may be two weeks, a month, six weeks..... Only thing I do.......when I know it will be a long time before I can check it again, I make sure the SD card is empty (or close to it) so it won't get full.
Every 2 or 3 weeks ... I have one cam I call the "buck cam", which is really named for its location. I haven't checked it in almost a month, on purpose. I'm gonna pull it this weekend..
Bowman, I was just thinking, if you keep your camera out that long, and assuming your batteries died, or memory became full, wont the pictures on the camera be old news and maybe everything has changed from then? Just a thought....maybe not.
My batteries last for months and months. And I don't ever expect a memory card to get full unless a waving branch makes my cam take pictures continuously for a LONG time.
What kind of camera is this LOL at the branch thing!!! One time got a whole chitload of pics of the farmer and his tractors :D
