I use them, because I like to know what's out there. Also, when you see a buck that you have pictures of, it's pretty neat.
Brett, I really doubt they would assist us on Quantico even if you were not opposed to them... Too many variables, training etc.
I agree Bruce! Plus it gives me more weeks in the field and gives you a darn good idea what you are hunting which should improve your patience! Dan
Sean, I agree. Quantico while a great public spot, has a lot to be desired in terms of variables that one must overcome in order to consistently succesful. People, troops training, closed training areas, no fields to really class in the pre-season....the list goes on and on. That being said, Quantico has been a great proving ground for me and it has made me a better hunter because I've had to pay attention to the details in order to be consistenly succesful. Live...I hear you man. I am not saying we don't have a lot of mature bucks to make myself better for not having killed one, I just really believe it is very difficult to consistently get on mature bucks where I hunt. Anyone that hunts where I do can tell you that. We have probably less than 10 mature bucks killed each year over nearly 50,000 acres. That is not my estimate, that is fact. That is about one 3.5+ year old buck killed every 5,000 acres per year. I saw two 3.5+ year old bucks in one day this year when I was able to get on an area that I extensively scouted in the off-season. For one reason or another, that training area on the military base was open about 1 day a week throughout the season. Now that sucks in terms of not being able to reap the benefits of tons of scouting hours. That is why I have gotten into topo maps, because they offer me a tool to close the gap as best as I can on any given day.
I never really thought of patterning deer when I started using them. I think that'd be really hard to do! The reason I use them and keep buying more is to see what's running around! Like others have said checking the cards after a month or so can be as exciting as Christmas morning!
Trail cams I really enjoy my trail cams. I don't really take advantage of them a whole lot on pattering deer, but I see how they can be really useful. I think they are great tools when you have a new property you know nothing about. I mainly just enjoy looking at the pictures, but in the future I think I will use them more to help me scout and pattern deer.
My number one reason for getting Into trail camera's was to get a picture of a once In a lifetime buck or bear. I've succeeded In getting pics of a few Boone and Crockett bear but not on a whitetail yet. I'm hoping some day to get a picture of a 190 Inch plus whitetail. I believe some day It will happen. I know exactly the feeling Brett. As you know I'm not much for technology when It comes to bow hunting but these trail cams are soooooo much fun. I did try using my cams to pattern big bucks back 3 years ago when I got Into trail camera's, didn't work In the least. Actually It disappointed me and I wasted time In spots I shouldn't of hunted In being I went by what the trail camera said. It's neat to see what you've got walking around but I'll be the 1st to say you will not get every buck on cam either. They are a good Inventory tool none the less though.
That's really why I haven't gotten into them too much. No matter how quiet and scent-free I am, I still feel like any added pressure is bad. I could be completely wrong, I just always feel like I'm screwing things up when I go in to hang or check a camera.
Like many, I put a couple of cams (when they work right) out just to see what's in the area. That's all it does, never any guarantee on killing any specific deer. ALL of my biggest buck pics have come at night anyway, and I have never seen any of them while hunting (public land). I've also only gotten one pic of each of these bucks. Either nocturnal, satilite bucks, or both. I enjoy checking my cams every 2 weeks. It's always a surprise!
I understand that! but I set my cams at obvious gathering places and 99% 0f the pics I get are night pics, and that's fine with me. I am just looking at inventory so to speak, not looking for a place to say "O wow I can kill this buck here" I do pay attention which direction they are traveling each time I get pics, and inventory is usually pretty accurate. However I did kill a 140's 8 point I never had a pic of Dan
I live in an area with year round resident elk and I just sent up three cams in a few spot's each is about 10 miles from the next. I know they visit certain area's regularly due to food and human activity, not to mention they stay near the two rivers I live next too. Once I see where they are about a week or so before the season I know the area's they will visit next (Typically). Still have yet to get one! but it's proved to be affective in locating there movement. Lot's of fun moment's just no shot's. As for Mule Deer hunting, I have yet to see the effectiveness of them in my area. Mule deer are to sporadic and move a lot through the year as weather and food options change. For example I saw a buck hunting this year in Sept. that would have been a 180 class buck. He was high in the Mtn wilderness and I never even got close. Two months later driving into my house I saw him! over 40 miles difference! and that was the only time I saw him here, the weather was rapidly changing and I assume he was headed to the high desert region another 40 miles east to feed on sage and Mtn Mahogany for the winter. Going out that way tomorrow to try and get some Wildlife photo's. Maybe I'll see him again?
Actually! I just got a picture of the elk in my area today! They were feeding on a hill next to my house when I spotted them. I took this with a Nikon D3 with a Nikon 500mm F4 lens at about 500yds away from my drive way. Almost forgot to share! I counted 30 cows and calf's but never saw a bull. They have been going through the neighbor hood a lot the last week so I got my Trail Cam on one of there paths. I'll share anything good I get.
I have one out and really enjoy the pictures that it takes. I like to see who is living and who has not came back to my hunting spot. All I have is a little funnel area to hunt and that is ok with me. I much rather hunt that than a clump of woods. There is a clump on both sides of my funnel. So I get the chance to see what is walking by my stand. I got a picture of a Giant this year in Sept and then found him dead around Thanksgiving. He scored just over 165 inches. I am glad that I had pictures of him due to the fact that DNR took him from me due to possible poachers from a complaint. I also have pictures of bucks that I have shot in the past. My 11 pointer I shot this year I have NO pictures of so you dont always get all the deer in your area. I have never seen this deer untill I shot him.
Our one cam has zero impact on our hunting or success on bucks. The cam is typically set up on edge of property or even near the cabin - easy access, less intrusion on hunting ground - it is simply just to catch photo's of what's using our property and enjoying the pics - Just for fun. Most times during the heart of deer season we never touch it as we're too busy trying to hunt if we're out there - or busy rushing home - we don't see most pics until well after the fact - no use when it comes to hunting particular deer. I'm to the point that I could care less if I ever put up another deer camera...
