I check them once per week and i leave them out all season. during the season is an important time to use the camera. if i'm not getting pictures of deer in a spot then i'm not going to hunt there. knowing that there are deer near where i hunt out weighs the risk of spooking deer out of the woods. besides i hunt land that is adjacent to land that is HEAVILY squirrel hunted. my land is a peacefull paradise, even with the cameras!