i have heard that many of the cams are loud and do spook the deer.i am very lucky i guess. it has never spooked the deer.my batteries last about3 weeks if left out for the entire time.if you think mine spooks the deer ask nwla.i sent him a pic my cam took. in the pic is a 150,20" inside spread,205 lb bruiser.also in the pic were 2 bucks with at least 24" inside spreads.