Trail cameras.......necessary?
12-16-2008 | 09:35 AM
#31
Boone & Crockett
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,682
Likes: 0
From: Michigan/Ohio
RE: Trail cameras.......necessary?
ORIGINAL: buckeye
I can see what you are saying and agree with the whole first paragraph. I only put my cameras in LOW impact spots. My cameras are never more than 20 yards off of a field edge, 80% of the time actually on the field edge. Check them every 1-2 weeks. I let one go a month last year with out checking as to not bump any deer there.
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
I buy into this.
What I see a LOT if is guys putting them in areas that are likely holding good deer.....and checking them WAY too often. How much is "too often"? How much would you HUNT a good spot? A deer doesn't know the difference in whether you'r escouting, hunting, etc... he just knows you've been in his house, AGAIN. That's pressure. I just prefer, now, not to pressure them any more than I do when I'm actually hunting them.
I put up my camera over a mineral site for about 3 weeks, last season. I'm not sure I'll use it at all, next year. I've taken two bucks I had trail cam pics of.....and that was a cool experience. But I'm not willing to take that chance, now.
I think trail cameras are a great tool to use when used correctly. I think a lot of hunters can't fight the urge to check their camera and fill the area full of scent they also put it over a bait site and not on trails leading to bedding areas or food. I use trail camera's not just to see what maturity of deer I have but what direction they are coming from and when they are coming.
What I see a LOT if is guys putting them in areas that are likely holding good deer.....and checking them WAY too often. How much is "too often"? How much would you HUNT a good spot? A deer doesn't know the difference in whether you'r escouting, hunting, etc... he just knows you've been in his house, AGAIN. That's pressure. I just prefer, now, not to pressure them any more than I do when I'm actually hunting them.
I put up my camera over a mineral site for about 3 weeks, last season. I'm not sure I'll use it at all, next year. I've taken two bucks I had trail cam pics of.....and that was a cool experience. But I'm not willing to take that chance, now.
Good advice here, thanks!!!!
12-16-2008 | 09:59 AM
#32
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,103
Likes: 0
From: The OH-IO
RE: Trail cameras.......necessary?
ORIGINAL: Germ
Good advice here, thanks!!!!
ORIGINAL: buckeye
I can see what you are saying and agree with the whole first paragraph. I only put my cameras in LOW impact spots. My cameras are never more than 20 yards off of a field edge, 80% of the time actually on the field edge. Check them every 1-2 weeks. I let one go a month last year with out checking as to not bump any deer there.
ORIGINAL: GMMAT
I buy into this.
What I see a LOT if is guys putting them in areas that are likely holding good deer.....and checking them WAY too often. How much is "too often"? How much would you HUNT a good spot? A deer doesn't know the difference in whether you'r escouting, hunting, etc... he just knows you've been in his house, AGAIN. That's pressure. I just prefer, now, not to pressure them any more than I do when I'm actually hunting them.
I put up my camera over a mineral site for about 3 weeks, last season. I'm not sure I'll use it at all, next year. I've taken two bucks I had trail cam pics of.....and that was a cool experience. But I'm not willing to take that chance, now.
I think trail cameras are a great tool to use when used correctly. I think a lot of hunters can't fight the urge to check their camera and fill the area full of scent they also put it over a bait site and not on trails leading to bedding areas or food. I use trail camera's not just to see what maturity of deer I have but what direction they are coming from and when they are coming.
What I see a LOT if is guys putting them in areas that are likely holding good deer.....and checking them WAY too often. How much is "too often"? How much would you HUNT a good spot? A deer doesn't know the difference in whether you'r escouting, hunting, etc... he just knows you've been in his house, AGAIN. That's pressure. I just prefer, now, not to pressure them any more than I do when I'm actually hunting them.
I put up my camera over a mineral site for about 3 weeks, last season. I'm not sure I'll use it at all, next year. I've taken two bucks I had trail cam pics of.....and that was a cool experience. But I'm not willing to take that chance, now.
Good advice here, thanks!!!!
12-16-2008 | 04:40 PM
#35
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: NW OHIO
RE: Trail cameras.......necessary?
well all i can say is i agree with pretty much everyone on one aspect or the other on this but i can say i just have a (cheapy) moultrie 4.0 and i love it. its lots of fun to see whats comin and goin. have noticed several bucks that i have 2 pictures of one of the cam catching them and one of them hightailing it out of there ? so whos knows
12-16-2008 | 05:36 PM
#37
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,368
Likes: 0
From: Mont County, Pa
RE: Trail cameras.......necessary?
While not a necessity, I think trail cams do give you a good idea of what's running around your hunting area while you're not there, and sometimes when you are there, as this pic shows. This is an 8ptthat I could/should have shot (10yrds) veryearly on in our Pa season. He walked right past my cam after he got his walking papers.
I knew there were a couple of bigger bucks (via trail cam) in my area so I wasn't too concernedat the time. I do however, still have my buck tag.
Like some have mentioned previously, I think the biggest mistake folks make regarding the use of trail cams is they tend to check them too frequently. I've found that once every two weeks is sufficient. I think they're a lot of fun, and something to look forward to.
I knew there were a couple of bigger bucks (via trail cam) in my area so I wasn't too concernedat the time. I do however, still have my buck tag.Like some have mentioned previously, I think the biggest mistake folks make regarding the use of trail cams is they tend to check them too frequently. I've found that once every two weeks is sufficient. I think they're a lot of fun, and something to look forward to.
