Trail Cam Placement???
 

I just recently bought 3 new trail cams to scout some of my hunting spots for me. I am new to trail cameras so I don't know too much about them. Back when my Dad used to use his trail cameras, he would always put cracked corn out and get quite a few pictures of Deer and Turkeys, nothing Huge, but still some nice bucks. What would you recommend I use for bait to attract more deer or shouldn't I use any at all? Also, I live in Maine and we hunt thick woods, the snow is finally starting to melt, should I just put the cameras on a deer trail or a water source with some bait to attract them?? Thanks for the help.

JCarver81: Where I have my cameras I am not permitted to use bait other than a certain time of year for bears. I therefore do not use bait. Here are a few tips: 1) set the camera 3 to 4 feet above ground. 2) do not face the camera east or west if possible due to rising and setting sun which could cause "red" or"whiteouts". In winter I do not like to face the camera in a southerly direction being that the sun travels in a lower arc as compared to summer where it will travel over head from east to west. 3) try to avoid tall grass, branches with leaves and other vegetation that may blow in the wind causing your camera to trigger. 4) if setting up along a trail, try to face the camera along it rather than across it. Some cameras are slower to trigger and some go into a sleep mode to save battery power, so they have to wake up so to speak before taking a picture. 5) try to camoflage your camera, especially if there is a chance other people may travel through your area. This is a theft precaution. Another precaution is to use a security lock type box. 6) checking your cameras once every 7 to 10 days or less, this will reduce leaving scent and disturbing animals in the area. I usually carry spare batteries and a digital meter to check the batteries. I also carry spare SD cards that are formatted. Some cameras (Bushnell) for one allows you to format the card in the camera. Hope these suggestions help. Good luck and looking forward to see your up coming pictures.

I like to use my scent spray on my cams when I put them out or when i check them also make sure that the windows are clear or any overspray or grass. I like to also put them on a tree that is bigger than it. This will help camo if from deer. As the hunting season starts to near like a month or so I no longer take my fourwheeler need it. I walk to almost all my stands anyway. I hunt on 1800 acers of land so that is a little bit of a butt but it makes the diff. I am allowed to bait at my camp all the way up till about a month. I use corn or rice brand. Also if you cut a tree branch down let it stay the deer will not care and its less scent you will leave behind. Good luck and I hope to see some pic.

Everything he said. A water crossing is always a good place for a camera. You might want to consider bait if it's legal in your area.

Blessings.....Pastorjim

I don't understand why people are scared to put bait in front of a cam.
It's not like you're baiting for hunting, you're baiting to get pics.
Just because I put corn out in front of my cams don't mean I hunt over a corn pile.

I like to put mine up a little higher. About head high. The deer seem to pass off the flash as lightning rather then have it go off in their face. Also, if your trailcamera doesn't have a viewing screen, you may want to take a camera with you that uses those cards. That way you can look at the pics and make a decision right then and there if you want to leave it in that spot or move it.

Don't visit it too often as you will be leaving your scent there every time. No sense in letting the deer pattern you. I don't use corn, i just put them on the trails so i leave mine out for a month at a time.

Try to be as scent free as possible when you do visit your camsites.

I allways place a trophy rock about 10'-15' from cam which is at about knee high or so...works good