Waiting until September to set out trail cameras is economical, yet to use the British expression, “It can be penny wise and pound foolish.” I have five cameras in operation, year-round, and each morning I can’t wait to see what is going on at my stand sites. Is a shooter passing by? How many predators can I see? How about sows and bear cubs? Trail cameras are like human robots waiting in a single space and notifying you whenever something cool happens. When giant fuzzy antlers pass by, you will know when and where.
Like a Disney Movie
Many archers would love to have a black bear walk past their stand, whether or not they have a bear tag. Just seeing a wild black bear up close is a heart-pounding thrill, so imagine the probability of seeing two bears mating. Black bears mate in June and July in the Eastern US, and as you can see, they helped celebrate the 250th anniversary with a lot of woopie.
Ways to Save Money
Once September arrives and bucks lose their velvet, you will want as much information as possible about deer movements, times of day, directions of travel, and other movement details. For now, you can save on picture count and battery life by setting your camera to capture a single image, choosing still over video, and having the camera report once per day instead of instantly. A small solar panel will pay for itself in battery life, as will rechargeable batteries. Consider the cost of gas and travel time, as well as the disturbance to your camera site.
Monitor the Herd
I was delighted to see these two fawns passed by my stand. I hunt in an area of black bear population, and seeing a doe with twins is always a good sign. When I see mature does with one or no fawns, I realize that our predator control needs a boost. With black bears, bobcats, and coyotes in the woods, raising a fawn to maturity is difficult and sometimes requires help from hunters.
Hang ‘Em High
Either a squirrel or a bear found my camera interesting and turned it upside down this week. Deer quickly ignore the red flash of an infrared camera, but black bears do not. I’ve had them bite, claw, and break the antennae from cameras posted within paw’s reach. This camera was mounted at eye level, so I’ll hike a ladder into position and raise the camera to about 10 feet. A battery-powered drill and some large lagging screws can help secure your camera so that small climbing creatures won’t disturb the aim.
Humans Too
Mostly, hunters are interested in wildlife, but human intrusion can also be an issue. Are hikers or recreational ATV users often passing by your special spot? Did you spot a trespasser while hunting on private ground? The advantage of a trail camera is the ability to know what’s happening in that area 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you want total surveillance, the Stealth Cam Revolver Pro will capture stills or video in a 360-degree circle for full coverage of a location. In any event, having your camera fully deployed during these hot summer days is a benefit. Monster bucks are very elusive, and one image may make all the difference in your fall hunting plans.
