Before you dive into this article I want to throw in a caveat: I think trail cameras are a fantastic scouting tool that can greatly improve your odds for success when used property. I deploy them throughout my property and constantly learn new things thanks to their intel. It’s a two-way street though, and when not used properly those same cameras can hurt your chances to connect on your target buck this fall. Read on and see if you’re guilty of any of these common mistakes.
Using Cameras as A Substitute For On-The-Ground Scouting
Even the best cameras are only able to illuminate what’s happening in a very small and specific moment of your property at a single moment in time. Let’s say your camera can cover a 30-foot wide by 60-foot deep area – that’s .04 acres. On a 40-acre property, that’s .001% of your acreage. Even if you had 10 cameras that captured EVERY animal that went past (which is unlikely), you’re covering only 1% of your property. Use cameras as just one piece of your scouting puzzle; in combination with glassing, sign from in-person scouting, observation sits, and historical knowledge you can start to paint a full picture.
Checking Your Cameras Too Often
If you’re running traditional cameras with SD cards, pulling your chips and checking the photos is like Christmas morning. Especially if you put the camera in a good spot, it can be so tempting to go and check it once a week. The information you gain from the pictures could help you hone in on your target buck, but it’s more likely that the intrusion and scent you leave behind will do more harm than good. This has become less of an issue with the increased popularity of cellular cameras, but even replacing or repositioning these cameras too often can be tempting and just as damaging. As much as possible, try to stay out of the cameras in the core area of your property!
Allowing A Big Buck to Create Unrealistic Expectations
I get it, it’s awesome to get a summertime photo of a giant back you’ve never seen before. But sometimes that one photo in August can be your downfall in November. I’ve seen hunters pass on bucks they’d normally be thrilled to shoot, holding out hope that Mr. Big shows up again. If you haven’t gotten a picture of him since late July, chances are good that he’s a mile away in his yearly fall range. Be realistic with your expectations and don’t change your goals just because of one or two momentary photos.
Lack of Photos Keeping You Out of The Woods
If you’re getting cell camera photos indicating that a specific stand or area is especially active, there’s nothing wrong with using that info to get out in the woods on a particular day. But camera intel should ABSOLUTELY NEVER be a reason to NOT go hunting. As mentioned above, cameras give a tiny insight into what’s happening on your property. If you don’t feel confident in your chances for a kill, use it as an opportunity to try a new low impact stand or mix in an observation sit.
Today’s trail cameras have amazing capabilities that provide invaluable information about what is happening in the woods. Be careful to avoid these common mistakes and enjoy the pictures rolling in!
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