Using Trail Cams

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jnoonan22

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I just bought my first scouting cam about two weeks ago. I haven't captured too many promising shots yet. Obviously, this could mean there isn't a lot of activity where i'm currently set up. I just wanted some input from more experienced hunters.

How often do you check your cameras? Does checking them too often leave too much scent and deter potential game? What are some cost-friendly buck luring techniques or products you might recommend? So far, I just have a couple of does only, and of course some of our fat belgian horses...
 
Of course you have to put them where the animals go first and foremost. During heavy activity I check the cameras about every 3-4 days. This time of year I check them about every week and before hunts.

As far as scent goes I don't think it's an issue. I'm convinced the hogs are simply used to me now and don't consider my scent a threat. Deer seem to keep walking across the other camera so I don't think my scent is bothering them either.

You already have the best buck lures already for this time of year and that's does. Outside the rut I would try anything apple or acorn scented.
 
I dont think there's much point in using bait with game cameras unless you simply want a bunch of photos of hungry critters (not so bad in itself). To me the best use of game cams is to find out where they are on their own so you can then go get 'em. Yeah, often that means you get a whole lot of nothing, but that in itself is good info (the critters don't go there!). Game cams are just a way to spy on the animals without their really knowing, then you have an advantage when you go hunting. If you bait, they'll find it and eat it all up, then go back to their same old habits.

Of course, I'm in CA where baiting is illegal. If you're asking about how to bait for hunting as well as game cams, I'm not much use...
 
Whether or not treks into the wilds to check cameras is disturbing to the wildlife really depends on how uncommon humans are in the area. I have 46 acres that I hunt and also use as a rifle range (400 yards through the middle of the property) and multi-use range (100x20 yards in a ravine). We have pictures on the game cameras of deer and hogs at the feeders while we are shooting. I have had pictures of deer on the cameras within 10 minutes of when I checked the camera (and downloaded the images) that overlooks a natural spring. My buddy up the road puts out corn about 100 yards from his house every day, mostly so that his wife can watch the deer - no feeder, just scattering by hand. They have a feeder watching the spot as well and check the camera daily. In the summer, she mows at least once a week if not more. They get all sorts of critters there that are not bothered by the people traffic.

If your camera is in a very remote place where humans never go, then your presence may be more of a problem because it will be an unusual event as will your smells. At my place, the animals are used to there being people there occasionally, working, shooting, walking the trails. Heck when I got the place, there wer only a couple of trails through it and the place was thick with briar. The deer using the trails that I have cut.
 
wear rubber gloves and boots when going to check the camera. I like mixing corn and jello powder.
 
Thanks for the feedback. Deer season opens up in a week so I guess I'm getting a late start. I know there are bucks in the area as I come close to hitting one with my car every other week it seems. I guess what I was hoping to do was learn whether or not any bucks were visiting the area I look to be hunting and if there are a few, figure out their trends. On the other hand, if I'm not seeing any, I'd like to attract some because I'm fairly limited to hunting areas (the property is directly adjacent to a no-hunting reserve and to another farmer's property).

This actually brings up another important question I've been meaning to ask. Obviously, I want to drop the deer as quickly and humanely as possible. However, if I hit the deer (shot on my property) and it runs onto the no-hunting reserve or the neighboring farmer's land, would I be prohibited from harvesting it? Could I get in trouble for not downing it on my own land? I'm still a newbie at hunting so sorry if this is a dumb question. Thanks.
 
Your query is legal specific to Kentucky and potentially to the county or no-hunting reserve. Check with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife and/or a game warden. You may be able to track a wounded animal onto another property, but it may not be legal for you to shoot it again once there in order to put it down.
 
If your hunting near a property line you may want to get the phone number of the adjoining property owner and call him if the deer crosses. Plus, you dont want to get shot if you cross the property line looking for the deer if other hunters are there. If you get permission to cross, wear some orange to be safe. If your having trouble finding deer, look for a drainage on the property your hunting or a trail leading to a feeding area. Deer use drainages to travel. Dont hunt on the drainage trail, but 50 yards or so away and play the wind.
 
if it's legal, bait the heck out of the spot and see what's in the area.

not sure if it's illegal to HUNT over bait where you are, but is it illegal to set up a trail camera over bait?
 
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