trail cam do's and dont's

[Bass_hunter]

Bought me a trail cam today. It's a moultrie, game watcher 100. digital Paid $ 103 with tax. Anyone thats been useing a trail cam have any tips on do's and dont's. Cant wait to set it up, sure hope its there when i go back to check it. Going to put it on private land that only i have permit to hunt, but that dont mean much any more. Not planing on hunting the area till nov. 1 , when would you put it up?

[done workin]

I've never used one but the general thought of "be prepared before you hunt" I'd set it up yesterday. It may take you a couple of different trys to find exactly what your looking for on the camera and then some time to figure out how to hunt "the thing" you photographed.

If you're waiting until November that only gives you 6 weeks to pinpoint your buck, figure out how to hunt him, possibly hanging a stand and then time to let the area cool off after you go in there maybe several times to move and check your camera. Not much time at all.

Remember all scouting should be done with the same scent preparation and care as if you were actually hunting it that day to minimize the intrusion.

Good luck and don't miss.

[MarkTakacs]

I have had my Camtracker 35mm for about 5 years and love it. I need to get a cable lock for it as i got a little scared last year when some feeders and stands where stloen last year and did not want to put out another $400. I would love to have a digital version, since you can get alot of "other" critters taking up film and photo processing costs with 35mm. Because of the many critters.....I dont put the camera over bait piles...we have numerous squirrels, coons, turkeys, etc.
I put the camera ov various deer trails to get the bucks.
Keep the cameras fairly close to the trail because the cameras usually have a wide angle lens which means the subject of the photo will be small and the flash is not that strong for any distant shots which will leave you with a dark figure with glowing eyes.
Also know what is in the background so you do not trip the camera with a trail used by people or another deer trail off in the distance that trips the camera but does not give you a good photo.

I hope to get my camera out in about two weeks and keep it out all fall.

We need to keep a post going with our this years big bucks and see if we can then kill any of them.

To my knowlege we have never shot any of my photographed bucks.

[Bass_hunter]

Thanks for the replys guys. I have a small area that i hunt close to the house that belongs to a fishing buddy that doesnt hunt. (how sweet is that LOL ) and i'm the only one he lets hunt.and its a honey hole. I only take nice bucks off it or nothing. It will be interesting to see whats in the area. I'm going to set the cam up on a scrape thats used every year thats about 50 yds from where i hang my stand. (oh and this 50 ac runs beside 1000 ac thats almost like a park and NO hunting aloud to anyone ) Belongs to a church org.

[RANGER690]

Bass Hunter, glad to see you are from Petersburg. Would you mind dropping me off and picking me up out at the Battlefield a few evenings?!!!![grin]

Dayton

[Bass_hunter]

LMAO Ranger690, I sure can. But if you get caught you'll have to change your handle to jailbird690 LOL I use to bow hunt a small track ajointing the park. Seen some nice one's but could never get a shot at one.

[rapprunner]

Blandford cemetary is another one of those "it would be nice to hunt" places. Have heard of some folks slipping in there, but I personally would never dream of doing that--------again! [grin]

[erikharwell]

the masterlock python cable is best for locking up cameras. that camera has alot of problems rejecting the memory cards so get a good brand. if the battery leads are on the left take it back, there have been alot of problems with these cameras. I have also heard they dont do well in heat. I have on but have yet to get a deer pic. I had it set up in some pressured land in pungo though. it is set up on my farm in NC right now so hopefully I can get some pics this weekend.