How often do u guys check your trail cam for whitetail and mules. My trail cams are only about 20-35 miles from my house so not to far. I have been checking them about every week and a half, does that seem too much?
checking trail cams
- Thread starter Retterath
- Start date
I'm not sure about mules because I live in MN but I check my cameras about once every week or two. I'm sure I run the risk of some deer catching my scent but I want to know if there is a deer in the area worth putting some time on stand for. Just be careful with your scent and I wouldn't put the camera close to your stand/blind. Just put it in the general area with some kind of an attractant and most deer will find it. Just my .02...
rcfireninja
Active Member
I put mine out about a month ago and haven't checked them yet. I normally do every 10-14 days. Just trying something different this year.
Hilltop
Veteran member
During the summer I only check them every 3-4 weeks. In early season I check them every 1-2 weeks. As the rut approaches I usually check them more frequently. I think you should check them under the right conditions as often as possible. I like to check mine during the middle of the day when its windy as often as possible. Fewer deer are moving then so I stand less chance of bumping deer. I also always spray my lower body down with scent killer so I leave less scent. I try to also set my cameras up in areas where I can drive fairly close so again I really limit how much scent I leave in the area.
Work2hunt
Veteran member
I check mine about a week after I first put them out for the beginning of the year to make sure everything is working correct. After that every 6 weeks until season and then once season starts whenever I walk by a given camera.
clacklin009
Active Member
I have my cameras in the high country and usually don't get them out until mid July then I will check them 2-3 weeks later. That usually leaves me only going up the mountain twice before the archery hunt in mid August. I just want to get a feel for the animals and want to know what to expect out the the year.
Put in a 16 gb card and check them twice in the summer. Next year I plan on setting them early June and check them on July 4th. Then from the 4th to the end of July. And then once I go back for hunting around August 10th. Though I might set them at the end of June, check July 4th and then check early August before a hunt.
I have been checking them about every week but was curious what u guys were doing. I can access the area pretty easy so that's why it have checked then about every week. Thanks guys
Hilltop
Veteran member
It depends on the time of year. Pre-season I just switch cards. During season when I want immediate feedback I carry my digital camera along to view them.
tim
Veteran member
sometimes I wonder if the scent thing is taken overboard. I don't take any precautions, check the cameras on work out sweaty hikes.
And I get thousands of shots a summer. Mainly elk and deer, some moose and the occasional cougar and bear.
And I get thousands of shots a summer. Mainly elk and deer, some moose and the occasional cougar and bear.
Hilltop
Veteran member
IMO it depends on the animals and the area. On a hunt years ago I watched a bull elk crawl out of his skin when he walked up to the trail I had walked in on. My wind was blowing directly away from him and he was about 400 yards away. He hit my trail and literally did an about face and ran 500 yards before stopping to look. I really don't know on mule deer but whitetails react the same way...they hit your trail and freak out.
