Opinions wanted

[Jburke]

So I'm planning on going out friday morning to set out my two trail cameras.  I have one spot in mind that I am for sure putting one.  The other I havent really been able to think of a good spot for yet.  So my new idea is to put both in the same area, not on top of each other but in the same relative location.  I also think I'm going to skip the mineral blocks this year in hopes of trying to pattern the deer/elk more effectively.  Rather than change thier patterns by throwing out bait essentially.  Anyone have any input?  Would I be better to find a second location for the other cam?

[buckfvr]

At this stage of the game, you just need to see whats in your area.  A block will help you determine that, as opposed to no block during the season of never ending smorgasbords.  The deer/elk will wonder and browse many things, going to water would be of your interest.  WHat and where they are browsing will change with the seasons and their appetites.

Either find their hidden water holes, or use a block for now and opt out of the block as seasons approach.   

[grundy53]

I usually have at least 2 in a general area. Like you said not on top of each other but not too far off either. I was worried about wasting my time just getting pictures of the same critters, but what I learned was I get very little overlap. If I would have only had one cam out I would have missed a lot of animals. I think of it as setting up a net. the more you put up the less you miss and the easier you can pattern them. Just my  .

[oldleclercrd]

Depending on how often you check your cameras you may be able to find a big bucks core area. So when hunting season comes around, you can pinpoint where hes hiding during the day. If you get pics of nothing, at least you know where hes not. If you get lots of night photos you may be getting closer. Water might be a good bet or even some kind of a pinch point where all the deer are funneled in order to move to the next area.

[Jburke]

Plan on checking them every couple weeks.

[oldleclercrd]

Well then decide on your hunting area and then the most likely bedding area. Set the cameras in the 2 most likely spots that the big boy will leave for either food or water. When you check your cameras every couple of weeks you WILL have pics (even night pics if their nocturnal) or you havent found his core area. If you have no pics move it. They arent machines, they REQUIRE at least water and must move to get it. Keep adjusting until you find em. Goodluck!

[mfswallace]

be careful how much you disturb the area and don't touch anything you don't want your stank on!!  make sure there are no bushes that will trigger your camera due to wind...blah blah blah you'll figure it out and good luck
Check out some other threads for begginer tips and such

[oldleclercrd]

Yeah good point wallace I should have mentioned that about the bedding area. Just set the cameras on the outside fringe of the bedding area, not inside of it. If he doesnt feel safe, hes gone.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Oleclerc is right--pinch points and water are the key.  Deer are basically lazy like us, and take the path of least resistance.  I have my camera where a well used game trail crosses a spring in an otherwise difficult draw to traverse, and do well there.  I also do not bait so as to not influence the natural travel patterns, but I'm seeing quite a few bucks using the crossing, so I'm considering putting some estrus scent in a few places to see what happens.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

At this stage of the game, you just need to see whats in your area.  A block will help you determine that, as opposed to no block during the season of never ending smorgasbords.  The deer/elk will wonder and browse many things, going to water would be of your interest.  WHat and where they are browsing will change with the seasons and their appetites.

Either find their hidden water holes, or use a block for now and opt out of the block as seasons approach.   

 

I definitley reccomend using a block or bait for your initial inventory (unless your after just any legal buck and then that won't matter much). If you want you can also just use corn for the inventory that way you don't have minerals that leech into the soil. If you are dead set against using anything unnatural for your inventory then water works and sometimes you are able to find licking branches that bucks visit year round. It's best to find the licking branches during the post-season scouting but they aren't going to give you an inventory as quick as using a bait or minerals.

After a couple of weeks you won't need the bait anymore and you can focus on their movements.

[Jburke]

So I ended up getting some blocks after all.  Both cameras are out.  I think they should both produce.  Will know here in a few weeks. Both in the same general area, and not too far from last year's spot.  Wasn't happy with the location last year.  Good area with a nice 5x5 bull on camera twice all summer. Just went a little deeper this year.