This is my first year using a trail camera and at least in the area I'm planning to hunt the learning curve has been steep. I'm using a Moultrie M-880 with a Moultrie lock box and a python lock.
On my first set I installed the camera looking down an overgrown skid road that had a trail worn into the grass. I didn't see any beds or poop in the area but I figured it was a travel route due to the fact the skid road was on a saddle that led between two, large hills. I baited the sight with a Purina molasses and corn deer block and a trace mineral block. After a 10 day soak I was pretty bummed out to see nothing for my efforts. Only pics of me coming and going.
So I moved my camera to an entirely different area and unit all together. it's now in a buck only unit so I'm hoping to locate some does. I set it up in a mixed stand of timber near a creek bottom. The trees are probably only 30-40' tall and it's very thick in there but I found some good sign in there while scouting for late season last year.
I baited it with the same blocks from my first set and let her sit for about two weeks. When I went to pull the card I was again, pretty bummed out to only find pics of me coming and going. So I came back the next day and this time brought a pile of apples to leave there. I cut a couple in half and stuck the halves on tree branches hoping to get the scent out there. I just checked the pics last night after about a week and a half soak and was relieved to finally have pics of a deer. It's only one doe but at least I finally got something!!!
what's strange though is that in the pic she isn't eating the apples or licking the blocks. She just stands there for a minute and bails. My bait isn't visible in the pic. It's just out of the bottom part of the frame so I'm thinking I should aim the camera a little further down? It's already no more than 3' off the ground though.
If I decide to stick with this area it's going to be really tough to hunt. Pretty much the entire area is a complete hell hole and is impossible to be quiet in. There's only a couple small patches of old growth timber that would be easier to hunt I have yet to scout those timber stands though. I know the deer are using the thick stuff though. I bumped one last night that was a few yards inside the timber. I was riding my mountain bike back out and I heard a snort wheeze and then the deer crashed through a bunch of blackberry bushes.
Sorry for the novel. If any of you have any advice please chime in. I've been spending a lot of time in the woods lately and am learning every day but early archery is already almost here!
Here's a couple pics. please don't mind the camera name. It's meant as a message to anyone who may steal it someday. haha.
