Cams, move or stay?

[salt n sage90]

I am new to the camera game, but have the bug and have been having fun hiking in on weekends to check the action on different cameras. A buddy and I have 12 cameras out at a variety of spots, public, private, gated, etc. Some are a good hike in and others just off logging roads. A few of the cameras are getting bucks of fair size, bears, a cougar, coyotes, and a bobcat which is terrific and fun. My question is, Do I move the cameras I have out that have been catching the same group of does and yearlings each check, or do I move them higher, lower, elsewhere in hopes of catching something with a bit more between the legs...? I mean, the does have to get bred at some point and there are plenty of rubs and scrapes around, just nothing besides button bucks on camera. I sorta wonder if perhaps I am in the 90% part of a couple bucks ranges that they don't use until the rut and they are holed up in that 10% hiding hole up high. I was just hoping to get a few buck on camera this time of year so I could judge if the area will produce. Plenty of pregnant does in the areas.

FYI: using Bushnell 14MP Bandit and Primos Bullet Proof 2. Both have worked great for being under 60$.

Regards,

[vandeman17]

how often are you checking them? With that many cams, I would leave them and watch the variety come through. You will be amazed at how some animals will just vanish and new ones will show up.

[Turner89]

If I'm getting bucks,  I usually leave them awhile. If all I'm getting is does and fawns I'll move after 2 weeks or so.

[salt n sage90]

I leave them for month long soaks. I was thinking maybe this year I leave them all where they are through hunting season and see what larger bucks on the move they catch through the rut. We started the cameras out in February/March, so these spots are all relatively new to us.

FYI: This is concerning West Side Blacktail

[vandeman17]

come late august and through winter, everything will change. Its cool and frustrating all at the same time

[salt n sage90]

Vandeman17,

I think you're right. I'll learn a lot about the areas and the movement of the deer in them from season to season if the cameras stay in the same spot. I can move them after the season to new spots if no shooters show their faces.

[luckyman]

I move mine if it just keep getting the same does. Sometime you don't have to move very far. Ive put a camera on places that look like one animal came through the brush one time, not much of a trail. Ive got some of the biggest bucks & bear from spots like that.

[yakimanoob]

come late august and through winter, everything will change. Its cool and frustrating all at the same time

Honestly I use spring and summer cams as a photo hobby -- they don't give you a whole lot of practical information for fall, besides the general health/population of the herd I guess.  This time of year I'm way more focused on composure and backgrounds.  Come October, I'll be 100% focused on locating and patterning the groups of animals. 

+1 for your month-long soaks, btw.  Don't forget you make an impact on the animals every time you visit a location, so if you're checking your cams every week, you're risking blowing them out.  Even more so with experienced bulls and bucks who've learned to avoid human scent.