Hunting Washington Forum
Community => Trail Cameras => Topic started by: salt n sage90 on June 19, 2018, 02:51:07 PM
-
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,
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
come late august and through winter, everything will change. Its cool and frustrating all at the same time
-
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.
-
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.
-
come late august and through winter, everything will change. Its cool and frustrating all at the same time
:yeah:
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.
