Trail cameras before you buy!!
I have got to start this post with a warning. I have a love hate relationship with trail cameras, that being said I will tell you what has worked for me and the best way to save some money and increase your odds in the woods. I remember as a young man building my first camera with an ammo can and a kodak camera. waiting at rite aid in my home town for the pictures to develop. We have come so for in technology since then.
To get to the point I have spooked deer checking trail cams frustrated with months of placement to see butts and tails when I pull cards. my recommendation is cell cameras. this tech is getting cheaper and cheaper these days and plans are becoming very affordable. This time of year all of the hunting gear is being discounted and is the best time to buy. Example I recently picked up 3 browning scout max pros at my local TSC for 55 dollars.
last season I went all in on stealth cams and here is why. fist the cameras are 69$ at Sam’s club ..2nd they take great pictures night and day, they have all the features you would want, date time stamp, temps ext. The biggest part for me was the free 3 months of service with purchase. nearly all of my season was covered! for three cameras it was around 15 a month for unlimited photos! this gives you the ability to put cams in bedding areas, food and high traffic paths. the batteries last 4 months only needing to be changed when harsh winter weather settled in. the notifications were a bonus too while I was slaving away at work and I get that Ping!
Placement. In the beginning of antler development I placed cameras in higher traffic areas .. but as the season started I moved these cameras to stand locations and crossings from other properties onto mine. This was a massive super power. I was actually able to see the buck I harvested the night before entering the property after a hot doe and set up on the correct stand with good wind and harvest that buck.
