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Trail Cams: How long before you check it?

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
Lately mine have been sitting 3 weeks between checks. Partly because I've been so busy with other things... And partly because I don't get too excited until we get into September. If I was searching for a particular deer or pattern, I'd be checking weekly and moving cams around frequently.
 

Bigslam51

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
25,778
127
Stark County
I let mine go for at least 3 weeks during the summer (if they are in the woods) and will check my cameras watching the fields weekly if I want on the ranger so I don't have to step foot on the ground. If possible, check your cams during or right before a rain.
 

Iowa_Buckeye

Smartest person here
1,776
85
Linn County Iowa
We usually check them weekly. Just whenever we are at the farm and it is convenient.
Rain, shine, day, night, whenever. Doesn't matter.
Sorry Chad - don't hate me!!! Just don't want him waiting a month for a thunderstorm to have to check a cam you suggest putting 10 feet up a tree!!! rotflmao
 

Bigslam51

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
25,778
127
Stark County
We usually check them weekly. Just whenever we are at the farm and it is convenient.
Rain, shine, day, night, whenever. Doesn't matter.
Sorry Chad - don't hate me!!! Just don't want him waiting a month for a thunderstorm to have to check a cam you suggest putting 10 feet up a tree!!! rotflmao
What's good for the goose ain't always good for the gander, and I put my cams about 7-8 foot up. Like I said, I don't have sole permission on farms, the deer don't see my cameras and neither do other people.
 

Spencie

Senior Member
5,051
145
Constitution Ohio
We usually check them weekly. Just whenever we are at the farm and it is convenient.
Rain, shine, day, night, whenever. Doesn't matter.

During the summer I think you could check them daily if they are on feed or crops. They will still be there within a couple hours. Once they go hard horned they become a completely different animal.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
I think location has everything to do with it. Back when I used to run a cam religiously, I'd check it daily. Them years I got the most deer pictures ever. I strongly believe that I had those deer trained. I showed up every day with half a bucket of food and swapped cards. Same time, wore the same outfit, same everything. Step in the woods wearing different cloths, deer busted out of the back side. I had all summer to play, I wouldn't suggest that style being this close to the season.

I bring this up because I believe Iowa and his buddies have those deer trained. They know they live in a safe haven with little worries. All the food and cover they could ever need. Him and his buddies are also smart about cam locations. It takes years and years to be as efficient as them. They ain't stomping through a bedding area to check cams whenever they feel like it.

I also believe there's an art to cam placement...I don't have it. Some of these guys do. I can get pics of deer without a problem, mature deer are a different story.

Good luck! Trial and error is always an option. Ask specific questions here to get specific answers. Hard telling how sideways we will take the conversation if you leave an opening...[emoji23]
 
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thehuntingwoodman

Junior Member
26
0