30 yrs, then and now

[GW11]

I'm tempted to use them because I can see how they would help me hunt more efficiently, but I've always stopped myself because I personally feel that they give hunters an unfair advantage. That, and I am somewhat old-school despite by age.
Just to clarify, I don't look down on hunters that use them, it's just that game cameras aren't for me.

That's an interesting take on cameras rf2. Personally, I've never owned one. Partly because I'm too cheap but mostly because I've seen them change the way people hunt, and not for the better.

For starters, they add a whole lot of extra trips in and out of your hunting area to change cards, batteries, etc. I've seen loads of night time pictures of bucks looking at the camera with that typical "deer in the headlights" look and the next picture is of a white flag heading the other way. Many of those bucks were never photographed again. Guys who are otherwise good bushmen and good at reading the sign that's there all of a sudden become "camera dependent", meaning they don't bother going out anymore until they start to see good bucks on camera. My Dad had a camera set up in one of our spots about 5 years ago and if I had used that logic, I would never have shot the nice 8 pointer that I got on opening day with the crossbow. They can also drive you nuts with pictures of deer at your spot when you should have been there, or just before or just after you're there. That starts to change your decision making on when and how to hunt certain spots, when you were probably doing it the right way to begin with.

I'm sure they are effective tools when used correctly and sparingly, but I think too many people become obsessed with trying to "pattern" the deer with their cameras. What they don't realize is that they're changing the deer's patterns with all of the extra human traffic in the bush. If you find that your camera is driving you nuts, ditch it and hunt without the added stress. You might just find that you enjoy yourself a little more.

[Mdiddi]

I use trail cams a lot. I have a few and use them on trails and watches. They have captured some pretty cool shots over the years and also a lot of junk. The info from them I will use to pattern the deer to see when they are on what trail or watch. This time of the year I move them on to a mineral spot and to trails and off the watches. I use them for security on the property as well especially over winter. Thankfully nothing criminal but I have caught a few trespassing that just turned out to be neighbors on a hike. I spoke to one group asking if they were on our trails on a specific date and to make sure they let us know before going on them.

I'm using cameras now to adjust from open watches with baits to narrowing down travel roots. I have only been hunting this lot for five years and they had sped up what I could learn about it. Boots on the ground is my preferred method when I can but I don't have a lot of time right now. cameras for me give me back time.

[Bushmoose]

Or all this 'advanced' equipment does little to increase our odds....

In the days of old, a man sitting against the tree in his Sudbury Dinner jacket with the wind in his face was shooting as many deer then as they do now sitting up 20' in expensive trees stands wearing top of the line Mossy Oak clothing.

Terrific pic MP! I also notice none of those rifle's have scopes? So much for today's technology?

[Gilroy]

Nothing to do with technology, dollars to do nuts that all those deer were shot over hounds in the snow, with runs that were well known at an old established deer camp ,where the hunters probably hunted over several thousand acres.IMHO

[buckchaser]

I use trail cameras extensively - have 6 of them out right now. I also spend a lot of time (like all day today) hiking our general hunting area on Crown Land to better understand deer patterns. I use the trail cameras to confirm my "on the ground" scouting and to "inventory" the deer herd to some extent. I find both to be incredibly valuable, especially hunting an area that is a huge relatively unbroken tract of Crown "big woods". Plus, when I see big bucks (or deer of any sort) on my trail cameras it helps to bolster a positive outlook while hunting. That can be essential when you often go days between deer sightings.

[werner.reiche]

Re: cameras and disturbing the bush going in checking them... I have the exact opposite view. I put the cameras in so I don't need to spend much time in the bush scouting. Check the camera once a week. Go in. Swap cards. Get out. Once I had a doe about 30 yards away watch me changing cards, when I left she was still standing there. Minimal disturbance.

[werner.reiche]

Well you'll have to explain that..'smarter' how? ...they still come to a pile of apples in the middle of the bush..they don't seem to be passing it on that's it a trap



Or all this 'advanced' equipment does little to increase our odds....

In the days of old, a man sitting against the tree in his Sudbury Dinner jacket with the wind in his face was shooting as many deer then as they do now sitting up 20' in expensive trees stands wearing top of the line Mossy Oak clothing.

That's not their hunting clothes they are dressed in, is it? Guys 2,3 and 5 from left are wearing ties. These guys are "dressed up" for the photo - which isn't uncommon for old time photos.

[MikePal]

I have no idea on the source of this pic....it's a stock photo off the internet...I just used it to help make a point.

Re: cameras and disturbing the bush going in checking them... I have the exact opposite view. I put the cameras in so I don't need to spend much time in the bush scouting. Check the camera once a week. Go in. Swap cards. Get out. Once I had a doe about 30 yards away watch me changing cards, when I left she was still standing there. Minimal disturbance.

I agree....I've gone in and out and have pics of deer at the same spot within a few hours. It doesn't bother them and it also helps to familiarize the deer with my scent. They get used to it in the off season so they are less likely to be overly alarmed by it when I start to hunt the bush.

They are a good tool...help to confirm the presence of deer in your chosen bush or along the trail where you have set up a stand. They also provide great entertainment when you capture some pics of the deer to look at thru the off season.

[welsh]

That's not their hunting clothes they are dressed in, is it? Guys 2,3 and 5 from left are wearing ties. These guys are "dressed up" for the photo - which isn't uncommon for old time photos.

Perhaps not uncommon to wear a tie with your hunting clothes in 1934, depending on your social position. But the guy third from left sure doesn't seem to be wearing his hunting clothes!

[GW11]

Re: cameras and disturbing the bush going in checking them... I have the exact opposite view. I put the cameras in so I don't need to spend much time in the bush scouting. Check the camera once a week. Go in. Swap cards. Get out. Once I had a doe about 30 yards away watch me changing cards, when I left she was still standing there. Minimal disturbance.

You're one of the guys that would know whether or not you are putting too much pressure on an area and adjust accordingly.

A lot of folks think that constantly checking cameras and moving cameras is something you have to do to be successful. Then they wonder why they were seeing all these deer on camera and now they don't see anything.

Personally I try to scout an area thoroughly once (preferably in the off months) find the good trails and funnels, set up a few spots then leave the area entirely alone until my first trip in to hunt it. Granted, I don't get a visual inventory of the deer on a particular property, but not knowing is part of the excitement for me.