Trail Camera Strategies & Techniques for Deer Hunting

Tips for Using Trail Cameras for Whitetail Hunting

Who doesn’t appreciate the convenience of trail cameras? They are simple to use, easy to place, and require minimal effort to check. These cameras "scout" on your behalf, boosting your confidence in locations where your tree stand may seem unproductive. In fact, every buck I've harvested over the past five years was first captured on a trail camera before our encounter. Without them, I might not have even known these bucks were there. It's nearly impossible to converse with a dedicated group of whitetail enthusiasts without being shown a picture of a massive buck caught on their trail cam or being asked, "Have you got any good ones on cam?" This has become common language among modern whitetail hunters. Despite the many benefits of trail cameras, caution is necessary. These tools can be just as detrimental as they are beneficial. Here are a few tips to help you optimize your trail camera usage this season.

One of the most common mistakes when using trail cameras is checking them too frequently. Additionally, placing them too close to trails, not being scent-free, and checking them when the wind is wrong can all be counterproductive. Although the list of potential errors is long, I’ve compiled a few strategies that help me get the most out of my trail cameras while applying the least pressure on the deer.

Stay Out of "Sensitive Areas"

Locations that require long distances of travel on foot, well-known bedding spots, and areas rarely exposed to human scent are places I avoid when setting up trail cameras. If possible, I prefer to position cameras on the outskirts of food sources, where they can be easily checked from an ATV, UTV, or E-bike. This reduces the amount of scent left behind and avoids driving through or near bedding areas. Creek crossings are also ideal, particularly if you can wade in and out without disturbing tall vegetation.

Check Your Cameras Sporadically in the Off Season

During late summer and early fall, aim to check your cameras every 3-4 weeks. This helps minimize the pressure on the deer. Each visit to your property introduces human scent, so infrequent checks will help prevent deer from being spooked. If you're fortunate enough to use cell cameras in your area, consider it a huge advantage! Recent advancements have made cell camera technology much more reliable and affordable. Without a doubt, cell cameras are the least intrusive way to gather valuable information.

Wait for the Conditions to be Right

In the off season, the best time to check your cameras is just before or during a rainstorm. Deer are typically bedded down away from food sources and staging areas during this time. While rain won't completely erase your scent, it does help reduce it, as well as the noise you make while walking to check your cameras.

Use Scent Precautions

Whenever you're checking camera cards, it's important to stay as scent-free as possible. Use a scent-neutralizing spray on the camera when setting it up and before and after each check. Wearing rubber boots and even rubber gloves can also help reduce the amount of scent left behind on the trail camera itself.

Hide Your Camera

It may seem obvious, but hiding your camera is one of the most frequently overlooked steps in setting up a trail camera. Deer are highly sensitive to new objects in their environment, and their natural curiosity can make them approach unfamiliar items. To avoid this, do your best to camouflage the camera. I often use the camera’s strap to secure brush to the back of the tree, which helps break up the outline of the camera. Just be careful not to use anything the deer might browse on, or you’ll end up with too many close-up shots. Cedar trees, for example, work well for hiding cameras. If you’re in an open area with no trees or large posts, and you have to use a t-post or another type of holder, you’ll find that the longer the camera is left in the open, the more accustomed the deer will become to its presence.

Avoid Putting Cameras Too Close to Trails

Placing cameras too close to trails not only results in poor picture quality but also alerts deer to your presence. Deer walking along trails usually browse at their head level, while most cameras are set at about 3-4 feet high. Setting your camera 5-10 feet away from the trail is optimal for keeping the deer unaware of the camera and your presence.

While deer will likely notice your trail cameras eventually, the goal is to take every precaution to minimize the chances of spooking a mature buck. You can reduce the novelty of a new camera by concealing it well, staying as scent-free as possible, and limiting the frequency of your checks. It’s important to weigh the risks before deciding to place cameras in certain areas. Ask yourself if it's worth the possibility of pushing a deer off your property just for the sake of capturing an image. If you know a mature buck is in the area, it might be wiser to avoid his territory altogether rather than risk disturbing him. Otherwise, by the end of the season, you could be left with nothing more than pictures of the buck that got away, instead of a trophy photo of you standing behind him.