When to move cameras

  • Bearcat89
    North branch, mn
    Posts: 20324
    #2217818

    I have 2 cameras out on a property by home. Last year I had a buck pinned down to a swamp on the west end. I’ve had a camera on what looked to be a heavy trail for about a week now. I haven’t even got a picture of a doe. My other camera on the east side 100 acres away is active all day all night.
    Do I let that camera sit for a while yet or do I get in there and switch up plans? When I found the buck back there last season it was cold and the corn was cut. So he may have been pushed to bed in that area due to the pressure on the adjacent public land. I’m not sure if I should move it or leave it in hopes another buck moves in the area.

    hillhiker
    SE MN
    Posts: 1029
    #2217821

    It sounds like you may have found the difference between summer and fall range. Doesn’t matter whether it’s private or public, many bucks will shift the areas they use about the time velvet starts coming off. A lot of people would tell you getting bucks on camera right now doesn’t even do you much good since the deer will start moving around in about a month anyway. If you want to find the buck for early season, like the first week or two of the season, you may want to start moving cameras around.

    Youbetcha
    Anoka County
    Posts: 2841
    #2217827

    I think hillhiker hit the nail on the head. I am assuming you have walked the public but it might be worth seeing whats going on there too.

    Randy Wieland
    Lebanon. WI
    Posts: 13473
    #2217831

    ^^^^^^^ very good advice ^^^^^^^

    Jake D
    Watertown, SD
    Posts: 555
    #2217838

    I have been giving them a week or 2. If im not seeing anything, I move them. But what others have said, deer will move to a different area. On the ground I hunt, its not necessarily that they move that far, but start using different food sources and bedding in different areas

    Bearcat89
    North branch, mn
    Posts: 20324
    #2217843

    And that’s what I kind of thought was that it may be a later season bedding area or home near the corn once it’s cut. I appreciate the input. And I have them set now to spots I want to hunt for early bow. I am hoping to find where they are bedding with out going in to the beds. I think I will leave this camera and add another to a different area. Thank you for all the input.

    bigcrappie
    Blaine
    Posts: 4322
    #2217855

    Something to think about, we are in a drought right now, maybe the swamp dried up and he moved?

    Michael Best
    Posts: 1203
    #2217859

    Hillhiker hit the nail on the head.
    My guess is he summers with a bachelor group somewhere else.

    Crop rotation can also move them around some if you hunt in ag country.
    Those bean fields are great for summer scouting but I have better hunting with corn in the area in the fall.

    Bearcat89
    North branch, mn
    Posts: 20324
    #2217988

    Just got these this evening from that camera

    Attachments:
    1. Screenshot_20230807_212502_Tactacam-REVEAL.jpg

    2. Screenshot_20230807_212521_Tactacam-REVEAL.jpg

    Bearcat89
    North branch, mn
    Posts: 20324
    #2217991

    Another

    Attachments:
    1. Screenshot_20230807_212835_Tactacam-REVEAL.jpg

    Youbetcha
    Anoka County
    Posts: 2841
    #2217994

    Good thing you left it!

    Bearcat89
    North branch, mn
    Posts: 20324
    #2217995

    I agree. Have 3 different bucks on cam last night. Went from wondering what the hell, I swore that trail was pretty heavily used. Wonder if me setting the cameras messed with them ? It also showed about 30 doe between 9pm and right now.

    Attachments:
    1. Screenshot_20230808_042735_Tactacam-REVEAL.jpg

    Michael Best
    Posts: 1203
    #2218015

    It could have been scent you left in the area.

    The gray light/daylight pics points to the area is close to where they bed.

    Youbetcha
    Anoka County
    Posts: 2841
    #2218025

    I doubt it had a huge impact depending on how long the cam has been out. Some lower pressure areas I have hunted deer dont seem to care at all. You could walk all over and they would walk right over your ground scent. On the other hand high pressure areas they wont tolerate it. I think you just caught them starting to shift.

    Bearcat89
    North branch, mn
    Posts: 20324
    #2218095

    I guess patience is key. And I’m not all that patient. I have a ton of pics now of them coming right in and out of the swamp Directly ahead of the camera. But I have yet to see the big one.

    Attachments:
    1. Screenshot_20230809_041348_Tactacam-REVEAL-1.jpg

    2. Screenshot_20230809_041513_Tactacam-REVEAL-1.jpg

    Youbetcha
    Anoka County
    Posts: 2841
    #2218104

    Those two are nice deer!

    Bearcat89
    North branch, mn
    Posts: 20324
    #2218106

    This one is as well

    Attachments:
    1. Screenshot_20230809_043946_Tactacam-REVEAL-1.jpg

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