Check trail cameras sparingly
Trail cameras are wonderful inventions for hunters to inventory their deer herd over the summer. And it also allows hunters to see how big the residual bucks have grown from previous years. But overuse and poor retrieval methods can be detrimental. That’s true even during the summer when hunting season isn’t even open.
Deer are less spooky during the summer than any other time. But even mature deer will keep their guard up. And they will change their travel patterns if too much unnatural disturbance interferes with their daily movements.
Cameras that transmit images through cellular networks cause the least disturbances. However, most hunters are still using cameras that must be manually checked to retrieve image data. For the least impact on deer’s natural patterns, hunters should retrieve the camera’s SD cards at times when deer are least likely to be using the area. The trail camera’s time stamps will tell the hunter when the best times are to retrieve the cameras.
Deer are on a predictable pattern this time of year
Trail cameras should be checked as little as possible to prevent excessive disturbances in the areas. Hunters can also move the cameras to new areas to help keep deer comfortable in their daily travels. Generally, deer are on a solid pattern this time of year. They are hitting food, water and bedding areas on a schedule. Hunters can get a good idea of what animals are using these trails with a few weeks of footage.
Hunters should employ the same scent-control tactics this time of year as they do when checking trail cameras during the season. Rubber boots, latex gloves and an overall attention to human scent will help reduce impacts and provide the lightest footprint possible.
Scent-control should be important any time deer hunters enter the woods to work on stands, and especially during surveillance sessions when natural travel patterns are pursued.
