Keep those cameras focused

Even though trail cameras have been around for decades, hunters have only recently learned how to get the most out of their surveillance equipment.

For most hunters, trail cameras usually get a new set of batteries and hit the woods during the late summer. Hunters hope to see last year’s borderline bucks with a larger set of headgear or maybe even a group of bachelor studs feasting on luscious food plots before the season opener. After the season starts, trail cameras begin to lose their luster, with fewer eye-popping shots to pass around the hunting camp. As the rut peaks this month, however, trail cameras couldn’t be any more valuable.

As rutting activity accelerates and cold weather sets in, deer will alter their travel patterns. Hunters need to deploy as many trail cameras as possible to determine which stand to hunt in the morning, afternoon or even during the middle of the day. Taking it one step further, an awesome early season stand may become a desert after the acorns begin falling, and other places may become more appealing. Trail cameras on or near deer stands can help hunters decide to move to other areas to hunt during the rut.

Bucks during the rut are obviously looking for does in heat. Bucks will expand their home ranges in order to find an available mate — especially the Bullwinkle-sized brutes looking anywhere to pass along their genetic material. Trail cameras can alert hunters when a monster buck shows up in the area. Often, these new bucks showing up unexpectedly and will only be around for a short time — and that gives hunters the signal to take those last few sick days from work.