Don’t You Just Hate It…

When the only picture you get from your trail camera is something like this?

Actually, I’m pretty sure I know what deer is PARTIALLY pictured here, but still why can’t they just cooperate a bit more by walking directly in front of the camera without being such teases?

Oh, and for those of you who think deer are scared off when a trail camera goes flash…here’s proof this doe didn’t seem to mind.   She stuck her nose right into the picture.   Not just once…but twice!

Only 7 seconds apart.

As this deer casually walks away you have to wonder what is going through its mind.

During 2008 I have taken close to 600 deer pictures with my trail cameras and based on my experience if you are buying infrared cameras to eliminate the flash for fear of scaring the deer…it’s a waste of money.   On the other hand, if you buy infrared just to get more enhanced nighttime shots it probably is a good investment.

Just a couple of final thoughts on what I have learned from the trail cameras this spring/summer/early fall.   Almost all of the bucks I have captured have been moving quickly.   You can tell by the fact the pictures more often than not show motion blur.   As a hunter, this tells me that a nice buck is not going to lolly-gag near my stand when it moves through.   I need to be ready for a shot at a moments notice, if I want to score on a buck.

I’ve also learned that the bucks seem to stay clear of the well worn trails running directly on the clearcut.   Instead, when I see buck action they appear to be cutting across the clearcut.   Often times the bucks have popped out from behind the camera only to make a brief appearance in the more open areas.   On my land, at least, the bucks definitely use different trails than the does…trails that seem to keep them under cover a bit more.   Just my two cents.

How have others done with their trail cameras this year?

2008 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.