Trail cam

[bmynbr]

So I got a trail cam last week and put it out where I plan on hunting for the long weekend. How long would you leave it before checking it. I kind of want to check it after a week to see if there is anything there or should I leave it longer. I would hate to leave it there for 3 weeks and show up to have no deer there. Be nice to be able to make new plans if it’s blank.
Thanks in advance. Hoping to get my first big game.
Dave

[Harvest the Land]

It depends. If you're planning on hunting that particular spot where the trail cam is located this fall, I wouldn't check it until you plan on hunting that spot. My experience is the less you go into your hunting spot the better. But if you're not hunting that spot this year, I'd give it at least 2-3 weeks to get a bit of a decent sample size. A lot of the intel you get from trail cameras will guide you where to hunt the following season (not necessarily this fall). Good luck!

[Brez]

Exactly where you place the camera is a huge deal. We always place 2 cameras 50 to 100 meters apart. In one location we have gotten mostly deer on one and elk on the other, another location, we have grizz on one (3 seperate ones) and only elk on the other and they are only 50 m apart. Make sure it is facing north if you can so as not to get the sun in its "eyes". Remove any twig, leaf, etc that may move in a breeze so you don't get photos of nothing. Place it high so it is difficult for animals to reach it and lick and chew it. And as said, don't go disturbing the area, unless of course, the animals there are used to human traffic.

[hunter1947]

Your hunt will start soon so if it where me I would be checking your cam every 3 days if nothing much on the cam then move the cam ,,if not using salt then make sure you put your cam on a well used game trail,,just a note from me if your putting out salt blocks will take the animals a few months to find your salt block and believe me the male animals are not licking salt much anymore the months they the male deer and elk hit the salt licking during the months of June,July and Aug they are almost finished the salt they need within there body by late Aug..

[wos]

This year was the first time i used trail cameras. All the above is good advice. Personally i think they give ma a good sample of an area. They are the best scouting tool a hunter can have. I left mine for 3 weeks before checking. I was stunned at the amount of game i captured.

[Brez]

If you are in a drier area, put a camera up near a water hole. A small spring hidden in the bush is excellent. I follow game trails till they lead me to these places. I have had every animal type that lives in the area show up there. big bull elk, big moose, deer, cougar, bobcat, turkeys, black bear, coyote, etc. All on one camera. Everything but wolves but then I shot one there last year when the camera was off. I'm talking of a place that only offers 15 yard shots. Another good place is where a few game trails intersect. If you are hunting elk, a wallow.

[caddisguy]

For new cam sites I smear a bit of peanut butter around to help the deer find the salt. However, I learned not to do this in the spring/summer in my area as there are too many camera murdering bears around.

I have 2 cams out so far this year in new-to-me areas. Looking forward to seeing what is creeping around.

[Jelvis]

WOS I want to know where you ahhhh how do I say it with out sounding ahh put your camera Hahahahaha
Jello Marshy Mello-rock a fello --> the mu at thee least for Judas Priest!

[two-feet]

I put up my first cam this year, in 6-04. My first batch of 350 pics was 4 of a cow/calf pair, 346 of waving branches. Have not been back due to the fires, it did not burn but was surrounded. Curious to see what movement there was wih all the fires and suppresion activity.

[wos]

WOS I want to know where you ahhhh how do I say it with out sounding ahh put your camera Hahahahaha
Jello Marshy Mello-rock a fello --> the mu at thee least for Judas Priest!

Jelvis you know i hunt up zipper mouth cr. Just past big buck ridge on no name mountain.