Article by: Aaron Hepler

Sometimes running trail cameras on public land sucks. SD cards are often stolen, if not the whole camera. Any mistake, like forgetting to turn the camera on, could mean wasted effort and probably a long hike. Thankfully, those factors are only a small part of running cameras on public land. But when weighing the risk versus reward, the reward on public land is tough to match. 

Trail cameras can be excellent scouting tools for hunters who use them wisely. 

Due to the numerous challenges on public land, hunters often give up their best efforts to establish a robust trail cam regimen. However, practicing mindful habits will help you utilize these tools effectively.

1. When to Hang Trail Cameras

Follow a good routine of hanging your cameras in June or July. But as late as August or September is fine as long as you keep your impact low. 

Summer hangs make sense for two reasons. One is because who doesn't love some good velvet pictures? The other reason is that it keeps human pressure spread out. Even though a scouting trip this early may not impact deer that will be there in the fall, your scouting trip won't be the only one happening this summer. The less intrusion there is, the better your pictures and hunting will be.

Removing your cameras comes with a few instructions attached as well. First, don't pull them; be patient. If you're not getting what you want to see on camera, it could just be the wrong time of year. A dud in July could be a stud in October! You never know what will happen in front of the lens until that camera has been there for at least a year. Second, if you're concerned about stolen trail cameras, use a targeted time frame. If you know that there’s a small crowd in archery season, but a massive one in rifle season, you might have to consider pulling those cameras to protect your investment.

2. Casting a Wide Net - Where to Place Your Trail Cameras

Setting trail cameras with proper coverage of the area you’re scouting is crucial. One or two cameras in the locations you plan to hunt aren't much help in learning the movement patterns in a new place. Less coverage can happen later when you’ve dialed an area in.

Spread a web of cameras like a spider looking for its next meal. Instead of picking a place to hunt before collecting data, use the intel to choose the best spots.

When weaving your web, hang cameras on a variety of sign and terrain features. Everyone loves a good scrape, but don't skip travel routes, water holes, drainage crossings, rub lines, and bedding areas. 

Can you see a lightly traveled trail? There might be a single deer using that trail. Confirm your suspicions with tracks and scat. Is there buck sign close by? It could be the home of a brute that no one has been able to find in season. But how will you know if you don't put a camera there?

3. Using Hunting Pressure to Your Advantage

Pressure is a fickle element on public land, and it can be tough to pin down where it’s the worst. One larger area could see less pressure than a smaller location 5 to 10 miles down the road. But despite the pressure, there are probably big bucks on both those properties. 

Keep track of when you see people in person and on your cameras. Knowing when the crowd is present will tell you the best days and optimal weather conditions for hunting. It will also fill you in on where deer go to hide. The more people, the more bucks will fall outside of normal behavior. This is where you’ll start to see bucks with weird habits like bedding right next to parking or whatever they can do to keep better tabs on fooling hunters. It’s important to consider that deer don’t need you to be there to know that you’ve been there! In fact, they know you’ve been there days after your last visit.

Although it's disappointing to discover that there are people on your camera, that information can still be useful. Do you really want to hunt alongside a group of other people? Better to know than to climb a tree in the dark and see another hunter 50 yards away at sunrise.

So, how much pressure is too much? It all boils down to the pressure deer are willing to tolerate. Initially, determining what is too much will come from collecting data over a year or two. What kind of pressure are you seeing? Hunters, mushroom pickers, dog training, recreational traffic, or any of the other fun activities that happen on public land? The type of impact matters to a deer. If it's just someone passing through (like someone walking a dog), it will have a less negative effect than someone squatting down in a bed or placing their hand on a rub.

4. Trail Camera Damage and Theft

Hanging cameras high and locking them up helps deter theft. But thieves will often go to extreme measures. I’ve even heard of some cutting down trees to get cameras. The best way to prevent theft is to place cameras out of view. Dense cover makes cameras hard to find, so crawling on your hands and knees until you reach an opening will keep more cameras in your stock.

For bugs that lurk in and around your cameras, I’d  suggest permethrin spray. Spray your camera strap or paracord in Sawyer permethrin and the bark around the camera. That will usually prevent bugs from entering your camera. Additionally, sealing the microphone hole with tape will deter ants from entering the case.

5. Should You Hunt Next to Your Trail Camera?

Use careful thought when hunting over a trail camera site. If you notice deer in your area are skittish and look up often, you might want to hunt out of view of that particular camera. 

Additionally, if your pictures often show deer looking at your camera, they may become aware of your presence. Even if they don't spook, they will likely be on high alert. You don’t need to be a mile away from the camera, but placing cover or distance between you and the trail camera is a good idea.

6. Trail Cameras Don't Replace Woodsmanship and Scouting

My Grandfather always used to tell me, "There's more room around 'em than there is on 'em, Aaron." He was usually talking about making a kill shot on an animal. But the same can be said for trail cameras.

The point I'm making is that there are more woods than your trail cameras can see. Trust your judgment when you're scouting. When the deer are making sign, and the spot makes sense, don't dismiss that spot because you didn't get a good picture. We live in a tech-savvy world, but sometimes nothing can replace good scouting habits and instinct. 

7. Frequency of Checking Trail Cameras

Should you check them every two weeks, four weeks, six months, or even a year? You guessed it! The answer is, again, watch the impact you're leaving behind! Cell cameras can help tremendously with impact on your camera sites, but many areas in the big woods and mountains do not offer great cell reception on the side hills and in the bottoms.

The best way to check your cameras is to consider where those cameras are placed. 

– Bedding = Least frequent checks. (every 2-4 months)

– Isolated food = Moderate-low checks. (every 6-8 weeks)

– Travel = Moderate-high checks (every 4-6 weeks)

– Major food sources = Most checks (every 4 weeks)

Check your cameras less often as the days get closer to hunting season. 

No more than one check is ideal when hiking past a camera during the season. It's better to save that intel for future years. 

A crucial part of a camera check is to avoid backtracking. The more you double back, the more scent you'll leave behind. Sometimes we need answers, so if an in-season check is needed, plan a direct path to all the camera sites. Skip cameras that are outside your planned loop. 

Putting missing pieces together without seeing a picture is crucial to utilizing camera intelligence. You’ll learn quickly that trail cameras are the tool of trial and error themself. 

 

For more information on using trail cameras - check out the East Meets West Hunt podcast and the Mountain Buck Scouting Series on YouTube.

About the author: Aaron Hepler has spent time hunting from the age of 12, fueling his passion for writing. His love for the outdoors never goes unnoticed by everyone who meets him. Bow hunting, hiking with his family, camping, fishing, and almost anything that gets him in nature will do. Residing in Pennsylvania, his day job as an intensive care nurse doesn't stop him from being outside as often as possible. He hosts the In Camp Podcast. You can find the podcast on Apple and Spotify.