Checking cams during rut

[badgerbybirth]

I haven’t upgraded to cell cams so I still need to physically visit each camera to check the pictures. During the rut I’d love to see where the action is, but I don’t want to spook anything. Am I being too cautious?

 

[hunt1up]

I think it comes down to the type of property you hunt. I know guys that hunt big timber and they don't think twice about walking or driving to their cameras and it doesn't seem to hurt a thing. I hunt several smaller pieces of timber and walking around can be risky business. Either way, the less human presence the better but the impact can vary greatly by property.

 

[WCB]

I agree with the above....IMO 90% of situations guys make too big of a deal and make things difficult for themselves. Go check your cameras...but bring your gun or bow as more than once I've done the "quick hang a stand" or check camera thing only to have a close encounter with a mature buck...

 

[cadet18]

Deer are going to deer, don't overthink it. In my experience picture quantity always slows down during the rut as bucks aren't hitting food sources where I typically run cameras.

 

[long hunter]

Never had a problem, drive in check cameras drive out does not seem to bother them at all. The area I hunt is pretty rugged, during hunting season I drive to the first bench on the mountain park and walk about 100 yards to my blind, I cannot see the truck while hunting but coming out late have seen deer walk right by the truck.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I check cameras more often during the rut. I’ve never seen any negative impacts to me doing this. This is on small acreage.

 

[badgerbybirth]

I appreciate the feedback. Sounds like I need to stop being so paranoid. I’ll definitely bring my bow. Don’t want a potential opportunity to be wasted.

 

[dtrkyman]

I managed thousands of acres for some guys for a while, as well as being a guide for years. I generally put all my cameras in places I can drive right up too.

Plenty of farming activity and I would rather bump them with the truck than myself on foot!

If you want to run some cams back in the timber just check them when you hunt or on days when it is windy and you can sneak in without too much disturbance.

 

[Btaylor]

I managed thousands of acres for some guys for a while, as well as being a guide for years. I generally put all my cameras in places I can drive right up too.

Plenty of farming activity and I would rather bump them with the truck than myself on foot!

If you want to run some cams back in the timber just check them when you hunt or on days when it is windy and you can sneak in without too much disturbance.

Spot on imo.

 

[ArkLaTex]

I quit worrying about it. I have upgraded to some cellular cameras but still have some old Coverts out.

 

[badgerbybirth]

I have been eyeing up the Tactacam Reveal XB. A friend has a couple and raves about them.

 

[ArkLaTex]

I have been eyeing up the Tactacam Reveal XB. A friend has a couple and raves about them.

I have been very pleased with Tactacam. This is my 3rd year to run them. For the price, I don't know if they can be beat. I added a XB this season. It is a good one. Their custom service is great. Just set the camera up like they suggest and you're good to go!

 

[Team4LongGun]

Can't believe nobody mentioned Cuddelink cams. I think they are the best of both worlds-you don't go in and bump deer to check cams, and its not as expensive as cellular. The daisy chain works well.

 

[OXN939]

Am I being too cautious?

No. Really large mature Whitetail are like a different species. If they are smart enough to see and actively avoid trail cameras, you'd better believe they're picking up on human scents dispersed in their home ranges.

 

[Honyock]

One thing to consider about a cellular trail camera, depending on how far you live from your hunting area, cell trail cameras can save a lot of gas money and time. I live about 90 miles from where I hunt and it's about a $40 gas bill and 3.5 hour round trip. We run 7 cell cameras on our place and unless one sight is not producing or a camera quits, we don't even bother checking them. Also fun to get deer porn on your phone while you are at work.