Trail Cam/Western Hunting/Public land = Necessary?

[yycyak]

Hi all,

Wondering how many of you guys bother with trail cams on public land out west? Is it a big part of your strategy/scouting prep? Or are they more of a cool gadget than something that's worth bothering with, especially on public land?

I'm thinking of picking a few up for this pre-season, but I don't want to waste money on gear that would just become a novelty.

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[Felix40]

They are a major part of my strategy here in NM. I will be putting some on water this summer to try to find a buck worth hunting. Ive even been using one for sheep to try to figure out where I can kill one with a bow.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

I have put them out the last few years and from my perspective they have made no difference in my hunts and only really told me what I already knew from seeing sign hiking in and out to place the cameras. I can see them being more effective in water scarce areas. Always neat to see what the camera has captured though, and that alone is worth it to me.

 

[Daniel0307]

Placing trail cams has definitely made a huge difference, I’ve been putting them out for the last 5 years... I live in Oklahoma and hunt in Colorado.. I make a trip up in July and put 3-4 cams out and check them when I go back for archery... I try to get there 1-2 days before season to take them down and check pics... I’ve had one or two stolen but totally worth the info... I have about 60% success rate on OTC public land

 

[Mt Al]

Check regulations for having them out during hunting season, I think it's a no-no in Montana.

I haven't used them but may, like Nickofthewoods, put one or two out just for fun in the late summer.

 

[Wrench]

I've got 4 cams that have spent about a week in the field. I basically don't want to be in my hunting area unless I'm there to kill stuff.

With that said, I kill very average to slightly better than average stuff. No whitetail bucks over 168, no bulls over 320. I think the guys around me who target trophy class animals HAVE to use them or own the sanctuary that these animals live in. I have average time off and can be satisfied with average critters....so it works for me.

 

[maverick]

We use them. It's fun to see whats around. I like putting them on wallows. I have had 2 stolen in the last 10 yers. One was in a box and locked to the tree. I quit using straps or cables and now use screw in mounts. Place them in odd spots and brush them in.
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[137buck]

Check regulations for having them out during hunting season, I think it's a no-no in Montana.

I haven't used them but may, like Nickofthewoods, put one or two out just for fun in the late summer.

The game and fish changed that rule two years ago, you can have them out year round now. I use them, have four that I run, and love having them out and seeing what critters are in the area.

 

[16Bore]

Never got into trail cams, except for letting my daughter see what was in the back yard.

Don’t really see the point of taking a picture of something, then shooting it, then taking a picture of it dead, then pretending like I did something heroic to get Instagram likes.

#whatsthepoint

 

[Oregon]

I’ve never put one out. Never will. I know folks in whitetail country who used to send me pics off trail cam all the time.
I let them know to send only pics of dead critters.
For some reason I never got pics??
Go forth, hunt.
Anticipation of the unknown is the fun part!

 

[16Bore]

Might as well fence it in and give it an ear tag.

 

[Clarktar]

Might as well fence it in and give it an ear tag.

Wait, are you insinuating there is a similarity between putting up game cameras on public land and high fence "canned" hunts?? I'm not the brightest bulb and likely am just not following your logic here.

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[JohnnyB]

Trail cams have become a different hobby all together for me. They don't impact hunting for me, but I enjoy seeing what and who are out at different times of the year. I have several trail cams and don't feel like the more expensive ones get me anything the moderately priced cams get. I don't have any cellular cams so i can't comment on those. Its a lot of fun reviewing thousands of pictures during the off season.

 

[16Bore]

Trail cams are the hunting equivalent to online dating. Fenced hunts are like a whorehouse.

But hey, each to his own....

 

[Clarktar]

Trail cams are the hunting equivalent to online dating. Fenced hunts are like a whorehouse.

But hey, each to his own....

I'm still lost (no surprise) but agree; To each their own".

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[16Bore]

Let me ask this. If one puts up a trail cam in a particular area, is it considered “your spot” and are others expected to yield to it?

 

[Clarktar]

Let me ask this. If one puts up a trail cam in a particular area, is it considered “your spot” and are others expected to yield to it?

Certainly not. Is that a perspective you have come across? I haven't, but if people are thinking along those lines they should revisit the definition of public land.

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[wind gypsy]

Let me ask this. If one puts up a trail cam in a particular area, is it considered “your spot” and are others expected to yield to it?

No. But I’m a satisfied user of bumble/tinder so my moral compass must be off..

 

[5MilesBack]

Let me ask this. If one puts up a trail cam in a particular area, is it considered “your spot” and are others expected to yield to it?

Well of course. I don't want any pictures of losers on my cams. The least they can do is walk around the back side of the cam so they aren't in my pictures. Only wildlife please.

 

[Billy Goat]

I have heard the sentiment about trail cams being cheating from a few people. Generally they can't figure out how to use them and I think they hold a grudge against those who do. I wonder for those who only want pictures of dead animals I guess you don't care for photography either? Only after a picture of someone holding a big set of horns? Certainly you don't care to learn more about your quarry. Running trail cameras is a different sport. Yes there is some over lap with hunting. But especially out west it's not like you pin animals down with them. It was quite a learning experience for me putting them on wallows. It will show you what is in the area. Here in the east only once have they ever helped me pattern a buck to the extent I sat expecting to kill it. That buck was literally showing up under a certain white oak 3 times a day. Of course I find mature animals and try to target them. But many times on my farms it's easier to glass them then to get a picture of them.


Public ground is public ground. All normal rules apply. Haven't ever seen anyone "yield" to a trail camera. Maybe they use different signage than I do. I normally have mine so nobody notices them. One of the biggest things I find is people doing illegal activity on public land. Maybe that's a reason to not like them.