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8 Trail Camera Tips for Achieving Better Results

There is no doubt that trail cameras can serve as a powerful scouting tool. They might help you land your biggest whitetail buck or at least put more meat in your freezer. However, if not used correctly, your game camera won’t deliver either outcome. Here are 8 trail camera tips to help you achieve better results this year.

Avoid Facing the Camera Towards the Sun

Your mother probably advised you not to stare at the sun. That advice still holds true, especially for game cameras. Few things are more frustrating than checking your trail camera only to find countless images of nothing but sunlit foliage. The reason? Heat and movement.

When you position your camera towards the sun, the temperature fluctuates as the summer or fall breeze moves the surrounding vegetation. The camera interprets this combination of heat and motion as a nearby game animal. Your card space quickly fills up, leaving you disappointed when you discover there is no trophy buck in sight—just sunlight and brush.

While it’s not always possible, we recommend positioning your trail cameras to face north whenever you can.

Best cellular trail cameras are sensitive to both heat and movement, so try to minimize those triggers until a living, breathing animal appears.

Secure Your Camera from Theft

Unfortunately, if you leave your game camera unprotected in the woods, there’s a good chance it won’t be there when you return. While a few commercial lock boxes are available, many of them fall short in quality. Although it’s nearly impossible to stop a determined thief, investing in a sturdy camera box is a worthwhile measure. This is especially true if you live or hunt in an area frequented by bears. In such cases, a heavy-duty camera box is really your best option. You can either build one yourself or purchase one at a local pro shop.

If you’re not a fan of lockboxes, consider hanging your cell trail cameras outside the usual line of sight. Positioning them higher up not only makes them less noticeable to passersby but also helps avoid alerting bucks that are wary of cameras. Plus, you’ll gain a unique angle on a buck's rack.

Control Your Scent

Even if hunting season is still months away, the mature buck you're tracking doesn't know that. All he senses is the scent of someone who stopped at a gas station or fast-food spot before entering his territory. He will react accordingly, and you might remain unaware of his response.

To address this, treat every trip to check your trail camera as if you're heading out for a hunt. Make sure you're as scent-free as possible, including your boots, clothing, and body. Everything needs to be clean and odor-free. Additionally, it’s a good idea to time your camera checks just before a big rain, if possible.

Minimize Camera Checks

One of the most common mistakes trail camera users make is frequently checking for images. It’s exciting to retrieve SD cards and view big antlers on your computer screen, but excessive trips to your camera will eventually slow or stop the action altogether. Mature bucks, in particular, are sensitive to repeated disturbances.

To avoid this, try spacing out your camera checks. The less you disturb the area, the less pressure you put on the bucks you’re targeting. As we know, mature bucks don’t respond well to any kind of pressure.

Batteries for Trail Cams

Don’t cut corners when it comes to your trail camera’s batteries. Although you might save some money by opting for cheaper batteries, investing in more expensive lithium batteries is a wiser choice. These will last two to three times longer than alkaline batteries. In addition to longevity, they perform better in extreme heat and cold, and provide slightly more range for your flash. This extended battery life allows your trail camera to stay in the field longer, reducing the need for frequent visits.

It’s also beneficial to start with a camera model known for good battery efficiency. Pairing this with high-quality batteries will enhance your system's overall performance.

Move It or Leave It

Spending time with a trail camera will teach you the art of knowing when to relocate it or when to be patient and let it do its job. If you believe a better spot exists, don’t hesitate to move your camera. Hunters often wait longer than they should, hoping deer will suddenly appear. Sometimes they will, but this depends on factors like the season, available food, cover, and the rut phase. Before making a decision, consider these factors carefully.

Location, Location, Location

No matter how advanced your camera or setup techniques are, they won’t yield much if the location is poor. Before placing your camera, take into account the time of year and your specific goals. Areas like pinch points, funnels, food sources, game trails, and bedding spots are always hotspots for action. Your chosen location should ideally connect to one of these.

Just as with real estate, location is crucial, whether you’re buying or selling a home, starting a business, or hunting a trophy buck. When setting up your trail camera, the exact spot won’t make much difference if the overall area isn’t home to mature bucks in the first place.

Trail Camera Software

Trail camera technology has made significant strides. With this advancement comes the need for efficient and user-friendly software to help organize and analyze the vast amount of data collected. Sifting through hundreds of images of big bucks can be overwhelming, making it difficult to piece together the full picture. Software like that offered by 70MAX is an excellent way to break down and analyze each image. This helps you discover hidden information that may not be immediately apparent through standard methods.

Conclusion

Cheap cellular trail cameras are valuable tools for scouting. However, with some planning and preparation, you can significantly improve their performance, regardless of the model you use.