After looking through all the TC pics for 2013 I thought it might help some of the first time users if some of us shared how we set a camera up ie. 90* or 45* to the trail, attached to a tree or stake, Sun Position Etc.
I'll start by saying I generally set up with the camera at a angle to the trail or creek crossing that i'm watching it seems to give you a little more time to see what's on the trail.
Steve
Don't have a camera yet but, am looking forward to this thread. I will no doubt learn a bunch.
Generally face north or south to beat the sun, not to close to swaying branches so you dont have 152 pics of nothing, beaten paths, fence crossings, active year round scrapes.
Out west, if possible, I like to hang mine about 6-8 feet up in the tree and angled downwards. When I hang them at eye level, I've had a lot of elk and bears trash my cameras.
Don't put it on too small a tree.If the tree sways in the wind,you will get false triggers every 10 seconds or whatever your delay is set on.As stated,you don't want branches within the detection zone that may sway in the wind but you need to also lookout for weeds that may spring up in front of the camera.A weed can go from almost nothing to tall enough to cause false triggers during a wind,in about 2 weeks.I try to check mine about once a week when I can and check for such issues.
It is a good idea to keep them out of hard,direct sunlight in the hottest part of the summer.If you have bears,don't handle the camera if you have any food odors on your hands.Personally,I use bear boxes on all my cameras.It solves a lot of problems.
I use my digital pocket camera to view SD cards at the site and keep an extra SD card for each trail camera so I can change them out to bring a card home that has pictures.
When I view pictures at the scene,I try to analyze any false triggers and see if I can correct the issue then and their.Often it is something like a weed that sprouted up and the sun is hitting it.I carry a folding saw and a light,2' brush axe for any needed trimming.
I used to try to set mine aiming North when possible but the terrain and situation often dictate which way it will be.I do try to avoid aiming at any mid day hot spots caused by the sun.
If you are setting on trails,you probably want the shortest time delay between shots as possible.That will still only get you one shot of most traveling animals.If you set at a feeder,bait or mineral lick,you may need to increase your time delay.
Ya trail cams are super fun but not without their frustrations. I bought a small digital camera at wally world to view the SD cards my trail cams use. it was much cheaper than the sold "viewers" and did a great job.
the cheaper cameras I have don't have an in camera view screen so I use the small camera to double check my set up angle. it frustratin to come back to a set and see a bad angle with worthless shots.
how often to check... big judgement call to me. I don't want to be there to frequent and leave my smell around but ive had coon and bear nose my camera out of wack till I come to check on it.
Read that paper called INSTRUCTIONS!!! some cameras prefer certain sd cards and some cameras give you the option to format the sd card to the camera. that troubled me in the beginning. weeks with no image. utilize the cameras web site to problem solve, this can be helpful too.
lock it to the tree! no cable is human proof. if some one wants it small bolt cutters will get ownership transferred in an afternoon. I have lost a few but a Primos type camera cable system puts the cable through the camera body... other cameras have flimsy plastic cable loops in the back you can easily break the cable from. look and consider?!
It was nerve racking to me at first strapping hundreds of dollars in cameras, sd cards, batteries to trees and walking away BUT getting a crystal clear photo of the biggest buck in your area compared to simply seeing him run a hot past you at 50yds once during the rut... PRICELESS!!!
Deer always pick up on the camera so you need to keep them guessing. Leave it for a week or two, check it, then rotate it 180 around the tree. You'll be surprised what's walking behind it....