Checking trail cams

Cyclic-Rivers · August 20, 2012, 09:25:00 AM

How often do you check your trail cameras?

I just put one up for the first time and am constantly fighting the urge to check it every day. I put it up Saturday morning.

My other desire to check it is because it has a rechargeable battery and I think it may not hold a charge very well. I would hate for it to sit all week with dead batteries. I also would hate to be trampeling all over the area and scent it up.

Is once a week ok?

Bob B. · August 20, 2012, 09:35:00 AM

By me I find once a week may be pushing iit, especially if it is humid ... sems to keep my scent around longer.

I check every two weeks ... yes it is really hard to do. Once I begin actively hunting, I switch SD cards every time I hunt near the camera.

Good luck.

Bob.

Tree Killer · August 20, 2012, 09:51:00 AM

I usually go once a week. The deer and elk don't mind as long as you leave them treats when you leave!

I just deployed a couple of Tcams on elk wallows and won't check them for 3 weeks to a month. Hope I get some video of bulls playing in mud.

Onestringer · August 20, 2012, 09:51:00 AM

I check them every week all year long. I hunt a farm where there are cattle, farm trucks, neighbors, and a park goes along one side where people walk trails, ride horses and jog. The deer are used to human sent so I really don't concern myself too much with leaving scent. At least every week I can check the batteries and move them if nothing is walking in front of the camera.

wildgame · August 20, 2012, 10:26:00 AM

Like one stringer, I've got a farm like his that I check every week. But I also have a farm that is more remote and only check every two weeks! My cameras run for about 3000-10000 pics on a set of batteries so I don't have worry as much.

JimB · August 20, 2012, 10:51:00 AM

One week is a good interval.If I wait longer,there is always a chance that a weed or some other growth will sprout up and cause false triggers when the wind blows.Part of checking the cams is maintenance on stuff like that.Recently I had a dead limb fallen across one and it messed up some elk pictures.

Joeabowhunter · August 20, 2012, 07:09:00 PM

once a week if I'm trying to locate where the activity is, every two weeks if the camera is in a tried and true spot.

lpcjon2 · August 20, 2012, 07:14:00 PM

I have one facing the back door to catch my oldest son sneaking out, that gets checked daily...LOL but the ones afield go weekly, and when the season approaches and guys start scouting I do a three day check to see who is near my area and to make sure they didnt try and take it. I have the old school c battery type and they last more than a few weeks.

August 20, 2012, 07:17:00 PM

when i first got one, i checked it every few days until i was sure it was working the way it should then i slacked off and just check every two weeks or so,....id say go check it and lets see what ya got!

Cyclic-Rivers · August 20, 2012, 08:24:00 PM

Thanks guys, Like stated earlier, I am concerned about battery life. I may go check it later this week. I hope by the pictures taken, I will be able to determine when the battery was last working, should give me an idea when It died.

My concern about checking mid week is during prime hours. since I am learning this spot, I may wait till mid day Saturday to be safe. The area gets a lot of pressure and I think this spot will be somewhat of a sanctuary.

rolltidehunter · August 20, 2012, 08:26:00 PM

Once a week. Sat to sat

awbowman · August 20, 2012, 08:28:00 PM

Beginning in early summer, I check once a week until one month before season, then one week before opening day. That's when I'll decide on where I will hunt based on daylight pictures and wind direction

koger · August 20, 2012, 09:31:00 PM

Once a week, Sat to sat, and do it int the middle of the day, not in the prime movement times, if at all possible.

ti-guy · August 20, 2012, 09:42:00 PM

Every 2-3 weeks for me because of distance but once a week seems ok to me.

ericmerg · August 20, 2012, 10:26:00 PM

once a week for my timelapse and once every 3 weeks for motions