creed_az_88 Report post Posted February 4, 2005 I need to know how you guys set up your trail cams. I don't have one yet but i will soon. Do you guys bait or is a waterhole good idea? Do you just get on a well-traveled trail and hope to get lucky? A trail cam should help me out a lot and do a lot of my scouting for me, although I won't just quit going out on my own. How often do you guys check them and is it a hassle? Thanks a lot, Creed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
galiuro mountain man Report post Posted February 4, 2005 I use water or trails. I set my cams 3 feet high, pointing north(less sun glare). I check mine on every scouting trip, every one to two weeks, all summer long. I recommend putting it where people wont find it, some will steal or shoot it. After the first roll of film you will be addicted, and will have more fun just getting the pics, than using it for scouting. If you have a few hours of spare time, I would recommend building your own. GMM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
az4life Report post Posted February 5, 2005 You might try the search function on that question. Lots of posts on that topic in a thread about 2-3 months ago. Probably other threads too, but I recall that was a good one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ddy58 Report post Posted February 8, 2005 I have four trail cams now and I love them. Mostly I use them for hunting Muleys at high elevations but the same things probably apply. If I was you I would get a digital one for sure. They may cost more but you can save a lot on film and prints. I have mine set at 3 to 4 feet off the ground and either facing up or down a well used trail, this usually gets you better full body shots instead of just butts. Just make sure to secure them well and try to find hidden spots or they will walk away. Ive had one stolen and one had pictures of a guy trying to steal it. I prefer the Cuddeback digital but I just bought a new different one and havent tried it out yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAM Report post Posted February 8, 2005 Everything said so far is right on the money. I set them out mostly over water, salt, or trails. Do whatever you can to secure them to the tree because people will steal them. I have several of the 35mm film type and have used them with great success, they do however get expensive to operate (batteries & film). I will attempt building a digital camera this spring and see if it is more cost & time effective. Go to www.pixcontroller.com if you are interested in building one, they have turnkey kits available at reasonable prices. I also use my cameras all year round and not just right before the hunts. Good Luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Becker Report post Posted February 9, 2005 I have had good success on trails to water. My father has placed his on many water situations and he gets a lot of birds setting off the camera and wasting film. However you probably give up some pics of animals coming to the water on other trails. I try to leave my camera on different trails to the same water source and have been successful in getting pictures of different deer using the same water but only on one trail. Anyway the best advise I think is to stick your camera out there and see what works the best. Becker Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
j-rod Report post Posted February 9, 2005 This is one of my latest pics! Always face them north! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kwp Report post Posted February 9, 2005 Wow, that is sweet. Looks like it is on a salt lick in a saddle, am I right? Also is that another camera on the adjacent tree? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kwp Report post Posted February 9, 2005 Here are a couple of photos off of my cam over a salt lick. The cam is on a scronny little mesquite tree but it was the only way for it to face north and it ended up working. This is the first time I am posting pics in the forum so hopefully it works Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TREESTANDMAN Report post Posted February 9, 2005 Great pictures KWP. thanks for sharing. I personally have set my cameras facing all different directions and have had no problems at all. I seldom have problem pictures or blanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TREESTANDMAN Report post Posted February 9, 2005 My buddy, TAM, has a picture of 3 adult lions (in one picture) at a water tank. It appears to be a mother and her two grown kittens. These cameras are very addicting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azhuntnut Report post Posted February 10, 2005 kwp, Is that bear picture a recent picture? I can't wait to get a camera up and get some pictures like that. What kind of camera are you using? David Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
111 Report post Posted February 10, 2005 I'm using the non-typical trail camera and it works great. I would like to buy about two more. If any of you have had luck with the cheaper cameras working as well as the $200-$300 cameras please let me know. J-Rod and KWP nice pics! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kwp Report post Posted February 10, 2005 No the bear picture is not that recent. It was from last August. The camera that I have is one of the cheap $60 ones from Wal-Mart and so far it has worked great. My brother also has one and has never had a problem with it. I have never used one of the more expensive ones so I couldn't tell you how they compare. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coues7 Report post Posted February 10, 2005 If your gonna build trail camera's get your stuff from www.hagshouse.com the stuff is half the cost of pixcontroller and more user friendly. Buying kits is ok but you will come out further ahead buying individual parts. (ie box, camera, board, glass etc. Scott Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
