trail camera setup

[couesarcher]

I set up my trail camera for the first time 2 weeks ago on a spring; I went out this past weekend to retrieve my film.

 

As I approached the camera from behind as to not activate the sensor, I saw a coues deer (doe) run from the area. I saw that the camera had been tripped 99 times. You couldn’t imagine the excitement to see that. I Changed the film and batteries and left.

 

When I had the filmed developed I was quit disappointed to see that I had 24 pictures of a branch from a tree that I had not noticed that was in the way. That was a learning experience.

 

My question to all is. How far away do you set up your camera from the objects (tanks, springs or salt beds) you trying get pictures of?

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Terry

[TREESTANDMAN]

I try to set my camera from 5-15 yds from the water/salt/trail because the pictures are better, especially w/ the 35mm stealthcams or moultrie. The flash for these cameras does not reach that far either so usually closer is better in my opinion.

[coues7]

Like TREESTANDMAN said, if you use the 35 mm they are slower and the flash is not as good as the digitals so you'll need to be fairly close to a tank or salt setup. If you are going to put it on a trail and catch them as the are moving you will need to move it back so that the sensor can pick the animal's movement up and then snap a picture before they leave the view of the camera.

 

ALWAYS set your camera facing North or South (as much as possible). If you have to go buy a compass so you know which way N/S is.....you should know how to use one anyway it will save your butt when you gps doesn't work. If you set the cam east/west the sun will trip the camera

 

all my cams have sensitivity settings on the PIR (passive infrared) which is what detects the heat and movement of the animal and triggers the camera. You can adjust this depending on your setup.

 

Clear all brush and anything that will move away from the camera....you learned this the hard way....sorry. Your sensor pics up motion in a conic (funnel) type pattern so set your camera up so that it will pick up movement where ever you want.......if you put food in from of your camera your going to move the camera closer to the ground.

 

Set your camera up on sturdy trees and what not. If the wind blows and sways whatever your attached to your gonna get false triggers and no pics....except for the beautiful landscape

[TAM]

I'll just add that in my two years of experience with several models of trail cameras (both film and digital) you will always get some false pic's. There is not much way around it. In my best guess I'd say as many as 10-15% could be nothing. If you are getting any more than that you may want to tweak your set up.

[coues7]

a lot of times when you go out and get the memory stick out of the digital you'll see a completely black night time pic.....something made the camera go off. Often if you upload the picture and then enhance it with photo software on your computer......guess what.....there is something in the picture. This can only be done with the digital cams though.

 

I agree with TAM's comments. If you are getting lots of daytime pics that don't have anything in them...go to a bigger tree, cut away some more branches or change the direction your cam is setting.

 

Scott