First time camera guy ( my first pics) no deer

[apache12]

So I bought a Cuddeback Ambush black flash ir

 

Cheap at bass pro

 

This may seem like a moronic question but when do you decide its time to move the camera? The obvious is of course no game on camera. But this has been up only a week and it's on a spot that I saw good bucks last jan during rut hunt and saw two does last week when I hung it. But after being up for a week I have javelina pics and a skunk.

Am I panicking if I move it? Archery in two weeks so while I think there is deer in this area maybe my specific location is bad

 

It has active trail sign and scat. On kind of a choke point where game must move through

 

By the way. The camera performed really well. Great color pic in day nice night pics and no false pics. Even with a bit of sun glare from my mistake in hanging. Good deal for $99

[Shedhunteraz]

You will know in 30 days if it has life. We tend to "try" an area up to a year. Sometimes the hit and sometimes they don't. Depending on where you have it, up north or down in the lower elevation will make some difference. All of our good cameras have been fairly slow this year. But when we get a weather pattern or shift they come back. Good luck, post some pics when you get them.

[apache12]

Clearly I didn't point this north enough but no false pics from the sun

 

Funny I hunted this sport for pugs with the 10 year old last spring and never saw one. Funny

 

Hoping with the cooler weather this week deer move through

[GreyGhost85]

be patient young grasshoppa. you cannot give up on a spot after a week. I have honey holes that have been unproductive for a year or more, then they suddenly take off. placing a camera out 2 weeks before deer season and expecting results is a little too much to ask for. get multiple cameras and spread them out in a few square mile area, once you find what you are looking for, move your cameras into a smaller and smaller area until you have that specific buck's pattern figured out. patterning a big buck takes a lot of work. most of the mature deer I have on camera only come around every couple of weeks. I think they make big "loops " in certain area. pulling your camera premature can make you miss that one photo you need of the big old buck walking by.

[apache12]

Thanks grey ghost. I really just got the camera because it was on sale and I felt like it was time to try cameras. Pics went back and bought two more. So I'm going to do as you say and place the others out in the same area. I hope to be really set up for December and January. I didn't want to set them on water because if people stealing them. But I'm trying to find routes to water and to beds

 

But in the desert those routes are numerous. Do have any tips on staying off water and making camera effective? Thanks

[ready2hunt]

Thanks grey ghost. I really just got the camera because it was on sale and I felt like it was time to try cameras. Pics went back and bought two more. So I'm going to do as you say and place the others out in the same area. I hope to be really set up for December and January. I didn't want to set them on water because if people stealing them. But I'm trying to find routes to water and to beds

 

But in the desert those routes are numerous. Do have any tips on staying off water and making camera effective? Thanks

 

It depends on what you want to do with the camera. If you are using it to see what kind of traffic the immediate (15'x20') area get then it did exactly what you wanted and it tells you that there are not many deer taking that route in the 2 weeks it was out (2 weeks is not much at all). You can (albeit not very often) come across a trail that a buck uses consistently but we all know the big ones get big for a reason and it more of the exception than the rule. You do have to give it time and I agree with greyghost about patterns.

 

Now, if you are trying to draw them in then that is a whole different ball game. Don't make the mistake that most people do which is- They find a spot that looks good just put out a camera and/or salt and leave it. Yes, eventually (could even take a few season like some of my spots) they can become heavily used areas and very productive. But you can more efficient and think ahead- find a spot that you can sneak in and out of effectively without disturbing the area. Take into account the wind from canyons, hills etc so if it is archery season you know come and go and maybe get a shot. I have even created my own game trails with a rake (a trick I read in a magazine), it works like a charm to pull deer exactly where I want them for a blind or tree stand (me hitting the broadside of a barn with my bow though is a whole different story).

 

Some people have negative comments or feelings about game cameras but I can honestly say I have about as much fun setting and pulling cameras as I do actually hunting. I get to see things that my poor hunting skills wont allow me.

 

PS. Hide your camera. Put it among brush, rocks etc. Near water or not, people can see them or hear them when they walk by. If you can get to the area so can someone else. I love putting mine in dead-fall and branches that wont sway. A tree trunk is easiest but unless you have a latter and are putting it high and angling down then it becomes an easy target.

[Coues Stew]

Salt. Salt. Salt. Salt. Salt. ... Im a fan of Deer Cain. But honestly any old mineral block you can get from the feed store will work, Iv even used natural salt rocks iv found out by camp verde in the salt mines. Look great and work!. The deer need their minerals might as well put it all up on a poopoo platter for em. I usuallly leave a cam out for three to four months if im not impressed by anything or convinced by then i will find a new set up. I have found that my best spots (Honey holes if you would) had deer comming in heavily after two or three weeks. Usually have lots of passers at first but thats a good sign that means deer frequent the area even without your salt or setup bringing them in. Now its just a bonus! Good luck and hope you get some whoppers on film!

 

P.S. Never give up. I have tried numerous amounts of stands and sat in them for whole seasons with zero luck. Then all of a sudden boom its like every deer in the unit found your spot. Also CATTLE ARE THE DEVIL!