- Jul 24, 2018
THE IMPORTANCE OF SUMMER TRAILCAM USE
I truly can’t remember what it was like to live in a world without digital trail cameras. My hunting life has been so greatly enhanced by these invaluable tools that I think I get almost as much enjoyment from monitoring my cams as I do from hanging a tag on a big buck. Almost.
I love running cameras in the summer because they provide me with updates on the incredible process that is antler growth. To see a buck go from fuzzy bulbs to branched antlers in just a few weeks is truly one of nature’s most amazing processes. Beyond keeping tabs on individual bucks, monitoring cameras in summer can also tell us an awful lot about the status of our deer herd as a whole.
POPULATION CENSUS It’s entirely possible to get an accurate estimate of the total deer population in the area you hunt by using trail cams. And if you want to get serious about doing a trail camera survey the right way, be sure to check out the Quality Deer Management Association’s vast resource library. It’ll give you excellent insight into conducting a survey that will provide highly accurate details on your total population, as well as sex ratios. But you can also take a little more laidback approach to your survey and still get a solid idea of the number of bucks summering in your hunting area, as well as monitor for any emerging disease issues when it’s hot and dry. |
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BUCK INVENTORIES There’s no better time to see what kind of bucks an area is holding than during the summer, and the very best way to do it is to with a mineral station, which will position deer in front of your trail camera and give them a nutritional boost to boot. While some of those bucks you see will stick around for fall, keep in mind that many have distinct summer, fall, and winter ranges. You can minimize their dispersal a bit by providing quality food sources (food plots, feeders, etc.) but don’t be surprised if you lose a few bucks come mid-October. For mineral sites, I like a camera that captures both top-quality photos and HD video. Moultrie’s M-50 is a solid choice that won’t break the bank. For food plots, the Panoramic 180i is a great option because it can cover an entire plot and capture images of every deer in a 180-degree arc. |
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Because mineral sites and food plots draw a good number of deer, you will begin to see a pattern with regards to the number of does, fawns, young bucks, and mature bucks. Again, we’re talking about an informal census here, so you can’t take those numbers to the bank. But you will get a general and consistent idea of the makeup of the deer herd in your area, which will in turn help you develop your hunting strategy for fall. —Tony Hansen |
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RATIO AWARENESSAbout the Author: Tony Hansen manages for and hunts mature whitetails in his home state of Michigan, where sweating the details is the only way to succeed. When not hunting his own properties, he can be found pursuing deer on public land throughout the whitetail's range. Tony's writings have appeared in Outdoor Life, Traditional Bowhunter, North American Whitetail, and Bowhunter
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Properly using deer attractants can be the difference between luring a deer and going home empty-handed. Learn more about deer attractants here! -
Moultrie announces the release of six new feeder products highlighted by the innovative Universal Bluetooth® Timer and App, a revolutionary addition to the world of deer feeder products, set to redefine efficiency and convenience in wildlife management. The new Universal Bluetooth® Timer, compatible with the new Moultrie Bluetooth® Timer App, provides users with unprecedented control over their feeding schedules.
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Moultrie is excited to announce the launch of its new line of accessories designed exclusively for Ranch Series® feeders. Featuring innovative attachments such as the Ranch Series 12V Solar Panel, the Ranch Series Dual Chute, and the Ranch Series Axis Trough, users can have unparalleled flexibility and convenience in managing their feeding setups.