Game Cameras: When Do You Need to Use One?

How To

If you’re a regular hunter, you’ve likely encountered game cameras as an invaluable tactic. You can use these cameras to learn more about your targets, making you more likely to succeed. 

What is the Purpose of a Game Camera? 

Game cameras allow you valuable insight into whatever you may be hunting at a given time, insights that may otherwise be impossible. Placing them in the wilderness will enable you to observe the wildlife without disturbing them.

Reviewing the images lets you understand their routines, feeding patterns, and population trends (convenient after a long winter).

Here are some other things you may learn from your game cameras: 

  • Learn whether the game travels together or independently. 
  • Determine areas where the animals spend most of their time. 
  • Understand nearby predators who may spook deer.
  • See how active the game is during the day and at night. 

Gathering and understanding these insights can help you create and execute a sharper hunting strategy, helping you bring home a target buck or two. 

How Do Game Cameras Work?

Game cameras come in all shapes, sizes, and capabilities and can withstand the elements. So, once you’ve bought your game camera, set it up against a tree, around three feet up from the ground, in a high-traffic area (i.e., by food, water, and cover, depending on the environment and season). Deer, in particular, are creatures of habit, so you’ll see them returning to their same spots.

If you review your footage and aren’t getting results, try another area or reposition your camera for a different angle. 

Now, when the game camera senses heat and motion, it’s triggered to capture an image. That image transfers to a server where you can view it wherever you are. If you’re in a remote location without solid cell service, the photos won’t move but will save on the device’s memory card. 

Some hunters only use them during the hunting season. But leaving them up all year round provides even better insights and understanding. Animals typically have a summer routine and a winter routine. But by leaving your cameras up, you can better understand what areas they frequent, how their population is surviving, and how they operate. You won’t believe the information you can gather with this strategy. 

Pro-Tip: Be discreet when setting up or collecting your game cameras. If you cause too much noise or leave a scent, you risk spooking the animals, making your video camera set-up useless. 

Mel’s Outdoors Sells Some of the Best Game Cameras

Keep your eye on your targets 24/7. Whether you’re looking to begin your collection or expand it, check out two of the best game cameras on the market: 

Bushnell Prime L20 Low Glow Trail Camera
Bushnell Prime L20 Low Glow Trail Camera

Buy it here. 

Covert Scouting Camera
Covert Scouting Camera WX20-A

Buy it here.

MINOX DTC390 Wildlife Camera
Minox DTC 550 Camo

Buy it here. 

Don’t Forget the Accessories

You’ll need these items to maximize your deer trail camera setup.

Moultrie MFHSD8GB SD Memory Card
Moultrie MFHSD8GB SD Memory Card

Buy it here. 

Browning SD Card - 32GB
Browning SD Card (32GB)

Buy it here. 

 

Mount for game cameras
HME Better Trail Camera Holder Mount (Brown)

Buy it here. 

 

CUDDEBACK GENIUS UNIVERSAL GAME CAMERA MOUNT
Cuddeback Genius Universal Game Camera Mount

Buy it here.

Bag for game cameras
Moultrie Quick Camera Bag

Buy it here.

 

Cell link for game cameras
Skypoint Universal Cellular Adaptor Verizon Cell-Link-V

Buy it here. 

Mel’s Outdoors Can Cover Your Hunting Needs

At Mel’s Outdoors, we pride ourselves on carrying quality products to inspire you to enjoy the great outdoors. Shop through our hunting gear, from rifles to camping gear, to prepare for a successful season, no matter where you live. 

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