Ditching trail cameras?

[Bowtie747]

So I’m sitting here and a light clicked for me. I think I found my “anti camera” thing inside of me. Before I go on no I’m not actually anti camera. That’s not the point in trying to make.

Anyone feel like part of the hunting industry has lead them astray? I’m unfortunately aware of a lot that goes in it. Not all bad but not all good. I feel like the modern hunter that’s been pushed by hunting tv shows most of which I don’t trust isn’t all good. Certain things I just honestly hate that I’ve learned. The if you bump a buck you’re done is one I’d like to forget. This is something I cannot seem to forget even seeing a mature buck circle back to an area he was just bumped from. Pics of mature bucks after being shot returning to similar areas. Or the you have to have money to shoot big deer. I just feel like cameras go hand in hand with all these ideas I’d sorta like to forget. I guess inside I want to get away from these people and the things they teach.

Anyways again I’m not anti camera. I will probably run some this year but maybe not. If you run them, have fun and enjoy them! Sorry if this all sounds negative but sometimes life isn’t all hunky dory. There a lot of good people in the industry who shouldn’t be forgotten. A lot of those good people are on here and moderating this website.

With this all said does it resonate with anyone or anyone get the point in trying to make? Thanks.

 

[Iron_llama]

Anyone feel like part of the hunting industry has lead them astray?

Absolutely. I'm pretty picky about what hunting shows or magazines I patronize. Most of the shows are ads, and I've seen some pretty poor sportsmanship and even marksmanship on TV. It sounds like you're uncomfortable with a perception the whole phenomenon of trail cams is intended more to separate you from your money, than making you a better hunter. That's fair, and while I haven't thought of it that way, I get your point.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

(312) Public land bullies and thieves - YouTube

Dan Infalt is having trouble with cameras on public. See if any of you recognize this guy.

 

[Lowg08]

I was trying to use them to know what kind of deer I have. Now it’s more of. Using them to squeeze in on the core areas of a mature buck

 

[Apex7]

That’s a bad boy! What’s his inside spread?

20 inch inside spread

 

[Loopwing]

I use them a lot. I have a couple cells and plan to get more. I also have a few card cameras. I use them to inventory the deer on the properties I hunt. There is no reason sitting around all season waiting for that Booner, IF there is no Booner. The rut is completely different, deer travel during the rut. I also set my cameras up on motion/plot watch mode when I have open areas. It is just one more tool in the quiver to put meat in the freezer. I don't sit around waiting for a camera to go off.

 

[bigmike23]

I don't use cameras to try and pinpoint deer movement or go after a target buck. I use it as a motivational boost to keep me on stand if I'm not seeing many deer or in the wrong spot.
Last year for example I tried a new area of public roughly 900 acreas big. Extremely remote, and had it all to myself. The first two-thirds of the season was brutal, as I had a very difficult time pinning down movement and couldn't get on game. Without the cameras, I may have suspected there weren't as many deer as I thought. But the cameras had over 15 bucks on them, 5 of which were absolute dandys for PA. That had me confident and motivated to pursue these son of guns all season long. All these were public and in the area all season long.

 

[dalton916]

I think it would be cool if we could get a group of us who chose not to use them this year. Then report back throughout the season on our thoughts about it. Are you doing this by choice or do u live in Arizona?

A “No Trail Cam” team for the deer contest. Our team number could be zero, lol.

 

[skydoc]

If you can use cell phone cameras where you hunt, you’re not going deep enough! lol

 

[Bowtie747]

A “No Trail Cam” team for the deer contest. Our team number could be zero, lol.

That would be pretty sweet! If a couple guys/gals would commit to it, I would as well. I’m fighting the urge to put some up. I just like the pictures but wanna try to not use them as well

 

[kbetts]

I don't use cameras to try and pinpoint deer movement or go after a target buck. I use it as a motivational boost to keep me on stand if I'm not seeing many deer or in the wrong spot.
Last year for example I tried a new area of public roughly 900 acreas big. Extremely remote, and had it all to myself. The first two-thirds of the season was brutal, as I had a very difficult time pinning down movement and couldn't get on game. Without the cameras, I may have suspected there weren't as many deer as I thought. But the cameras had over 15 bucks on them, 5 of which were absolute dandys for PA. That had me confident and motivated to pursue these son of guns all season long. All these were public and in the area all season long. View attachment 68369View attachment 68370View attachment 68371View attachment 68372

I don't know how you can say you don't use them to pin point deer movement when that is exactly what you used them for.....you even stated it.

 

[bigmike23]

I don't know how you can say you don't use them to pin point deer movement when that is exactly what you used them for.....you even stated it.

I see how I worded that you came away with that. The cameras themselves didn't pin down exact spots like a specific funnel theyre using. They just let me know somewhere in this 900 acreish area these bucks are around. So I guess you can say I pinned them into a a big area somewhere lol