Maybe I don't Need To Use Trail Cameras

[Txjourneyman]

That happens to me too. I wake up and think, "OK, with the wind from this direction, I can hunt Stand A or Stand B. I go back and forth in my mind, then decide on Stand A - and see nothing. On the way back to camp I go by Stand B and notice all the corn from the morning throw is gone. I pull the card at that spot and see deer came in and out the whole time I was at the other spot. The most likely conclusion is the simplest one - the deer have done a much better job of patterning me than I have of patterning them. That's when I know it's time for a change of tactics.

Exactly Jerp. But on opening day! They haven't had a chance to pattern me yet!

[DFWPI]

Me, I use them to show me what is in the area. That way if a nice buck shows up but I have better in the camera, I hold off.

[Coach W]

Many times I have set checking cards in my stand... I start at the most recent and go backward because most of the time I have something coming in like clock work (usually a pig) and I can count on him showing up.

3 years back I was checking cards in the pop up and noticed my target buck was showing up at 5:03-5:05 the past 3 days straight. I checked my clock.. 5:00 I turned off all my stuff set it all down grabbed the bow knocked an arrow an set with such intensity and anticipation I couldnt hardly control myself.. 5:06 he walks in.. I draw he hears me and bolts (closest I've ever got to shooting that buck... I see him on camera 3-5 times a year... if hes still alive this year I feel he will be 8.5 and hope to seal the deal on him)

Almost worked out for me then...

Cameras keep me from shooting young bucks in a 1 buck county waiting on a bigger deer that I KNOW exists, even though I've never seen him.

[U.S.ArmyRetired]

ttt

[elkbowhunter]

Like stinkbelly, the cameras just reassure me that there are actually deer moving around the place. Try hunting somewhere other than at feeders. Our deer rarely show up at feeders during daylight hours - especially after rifle season starts. We have tripods along trails in the thicker stuff and hand corn them regularly. Just make sure you have set-ups for all possible wind directions.

this!!

[Aboud]

Some of y'all are trying too hard. I was smoking a cigarette this weekend and had a buck walk 10 feet from my blind and he definitely smelt me but didn't phase him a bit. I've never bought into all the scent crap out there. Just play the wind.

[Lonestar Hunter]

I know how you feel. The first couple of years the game cams gave me hope but after several years it has morphed into frustration. Example: I have pigs come into this feeder every morning that I am sitting at right now. I showered with scent killing soap and shampoo. Washed clothes last night in scent killing detergent. Have left boots outside for months. Didnt put boots on till I was about to walk to stand. Sprayed down with scent killer from top to bottom. Walked in silently with a very weak light. Set up my ozonics above my head pointing down wind. Used windicator powder dozens of times to detect wind changes and re direct the ozonics. Feeder went off at 7am. Still havent seen a thing. Starting to tick me off.

Your sporting goods store thanks you.

[U.S.ArmyRetired]

Some of y'all are trying too hard. I was smoking a cigarette this weekend and had a buck walk 10 feet from my blind and he definitely smelt me but didn't phase him a bit. I've never bought into all the scent crap out there. Just play the wind.

Some guys have all of the luck.:sly:

[U.S.ArmyRetired]

Me, I use them to show me what is in the area. That way if a nice buck shows up but I have better in the camera, I hold off.

But, it could also show you bucks that are just traveling through? Right? You may not see them ever again.