In this video, we address five of some of the most common trail camera mistakes folks make when using any type of trail camera.
1. Use Paracord to Hang Trail Cameras 2. Hang Trail Camera's 6-8 Feet off the Ground 3. Hang Your Camera in the Correct Tree 4. Point Your Camera in the Right Direction 5. Hinge Antennas Away From the Tree
Want to hear some more mistakes we've come across the years? 1. Using the wrong batteries.
A lot of hunters skimp out on purchasing the correct battery for their camera. Why? because they are trying to save some cash, or they simply don't know that it matters. However, this might hurt you in the long run if your camera requires lithium rather than alkaline. Trust me, I know first hand. Lithium batteries are not cheap, however, when you use the wrong battery it could cause corrosion in your battery tray thus causing your camera to work improperly, or worse yet, not at all.
In fact, if your camera is not under warranty or older this mistake could cost you more money in the long run.
2. Not formatting the SD card.
While this can be camera-specific, trail camera junkies should make sure their cards are programmed or formatted correctly. It's easy to get excited, shove the card into the camera, hang it on a tree only to come back a month later, and discover the camera didn’t take any photos.
Additionally, some cameras will not take a certain size card. There are several cameras that don’t take 64GB SD card. This could be old news to many trail camera connoisseurs but I found out the hard way. Be sure to check with the camera manufacturer before purchasing high dollar cards.
3. Facing cameras the wrong direction This is one of the most common mistakes hunters make when hanging a trail camera. Sometimes a hunter can be so anxious to get pictures of a big buck that when they finally hang a camera and let it soak for a period of time they come back to check only to find that a majority of pictures are blasted with sunlight because of the direction it is facing. If possible, face the camera north. If you can’t, consider placing the camera on another tree or pole.
4. Angling cameras too high or too low
Sometimes if cameras are not placed at the right height they will just capture the head of a deer or species you are out to target. Worse yet, 10 deer might waltz by your camera and the camera may never go off because it was facing over their heads.
After placing your cameras in the desired location don’t be tempted to check them too often if you can help it. This is especially true if you are wanting to harvest a mature buck. Deer sense the pressure and can smell humans when we are stomping around checking cameras. Oftentimes, the data the camera retrieves is more advantageous for next season anyways. Take scent control precautions and let the camera do the work.
