I'm personally against the technology and think they should be illegal

when used for scooting to hunt it just takes the hunt out of hunting. I do not get it people will spend $1000s on cameras, feeders, food plots to not half to hunt ? and just to shoot a deer. if its that important to kill a deer I would think a rifle would be cheaper and more effective if you hate to hunt?

I can see both sides, I personally don't use them often but it is fun waiting to see what's out there when you are not. It's like a trap line half the fun is setting the other is finding out what you catch. I have used the trail cams more for keeping an eye on my tree stands on public land

I disagree. Maybe it's my Liberterian mindset but I think we have enough regulations in areas that doesn't impact real game managemant. I dont care to shoot a deer at 300 yards with a rifle but I support an individuals right to do so. Game cameras are not really that much help as far as killing a deer goes. Cameras can encourage you or discourage you in my experience. So many variables with cameras.

Simply a believer in true scouting and knowing the lands you're hunting without multiple trail cams doing it for you. I think back to days when you had to put the hard work in to know if you had good deer/elk/bear movemont on the lands you hunt. Trail cameras to scout for hunting (in my opinion) plays into our national epidemic of fast food, immediate gratification without real effort and takes away of the poetry doing it the hard way. Sorry just old school on this

Simply a believer in true scouting and knowing the lands you're hunting without multiple trail cams doing it for you. I think back to days when you had to put the hard work in to know if you had good deer/elk/bear movemont on the lands you hunt. Trail cameras to scout for hunting (in my opinion) plays into our national epidemic of fast food, immediate gratification without real effort and takes away of the poetry doing it the hard way. Sorry just old school on this

Be careful what you wish for, it may be something that you enjoy that is made illegal. Nobody is required to use game cameras.

Trailcams just confirm the sign I already see. It does tell you WHEN they come through though

I'm as old school as they come. I think that a person should do what they think is best and leave the next person be to do the same.

I enjoy using them. It adds to my hunt. It helps me not to get discouraged sitting on stand when I'm not seeing much. Because I know what's there due to seeing them through the summer on my cameras. Deer numbers aren't real great in my area due to overshooting does.

I have one and use it in the yard at times, it's never been in the woods. Find it upsetting to see hunters well inside the posted safety zone that I've never seen before. At least it's been awhile since I found a gut pile in the yard. But is nice seeing all the different critters traveling through.

For me ,they take away from the hunt. And I've been asked to stay out of "their" camera area on public ground????

Times change, I use several, but.....my boots get a work out on the military post I hunt on because they're not legal there. I also enjoy seeing other animals besides deer and the pics posted on the treads on here. To each his own I guess.

I don't like them.

I have a lot of fun with them. My kids love going and checking cameras with me. It does not take anything from the hunt. You have to go out and spend the time in the woods scouting just like you do without a camera. It just lets you get a feel for what kind of deer you have on the farm you are hunting . I always laugh at threads like this. People like to bash what other people like to do because they don't like it or understand what they are talking about. Everyone of us do something that someone else doesn't like, that doesn't make us right and the other wrong or vise versa .

I bought one recently, just to find out what was living under one of my sheds and coming out late at night. Turned out to be a family of skunks!!!

No intention of using it in the deer woods. For one thing, it would be stolen in a heartbeat. Aside from that reason, I'm just not comfortable with all the hi-tech gizmos that are so prevalent these days. I'll just go out into the woods and HUNT.

It takes the hunt out of hunting!!!

Their use should be based on choice. I don't use them and have no interest in them whatsoever, but that's my choice.

I don't care for them, don't use them, agree with Mingo's sentiments overall, but I don't think they should be outlawed. For me, as several have said, they take the hunt out of hunting. But as I learned from my wonderful old French farm grandmother years ago, "to each his own".

I like to have them out to see all critters, not so much for hunting. I normally have about 4 out in the woods year round. I like to catch all kinds of things on them that I normally don't see. I also show the photos to non-hunters and they like to see things that they never see like foxes, armadillos, turkeys, fawns, progression of antlers, and even people from time to time. I always have a camera with me in the stand for opportunities of the same type.

I like them. Not sure why people don't , but to each their own. I don't believe trail cams give hunters that big of an advantage.

First of all if you've found a trail to place a camera...you've already found the trail.

I think they are good for taking inventory of what's in your woods. But if you can say a deer will walk down that trail at 2:58 PM every day your saying something.

I use mine for fun. Cause I like seeing critters in day and night. when I pull the SD card its exciting to see what you might get. Most of the time its nothing. But sometimes its something. You can get some interesting pics. But I also have also seen a nice buck several times driving down to the lake. Should cars be illegal? ,binoculars, spotting scopes, metal broadheads. Lets face it, everything is an advancement over what was used yesterday.

I have no problem with them. Just because you have cameras does not mean you will see anything. You still have to have some idea where to put them. I usually stick mine by my salt lick. My buddy does the same. Interesting to see who all is around, but we do not see everybody who is around. In fact I have pics of many mature bucks on camera ... between 11 at night and 5 in the morning that we never see during the course of the season as they don't stick their noses out of the swamp NW of me during daylight very often. It is still nice to know they are around and that there is a chance ... just a chance ... that a hot doe might drag one of them by during the rut.

If you decide you don't want to use them, fine, that is your choice. It is no different than our choice of weapon to hunt with. Some like to use the most modern rifle they can buy. Some will use an old levergun or Sharps (would love to take a deer with my great grandfather's model '73 44-40!). Some will use an in- line muzzleloader, others an old sidelock. Then you have compounds, then all of the various composite recurves and longbows, and finally self bows, and atlatls. You choose the level of difficulty you wish and let others do the same as long as no one is overreaching harvest limits etc.

Now are there some technologies out there that can/could cross the line, yeah, very likely. I know states are already starting to write regs about realtime recon with drones. That is an area and a discussion we will be entering.

Well I use them sometimes. I work 40 to 50 hrs a week and just don't have the time to scout like I would like too. Cameras help eliminate certain areas and concentrate on certain areas. My hunting time is valuable; cameras can be a hugh asset to a working man.

"I'm personally against the technology and think they should be illegal"

Of course you're against "the technology." That's why you're posting on an Internet forum from a PC or cell phone. :^)

Iv shot more nice bucks without them then with them. I enjoy seeing the nocturnal pics of the monarchs of the woods. Without them you wouldn't even know they existed. I believe it actually makes it harder to kill big bucks because of cameras. People stinking up the woods because they seen a nice one in a certain area. I use mine in spots away from my good spots. Just put them up on edges where I wont spook them. I always have one where I practice shooting. Interesting to see what comes out after I leave. lol. I never put them up near old true and tried stand sites that I have found throughout the years, No need to. But I do agree to some point where it takes the hunt out of it. Its how you use them. Plain and simple I just like looking at big deer pictures from areas I hunt and shows you how elusive theis majestic animals are. One of my pet peevs is people getting pics of old monarchs and bragging about it on fb....Why would anyone do that is beyond me. Just giving your good spots away. lol

You are missing a lot. They have values other than as hunting tools. And Jim is right, phone in your comments on a land line, preferably a party line.

I really like them. I held out for a while longer than my hunting partners did, but I am now a convert. It is really cool to see what is REALLY out there. They are a tool...no more. You still have to put in the boot leather. I put them where I find the best sign scouting....to SEE what is coming by there. It gives me the patience to sit longer and pass on mediocre bucks.....knowing that HE is out there, somewhere. Most of the time, HE never shows up....but, for ME, it is good to know HE is there. Without a game came to let me know the quality of critter that roams my area after dark....I would have missed out on lots of big bucks. I have also passed a lot of great deer that I NEVER would have passed (because I KNOW a toad is out there)....only to eat tag soup that year! HMMMMMMM, maybe I don't like them either! :) Regardless of what you think about them, they are here to stay and you don't have to use them. The don't draw your bow and make the shot for you. I think the government makes enough choices for us already. I for one am not inviting them to make one more. Careful what you wish for....your bow might be the next, "unfair advantage". Choices. We live in this great country and have choices...that is the way it should be. Take care and God bless!

Trail cameras are nice to see what's going on on your property when you're not there. I do think you should have to pull trail cameras during hunting season, doesn't matter the rest of the year.

Ok guys I have been called a troll for less. Lol

I only hang my cameras where I know there are deer so they don't help me find deer.,I had one in the Walmart parking lot but never saw a deer so I learned to move them where the deer are.,I like seeing what is on the camera.

They have a lot of uses and are great for getting an idea of the deer activity in an area. You gotta admit, it is very interesting to watch movies of the deer in your area. Especially to see the fawns with their mama's and the bucks in velvet coming around. This is stuff most people don't get to see in normal life. We all dont have the time to go out and sit in the woods and film deer. I think the cameras are great and have their uses. I DO think they should be illegal during the hunting season and maybe a week before or something. Many guys do not use them for hunting but so many do use them to try to get that "big buck" and I do believe it is cheating.

anyone who uses trail cameras know they aren't going to kill anything for you. If you don't want to use them don't.

I LOLed (a little)

8^)

Rick

My son bought one for me for Father's day and I use it to see what's attacking my garden. I will use it this year to see what's hanging around my favorite deer spot. I never would have bought one for myself, but now that I have one, why not use it. It might be interesting.

I have no problem with someone using a cam., if that's what they want. I just never thought I needed one. Freedom means making one's own decisions.

Happy hunting Y'all.

I have no issues with them whatsoever. But, I don't own one and never will. I like surprises :)

Nice work stirring the pot, my friend Mingo... I am gut laughing while reading this. Great responses from K Cummings & Jim Castro also... they get it! Whichever side of the fence you are on this is good healthy (and funny) discussion.

Mingo, I'm looking forward to scouting with you the old school way over the next few weeks in preparation for the opener... talk about instant gratification, that's it right there!

I was really slow to start using them. In fact, I hated them and the idea. Then my brother won one on a raffle. We put it up near one of 5 mineral licks we supply yearly. Showed me what was on the property.

For me it put the hunt back in hunting to the 'N' power. What ever that means? Knowing what's on the property made me only interested in one maybe two deer a year that I'd shoot.

You read Wensel's book "Come November" and he explains which deer should be taking out of the herd and why. I haven't shot a buck since I started using them. I'm probably not a very good hunter. That said, all the deer I've been hunting are over 150. Plus my 180 inch buddy that got taken out by a crossbow and not found by the shooter. We found it about 10 days later. First year crossbows were legal in WI. I wouldn't have know he was there without TC's.

Bowmania

Mingo, if you don't like them don't use them. Problem solved

I agree with Barbers comments 100%

A guy I worked with years ago said he didn't know why anyone would/should own an AR semiautomatic rifle because he didn't like them and couldn't see shooting or hunting with them.

I knew he liked to hunt birds with his shot gun so I told him I didn't hunt birds so I didn't see anyone owning/shooting a shot gun, I think he got the message.

Like what you like or don't like but DO NOT tell me what to like or don't like.

I just had a bear, eat one,,,,, note to self, handle with clean gloves, not gloves with jam and chocolate on .......

I have no time for them while I deer hunt, but my daughter bought me 2 as gifts.......

I use them, occasionaly, do what you want,,,,,,,,

Just the other day I pulled up to our hunting property, opened my truck door and told the trail camera sitting on the passenger seat, “Now go out there and find me some deer.” Lazy thing, it just sat there doing nothing. Of all the nerve! I had to actually take it out there myself, scout the property, locate the deer sign, and hang it alongside the trail all on my own. I should ask for a refund.

I use several cameras because for me they are a form of hunting in a sense you have captured that animal in a photo. I also hunt these spots because of the possibility of one of the photographed deer walking under me. Doesn't t mean I will get that opportunity. Just because I have a photo of him doesn't mean he is already in my freezer. Everything else has to go right as well. Also I believe that game laws should be in place for safety and for the health/survival of species and taking game camera pictures doesn't have to do with either.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Oh for pete's sake. I bet if we all signed a petition, we could make all cameras illegal, that would cover the gamut. I think the key here is maybe stop blaming inanimate objects for ill- deeds. Only many can do things that are unethical, illegal or otherwise. And we can expand that into their thought process as well I'm bettin.

Well, most seem to forget trail cameras won't tell you what will come by, only what came by.

My whitetail property is 12 hours away making it tough to scout. The couple cameras I have just give me an idea of what is around, they don't help me "hunt". My property is only big enough for 5 or 6 stands anyway. My whitetail hunts are more of a vacation hanging out in a tree stand relaxing, recovering from my elk hunts. I do really enjoy the pics though.

In Iowa it is illegal for one hunter to call another hunter on a cell phone or with any over the air communication device and talk about where game is located. The richer boys are now using only the cell phone linked cameras and they can check on them at any time from anywhere. I guess they can even sound an alert when the camera takes a picture, so you can quick take a look. Some hunters have been so bold as to tell other hunters that they cannot walk or hunt where they have their cameras mounted and a couple have resorted to threats and cases of damage to vehicles while parked at public hunting areas have happened. I personally was threatened because I walked by a camera. Problem is that in many public land areas the tree stands outnumber the deer and the cameras outnumber the tree stands. It is impossible to not walk by a camera where we hunt and get either your picture taken multiple times or even a video taken multiple times. Private land, your business. Busy public land, an infringement on the privacy of others using the facility. We are working on it.

I also keep one up at my cabin in the summer just to see what is hanging around when I am not there. It is fun. Oh and I really don't care what Mingo thinks.

>>Just the other day I pulled up to our hunting property, opened my truck door and told the trail camera sitting on the passenger seat, “Now go out there and find me some deer.” Lazy thing, it just sat there doing nothing. Of all the nerve! I had to actually take it out there myself, scout the property, locate the deer sign, and hang it alongside the trail all on my own. I should ask for a refund.<<

Hahahaha....good one! :) I like it!

Mine texts me photos...

Not sure it takes anything away from the hunting aspect of it. You still have to go out there and find the runways and bedding areas it just shows you what's around. Not like it will change the times you hunt much. I will still hunt in the morning and evenings, you can't hunt at night which is when most pics are taken. Ot ads a element of excitement when you've sat for days and not seen anything but that picture you have keeps the drive going. If you don't want to use them that's fine I'll never bash anyone for that, but please don't tell me it's not hunting when the camera doesn't walk the mile to my stand, draw my bow, focus on a spot. It just adds a visual to the sign I worked hard to find.

The midwest states have created their own monsters with bragging about their massive big bucks...putting photos in magazines and on television shows...huge antlers...huge deer. Don't know what they expected would happen with that scenario. Private land becomes almost unattainable, and public land gets overrun.

Thankfully I live in a state that the so-called big hunters ignore. We have lots of land that isn't overrun and you can actually hunt without harassment. Frankly, someone threatening me about walking by a camera wouldn't set well with me if it's on public land. That person would become famous, but then I've never run into arseholes in the woods of Pa.

Funny stuff... some say they don't make killing easier, some say they do, and some say it without actually coming out and saying it.

A few years back, I had my tires slashed, I am not exaggerating the situation. I am jealous of your usable space George. I believe that Iowa DNR has over sold the status. The reality is in parts of the state that has very little available land, that hunter over crowding is the biggest challenge. The deer are so pressured that a trail camera does very little good, because most of the deer are not on a predictable pattern on public land. After all of the youth hunters and early season muzzle shooters are done, most of the adult deer spend their time on posted private land. We look for areas that there are no trees, it is the only way to get away from the hopers that think there is a monster buck hiding behind every tree. Once at the 4th of July fireworks in my home town, a guy from Michigan that moved to NW Iowa was bragging about that all he had to do was ride around and he could find a bunch of Pope Young trophies everyday no matter where he looked. All you had to do is set up your cameras and you can just pick the one you want to shoot. He said that he had six out there now and that was not enough because there were so many monster bucks to keep track of. With no doubt, the biggest liar I have ever witnessed. Monster bucks are far and few between in this area, we have an average of one deer per square mile and areas that have concentrated numbers are so pressured that the deer settle in areas that bowhunters cannot go without parting with thousands of dollars in lease payments, except for the lucky few that have relatives that own land.

You should send us all a letter telling us how you're against technology. Computers just make you lazy, right? J/K!

Personally I have nothing against cameras as long as they're placed and retrieved legally. You want to hang $100-500 on the side of a public land tree and hope it's there two weeks from now, be my guest, but don't come crying if it grows legs.

I don't really care what other folks do, I take em down before season. And I have NEVER killed a deer I had pics of.

I get some very interesting pics of different animals, and enjoy a view into their world when they aren't alerted by humans.

Lastly, cameras dont just attract the biggest deer in the woods to stand in front of it. You actually have to know what's going on there somewhat to get pics of any deer.

Do what you like, I'm gonna have pics to look at.

Carry on!

If the trail camera only tells what was there and not what is there how's come nineteen tree stands go up in that area? Then it's another chunk of land that's seems to have a claim on it.

I just love seeing the stupid comparisons people will make to help justify their choices. Computers, cars, binocs,more accurate weapons, etc...all stuff that does nothing to effect actual hunting. Trail cams tell you which hunting areas have the biggest bucks or even if there is a buck there, something scouting n woodsmanship used to tell. Is it a night trail or day trail, and morning or nafternoone. Again the need to know woodsmanship is gone,trail cam will tell ya. Not to mention the conditioning scouting used to help you with. Now sit on the couch n scout.

We see guys on here alot talking about deer numbers being down statewide in different states when in fact deer hunting is the best its ever been. I dont care who wants to give up hunting for killing without having to hunt. Doesnt bother me and none of my business. But bragging about what a hunter you are is kinda silly from a person who hunts from the couch and only leaves it to make the kill. Lol, yes I think they should be illegal.

"when in fact deer hunting is the best its ever been..."

That completely depends on where exactly someone is hunting.

When I was living in Illinois, there was zero reason for a trail camera. Everyone knew the deer were going to use the treelines in between the fields to move at dawn and dusk. Easiest hunting I've ever done.

Come to SE Texas and hunt heavily pressured public land with no baiting allowed and zero cropland anywhere in sight, and the whole story changes. When the deer have literally 100 trails they use through thick brush, you can have all the "woods skills" you want and still pick the wrong trail 90 times in a row. And all you gotta be off is by 30 yards and you'll never know they passed by.

What's silly is people who say they don't care and it's none of their business, and then go on to say someone isn't a hunter if they use them and they think trail cams should be illegal. Can't have it both ways.

I'm glad I started using them a few years ago. Because where I hunt, sometimes those pictures of deer are the only deer I see and it keeps me motivated.

Amazing how many don't grasp that using trail cameras is a form of hunting in and of its own.

You need to scout to know where to place the cameras, and then you're hoping to get some decent pictures.

I put cameras out year round, private land, sort of the same thrill as guys who go to the beach with their metal detectors.

I don't have a problem with trail cameras on private property. Should be illegal on public hunting land just like 4 wheelers, permanent stands and baiting.

Guess they should outlaw scent cover, grunt calls, tent blinds,ect. Anything that gives the hunter an edge.

No wonder we're an over regulated society.

Ken, on many public hunting areas, they are technically illegal (hunting equipment must be removed at the end of the day, or some such language) although I don't know of any cases where it's been enforced. Too difficult since they are pretty tough to locate.

Funny thing is that public hunting areas are probably where they are most needed since rarely can you bait and the ability to scout can make or break a season.

I'm luck to have been hunting the same land all my life. Same trails every year basically and the deer do the same things every year. A camera lets you see the wolves, coyotes, bob cats, turkeys 'coons….. I don't own one , but my brother has a couple and it was fun to see what he "caught" on film when he put them out. He can also see a lot of the fields we have from the kitchen window, so no watching with binoculars either I guess?

I had to laugh just now at the thought that there are probably folks here who are dead against trail cameras, even though they have been hunting the same private property for 20-30 years or more. LOL

how do you guys feel about those small drones for scouting

Drones are illegal. I mentioned them in an article I wrote for TBM probably 5 years ago.

George, "Private land becomes almost unattainable, and public land gets overrun." Cameras didn't do that, compounds did. They also gave us preference points.

Oh, and I care what Mingo thinks, just like I care what antihunters think. Mingo's thoughts although I don't agree with them, make a lot more sense than an antihunter's thoughts, since our species is a predator.

Bowmania

I just hope I have a flu-flu in my quiver when I see one. ;)

The cameras don't help much.You have to scout to find where the animals are traveling before you can get any pictures.We can only use them in the off season here but I'm mostly just interested in getting pictures of wildlife anyway.The only problem with that is,wolves and other animals look their worst in the Summer and are way more beautiful in late Fall and Winter.

I also use them to monitor predators for predator control and have caught trespassers on them as well.

Also animals have been identified on cameras that game departments didn't know where present or at least claim they didn't.There have been a lot of thieves and trespassers caught by them as well.That's a very good thing.

I think they are like guns,it's not the inanimate object that is bad,but how people use them.

"Trail cams tell you which hunting areas have the biggest bucks or even if there is a buck there, something scouting n woodsmanship used to tell."

I have two cameras I set out on scrapes every year. I'm pretty sure I already knew what that scratchy patch on the ground and the beat up overhanging branch meant before I put a camera on it. Could have been giant disco dancing beavers though. That would have been quite something.

Like most things, trail cameras can be educational and fun to use but also can be abused to give the hunter an unfair advantage. Depends on how you use them. Chances are there are people out there who would think that some of the things that you do or use are unethical and should be illegal as well!

I think there fun, something to do before the season starts.

"I have two cameras I set out on scrapes every year. I'm pretty sure I already knew what that scratchy patch on the ground and the beat up overhanging branch meant before I put a camera on it..."

LOL. :D

Ollie, can you give us an example of how a trail camera could be used to give the hunter an unfair advantage?

There are enough people who oppose hunting without opposition within our own ranks. I do not use trail cams but that does not mean I cannot accept the fact that some do. I have seen some pictures of monster bucks taken on trail cams that were always taken in the dark. The trail cam tells the hunter there is a big buck in the area, it does not tell them how to match wits with that buck, and make a clean kill.

DDave

Private land and public land are two different things. We all own the public land and have equal rights to share it. I am pressing for leave no trace use of public lands. What you come in with, you leave with.

What Camodave said, it aint like 50 yrs ago when we didnt have all the talking heads against hunting in general.

Like I said, be careful because it may be something we treasure personally that comes under attack...then there may not be anyone around to fight the opposition.

It takes out a lot of guessing out that is if you know how to use it properly. Time is money to some and as you know you can't be everywhere either the camera usually shows what around when you aren't there either 2 legged or 4 legged.

Its a tool is all I see it as and learned just because to see a big one doesn't mean you will get that big ones either.

VARIABLES ALWAYS IS.

Our technology is advancing so quickly, there's no way our prey's abilities can evolve at a rate to adequately counter it. That can easily make for unfair advantages if we don't adequately regulate them. We need to be respectful of that, and objective, accountable, sportsmen in this regard.

well my daughter bought one for me for Christmas, never owned one prior to that. I enjoy Scouting and do so year round. I put the camera out and enjoy it so much I bought another one.

Last Sun I took a long hike in the Bald eagle state forest put probably around 6 or 7 miles of shoe leather on the ground. saw one timber rattler that was it. I did find two nice crossings though so I hung a trail cam at each one, haven't collected them yet. Was that cheating? Lol... i'll tell ya what, your welcome to come along on a scouting outing, then you tell me.

But get a good nights sleep,and make sure your boots are broke in.

I'm not really into food plots, feeders ect..ect some guys are, its just not for me.

I have always enjoyed the legwork of scouting and exploring new areas. I want to know what's over that mt. I want to know whats up there in that high ravine.

Trail cams just added to the enjoyment of scouting, didn't change anything, just added.

I'm like a kid at Christmas when I go in and get them I can't wait to get home and see what's on them.

As far as cheating I can see your point maybe?

My question is.....When I was scouting out mile after mile of some pretty remote rugged terrain on public state forest last Sun.....What were you doing?

I don't use them, basically cause I'm too cheap. Good deer numbers, but there isn't the agriculture nor genetics in my area to produce any wallhangers and I could care less. Having said that, I'd prefer to see them used to identify what/when trails are being used than next to a dump truck load of corn.

my question was directed toward the original poster...no hard feelings..just trying to give a different viewpoint

I'm just glad some folks are not in places of power to regulate. We would all have to enter the woods in loin clothes and self bows with flint tipped arrows.

Nah TG, we'd take their internet away from them first. LOL

Lol..yea, and their smart tv

Don't have one but I sure like looking at the photos of those who used them where I used to work.

Think they are as good as the carbons I shoot, the pac-mocks I had long ago, the camo my home state of Oklahoma finally passed as legal to wear when deer hunting in 1964 or 65, the hang and turn rubber scent dispenser I had, the Bear Razorheads I shot with, the GPS and compass combo which gets back home, and my car's mirror passing sensors, and the DVD players in the head rests of my car. Takes a lot of gizmo's to get me out there a long way from home and provide me with a good chance to enjoy deer hunting. Really like the light weight fabrics of the five tents my family has sored in a large out building in Florida compared that I used to see only in the most expensive tents back in 1960. Remember when we used to go to the telephone in the center of the house and wait for the dial to turn when putting in the number? What about typewriters? Used to have to put one in the trunk of my car in the summer as a golf course consultant and my wife would type my reports at night that I wrote by hand or later a secretary at a company called Golden Bear. Those cameras are as good as the other things I own.

More for fun than as a hunting tool. The critters that go past my stand when I ain't there...

I would not use a game camera, a four wheeler, and am absolutely against leasing. That's just me. I'm a traditional archer and I don't need that crap. How can you feel alone in the woods with a game camera every hundred yards and four wheeler sounds up on the ridge? Forget that crap.

these guys that use them FOR HUNTING are they the same ones that bitch about the compound are crossbow ? and call them self's Traditional hunter? Haaaaaaa they have just as many gadgets as the modern hunter.

these guys that use them FOR HUNTING are they the same ones that bitch about the compound are crossbow ? and call them self's Traditional hunter? Haaaaaaa they have just as many gadgets as the modern hunter.

Im just a hunter that hunts with a recurve. Traditional is relative.

Good post TG...these threads are a joke at best and a reminder of why I mostly keep to myself at tournaments. If someone has the time to walk "mile after mile" scouting like good ole Jerimiah Johnson did..congrats. Some of us are working and smart enough to make valuable use of the little time we have to do what we love. Carry on.

Chris, I'm usually workin 60 to 70 hrs a week. Not complaining, I'm thankful I can still do it but doesn't leave a lot of time.

haven't used a trail cam and don't imagine I'll ever start. I enjoy the mystique of the hunt. I hate running into them on the WMA's I hunt too. But my biggest complaint is why hasn't big foot shown up on anyone's cam yet?

Fellas, great discussion and thread. As always I appreciate the opinions and spirited debate. God bless, and good hunting in 2017!

John Wallace (aka Mingo) Afton MN & Cumberland WI

Ps - for shade mt, after work this afternoon I was out hanging stands and scouting on my farm in WI. Quite a few doe's and a few small bucks in the back bean field.

Shoot straight my Brethren

Ole Big Nasty is too smart to get caught on camera..but he's out there.

nice buck Mingo!

Shade MT - lived 3 yrs in Bozeman MT chasing elk down canyon by Taylor Fork back in Onion Basin. In 1993 survived 31 days solo by myself 15mi in chasing bulls with no luck. Thinking I could of used a trail cam (-:

God Bless

Mingo - out

re. Deerfly - "But my biggest complaint is why hasn't big foot shown up on anyone's cam yet?"

I keep hoping for a picture of a mountain lion. I've gotten most everything else on camera from mice to moose. Lots of people claim to have seen cougars but I haven't seen one good trail cam shot from anywhere around here.

I'm with you GLF, the justifications are incredulous and just keep coming.

Total BS unfair advantages. There is no such thing only old school thoughts would think that. When I had my step son helping me a couple years ago in my business I had him mand 2 cameras outside out back at my house. He did a good job each morning he would go get the chips and down load pictures. It was very time consuming and this was only 2 cameras. Most times other than a couple animals did I see them when I was in my blind waiting them out to come in so I thought different ones would show up.

Whats unfair about that they didn't show they don't do exactly what the cameras show it only showed when they were last there not when they are going to be there.

Ask a guy about multiple cameras to mand them what it takes and then tell him to his face its unfair after he put in laboring work with them. It takes a lot that others don't understand unless they themselves have gone through it.

I love how others sit back and BS about fake news without the knowledge of what it really takes unless they been through it.

Even with these cameras out today the one camera can relay for multiple cameras there's still issues I bet and actually getting to the point you can say this now is an unfair advantage? I don't think so.

Plus who cares if its unfair is life fair in anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whats are you snow white or better yet Joanavark? Yup and I'm the tooth fairy to.

Things could be worse out there we could be locked up in Friskys head saying tree stands and blinds are unfair too?LOL

I will give you a case of how they work in aiding a kill that probably wouldn't have happen without the camera. My nephew was hunting a scrape line and in stand before day light tell around 9:30. and back on stand at 3:00 pm tell dark. nothing but a couple does coming by for two weekends. he was going to move his stand when his buddy told him to put a camera up. so he did nice 8 pointer running the line daily any where from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon so he hunted 9:30 to 1:00 2nd day he go the deer. that had him out smarted tell he got the camera to tell him when the deer was there.

Love using them. We get some great pics of wildlife that we probably would never see. Between work, and the kids playing sports, I don't have as much time as I would like to scout/hunt. So I welcome all the help I can get to increase my odds when I have a free weekend to hunt. Randy

Keven all I am saying is they ask the thought of using them. I gave my thought just like you did I do not use are like to see them used for Hunting. again My thought. no big deal we all do things different. Now as for people saying they really do not help in the hunt that is BS.. you know they do just like this site helps use all figure things out. It wasn't about using it. its was about saying it doesn't AID when it sure does my nephew proved that. and for people just collecting photos great. I have one at the end of my driveway watching who pulls in and who smashes my mail box.

One thing I liked seeing where the various other critters that showed up to the diner to eat and some of the actions of them cameras caught that were interesting as well to see.

If you use bait you suck! Use a lure more challenging! Even better yet tie your own dry flies and catch a fish on tha if you can. Ok so your a purest. There's names for everything that is done. Ok what do you want then to be like others or be your own man and blaze your own trail even if it ends empty? LOL

Pure and simple whats in your museum and freezer? Talk is cheap and that's what it is just talk for the most part.

For the most part the ones who talk against them have misconceptions about the usage and the benefits they can bring. Or are to cheap to buy any maybe and learn how to use them so that they can work for them.LOL

Jeff...Whew! LOL ..

I used to "kinda" think trail cams were unfair. Then I got to thinking eh? might be fun. I may never have bought one if my daughter hadn't got me one for Christmas. Now that I have two...Well a rude awakening, especially on PA vast public land.

So far the only really big trophy buck I've got on cam are in the middle of the night (funny I knew those boys were often nocturnal "before' trail cams)...Wow what a advantage! now all I need to do is figure out how to hold a spotlight and shoot my bow at the same time!..LOL silly ? ..... I'd think.

I have lots of good pics of doe and some pretty decent shootable buck during the day. But well, I knew they were good spots long before I got a trail cam. Unfair? probably not anymore than if I were sitting there taking pics myself...well....been there done that for years.

Am I justifying using trail cams? for those that think I'm using them to gain an unfair advantage.....care to compare field knowledge and time spent afield and success? "before" I owned trail cams?

Yes that kinda sounds boastful. I apologize...... But fact is my time spent afield tell me the best places to hang them.....And again sorry to sound boastful. But most of you that are throwing darts at trail cam users.....couldn't even begin to claim as much time afield.

Thanks for your post Jeff....as usual I pay heed and consider what you say.

oops...just realize ryman posted that not you Jeff....nonetheless I always appreciate your post

I will say that this is! entertaining but that's about it.

What makes me smile the most is the fact that I WILL fill some tags (if not all of them)this year with either a longbow or recurve. I ALWAYS DO! Because of trail cams? lol ... no silly this is the first year I owned any. Because I spend a LOT of time in the mt....and I know my business when it comes to bowhunting.

sorry again to come across that way....but its fact.

I try to keep my use of modern gadgets to a minimum and for me trail cameras are too gadgety. The guys that I know who do use them are using them to pattern deer and they set up according to what they learn about deer movements from their cameras. For me, that is taking the use of technology too far but everybody gets to make their own decision on that aspect.

I like to keep things as simple as possible. I grew up hunting when there were no computers, trail cams, cell phones, online maps, GPS ... I learned to hunt by being out in the woods and learning the habits of the critters I hunted and trapped. That is still how I like to operate and I try to stick to that as much as possible. Yep, I use new fangled stuff like books, Google Earth, Leathewall too. But my personal line for using or not using is whether I think, not what anybody else thinks, some tool is going to shortcut my view of old fashioned woodcraft.

For me, using trail cams to pattern deer like my buddies do crosses my personal line. If they want to use them that way fine but it doesn't fit with my personal way of scouting and hunting. I have no illusion that anyone else is going to operate like I do and I would never even suggest that should be how others do it. What I do and how I think about modern gear works for me. I'll be happy to share my opinions but everybody makes up their own mind.

I'm sure there are some who feel using Google Earth to scout is not trad either. Gotta be a paper map. LOL

Curmudgeons unite!

I think anything like the cameras some use for hunting help at least a little bit. Nothing wrong with that as long as it is allowed. I just don't like messing with that stuff during the season...but if you do it's no bother to me.

I tend to be a realist. I call a spade a spade. Can trail cams be useful? absolutely, but How effective are they? Well that depends...

Could you pattern a buck using a trail leading to a feeder or food plot? I'm assuming you could, but I wouldn't know I don't hunt like that so.......I'm just assuming right?

You guys that are against them are you also just assuming?

I just pulled a trail cam today. It was located in a remote section of the bald Eagle state forest. keep in mind I have killed deer in this spot prior to having trail cams. Keep in mind this is a low deer density area, And is very mountainous 192,000 acres of continuous state forest plus private holdings.

It was out for one week...Last Sun till today.

Here is the ONLY! pic of a deer on it.

So if this is cheating you tell me exactly when I can kill this buck?

Like I said I've killed deer in this very spot. I may sit for days and not see anything, or I may go in on a clear cool evening and kill him.....or I may never see him again.

that's a fact....not an assumption.

With living very close to a Cabela's store and withing 30 minutes of 2 Sportsman's warehouse stores; it appears that more trail cams are in the woods where I spend time. I think that cams could be a good way to survielance private property against poachers and trespassers. I find trail cams often and this shows me how much others are using the same land that I am. I wonder how often a cougar shows on a trail cam before anyone living near knew about the cat. It would be interesting to post the photos of other hunters walking past the trail cameras. Trail cams are a year round hobby for some. i used my Uncles to find out I had grey fox, raccoons, and opossums in my pasture(plus too many cats.) Discussions like this are entertaining as we all exercise are right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Arguably the most important use of my trail cams on public ground have nothing to do with scouting 4-legged critters. ;)

I want to know if other humans are in the area more than anything else.

Hawkwing, I've only gotten a few of hunters etc. None of these keen-eyed deerslayers even noticed the camera ten feet away!

Once got a photo of a guy in an odd corner, suspect he was growing 'something' in the woods below, but never went looking. ;-)

I've walked a lot of power lines at night on trouble using a powerful flash light and the trailcams reflect back. Amazing how many of them are out there.

Think they are the coolest thing since modern recurves. Because they cost money, well - that kills it as I have other priorities. Wouldn't my great grandfather had fun with one when he was in the Calvery out west

I use them in the house, in the yard, and at the feeders. They are really pretty neat gadgets.

Shade you sum it up...they may tell you a deer has been there but that's it in a nutshell. Have hundreds of pics of slammer bucks but rarely and I mean rarely do we see them on there feet.I don't hunt my own private farm...but if I did I would still use cams.

tradmt, I think your % is pretty high. I use mine to find active feeding areas for does, which are my primary target. I couldn't care less if I ever kill a big buck. The does eat better.

Finding an active area is one thing, knowing when it is active is another. I have one spot that looks great but most activity is at night. Trail cam proved that several years back. I may sit it one evening a year if the weather feels right.

Brad that is one nice pic

Where I've hunted for years got timbered out this spring changing all the old trails. I'm probally going to hang a camera out a couple weeks before season to see what the deer are going to do. Some of my old spots are barren but there is some new spots that look pretty good? A trail camera will help me eliminate a lot of areas.

"I'm personally against the technology and think they should be illegal"

So do you use aluminum or carbon arrows, bows made with fiberglass, wear synthetic clothing, a battery powered watch, and or a manufactured treestand?

FDP, I think you're getting off target here... the OP didn't say he was against all technology, just against trail cam technology. What's your point? Are you trying to compare the use of trail cams to wearing a watch?

FDP, Or maybe you're confessing to not only using trail cams, but also aluminum & carbon arrows, fiberglass bows, synthetic long john's, iron man timex watch, & solar powered climbing tree stands... not that there's anything wrong with that :)

will tent. don't worry about the timber cutting as it will attract deer also all the new grass and brush getting sun and growing will give them a new feeding spot. and if the tops are left the will make the resting area or bed room in them. we had 40 acres cleared and they used the heck out of it.

People around here put them on their bait piles or on trails and don't hunt at all until they have a buck "with a huntable pattern" coming in based on the trail cameras. One guy said if he does not have a mature buck with a "huntable" pattern on camera, he doesn't even hunt. A lot different from pre cam days when you took your stand based on sign and hoped and dreamed of the big one coming along. Now of course you don't have to use them like that, but they are responsible for a lot of big bucks being shot once that "huntable"pattern is identified.

I like to see trail cam threads,keep the pictures coming . if I wasn't so cheap I would do it myself lol

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