Anybody else quit running trail cameras?

[Triple C]

I've been a trail cam addict for the past 10 seasons after purchasing my property in 2010. Kept albums of "hit list" bucks and so forth. For some odd reason, following last season and leading into Spring, I just never deployed the cameras. It feels liberating not constantly checking cameras to see what's running around with bone on their head. Feel like I'm going in to the season hunting new ground without having any "camera" knowledge of bucks using the property.

Any of you other guys ditched the camera?

Not that my camera ditch is permanent but seems to feel good this year.

 

[bear claw]

Not fully but have cut way back. Use to I'd have 6 or 8 cams running. I have 1 out at the moment and don't plan on running anymore.

 

[jhanie79]

Yes! Did the same for this year. I'm actually excited to see what's out there

 

[Jim Thompson]

Kinda.

I hate cameras, but always find myself putting them out. Then I cuss myself for all the inherent issues with them or the lack of anticipation because the bucks arent showing up etc.

This year has been brutal on my schedule and I havent had the opportunity to get to new lands and put up cams and although I've missed some of it (probably just missed the scouting and work more than cams) I aint missing much.

 

[Triple C]

My situation just seemed to happen. Right in the middle of a new house build that we moved into in May and all the stuff that goes along with that just prevented me from getting cameras out. Then after not having them out for so long it started to feel kinda good not feeling like I had to run check the cameras every week. Guess in my mind I have a few bruisers running around cause I don't have any evidence that they are not.

 

[Milkman]

I only have 2 cellular cameras this year. So I get pics daily.
I must not like the others anymore.

 

[scottyd917]

I think this will be my last year running cameras at all. The other day I came to the realization that I have never killed a buck deer that I have on camera. And come to think of it, I have never even seen what I would consider a shooter deer in real life that I have also had on camera. The last buck I shot was in 2017 and I bought my first cameras a week later. I have not killed or even gotten a legitimate opportunity at something I would consider a shooter buck since then...I feel like they have possibly made me lazy in the sense that I have become less dependent on actually having to scout and find the sign needed to give myself a good chance...For the past few years the only thing cameras have given me is a heck of a battery and feed bill to pay on, not even considering the fuel and time I have lost just to check cameras. IMO I was a much more successful hunter before I ran any cameras or feed and probably would have benefitted a great deal more in that period of time if I would have just scouted more traditionally with boots on the ground rather than going to the woods ONLY to check cams...

 

[Ace1313]

I used to be a big time camera guy, constantly checking them and moving them trying to get on the deer.

About, three years ago now I started a new job and just didn't have the time or frankly the want to, to see about cameras and all they entail. Plus, I it would frustrate me to see I sat in the wrong stand after checking the camera (which would lead to a lot of sitting at the truck stressing over where to sit).

So I made the decision to just hunt! Hunt the wind and terrain features and trust the sign I was seeing to lead me to the deer I was after. I haven't looked back yet!

 

[mguthrie]

I quit cams a few years ago. Then a buddy picked a couple Tactacam’s. I’m now running 2 of those. I had been getting pics of a Batchelor group with a couple nice bucks but they have dispersed now. We hunt 3000 acres so they’re still around somewhere

 

[Thunder Head]

I dont run them like i used to. I actually dont have one out right now.

For the most part it just frustrated me. I either could not locate a shooter. Or could only get night time pics.

 

[livinoutdoors]

I did on my own property. I never use em on public land but have had em up on my own. This year i was all like, hmmm maybe i'll just see what pops up and not worry about the camera.

 

[Timberman]

I’ve got two out but I never check em

 

[Deernut3]

I've been forced to cut my camera usage down to about 6 compared to 20 something last year. It does feel kind of liberating not feeling like you have to go here or there and check or move cams etc. I had both knees replaced 6 weeks ago so my walking has been curtailed greatly. I hope hunting properties without cameras is more exciting without knowing what's there.

 

[ssramage]

No. I seem to add more each year.

 

[WishboneW]

Never have used them. I like to be surprised by what shows up

I did buy 2 recently to identify the dog leaving deposits on my patio. I have been unable to trap him and with pictorial evidence I can get animal control to identify and act on the owner

 

[C.Killmaster]

I never have used them for hunting, only for surveys to assess population parameters.

 

[The Original Rooster]

I used to put out a few but stopped. I came to the realization that there wasn't much point. Deer are well researched animals. They eat, sleep, and reproduce. Go to the places they do that and you'll see them. Lots and lots of time spent in the woods is the only way!

 

[Gut_Pile]

I run them on my GA lease bc it is 6 hours away and its fun to keep tabs on what is going on. On my SC properties I just go hunt and see what shows up.

 

[baddave]

I really never have put much emphasis on cameras. Not trying to be insulting but I don't believe a 51 seasoned hunter really needs them. TV has made everyone think they're not really hunting w/o the cams when in my mind it's just the opposite

 

[JustUs4All]

I would have to have started using trail cameras in order to ditch them. I have a couple that I used to track entry and exit of logging trucks. Some folks like to farm their deer up and keep an eye on them with trail cameras or use trail cameras for scouting. I can see why this would interest some folks and I have no problem with it.

For me, I had rather be surprised by what I see when I hunt. It just adds to the enjoyment of the hunt to me.