Trail cameras are one of the most important scouting tools for serious deer hunters. They’re the perfect partner to food plots and wildlife projects and allow you to see the success your hard work is building. Although deer season is on the distant horizon, it’s not too early to begin setting cameras, especially with today’s longer battery life. Here are 12 tips to maximize your “pixel hunts” from the Gamekeepers.

Imagine watching this buck's antlers develop over the summer months.
Imagine watching this buck’s antlers develop over the summer months.

Most whitetail enthusiasts don’t run their trail cameras through the early summer months for several reasons; one being, a buck’s antlers haven’t developed to a point of distinguishing them from other bucks. Next month is the perfect time to get your cameras working for you and following are a few thoughts to help you get the most from your trail cameras.

1) Choose the right camera. The worst cameras today are better than the first flash cameras that hit the market. The two most important features are an infrared flash and a quiet shutter. No animal, including whitetails, like to have a whopping, white explosion go off in their face when it’s pitch black. Flash cameras spook wildlife, period. You must also have a quiet shutter. If you get photos of the animal looking at your camera, it could be hearing your shutter.

You may also want certain other features like better resolution, time-lapse, burst mode, video, password protection or built in viewer. It all depends upon your personal needs, but like most things…you get what you pay for.

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