Mineral site update video. Jefferson co ky

[Mob169"]

While I was changing the card out on a trail camera I decided to do a short update video. More of an observation and opinion video. This is nothing more than expressing my strategy for running trailcams on mineral sites and what my goals are. Hope you enjoy!

 

[davers]

Good video, Great advice!!

 

[Mob169"]

Thanks Davers. Its just my way of doing it. Makes more sense to me

 

[flattop35]

This video is spot on in my opinion.

 

[Ginsenghunter]

I agree with almost all.
1. I believe it does change a travel pattern. I have put minerals in a spot without a single trail and a month later it be worn out in several directions. It may or may not bring one from a half mile away, but it definitely changes their route.
2. I wouldn't have leaned on the tree. Spray all u want, but that smell doesn't just wash off.

 

[Mob169"]

I agree with almost all.
1. I believe it does change a travel pattern. I have put minerals in a spot without a single trail and a month later it be worn out in several directions. It may or may not bring one from a half mile away, but it definitely changes their route.
2. I wouldn't have leaned on the tree. Spray all u want, but that smell doesn't just wash off.

Im sure my shorts and flip-flops didn't help either. Im not worried about scent on a location I only visit once in 2-3months

 

[LungBlood]

I agree with almost all.
1. I believe it does change a travel pattern. I have put minerals in a spot without a single trail and a month later it be worn out in several directions. It may or may not bring one from a half mile away, but it definitely changes their route.
2. I wouldn't have leaned on the tree. Spray all u want, but that smell doesn't just wash off.

I've never sprayed down before going to check my cameras and I've been running them for over 10 years. Only time I have is when I plan on hunting. I will say, during the summer and early season of bow season all my cameras can be checked from my 4 wheeler. No need to spray down, the deer know that 4 wheeler has been in and out of there. I've had mature bucks so up that same day as me checking my cameras multiple times. During the rut is a different story, a lot of my cameras are only accissable by foot and I only check those cameras when I'm in the area hunting.

 

[Mossy_Oak_Mike]

I'm anal about spraying.. I spray my boots, pants and anything else that can contact the home of the deer.. Before I open my cams I spray my hands and then spray the cam when done... I'm talking from June- February .. Might be a little over kill but I personally feel like it helps..

 

[JDMiller]

I've never sprayed down before going to check my cameras and I've been running them for over 10 years.

Same here.... never sprayed down to check cameras.

Which the one mineral lick I post a lot of pictures on this site....every 2 weeks through summer and make a point to make checks in the middle of the day.... I literally drive my truck along a field edge and step maybe 10 ft to swap cards. In turn I always clean the lens and wipe the case down with a alcohol type lens cleaning wipe.

I've always had deer show back up immediately afterward with no observed ill affects concerning scent.... including whatever mature bucks visiting prior to my visit.

Which to take this aspect of scent a step further... and many may not agree. But through the late 70's & early 80's most scents for early (October then) bowhunting were cover scents... acorn , fox, coon .. even skunk. I Used them all at one time or another because the common theory then is a hunter could mask human odor.

What happened in more cases than not .... the deer would pattern you after awhile and associate danger to a particular scent used repeatedly. Which I had it happen to me as I had a tendency to stick with fox pee and would literally have them blowing hundreds of yards away as they crossed my track. As such ...I would switch to something else that seemed to work for awhile and then the deer would catch on again.

Which to my point .... no doubt we've evolved quite a bit concerning cover sprays like scent-away and the like. But the reality as we have definitely learned more about a deers nose ... use of those products during off hunting times can possibly set yourself up for the deer to pattern you or associate a particular repeated odor as you continuously use it. Such as with camera checks , filling feeders ... ect.

Again this is just my own personal theory stated here.

But the bottom line were never going to beat a deers sense of smell. I think playing wind, avoid touching every branch or weed while walking in .. keeping it low impact concerning access / exit and when / what time of day is key regardless of hunting or checking cameras. As I think over use of any particular scent sprays can hurt more than help in the off season specifically.

 

[kyarcher]

I'm anal about spraying.. I spray my boots, pants and anything else that can contact the home of the deer.. Before I open my cams I spray my hands and then spray the cam when done... I'm talking from June- February .. Might be a little over kill but I personally feel like it helps..

Same here but in Summer and early Fall when the undergrowth is still pretty thick I also slip on a cheap and lightweight pair of rainsuit pants. When I mean cheap I'm talking about those you can get for $5-10 at Walmart or any other sporting goods store. Also the rubber boots I wear have never been anywhere except the cabin.

 

[Mob169"]

It definetly helps to take all those measures when checking cams often. On a larger farm I hunt you have to keep tabs on the relocation of bucks. They don't stay in one area year round.