Game cameras - how far away from target?

[Tom Anderson]

How far away from your intended target (i.e. trail, bait pile, etc.) do you place your game cameras?
I think I've had mine situated much too close to the trail I'm watching and have only caught the tail end of a couple of deer so far.

[BigRonHuntAlot]

I like mine around 10-15 feet. The direction the camera is facing will help some with trigger time. If you can face it up or down the trail instead of broadside it may allow more time to take the pic. I hope that makes sense?  


 What kind of camera are you using?

[Widowbender]

As Ron said,If you're gettin tails then that means your trigger speed is too slow(pretty commom with digital cameras, especially at night)... you might want to angle the camera down the trail a little bit to give the animal more time to trigger the photo and still be in the shot...You could also put out something to hold them up for the shot. A non rut type deer scent might work this time of year or a rut scent later on during the year. 10-15' is about right. Deer look small if they get to far out from the cam (over 30').

David

[Tom Anderson]

Ron,
I'm using a Stealth Cam Infrared.

[Wary Buck]

It depends on the camera.  With the Digital CamTrakker (pricey, but worth it), I like to set it up about 8-10 yds. from the intended target.  It has a very fast trigger speed, great sensing range, and is awesome with rechargeable long-lasting batteries.

It really helps with any camera to have the deer want to pause in the frame.  Whether a scrape, a fence crossing, food or water source, putting down some deer scent, or simply lay a cedar bough on the trail or scuff the ground just off the trail to get the deer to pause.  Like I said, with the CamTrakker I've not had a problem but with others trying to do something to delay them does help.