deer camera: why are all my photos at night??

[Justin Falon]

I've got my game camera set up in a bend or natural funnel in a deep ravine not visible from the road.  It is downwind from a super doe bedding area and last fall's buck sign is prolific in the bend.  I've got a mineral lick on the bend and the camera is focused on it.  For weeks now, I've been getting about 50 hits per week on the lick, but ALL pictures are at night or early morning in the dark.  No daytime photos.  Am I doing something wrong???????

[BRITTMAN]

I dont think I would move the camera . I think its doing its job by telling you what deer you have in the area and what times they are comming by your camera location . What I would do is when hunting season rolls around I would find a good spot closer to the beding area or wait for the bucks to start rubbing/scraping and set my stand site up on the rud/scrape lines but NOT the camera . Another thing to think about is to make sure your not visting the area to much and when you do its scent free and in and out . Alot of folks mess up a good hunting area because they cant resit the temptation  of scouting harder and deeper when they already have found the sign they need to see . Im not saying you do that , its just that I have seen alot of hunters make that bad mistake and make the deer noctunal .

Mike

[Ray Hammond]

deer don't move in the same patterns all year long despite being in fairly small core areas.

Bucks are now in bachelor groups and bedded in areas different than where they are in the fall.

If you want to see deer move it based on the summer patterns they are in now...and back to that area in the early fall.

[Justin Falon]

Yes, I think the deer are here and they have been coming strong for weeks now.  I will probably leave it alone for a week or so and then take another look.  I will probably pull the camera by mid August and stay out.  Those bucks will come by if the does are still there.

[Mo. Huntin]

I really don't think it would be but did you walk in front of that camera in the day just to make sure it is taking day time pictures.  I know that sounds rediculous and I have never used a trail camera.  I would like to have one but I think my next purchase will be an arrow saw.

[KentuckyTJ]

What time of day are you checking the camera? I like to check mine in the middle of the day so I don't scare them off ever. Sounds to me like the camera is to far from their bedding area. Our bucks don't move to much this time of year when the velvet is on. We run all our setups in close proximity to water, food, and bedding. Probably a little late now to move your mineral site but next season I would move it closer to them.

[James Wrenn]

Just leave it alone.Deer change patterns all the time.The first 3 weeks we set ours out this year every deer was at night.The last couple weeks we have got mostly daylight pictures.The deer just changed up what they were doing.Maybe it is weather or the moon but they are subject to change again at any time. jmo

[kbetts]

Might have something to due with entrance or exit routes.  For me, that's the hardest thing to contend with.  Can they hear/smell me coming and going?  I was racking up pics for a steady three weeks before things slowed down.  I think my presence has mostly to do with it.

[Don Stokes]

I've had mine out for 3 weeks now, checking it once a week. The first two weeks I had a dozen or more different deer each week, some just before dark and the rest at night, except for one youngster who showed up at noon. The third week I got no deer at all, only a bobcat and a rabbit. Further down the edge of the field there were lots of fresh tracks; they just changed their pattern enough that I didn't get them on camera.

[SL]

Its cooler at night-they tend to stay bedded during the day in the summer unless they get pushed.
SL

[Justin Falon]

So.....just leave the camera where it is?  At a glance, it looks like a perfect setup, just gotta wait for the bucks to show up I think!

[BRITTMAN]

Yea Warrior just leave it right where its at for now . Sept. is right around the corner and we all should start seeing some rubbing and a few scrapes starting to show up .

[Justin Falon]

Brittman,
I agree.  This is probably the most promising spot I've had in 25 years.  It's less than 75 yards from a major highway and less than 40 from my neighbors back door.  Deep gulley that keeps the deer protected and hidden.

[12ringman]

Just keep in mind that they are wearing a fur coat and even though its a summer coat its hot and the bugs drive them crazy this time of year. Keep it there as is gets colder you will see more movement.