I just saw this. First off there are a lot of variables to deal with in giving input. Second, Jon is a lot smarter than he looks. Ha. You guys need to listen to him more often. Frankly I don't use trail cameras hardly at all. Gene is addicted to them and loves them. I can see good and bad points about them. The only thing I basically use them for is to know what's in the neighborhood. I don't depend on the times, or to pattern activities, etc. I think checking them constantly disturbs the area too much. As Jon stated above, I'm of the opinion when it's dark deer think they are invisible. They see much better in the dark than we can obviously. They'll stand off to the side in a field and watch you walk right by, whereas they would clear the field in the same scenario if was daylight. Therefore I like to enter the stand/area before first light. I normally like to be in position a half hour before pink light. That gives the critters you've disturbed on entering a little time to settle down to regain their normal activities. I'm not at all afraid of using a flashlight on entering. I mean I don't purposely shine it all around but I'll not hesitate pointing it at the ground on entering. They'll stand off to the side and let you pass (remember they think they're invisible) whereas they'll panic if they just hear footsteps in the dark. When entering I'll also do it as quickly as possible. A lot will depend on the wind velocity. If it's windy they'll not likely hear you entering anyway because of the background noise. If it's dead quiet they can hear you from a long ways off even if you're trying to sneak in, although I'll often rake bare spots for foot placements the last 50 yds. or so in/out. But you might just as well get into the stand quickly but quietly and hope the deer you are intending to shoot is still a long ways off and out of ear range. Regarding times of activities, I really have never paid much attention to it other than to inform myself what time it was when I shot, or what time it was when I saw activity, etc. I usually look at my watch after I see game to see what time it was. But I don't pattern my hunt schedules on that timing. In otherwords, if I enter the stand at 6AM but don't ever see deer until 8:30 in that area, I don't think "heck I'll just get here at 8AM". No.. no. That's laziness. You never know when it might happen. As I said, there are a pile of variations and there's not time (no pun intended)to get into moon phases, barometric pressures, cloud covers/lighting, winds, moisture, time of the year, leaf cover/foliage, etc. Let me just say this, hunting longer hours when conditions are perfect will give you the benefit of being there when the right time comes; will disturb the area less on entrance/exit, on top of the fact it's more fun, you'll learn more and see more. bw
Topic: Deer movement times.. Questions for Barry Wensel and those who use cameras all year (Read 188 times)
