Summertime Trail Camera Deployment

Summertime trail camera deployment often requires a little more preparation than in the other seasons. Keep in mind that there will most likely be excessive amounts of vegetation, including poisonous plants, so you will want to make sure to bring a couple of extra items along with you when preparing a spot for a trail camera. A simple machete can clear vegetation so that false triggers do not interfere with summer intel, and some basic gloves help serve as a barrier from poisonous plants and reduce your scent. 

Late spring and summer are fantastic times to aid wildlife antler development and lactation with supplemental free-choice mineral sites. The most effective areas for mineral sites during the summer include both shade and water. Another of my secrets for mineral sites, especially loose mineral, is to establish minerals where soils tend to have a higher clay content. Mineral sites that stay moist generally tend to see more regular activity than sites that are hard and dry.

In recent years I have utilized summer trail camera intel to determine deer density, age structure, and predator density, and develop early season strategies for states with August and early September hunting seasons. I recommend Browning Trail Cameras for their simplicity, detection range, battery life, and ease of use. If you will take the extra time, I know these efforts will pay great dividends during hunting season.