What wildlife behaviors can I learn from trail camera footage?

Identifying Entry Routes and Patterns

Trail camera footage can reveal entry routes and patterns used by wildlife, helping hunters to better understand movement patterns and anticipate where animals will be at various times. For example, if a camera at a food source like a cornfield or a feeder shows deer entering from a specific direction, this information can be used to set up a stand or blind in that area. Analyzing footage from multiple cameras can also help identify bottlenecks and narrow points in entry routes, where animals may be more concentrated.

Understanding Habitat Use and Preferences

Trail camera footage can provide valuable insights into the habitat use and preferences of various species, such as deer, turkey, and predators. For instance, footage may show that deer are more active in areas with dense cover, such as thickets or woods, during certain times of the day, while turkey may be more active in open fields at dawn and dusk. This information can be used to adjust hunting strategies and target specific habitats and times.

Using Trail Cams to Create Effective Mock Scapes and Mineral Sites

Trail camera footage can also be used to create effective mock scrapes and mineral sites, which can attract and hold deer in specific areas. By analyzing footage of natural scrapes and mineral sites, hunters can identify characteristics that are attractive to deer, such as the presence of urine or scat, and replicate these features in their own mock sites. For example, a camera may show that deer are visiting a scrape with a certain type of tree or shrub, which can inform the placement of a mock scrape. Similarly, footage may reveal that deer are frequenting certain mineral sites, such as salt licks or rock outcroppings, which can be replicated in the hunting area.