A seven-step process in finding and patterning big, old bucks.
Modern trail cameras are powerful tools that can help hunters pattern and predict deer movement. The best trail cams link to cellular networks and even use AI to filter the most useful images to hunters in near real-time. However, no matter how great this tech gets, it’s still up to the hunter to use it effectively.
A dialed-in hunting strategy requires a good understanding of trail cameras plus some old school woodsman ship. As such, here is a seven-step process for finding and patterning big, old bucks.
Understand How Cell Cameras Reveal Deer Activity Patterns
Cellular trail cameras are designed to offer advanced scouting abilities and techniques. Deploying these tools is far superior to the use of traditional trail cameras. While trail cams of old needed in-person card pulls, cell cams do not.
In our modern reality, cell cams significantly reduce applied pressure to hunting properties. Furthermore, whitetails live their lives on long-term, mid-term, and short-term patterns. Long-term patterns aren’t usually huntable patterns. Usually, these are loose descriptions of deer bedding, feeding, and watering activity within a certain acreage. Think of it as 30,000-ft level scouting. Other than knowing the deer is on or near a property, it doesn’t benefit hunt planning. Traditional trail cameras are good for collecting this type of scouting intel.
Detecting mid-term patterns offers some degree of aid in hunt planning. Oftentimes, this type of scouting intel offers more relevant information. For example, it might indicate a specific bedding area or destination food source (but still, a rather large area) that deer use over the course of weeks or maybe even months. It gets you closer to understanding exactly how to approach targeting a specific deer, but still, more information is needed.
That brings us to short-term patterns. On this level, deer patterns can change weekly, and oftentimes, daily. These are the most nuanced of tendencies that deer express in their daily movements. Even small changes in a deer’s environment, such as habitat changes, altering food sources, seasonal landscape shifts, drought-stricken water sources, and more, can lead to small (or large) pattern changes.
To hunt a specific buck with any significant chance of tagging it, hunters must find these short-term patterns. Examples include:
Exact bedding areas (and locations within bedding areas) being used.
Destination food sources deer are spending the most time at.
Exact trails and travel routes taken between bedding areas and food sources.
Short-term food sources that attract deer for a minimal amount of time.
Smaller food sources deer stage up at between bedding areas and destination food sources.
Small watering holes deer use with the most frequency.
Any other location deer tend to pass through with frequency (at least a few times per week).
Without question, the short-term pattern level is where serious deer hunters must focus their efforts. Because of this, cell cams offer the best real-time intel that’s relevant to short-term and mid-term deer patterns. Those who go months, weeks, or even days without checking traditional cameras likely won’t directly benefit from the data produced for specific bucks. That only helps from a herd inventory perspective. It rarely provides the real-time scouting discoveries needed to move in and strike with efficiency.
Long-term patterns aren’t usually huntable patterns.”
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Without question, the short-term pattern level is where serious deer hunters must focus their efforts.”
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With a general understanding of deer movement patterns, and how deer tend to use the landscape in relation to bedding cover, food sources, water sources, safety and security, social interaction with other deer, and more, it’s time to e-scout. Using a hunting-based app or map, study the hunting property. Search for quality locations to place trail cameras. This reduces time spent in the field while deploying cellular trail cameras. Additionally, it can pinpoint locations to place traditional trail cameras that can “soak” and remain unchecked until later in the season (if needed). Or check these after deer season, which can reveal general deer patterns and how the herd uses the property. Either way, you’re using these traditional cameras for the mid-term and long-term patterning of the property. For example, you might learn a specific buck spends the early season, rut, or late season on the property, but not the remainder of the season. This can help you make macro-level decisions next year in relation to land management changes, hunting efforts, etc.
E-Scout Your Hunting Area
In areas that offer good long-distance views of a property, some hunters prefer to glass from afar before placing trail cameras. Paired with e-scouting, this increases the odds of placing cell cams in great spots.
However, if you’ve already placed cameras, and they aren’t producing as you’d like, consider glassing from afar afterward. Doing so can reveal deer patterns and determine how far off your cameras are from the action. Then, adjust accordingly.
Glass From Afar
After e-scouting and glassing from afar, it’s time to deploy cell cameras. While doing so, consider low-pressure boots-on-the-ground scouting. Don’t invade likely bedding areas. That said, you’re already on the property to place cameras. So, poking around the edges of food sources, water sources, travel routes, and staging areas can help learn the property. It can also reveal even better spots to place cameras. If placing cell cameras long before hunting season (months, not weeks or days), you might consider placing cell cameras on the fringes of bedding areas. The closer to bedding areas, the more likely you’ll see daylight movement. That said, don’t go so far as to place these in spots that might pressure deer out of the bedding area.
Deploy Cell Cameras Wisely
With cell cameras in the field, it’s time to wait. Soon, the cellular trail camera photos will begin rolling in. That’s an exciting time, especially when taking inventory and learning what bucks are on the landscape to hunt for the year.
Wait for Trail Camera Data to Roll In
Once a hunter identifies short-term patterns, they must interpret these and translate into hunt planning. As you receive cell cam photos of specific target bucks, patterns will emerge. With the help of cellular trail cameras, things you might realize with specific target deer include:
It likes to bed on a specific ridge line.
It prefers to stage up under a specific oak tree until dark, before moving out into an ag field.
It usually takes the same afternoon route down the hill from bed to feed.
It tends to take a morning route to the bedding area that allows it to circle in from downwind.
And much more.
Regardless of the revelations, each one will inform you of potential vulnerabilities the buck displays. Some deer hunters refer to these as “chinks in the armor.” With that, it can also pinpoint the best locations and times to intercept the target deer.
Translate the Trail Camera Photos and Data into Patterns and Plans
In addition to your own interpretations of cellular trail camera data, technology can help take analysis even further. Thanks to Moultrie Mobile’s Activity Chart, your cell cam data can reveal the best locations to hunt. Additionally, the Game Plan feature can help determine the best times to move in and hunt that big buck that’s on camera. Using this real-time data for mid- and short-term patterns offers an unparalleled advantage for deer hunters.
Wait for the Right Time to Strike
Furthermore, the Edge 2 Pro comes loaded with cool, new features. First, it includes a new GPS, which automatically pins on the map for an accurate location. Additionally, the latest On Demand inclusion enables users to trigger photos or videos via the app.
Paired with the Moultrie Mobile app, this cellular trail camera provides hunters with exceptional scouting abilities. These auto-connects to all major U.S. networks. You can adjust settings remotely. Best of all—the aforementioned Activity Chart showcases which cameras have the most deer activity. It even breaks down the data based on bucks, does, time of day, and more. Additionally, the Game Plan feature forecasts deer movement via weather and trail camera data.
Other Moultrie Camera and Moultrie Mobile app combo benefits:
Folding antenna for improved performance, storage, and transport.
Accurate timestamp info on each photo (time, date, moon phase, temperature, etc.)
Built-in memory eliminating the need for SD cards (and auto clearing to maintain space for photos).
Unlimited cloud storage (view and manage all photos in the app).
Maintain access to existing trail camera photos (even if you cancel the plan).
Running on either eight or 16 AA batteries (plus external battery sources)
Compatibility with Moultrie’s Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack or Mobile Solar Power Pack.
Two-year warranty with products.
Cell cams and mobile apps aside, there are some sweet cellular camera add-ons to consider. These can boost the efficiency, longevity, and overall effectiveness of trail camera efforts.
Get the Most from Your Cellular Trail Cameras
Deer season is near. If you haven’t already deployed an armada of traditional and cellular trail cameras, it’s time to do so. These are among the most valuable scouting tools available to deer hunters. And that’s why it’s important to let cellular trail cameras tell you when to deer hunt.
Move-in for the Kill
Cellular trail cameras are ideal for most deer hunters. Near home, the use of these limits the volume of human intrusion and pressure applied to your hunting spots. Far away, such as distant hunting properties or out-of-state hunting spots, these can reveal the best times to deer hunt. However, for trail cameras to perform, they must be efficient and reliable.
The right cellular trail cameras can boost the efficiency of what you’re trying to achieve. For example, the Moultrie Mobile Edge 2 Pro offers significant advantages to deer hunters. Camera specs include a 100-ft flash and detection range, 0.3-second trigger speed, 40-mp resolution, 1080p video (with HD audio), and more. Fortunately, the Instant Live Aim—a live look at the camera’s field of view via smartphone pairing—makes for a simpler setup. The Advanced Nyxel NIR Technology provides near-infrared tech that allows image sensors to see better and farther during low-light conditions (while consuming less power). This model also includes False Trigger Elimination technology, which cuts out those pesky photos of leaves and twigs triggering photos. Of course, the No-Glow Flash ensures quality nighttime images without capturing the attention of humans or wildlife.
First, the Edge Series Flex Mount 2 makes it possible for more precise adjustments on each axis. Ultimately, this eliminates the use of sticks to obtain a proper camera angle.
Similarly, the Edge Series Camera Stake is ideal for spots that don’t offer trees or posts for mounting. It’s telescoping, fully adjustable, and an optional accessory that allows for a second camera or solar pack.
Lastly, and most importantly, consider an external battery source. These increase battery life extensively and ensure fewer visits to refresh trail cameras. Trail camera users have several options, including the Edge Series Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, Solar Battery Pack, and 10-W Solar Battery Pac
Depending on the situation, some might require the Edge Series Security Box. Crafted from 16-gauge powder-coated steel, it helps protect cameras from theft on private lands. It also protects against wildlife, such as bears. It even can add another layer of protection from the elements.
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Cellular trail cameras are designed to offer advanced scouting abilities and techniques. Deploying these tools is far superior to the use of traditional trail cameras. While trail cams of old needed in-person card pulls, cell cams do not.
In our modern reality, cell cams significantly reduce applied pressure to hunting properties. Furthermore, whitetails live their lives on long-term, mid-term, and short-term patterns. Long-term patterns aren’t usually huntable patterns. Usually, these are loose descriptions of deer bedding, feeding, and watering activity within a certain acreage. Think of it as 30,000-ft level scouting. Other than knowing the deer is on or near a property, it doesn’t benefit hunt planning. Traditional trail cameras are good for collecting this type of scouting intel.
Detecting mid-term patterns offers some degree of aid in hunt planning. Oftentimes, this type of scouting intel offers more relevant information. For example, it might indicate a specific bedding area or destination food source (but still, a rather large area) that deer use over the course of weeks or maybe even months. It gets you closer to understanding exactly how to approach targeting a specific deer, but still, more information is needed.
That brings us to short-term patterns. On this level, deer patterns can change weekly, and oftentimes, daily. These are the most nuanced of tendencies that deer express in their daily movements. Even small changes in a deer’s environment, such as habitat changes, altering food sources, seasonal landscape shifts, drought-stricken water sources, and more, can lead to small (or large) pattern changes.
To hunt a specific buck with any significant chance of tagging it, hunters must find these short-term patterns. Examples include:
Exact bedding areas (and locations within bedding areas) being used.
Destination food sources deer are spending the most time at.
Exact trails and travel routes taken between bedding areas and food sources.
Short-term food sources that attract deer for a minimal amount of time.
Smaller food sources deer stage up at between bedding areas and destination food sources.
Small watering holes deer use with the most frequency.
Any other location deer tend to pass through with frequency (at least a few times per week).
Cellular trail cameras are designed to offer advanced scouting abilities and techniques. Deploying these tools is far superior to the use of traditional trail cameras. While trail cams of old needed in-person card pulls, cell cams do not.
In our modern reality, cell cams significantly reduce applied pressure to hunting properties. Furthermore, whitetails live their lives on long-term, mid-term, and short-term patterns. Long-term patterns aren’t usually huntable patterns. Usually, these are loose descriptions of deer bedding, feeding, and watering activity within a certain acreage. Think of it as 30,000-ft level scouting. Other than knowing the deer is on or near a property, it doesn’t benefit hunt planning. Traditional trail cameras are good for collecting this type of scouting intel.
Detecting mid-term patterns offers some degree of aid in hunt planning. Oftentimes, this type of scouting intel offers more relevant information. For example, it might indicate a specific bedding area or destination food source (but still, a rather large area) that deer use over the course of weeks or maybe even months. It gets you closer to understanding exactly how to approach targeting a specific deer, but still, more information is needed.
That brings us to short-term patterns. On this level, deer patterns can change weekly, and oftentimes, daily. These are the most nuanced of tendencies that deer express in their daily movements. Even small changes in a deer’s environment, such as habitat changes, altering food sources, seasonal landscape shifts, drought-stricken water sources, and more, can lead to small (or large) pattern changes.
To hunt a specific buck with any significant chance of tagging it, hunters must find these short-term patterns. Examples include:
Exact bedding areas (and locations within bedding areas) being used.
Destination food sources deer are spending the most time at.
Exact trails and travel routes taken between bedding areas and food sources.
Short-term food sources that attract deer for a minimal amount of time.
Smaller food sources deer stage up at between bedding areas and destination food sources.
Small watering holes deer use with the most frequency.
Any other location deer tend to pass through with frequency (at least a few times per week).