Trail Cam Favorites

A trail cam picture doesn't have to have a huge buck in it to be good! Here's a few of my favorites from the past couple months! -Andrea

Browning Trail Cameras
Stic-N-Pic Camera Mounts

Strutters #BrowningCameras #SpecOps

Drake Mallard #BrowningCameras #ReconForce

He Told Her! #BrowningCameras #ReconForce

Pretty Doe #BrowningCameras #RangeOps

Drake Wood Ducks #BrowningCameras #ReconForce

Spread Your Wings #BrowningCameras #ReconForce

Rock Wall Tom #BrowningCameras #RangeOps

Trespassers: What Can Be Done?

By Andrea Haas

I was sitting in my deer stand last weekend overlooking the food plot where I've been getting trail cam pictures of a buck of a lifetime. I've even had several encounters with him in this spot recently and I know that if he keeps slipping up, his days are numbered. While I'm sitting there I'm reflecting on my deer season and thinking how lucky I am to have this beautiful piece of private land to hunt on. It's something that I will never take for granted.

Suddenly I hear something walking in the woods behind me. My heart starts to race, like it always does when you're anticipating seeing that big buck take his first step out of the woods. But I didn't see a buck step out, or any deer for that matter. Instead, I hear the voices of 2 people coming closer and closer, cussing, yelling, and breaking tree branches along the way, ruining my evening hunt.

There are few things that make me extremely mad and upset, but people not respecting boundaries, crossing the fence onto our property and ruining my chance at the biggest buck of my life is definitely one of them. Unfortunately trespassing is something that has become a common occurrence on our private property over the past few years. Just this spring I had a game camera stolen right before turkey season by a trespasser. We contacted the Sheriff's office and thankfully I got the camera back, as the trespasser walked by another of our game cameras with the stolen camera in hand, and was able to be identified.

I would just like to say that my husband and I have worked hard for what we have, my husband especially. We work hard to manage our land how we see fit and turn it into a haven for wildlife. We do not, however, do all this work to benefit trespassers and poachers. So what can be done about this?

As far as I know, in Missouri, we need to have no trespassing signs up around our property, as well as purple paint on the trees. You can do some research on your state to find out what the law is regarding this. Fencing off your property clearly shows the property lines and may be worth the extra effort if this hasn't been done already.

It also doesn't hurt to have a conversation with surrounding neighbors to let them know where your property line is and to let them know if they do or do not have permission to be over there. In our experience, this does not guarantee they will stay off of your property, but it doesn't hurt.

If this doesn't work you may have to resort to contacting the Sheriff's Department and or game warden. Setting up surveillance cameras to catch them in the act will help too so you can provide evidence to help support your case and help identify the trespasser or poacher.

Sometimes it's an honest mistake made by someone who really just didn't know where the property line was. But with my experience, it seems people just have a blatant lack of respect for other people's property. Does anyone else have any other words of advice here? If so please drop me a comment, I am all ears!

The Art Of Capturing Unique Trail Camera Photos

     Most hunters are aware of trail cameras, and how beneficial they can be when it comes to patterning the specific animal you are hunting. Trail cameras can also be used for surveillance and security of a home or business.
    However, one of my favorite pass times involves using a trail camera to capture unique images in the wild. This is especially a great hobby that helps to carry me from one hunting season to the next.
    I spoke with Pat Howard, chief camera operator of DLC Covert Scouting Cameras, and "the man" when it comes to getting some really awesome pictures. He has given me many useful tips to pass along. Here is what he had to say;
" 1.) Point the camera north to avoid sun issues. This is not a deal breaker as some of my favorite pictures have come from cameras pointed south east or west, but is a good rule of thumb.
2.) Be the camera. Try to see what the camera will see, paying close attention to the background. What will be in the picture is just as important as the critter you are after.
3.) WATER!! Almost all of my favorite pictures have some sort of water in them. Possibly a pond or creek crossing.
4.) Explore! Take a walk to find the most scenic spots on your property. Hang a camera and see what shows up.
5.) Challenge yourself! Set a camera to catch a specific animal. For example; I set a camera in a rock bluff setting the target species being a bobcat. After two weeks I was rewarded with the exact picture I was after in that particular setup.
6.) Have fun! Trail camming is a great hobby for the whole family. I like to call it "remote photography".
7.) A portable camera stand is worth it's weight in gold when chasing post card worthy photos."
I hope this article has been helpful. It really is a great hobby, and great to include children as well. Not only is it entertaining but also educational. Best of luck to you in capturing your own  post card worthy photos.
By Allison O'Nan