If you’re like me, you think about whitetails a lot during the offseason. Whether on the heels of your best or worst year ever, considering the upcoming open season for whitetails brings new hope, strategies, and gear; lots of gear.
With Virtually every new deer season comes the need (perceived or otherwise) for new hunting equipment and gadgetry. Most whitetail junkies love it, whether they care to admit it or not.
This notion isn’t reserved for those leaning into expensive new purchases like bows, stands, or UTVs. Rather, it’s all the small to medium-sized purchases that add up in a hurry. From broadheads to boots; feeders to plot seed, many items have hunters reaching for their wallets at lightning speed.
For many purchases, income level and, in some cases, common sense goes out the window.
Hey, it’s okay. It’s the same for any avid golfer, fisherman, or woodworker. They all revel in obtaining new gadgetry. Who am I to judge? I tend to think most of us are wired this way.
Amid the myriad accessories craved by deer hunters, there’s no gear more popular than trail cameras.
Except for a small subset of purists, deer hunters love their game cams, not to mention gawking at the deer they capture in images and videos. They’re strategic, informational, and fun. You only have to visit social media and online hunting forums for proof.
I’ve used expensive and budget cameras and everything in between. While some offerings in all price points walk the walk, I’ve had ones that fail in some way shape, or form. It can be maddening.
That’s why I’ve honed the unpopular notion that you can make hay with cheapie cameras. In fact, through many years of trial and error, I’ve found several cameras of varying price tags to be adequate, if not great.
Budget cameras like this one offered by Muddy Outdoors, take crisp images.
I typically run about a dozen trail cams across a few properties each season and have had good success with inexpensive models that are scoffed at by most of the North American deer hunting contingent. Lucky for me, I’m both thick-skinned and, well, a tightwad. Further, I solely run standard non-wireless cams. Therefore, this article is geared toward them. Call me old-fashioned.
At the end of the day, the key to consistent trail camera success is largely about common sense care and maintenance; and this rings true, regardless of price point. While I usually include a couple of higher-end models in the mix, it’s largely a batch of cheapies that makes my whitetail scouting world go round. With that, here are a few basic tips for using budget game cams in your neck of the deer woods. As a bonus, I’ve included a few inexpensive models I’ve found to function well with proper care.
Note: For consistency, this article covers only standard non-wireless trail cameras.
Keep Them Off the Ground
This rudimentary pearl of wisdom brings home the first-place ribbon. Nothing good occurs once a trail camera hits the dirt – makes sense, right? When trail cams become detached from their perch, many bad developments surface; components are damaged, housing is cracked, and my favorite, cameras are trampled by livestock or hogs. Arguably, many inexpensive trail cams simply have less-stout housing. Make sure they’re firmly attached to trees and T-posts. Hang them in a way that animals can’t jar them loose. All bets are off once your cam hits the ground – especially if they lay in the elements for an extended period.
Many trail camera failures occur after cameras hit the ground. Secure them well.
Keep Them Clean and Sealed
Like with expensive game cams, keep the battery terminals, housing, lens, PIR sensors, and flash component clean. This takes little more than any combination of a wet rag, toothbrush, and cleaning wipes. Remember that corroded cables can cause poor functioning and ants can wreck the circuit board in no time. Clean these areas whether you think they need it or not. It takes 2 minutes…Also, make sure the sealing gasket remains in place and intact.
Storing SD Cards
This one is easy but often overlooked. When not in use, keep SD cards at room temperature. Yeah, this means, don’t leave them in the truck and never leave them in an unused camera. Take it a step further by organizing them in a card case. You’ll thank me later.
Don’t leave SD cards in trail cams when not in use, especially during the offseason.
Maintain Secure Mounting
Always ensure the camera strap is in good condition and keep the camera tightly ratcheted to the tree. If the provided strap isn’t long enough for your tree of choice, get a longer one. Like their pricier counterparts, many cheap cameras come with a threaded receiver. Invest in a few threaded camera mounts. In doing so, make sure the camera holder is screwed tightly into a tree or fence post. Likewise, always check to ensure the camera is securely screwed to the mount.
Off-Duty During the Offseason
Never leave cameras up when not in use – certainly never leave cards or batteries in the camera during the offseason. This one is always a no-no, particularly with cheaper units. For the record, I’ve ignored this tip more than once. After the grind that is deer season, it’s easy to fall victim to procrastination. Don’t blow it just because it’s time to put away your bow or rifle.
Battery Basics
If there is one thing that can prove pivotal with successful game camera operation, it’s the batteries. For best results, use longer-lasting AA lithium batteries. While they’re a little more expensive, they typically are more dependable and work better at colder temperatures. If using regular alkaline batteries, don’t mix batteries of a different brand, age, or type. Finally, in my experience, rechargeable batteries don’t perform well in trail cameras.
4 Cheapies that Pass the Test
If you practice the aforementioned care and maintenance routine, you can substantially decrease your trail camera budget without compromising your whitetail scouting game.
Here are 4 downright inexpensive trail cameras that you can successfully deploy on the regular.
Seek out budget trail cams featuring a threaded insert for attaching to threaded tree screw mounts.
WOSPORTS 16MP Mini Trail Camera $39.99
Found on Amazon, these compact gems can be real workhorses with proper care. They take crisp images as well. Requiring only 4 batteries, WOSPORTS game cams include a mounting bracket and strap and are also offered in 2-packs for only $75. Small in stature, they’re easy to store and are a great way to outfit a property.
Muddy Outdoors 14MP Trail Camera – $29-$34
This one’s easy to operate and comes standard with a mounting strap and built-in threaded insert for screw mounts (my favorite hanging method). I have used two of these for over 2 full seasons without a hitch so far. Requiring only six AA batteries, I’ve found the image quality to be particularly good with this model. The best prices on this model can be found at Academy Sports and Outdoors.
Liplasting 16MP Trail Camera $30.99
Liplasting trail cameras can be found on Amazon. Their features include a detachable battery chamber, solar charging port, and super easy setup. Both a mounting strap and threaded insert are included. Another unique feature is its ability to operate on either 4 or 8 batteries. This one’s a good solid choice.
Tasco 8MP Trail Camera – $28 (Walmart)
The detractors were likely waiting for me to list this camera. Many a hunter knows that these cameras are commonly seen gracing Walmart hunting aisles across the country. While I hear mixed opinions on this model, I’ve sustained the use of many a Tasco system with proper care. These cams aren’t fancy, but they’re easy to program, come with a threaded insert for screw-in camera mounts, and, at only $28, are worth consideration. You’re not going to win any photo contests with these, but images are plenty clear for scouting. For the record, I currently have 3 of these that have served me well for over 5 years straight (one of them going on 10).
The WOSPORTS mini-trail camera produces clear images and comes with a mounting bracket system.
While all trail cams have the propensity to fail occasionally, you can effectively maintain a healthy trail cam scouting regimen with cut-rate systems. Tend to the basics and remember that with this mentality, you can keep your desired number of eyes in the woods on the cheap – and replacing them isn’t overly painful if they do fail or are stolen.
One final thought; There are a few relatively high-priced game cameras out there that will perform really well. I can even argue that they have better components and housing. However, pricier models fail too, especially with shotty care. Believe me, I had an ultra-popular $250 unit bite the dust a couple of years ago. I currently run a couple of models in the $200 range as part of my camera fleet. Simple math to remember; With about 5 cheapies to every high-end model, you can afford to have a lemon. If one fails, you’ve still got 4 functioning units at your disposal. If there’s anything I like more than a bargain, it’s simple math.
Now, get out there. It’s time to start capturing all things antlers, age structure, and travel patterns – try these models and do the little things that will help them help you in your whitetail pursuits.
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