The brain of a mature whitetail is more complex than any high-tech trail camera that will ever be invented. Whitetails have survived for millions of years by programming predatory smells, sights and sounds into memory.

The author's nephew Jake Davenport got this outstanding drop-tine buck on film on three separate occasions, but he had to move the camera to a new spot each time to do so. The author thinks this buck was avoiding the camera flash (which was not infrared). Mounting cameras above a deer's sight plane (see Trail-Pods) can prevent a buck from spotting the origin of the flash, spooking it less.

For example, say that a hunter shuts his truck door and walks to a tree stand several hundred yards away for two days in a row. While en route, he unknowingly passes upwind of a bedded buck both days. Even if the wind is in the hunter's favor on the third day, the moment that buck hears the truck door slam, he'll take for granted that a human is headed into his domain, and he'll probably either sit tight or go the other way.

If an adult whitetail errs at all, it's usually on the side of caution, and that means the hunter's chance of success is near zero.

TIP NO. 1: BE DISCREET
The most detrimental aspect of a trail camera is overuse. A new unit in the hands of a first-timer is like a toy. The owner can't wait to see results from day to day. This allows deer to program the camera owner's activity more than vice versa.

Daily intrusion into the woods or along a field edge tells whitetails more about camera owners than those hunters will ever learn about their quarry through photos.

A camera is best placed in a transitional area where it's easy to enter and exit without being detected. Avoid inspecting the unit for at least a week or more. Do not leave telltale human odor by touching the housing or mounting components with bare hands. A scent-blocking spray should be used on the unit and mount to inhibit foreign odors.

TIP NO. 2: MOUNT YOUR CAMERA HIGHER
Since the conception and subsequent heavy usage of trail cameras, there has been overwhelming proof that a flash will spook some deer from the immediate area. So what about the latest claims by manufacturers that infrared flash won't spook game. Are they legitimate?

More than half of the photos I've taken with infrared flash indicate that the subject deer knew the exact location of the camera when the infrared flash triggered. These photos often demonstrate deer movement perpendicular to the camera, yet the deer's head is almost always turned looking at the unit.

A whitetail likely first notices the passive infrared heat sensor beam and instantly turns its head toward the camera in time for the infrared flash. Though most professional trail camera users agree that infrared flash is better, they also concur that it still spooks some deer.

Seasoned trail camera user Terry Tank of Glenwood, Minnesota, was one of the first ever to address a solution for the flash problem. Terry began mounting cameras several feet above the sight plane of whitetails immediately after being temporarily blinded by his own camera. He found that this reduced the chances of deer spotting the origin of the flash or being blinded by it.

The higher mounting also prevents deer from smelling a unit at close quarters. He eventually invented the Trail-Pod, which is now marketed through many sporting goods outlets.

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