Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Serious Deer Talk Forum Nocturnal Deer

If you own the land here's what I suggest you start doing after the season ends.

Start a QDMA study on your small spot. Should be pretty easy because of the size. I had 800 acres and did a 5 year study to see exactly what the hell was going on 24-7 365 out there.

I had cell cams, video cam's, and various commercial and homebrew units at food piles, crossings, water locations, mineral sites, bottoms, harwoods, cut overs etc.

I had it down to really what the size of herd stayed or were usuals there all year long and what patterns they developed over the months.

Quickly did I find out which were usual travel runs or rut trails. I was able to locate the popular areas for bedding locations at different parts of the year.

It takes time to figure them out "BUT" what happens on your guys land isn't the same just miles down the road or state. A big part of holding deer in a location is what does that particular area have to offer the browser (deer) to stay, return or hit and miss it.

I always knew the month of August was a no show period for all the bucks in my herd. Where'd they go, is anyone's guess but it wasn't on the 800 I owned that offered everything any deer would want.

They were breaking up the bachelor groups during this time as well.
Many man made intrusions always help in aiding to why they left.

You have to think stealthy when doing the survey. No odd smells, spit from tobacco, beer cans, kids running everywhere picking up sticks and logs leaving stink, dogs running amuck, cigarette hands touching trail cameras, discarded batteries lying around etc.

I had the herd on my land down pat enough that I had them all named on my image gallery I saved. I could see who the stranger bucks were during the rut and how many fawns were born as well.

Trail camming is a fun hobby and can be irritable at the same time be it theives or poor cell reception to forgetting to turn on the darn camera. Yes, it happens.

If you can afford the best and don't want to disturb and area(s) by going in to check SD cards, may I suggest cell cams cameras from Reconyx.

I've used about all kinds and these are really seriously hard to beat and can take up to 30-40k worth of images depending card size and trigger settings PLUS last up to a year in the field without a battery change out. Video settings eat battery life so, equip them with a solar panel if possible. Cell signals eats power as well so be prepared when embarking on a study.

As all things, studies cost bucks so, how much you invest is how much you get back. R.O.I.

The study is well needed there and you'll have fun if you have cell service or alternative antennas to receive a signal even solar panels to maintain a constant charge if applicable.

The less people you have tromping around in there the better your results.

JMO, after doing my 5 year study. I hope this helps you or somebody else out as well.

Go cheap = cheap results.