Cellular trail cameras have changed the way modern deer hunters scout whitetails and other big game. They’ve also led to significant improvements in game management practices. Without a doubt, cell camera technology benefits deer hunters. Here are the top reasons to run cellular cameras, the best places to use them, and a real-life example of how they helped a hunter tag a trophy buck.
A Lot of Reasons to Run Cellular Trail Cameras, If You Don’t Already
Cellular trail cameras offer exceptional benefits. There are many reasons to run them on your hunting properties. From minimized human intrusion to better real-time intel, it pays to post some cell cams.
Change Settings Remotely
There’s no need to drive to the farm and switch a cam from photo to video mode — just do it from the app.
Less Human Intrusion
Reducing the need to visit camera locations to pull cards or change settings means less human intrusion in deer habitat.
Save Time
Cell cams save time. You can change settings remotely, skip physical SD card retrievals, and avoid frequent trips to the farm.
Save Money
Spending money on cell cams can actually save you money. A smart plan means fewer trips, which cuts down on gas expenses — especially for distant hunting properties. Monthly cell cam plans often cost less than a tank of fuel.
Immediate, Real-Time Info
Depending on your settings, cellular cams can deliver fast, real-time scouting information — much quicker than retrieving SD cards.
Informed Strategy
The timely intel from cell cams helps hunters make better, more informed decisions based on the latest activity.
Monitor Herd Health
Cell cams aren't just for scouting. Use them to monitor herd health and track overall wellness.
Inventory Bucks
Use cell cams to maintain an up-to-date inventory of bucks. This helps when deciding which deer to hunt — or let walk.
Study Short-, Mid-, and Long-Term Patterns
Deer operate on short-, mid-, and long-term movement patterns. Cell cams help you track and hunt according to these behaviors.
Understand Property Dynamics
Every hunting property is unique. Cell cams help you learn how deer use the land and speed up the learning curve.
Learn Deer Behaviors
Whitetails communicate through sound and body language. Cell cams help you observe and learn these behaviors over time.
Improve Property and Camera Security
Cell cams offer added security. Proper deployment helps monitor trespassing, theft, and more.
Best Spots To Get Trophy Buck Photos
Certain areas consistently produce better photos of mature bucks. Focus on whitetail essentials — bedding, food, water, and security — and set cameras strategically.
Bedding Areas
Bedding cover is where deer spend most of their time during daylight hours. Set cameras on the edges of bedding areas to avoid intrusion and still gather quality intel.
Some hunters use SD card cameras inside bedding areas during the offseason. However, once the season starts, stay out. Use those cams for historical data only — not real-time intel. When it comes to cell cams, stick to the edges of bedding cover.
Key bedding-related cell cam locations include:
- Secluded Cover: Hidden patches away from human activity often hold mature bucks. Place cameras on trails leading out of these.
- Leeward Bedding: Bucks often bed on leeward ridges. Track preferred ridges with well-placed cams.
- Solar Bedding: In winter, deer prefer sunny southern-facing slopes. In summer, they seek shade on cooler northern slopes. Place cameras between bedding areas and nearby food sources.
- Thermal Bedding: Dense conifer stands — cedar, spruce, pine — offer shelter from wind, rain, and snow. Place cameras along trails connecting these areas to food.
Food Sources
Food is another key part of the puzzle. Posting cams near feeding areas helps find and pattern deer.
- Ag Fields: Place cams at field corners and along trails leading from bedding cover.
- Food Plots: Monitor all food plots for consistent deer activity.
- Soft Mast Crops: Apples, pawpaws, pears, persimmons, and plums are excellent cam locations.
- Hard Mast Crops: Red oak and white oak acorns, chestnuts, and other mast crops draw deer reliably.
- Natural Browse: In summer, deer feed on green browse. In winter, it’s woody browse. Identify and monitor key areas.
Water Sources
In areas with limited water, these spots can be goldmines for camera placement.
- Creek Crossings: Natural pinch points make great ambush and inventory locations.
- Water Holes: Secluded, stagnant water holes often attract mature deer.
- Waterway Edges: Creeks and rivers provide bedding, feeding, and travel routes.
Other Prime Locations
Don’t overlook:
- Staging areas
- Scrapes and rub lines
- Trail intersections
- Funnels and pinch points
- Fence crossings
- Legal mineral or feed stations
A Real-Life Cellular Trail Cam Case Study
In 2019, bowhunter Dusty Altman used cell camera intel to track and tag a massive buck on the prairie. On Oct. 30, he arrowed a 190 3/8-inch deer with his compound bow — a hunt years in the making.
Altman first spotted the buck in early September while glassing near an alfalfa field. The buck was in full velvet and massive. Soon after, he placed Spypoint cell cameras in the area.
By mid-October, the cameras captured photos of the deer. Altman had a lease on the property and had hunted it for over a decade, so he understood the local deer behavior.
He hunted the area on Oct. 26 and 27. On the 27th, he finally saw the deer. Cold, windy conditions with a 25 mph north wind had deer moving. Unfortunately, the buck skirted him, following does out of range.
On Oct. 30, Altman made a move. He spotted the buck bedded in a plum thicket about 700 yards from the earlier encounter. It was located in a bowl near a two-track farm road. Knowing deer were used to machinery, he drove down the road — passing just 40 yards from the buck.
“I’ve hunted there enough to know that as long as you keep going, they stay bedded,” Altman said. “I knew I was taking a chance, but it was better than trying to hike around.”
A Long, Cold Crawl
Once out of sight, he parked, stripped down to his thermals, and removed his boots to stay quiet. Strong winds masked his approach. He crawled within 15 yards of the bedded deer.
After 45 minutes, cold and shaking, he softly whistled. The buck lifted its head, then eventually stood up. Altman drew his bow, but the deer stepped forward out of his shooting lane. He quietly adjusted his position by a few inches to clear the vitals, then let the arrow fly.
“You always want to kill that giant,” Altman said. “I finally got the opportunity. I’ll keep trying to shoot one bigger, but I don’t know if it will happen.”
He credited the hunt’s success to camera intel and careful observation. “It got to where I knew when he was in a general area,” he said. “That first night, I almost shot him — all based on cell camera intel.”
The experience changed his hunting strategy. “I wanted this deer so bad, I got more aggressive than usual. That’s changed how I hunt now. If you’re smart, you can push the needle a little.”
A former guide, Altman now hunts for himself. “I used to help others get their buck of a lifetime. But now, I’ve shot mine.”
Spypoint Cell Cam Benefits
Spypoint cellular trail cameras are excellent tools for whitetail and big game hunters. They get signal in tricky areas where others may fail.
For sensitive locations, use no-glow LEDs like those on the FLEX-DARK or FLEX-S-DARK to avoid spooking deer. In shady spots, opt for the FLEX-PLUS. For sunny areas, the FLEX-S-DARK offers longer battery life with its integrated solar panel.
- FLEX-DARK: 40MP photos, 1080p video with sound, 100-ft detection range, 0.3-second trigger speed.
- FLEX-S-DARK: All of the above, plus solar charging.
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